For most of you GMs, the playoffs are just around the corner. Perhaps you’re already locked in for a spot to advance to the playoffs or maybe, you’re looking to make a strong push for the final 1 or 2 spots left in your league. Whatever the situation it may be, there are definitive ways to get you over the hump.

First and foremost, if you have any extra baggage on your team that you can afford to let go, do so now. What good is it to have a decent player who may not return for another week or two if you won’t make it to the playoffs? You will need every spot possible (especially if there are no IR spots in your league) in order to take advantage of the stats that each player can produce for you. You’re better off dropping your injured players and picking up someone healthy from the waiver wire who can give you the stats that you need. Notable players that might be hanging around in your free agent pool are:

1)      PJ Tucker: Ever since Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas have been traded, more opportunity have been given to those on the team. More shots have definitely been given and more roles as well. Tucker has been one of the bigger beneficiaries on the team and can provide you with a solid amount of points, rebounds, steals, blocks, 3-pters, and free throws at the sg,sf position. He can definitely give you stats that are rare for a sg,sf which are defensive stats and offensive rebounding.

2)      Nikola Mirotic: Now that the Bulls are shorthanded and are without superstars Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose, the need for offensive power will be spread between a few players. Snell, Brooks and Mirotic are the likely candidates who will benefit the most. In fact, Mirotic has been on quite an impressive offensive streak thus far. He has been able to score effectively and produce a hefty amount of points, 3-pters and free throws, not to mention his rebounds and ability to post up modest defensive stats. Mirotic is definitely a great pickup and with Butler and Rose out for at least another week or so, he will help your team significantly for the time being.

3)      Norris Cole: With Tyreke Evans recent ankle injury and Jrue Holiday still up in the air regarding his return to this season, Cole should have a decent role with the Pelicans. Since they are making a push for the playoffs, they will need Cole to step up in a huge way. Perhaps having players such as Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, Omer Asik and Ryan Anderson can help him rack up more assists. One thing for sure is, Cole can help you out with points, 3-pters, assists and steals.

If you truly want to make the playoffs, you really need to consider dropping excess baggage that you have on your team, especially if you’re looking to squeeze into the playoffs. Depending on which stats you need, you will need to do your own research on who to pick up from the waivers.
 

Questions arise every NBA season about if that guy gets paid too much or too little for his production on the court. As many NBA fans Kobe Bryant is the highest paid player in the NBA even though he hasn’t been healthy for the past 2 seasons. Bryant signed a 2 year $47 million deal with the Lakers back in 2013 and is going to make $23,500,000 this season. Taking a look at the NBA salaries you get the impression that many of these players are ridiculously over paid. For example, three of the top five NBA highest paid players are currently on IR. Kobe Bryant leads that list followed by Carmelo Anthony ($22,458,401) and Dwight Howard ($21,436,271).

Let’s factor in that the other two top 5 highest paid performers in the NBA are Joe Johnson at #2 ($23,180,790) and at #5 LeBron James ($20,644,400). When you really take a look at this list you just wonder what the Hawks were thinking offering the 6’8 Joe Johnson a $100,000,000 contract a couple years back. LeBron James is easily the most dominant, poised, and recognizable figure in the entire league, yet he chose to take less money for his team to have the ability to succeed. That’s admirable considering Kobe Bryant gets offered what he demands by Jeannie Buss.

That being said, let’s take a look at some stats from around the league at overall production from these players and if they are actually worth the money they are receiving.

 
#1. Kobe Bryant- 34.5 MPG, 1.5 3PM, 5.7 REB, 5.6 AST , 1.3 STL ,0.2 BLK , 22.3 PTS ($23,500,000)

#2. Joe Johnson- 35.3 MPG, 1.6 3PM, 4.9 REB, 3.5 AST , 0.7 STL, 0.2 BLK , 15.2 PTS ($23,180,790)

#3. Carmelo Anthony- 35.7 MPG, 1.5 3PM, 6.6 REB, 3.1 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.4BLK, 24.2 PTS ($22,458,401)

#4. Dwight Howard- 32.2 MPG, 0.0 3PM, 11.0REB, 1.4 AST, 0.7STL, 1.4BLK, 16.3PTS ($21,436,271)

#5. LeBron James- 36.3MPG, 1.7 3PM, 5.7 REB, 7.3 AST, 1.6STL, 0.7BLK, 26.1 PTS ($20,644,400)

#6. Chris Bosh- 35.4 MPG, 1.4 3PM, 7.0 REB, 2.2 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.6 BLK, 21.1 PTS ($20,644,400)

#7. Chris Paul- 35.0 MPG, 1.6 3PM, 4.8 REB, 10.1 AST, 1.8 STL, 0.2 BLK, 18.5 PTS ($20,068,563)

#8. Deron Williams- 31.0 MPG, 1 .3 3PM, 3.1 REB, 6.2 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.3 BLK, 13.2 PTS ($19,754,465)

#9. Rudy Gay- 35.1 MPG, 1.1 3PM, 5.9 REB, 3.8 AST, 1.1 STL, 0.5 BLK, 20.4 PTS ($19,317,326)

#10. Kevin Durant- 33.8 MPG, 2.4 3PM, 6.6 REB, 4.1 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.9 BLK , 25.4 PTS ($18,995,624)

After re-evaluating and breaking down stats we think it’s fair to come to the conclusion that almost every NBA player is over paid in one way or another. You would think for someone to make $20,000,000 a year they should be able to start and perform well in every single game during the season. Yet , this is just not the case. As you can see many of the top 10 earners in the NBA are either regularly hurt or underperforming this season.

Two notable high paid athletes having good seasons off this list of course would be LeBron James and Chris Paul and we can even include Chris Bosh and a resilient Rudy Gay in there as well. But in overall fantasy value, Your best bet would be LeBron or CP3 if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck.