The Pelicans have some of the best value contracts in the NBA

The New Orleans Pelicans have a deep and talented roster that is starting to get expensive, especially at the top.

Both CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram will be making upwards of $30 million next season and center Jonas Valanciunas will be making around $15 million in each of the next two seasons, though he is a pretty good bargain himself considering he’s one of the best centers in the NBA.

Zion Williamson will be a great value for one more season, as he makes just $13 million next season, but after that, he too will be over the $30 million per year mark.

To have such an expensive roster at the top, a team has to have guys further down the payroll who are contributing on value deals, and luckily the Pelicans have several players who qualify.

New Orleans Pelicans’ roster: Best value contracts

Larry Nance Jr: $9.6 million

If you can get an impact role player who can play and defend several positions for under $10 million per season, it’s a win and that’s what the Pelicans have in Nance Jr., who will likely be in line for an extension once the Pelicans sort out CJ McCollum.

Dyson Daniels: $5.5 million

Daniels is on a rookie deal, and though he has not yet played a minute for the Pelicans, they expect him to be part of the rotation and eventually one of their core guys. His contract ranges from $5.5 million up to 7.7 and he should be a good bargain for the entirety of it.

Trey Murphy III: $3.2 million

Same with TMIII, who is on a late first round rookie deal that pays him just $3.2 million next season and ranges up to 5.1 in 2024-25, not bad for a guy who figures to be a mainstay on the Pelicans depth chart.

Herb Jones: $1.7 million

Jones is one of the best value contracts in the entire league, as he is a borderline All-Defensive player (and will get there soon) and full-time NBA starter. Not too many second-round picks are in the starting five in their first season, so Jones represents one of the best deals in the NBA for a guy with his talent and impact.

Naji Marshall: $1.7 million

Marshall will likely be a fringe rotation player next season, but that’s ok because he is on a deal that will pay him just $1.7 million this year and up to 1.9 the season after that. Neither year is fully guaranteed, so Marshall is a good value even if he doesn’t play a ton.

Jose Alvarado: $1.5 million

Not many guys making the league minimum can say that they got in Chris Paul’s head in the playoffs. Alvarado is not only a fan favorite, but the heart and soul of the bench after going un-drafted and working his way onto the roster. He’s a solid backup point guard who is making less than most guys who never play, so like Herb Jones, is one of the best deals in the league.