Several big-money deals appear risky
MIAMI — Out of the nearly $4 billion worth of new NBA contracts signed during offseason, some seem fairly certain to benefit the team that’s laying out the money.
Kevin Durant, he makes Golden State even better.
LeBron James, he’s worth every penny to Cleveland.
Not every deal is a lock to work, and here’s a look at 10 contracts executed in recent months with a fair amount of risk attached. AL HORFORD ■ Left: Atlanta ■ Signed with: Boston, 4 years, $113 million
Horford has never averaged 20 points, but he’ll now average more than $26 million in salary. The Celtics have raved about this move since they got it done this summer, and Horford knows that with this kind of salary comes enormous responsibility — especially in Boston, where fans are starved for a return to the NBA’s elite.
■ Outlook: It only works if Horford delivers a title. HASSAN WHITESIDE
■ Stayed with: Miami, 4 years, $98 million
He made $980,000 last season and is now assured of making 100 times that much over the next four years. The question with Whiteside throughout the will-they-or-won’tthey decision process in Miami was whether he could be trusted with that kind of money. The Heat not only believe it, but ultimately they wound up needing Whiteside because of the Chris Bosh saga.
■ Outlook: He has a skill set like few others in the game, and $98 million was what the market bore. HARRISON BARNES ■ Left: Golden State ■ Signed with: Dallas, 4 years, $94 million
Dallas missed on a number of big free-agent targets in recent years, then wound up taking Barnes. There was no room left for Barnes in Golden State, and he parlayed passing on a $64 million deal in 2015 into one worth much more now. It’s still Dirk Nowitzki’s team and will stay that way, but Barnes will have to play at a high level to make this seem like a win.
■ Outlook: He struggled in the preseason, and the money will bring big pressure. He will have show he can handle that pressure. JOAKIM NOAH ■ Left: Chicago ■ Signed with: New York, 4 years, $73 million
He played in only 29 games last season, had no rhythm on the floor and couldn’t shoot. A change of scenery might help, but he turns 32 in February. His best game last season was 21 points and 10 rebounds — against the Knicks, which explains why they came running with checkbook wide open.
■ Outlook: The Knicks aren’t wor- ried about the money. They need to worry about his durability. LUOL DENG ■ Left: Miami ■ Signed with: Los Angeles Lakers, 4 years, $72 million
When Deng came to Miami two years ago there were questions about how much he had left in the tank. But Deng had consecutive good seasons with the Heat, and even flourished when he was moved to power forward last February after Miami lost Chris Bosh again. He can still play, and more importantly to the Lakers, he can lead.
■ Outlook: A young core can learn plenty from Deng, which makes that deal money well spent. BISMACK BIYOMBO ■ Left: Toronto ■ Signed with: Orlando, 4 years, $72 million
He’s coming off a career year, so that’s good. Alas, that career year was him scoring 5.5 points per game. He doesn’t have an outside game, isn’t good from the foul line and isn’t exactly a dominating shot-blocker. But he can rebound, and his big games in last season’s playoffs — eight double-digit board games, including a 26-rebound night against Cleveland in the East finals — revealed all his potential.
■ Outlook: Orlando had the money, and knows it wasn’t getting a 20-10 guy. But he’ll need to do more to make it all worthwhile. DWIGHT HOWARD ■ Left: Houston ■ Signed with: $70.5 million
Howard essentially replaces Al Horford and gets to go home to Atlanta. The Hawks are good but not great, and really, the same can be said about Howard now. A look at the scoring numbers — 13.7 points per game last season — suggests a decline, but that probably was because he attempted fewer shots than at any point in the last decade.
■ Outlook: Losing Horford meant Atlanta had to do something, and playing in his hometown could invigorate the sometimes enigmatic Howard. Atlanta, 3 years,