Why Role Players are Getting So Expensive

[@AlexHoops]

Small typo at 7:41, the third line should say “year 3”. Sorry about that!

[@plutorose1073]

when you go to the bathroom do you ever giggle and think "lol im AlexPoops"

[@rob.parsnips]

Double year 2 is correct, time really does move slower in Oklahoma

[@AlexHoops]

@@plutorose1073every time

[@WalterCollings-hd6he]

Your good

[@bignoob24]

I think high value role players deserve to get great money, because they're so important to winning games.

[@0vern9K]

No

[@bignoob24]

@@0vern9K Yes.

[@0vern9K]

@@bignoob24 no

[@Idkwhattocallmysf]

@@0vern9Kyes

[@javongreen2515]

It depends on how you define great money but with the new cba those kind of contracts don’t make sense to give out.

[@RhinoGore38]

Will you ever make a video about the decline of the "middle class" in the nba. It seems like these days players are either making $25 million+ or the league minimum

[@joshkatsikis9138]

$25million a year is the new middle class, the superstars are all making $40/$50mil+ per year.

[@rubbishrabble]

Buddy Hield and Caleb Martin, both at around $10 million per year, ranked around 180th to 210th in salary. That between the sixth and seventh spot on the NBA roster. Maybe ya confused the normal roster with the three extra practice only squad. Hoops Hype has the full ranking if ya curious.

[@dxfifa]

@@rubbishrabble This free agency has completely dried off the 10-20m deals

[@youkittubekit]

The salary cap and strategic cap management are important parts of building a team and shooting for a championship. I would enjoy a video about stockpiling draft picks (NY) keeping your own draft picks (Charlotte) and trading away your draft picks for veterans (LAL). and what types of situations fit all 3.

[@somone1437]

okc is the one stockpilling and keeping all their draft picks. the more extreme cases of trading away are pho and lal respectively

[@jblassio]

These days people don’t see it, but these players are no longer in it to win championships. Its all about the 💰They are all betas…🚫🏀🏀

[@rainofkhandaq6678]

Denver's motto should be "Join us and let Jokic carry you to 40+ million"

[@seand7042]

No wonder he like horses so much

[@radityapoerwanto7018]

​@@seand7042 he got carried for once

[@Phoenix-pm2qr]

That's the selling point for LeBron all those years. Triston Thompson, Iman Shumpert, Timo Mozgov, Andy V, Kyle Kozma, Matthew Delividova, KCP,

[@ronaldmckoy7209]

Dope video, I really enjoyed how you broke the salary cap bumps over the last decade

[@AlexHoops]

Really appreciate that, glad you enjoyed!

[@dimelo58]

Facts good stuff

[@galiojusticejustice3191]

They're not overpaid, teams are realizing it's better to pay a premium for quality players based on fit rather than overpaying a third star you don't need

[@tanvirsingh2075]

Over pay and pay a premium are the same thing

[@BigGuido7]

That’s makes no sense but alright

[@johnmarkson1990]

celtics are a good example of this. they have 2 stars and then a bunch of overpaid roleplayers that fit them. pick your 2 stars and then find those supporting pieces.

[@redwarrior118]

​@@tanvirsingh2075 Roleplayers dont get supermaxes

[@robertsmith2088]

I'm sick of them getting paid while the middle class dies off. Nothing against them getting paid, but get the bloody affordability issue fixed up for normal people who work or operate small businesses!

[@thuggwaffle8825]

Certain types of role players are extremely valuable. Guys that are going to fill their role perfectly while also making the right pass or the right rotation on defense are rare. They contribute to winning just as much as the superstar does in my opinion. Guys like Aaron Gordon, Deni Avdija, Bruce Brown.

[@AB-sw4kb]

They're also in high demand, so it creates a bidding war. A player's market value might be about $10M, but then another team offers $12M, and then another team offers $15M, and then another team offers $16M with a player option, etc.

[@brendonwallace6640]

@@AB-sw4kbyes because consistent role players are super hard to find bro

[@jojo-ze2kl]

Avdija hasnt even made the playoffs bro

[@AB-sw4kb]

@@brendonwallace6640 yeah I know bro I'm just talking about value bro

[@ramzeezthamightygod]

As a Celtics fan, it’s honestly been kind of a shame to see Denver lose supporting pieces in kcp, Bruce brown, and Jeff green. No doubt that team would’ve been tough competition for Boston to face this year, but I think that series could’ve genuinely been one of the most exciting/captivating finals we’ve had in a long time… just high quality basketball. I want to take a second to appreciate the incredible chemistry and cohesion of that nuggets team. The way each man down the roster had their role and skillset, and thrived as a unit-even fairly limited guys did a lot within their role and shined by playing to their strengths. It was a perfect example of the total being greater than the sum of its parts. I’m not saying Denver is going away at all with jokic and Murray etc… but the guys that left most definitely contributed to their success in massive ways. The ‘24 Celtics are also a team that’s much greater as a collective.. different from Denver in many ways and I’m not comparing their build exactly… but it definitely would’ve been a treat to see them battle it out

[@king_Charles501]

Tobias is going down in history as the greatest bag chaser ever😂😂😂😂 Klay should have talked to Tobias agent if he really wanted a bag

[@OnIyASpoonfull]

Tobias's agent is his father

[@ghsense2626]

And Tobias has made more money in his career than Klay?

[@Florian-yk8vg]

@@ghsense2626 relative to his value and skill on the court? id say arguably yes

[@cwj_721]

@@Florian-yk8vg easily lol that man is straight buns getting paid like a star. bradley beal is similarly overpaid

[@Smido83]

He didnt want money... thats the point. He had a 82 Mio (I think) 4 year offer from the Lakers and a 42 Mio 2 year offer from the Warriors. But he signed in Dallas for 50 Mio and 3 years. So best case, he plays one more season after his current contract ends and gets 10 mio as a 37 years old shooter, he left 22 Mio on the table, compared to the Lakers offer.

[@localneo-graphic4647]

10:46 If you're a Rockets GM, you don't have that choice, your poverty owner will make it for you. They are the ONLY team in the modern NBA to have NEVER gone into the luxury, even when they were contending. That's right, even in 2018, when the team won 65 games and were one game away from the Finals (and probably a ring), they were trading down rotation players to get under the luxury tax and let key pieces walk in free agency that offseason. Our owner even chose NOT TO USE A MLE because it would have put them into the luxury, absolute lunacy.

[@duyanhng8430]

damn they squandered james harden peak pretty hard huh, daryl morey worked mircales turning that team into a winning machine

[@gusgoudelocke793]

pretty sure pels haven’t paid it either

[@alexescutia4805]

Didn’t know that. Insane.

[@alexescutia4805]

And they apparently got the 6th richest owner in the league

[@Smido83]

Yeah, sadly thats true. Hence why I dont think this current roster will go anywhere in the future. Your owner will not pay all the young talent and go into the tax. Not even talking about 2nd apron here, just normal tax. Means he will either trade young talents when they are extension eligible (looking at Green here), or more realistic, get rid of the older, league and PO proven guys already on the roster (VanVleet and Brooks).

[@caitlindolan6232]

love this video. anyone who says OG is overpaid doesn’t know ball!!

[@Kaleidoscope2412]

Finally someone who understands the sticker price shouldn't be judged in a vacuum. The amount players make is based on the salary cap and the CBA, we can't just look at the amount and contrast it to yesteryear.

[@Smido83]

I say that for years... Dallas fans (my team) cry over the Kleber contract (11 mio) for years now... Dude is making like 8% of the cap. I think thats more then fair for a 20 min 3&D backup PF/smalball center. But hey... they think 11 mio is so much, when it actually isnt. Its like 5.5 mio in 2016!

[@muvzyhoops]

Love this vid bro away from the film breakdowns and I love it :)

[@Finkz27]

Being a sports management major this gives me more information than what any class is giving me for what I’m projecting my career to be, hope to see more stuff like this!

[@marmeus]

I said the same thing yesterday for the "stars" looking at the highest salaries in the league, the good half is more than debatable... The discussion is different for "roleplayers" I think, they are key to win it all. 22m/y is a bit high for KCP for example but nothing shocking imo Now 50 to 57m/year for Bradley beal by comparison... that's scarry af (could have pick someone else)

[@Onjai-dr1zh]

It caused me some level of headache hearing numbers but you really explained CLEARLY. And I love your statement about 'save money or go for the champ'.

[@tommydesilva7084]

not that I don't like your film breakdown content but I find this style of video particularly good!

[@bornashamloo]

The 2nd Apron is definitely going to correct the market back to pre-2016 where you'll have 1-2, maybe 3 max contracts reserved for stars and the rest of the roster only getting 5-20% of the Cap accordingly.

[@felipecouto1102]

I think it wont even allow that. OKC will have deja vu, since the will go through the Harden situation AGAIN in a few years: they are AMAZING at drafting, were wise in stockpile their drafts, and are going to be punished for it because they wont be able to keep all their players

[@dthrust9037]

@@felipecouto1102nah presti got ptsd he will overpay

[@powerline8951]

@@felipecouto1102 How long until they have to split up their core ?

[@felipecouto1102]

@@powerline8951 OKC? My bet is 3-4 years MAX

[@apex8373]

Very informative, thanks

[@byambaadorjsuren4091]

Great video with easy to follow but detailed explanation.

[@partysover4324]

Great vid more of these plz

[@BoolatGuzairov]

I do like that new format, it brings more versatlity to a content you making. What me personally’d also like is to see more conceptual content (new tendencies in Xs & Os, new team roles similar to Matt from Swish Theory doing etc). W/ regards to the topic: we shall reconsider the therm “role player” since mentioned guys (iHart, OG, D-White, KCP etc) playing more than ONE role offensively + those “overpaid” guys are one of the most versatile defenders in the league. So I’d be straight to say Trae Young is more of a role player than them.

[@Killavolta]

That is pretty well explained, Thanks for the videos!

[@strahinja2856]

Great video, didnt really think about it this way, keep going

[@Herz.Seele.Verstand]

Sorry for the straight words, but normally I find your videos not that interesting, but this time it was really really interesting. Thumbs up!

[@awandenxumalo1844]

Amazing video Alex

[@2five814]

great vid bro, helped me learn bout the salary cap some more too

[@J0hnnyPants]

Great video, 2 minutes in it was different but loved it

[@xcon86hot]

I really enjoyed this. I don't mind more of this type of videos.

[@minutmed33]

Great informative video, thanks Alex!

[@tuckermusic4719]

I think the biggest reason for this is with the new CBA teams have to use like 90% of their salary cap. They can’t just sit way under the salary cap until players become available. This causes teams to overpay for role players to fill the cap. Just like Dillon brooks last year. The rockets just needed to fill the salary cap

[@A350Airways]

Give me the NHL salary cap structure any day... there are not nearly as many exceptions, which makes the NBA salary cap a joke. (The only exception is LTIR, and no one is actually signed to a max contract in the NHL, the max is 20% and the highest cap hit is 15.7%)

[@tuckermusic4719]

@@A350Airways I feel like you can’t change it now. If the nba was always like that then it would work but trying to lower players salaries would cause a hold out or players going overseas. At this point you almost have to make more exceptions cause it’s about to be a few players with a max and a lot with the minimum. They’ll have to include more mid level exceptions for dudes to get their fair worth

[@A350Airways]

@@tuckermusic4719 Let's not forget about the second apron; far higher than the nominal cap, but is the closest thing to a hard cap in today's NBA...

[@cameronno6039]

@@tuckermusic4719 You could probably change it at a new CBA, particularly if centered around a new salary spike where players overall make more money and max talent salaries remain flat.

[@tuckermusic4719]

@@cameronno6039 only issue with that is ya gotta have the owners agree on that too. I don’t see owners wanting to pay more for lower level players who don’t make them near as much profit as the stars do

[@DtrJr]

great video!

[@alvarosalmeron05]

LOVE this format

[@matthewgarfinkle4311]

Great video. I’m not sure why this concept is so difficult for nba fans to grasp.

[@AidanXavier988]

Great vid, love hoops content that helps us learn - keep it up!

[@Tony-gg2cv]

Great breakdown I actually understand it 🔥

[@DampBridge]

Great vid alex! I don't mind that it's a bit different at all

[@wooffee2]

NBA players and their contracts are the only salary in US that gets a raise adjusted to inflation

[@daquan970]

Keep these goin

[@LaurenceHaban]

great video! subscribed! hi from the 🇵🇭

[@joshkatsikis9138]

They're getting paid because the league salary cap increases each year and teams need to fill cap space but there are only but so many super star players. One of the main allures to guys like Isaiah Hartenstein was that he was a good player on a cheap contract, he's now being compensated for his production based on the market but also based on how much cap space OKC had to fill. This can misconstrue a players actual value within the league, also players within the level of sub-allstar elite level role player often get large contracts for the purpose of being traded. If Hartenstein isn't working out in OKC they can trade him for two good role players, essentially doubling their money.

[@DNsports24]

Great video

[@localneo-graphic4647]

The NBPA arguing for a one-time spike is utterly moronic, like seriously, who would want that besides players who just HAPPENED to be hitting FA in the 2016 offseason? Stars will still get their huge payday eventually, but role players who WEREN'T FA's in 2016 got underpaid for a few years while bums in 2016 got contracts getting contracts that should've been superstars.

[@solar6811]

The Golden State Warriors were pretty happy with how that turned out

[@doomguy4945]

Because it's usually the richer, more overall influential players that are running the NBAPA. I don't necessarily think that smoothing the cap would've helped roleplayers more than letting it spike, but the NBAPA has been criticized quite a bit for not really doing much for lower-end players.

[@cameronno6039]

The only people benefitting from smoothing were the ownership group. Why would anyone bargaining for players ever agree to money being taken from the players for any amount of time?

[@localneo-graphic4647]

@@cameronno6039 Because that's not the case, the only the players that benefited were the ones who signed in 2016, because even if you smooth it, you can still defer the money they 'saved' by adding it to the cap at a later date, and I can assure you, the NBPA would have negotiated this deferment had they agreed to smoothing the cap increase. In fact, doing so would have made things even better, because that backloaded money would have flattened cap increases for a few years, leading to a more stable league. This is the sensible policy to argue that benefits players in a way proportional to their skill instead of rewarding scrubs that were simply lucky their contracts expired on the right year. NBPA wasn't doing their job, but of course CP3 and Bron didn't care, they just wanted a fat supermax.

[@guppy719]

Money now is worth more than money in the future and the NBPA demanded the money as soon as possible. But yeah it was a disaster for both the league and really the players because there was a monetary drought after that fucked a lot of players that happened to be unlucky with timing.

[@igloomoron7839]

Reminds me of dwayne wade who was never a number one option in HS and college but,proved him self on the biggest stage when his team needed him most,and had great moments that made him a star ⭐️

[@taytaydamonkey4616]

Mr. Ball Knowledge

[@udishomer5852]

If you pay the 5th best player (i.e. KCP or Hartenstein) 16-18% of your salary cap, you probably exceeded the salary cap within your top 5 players. So for the next 10 players' salaries you are over the cap and paying fines on top of their salaries. Doesn't make sense to me.

[@rob.parsnips]

In the case of OKC, their second and third best players are young and on cheap rookie contracts. Problem later, but opportunity now. Even Shai is only making like $35m/year off his rookie extension. Completely busted situation over there.

[@powerline8951]

Very well explained

[@hopoff9968]

Inflation. Everything is going up so naturally their wages have to go up too. Now sure the average person, "essential workers" they called them, are experiencing wage stagnation like never before. Sure, but we'll be damned if these basketball players don't get every dollar they DESERVE, God Bless this country🫡

[@sebastiancortxs]

Damn what a great video

[@kedrprao]

I always use that salary cap spike point in GOAT debate

[@TeeEss700]

Make more vids like this bro. Thumbs up from me.

[@PodiumTuningRacing]

And this is why i think the Spurs are among the best at performing contract gymnastics. Keldon Johnson and Vassell are on extremely good valued contracts, they dont have longterm bad contracts and before overpaying they usually extract good value (Poeltl, Murray and lesser degree White).

[@harrisontull8377]

I think the answer is simple: aaron gordon. GMs are now looking at role players as the missing piece to create championship teams, not borderline stars like Zach Lavine and Bradley Beal.

[@jjcometa9333]

Great points. And what other casuals, who always say this and that's overpaid, overlook is teams consider these "overpaid" players as pieces who completes their team. Ihart, OG, PG, KCP are all still quality players. It's not like they're mozgov or Deng level when those guys got paid. They need those players to win. Not because they needed to spend money. I understand someone like Beal or any other player who got overpaid is still happening, but not like in the past where almost every teams has one. Now it's actually said in the video, some of these guys are underpaid. Relatively to what stars or borderline stars are getting paid.

[@thebasketballyapper]

well said and this is really a great thing to the league overall. its a win win to both parties; players getting money, teams getting who they need and still having money for others. really think that the statement of “oh damm they’re so overpaid is just shortsighted”. Its like saying that your employees who are doing their job is not worth the money like they are doing their job and improving, no? but i can understand the argument but it really is up to the gms/teams to decide what their values are really worth but i hope there will not be a case again like tobias harris again 😭

[@8in974]

I remember in 2016 mike conley signed the biggest contract in nba history up to that point and ever since then 30 million dollars wasnt that crazy for good players in my mind

[@focusednba2245]

More videos like this, please

[@RandomBurner]

OG’s pic is hilarious 😂

[@SonnyK248]

In Hartensteins case it was about competing. You can’t sign free agents when you’re over the cap. We had 30 mill in cap space and still had to sign Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins who’d have cost about that. So you can either give them that money and not sign anyone because you’re capped out or you can use the money to bring in a guy who will really help you compete and then re sign your guys which is allowed. He was an overpay but like I said, we had to use that cap space this summer or it would be gone forever. I Hart only has two years guaranteed and it’s not a coincidence that J Dub and Chet will start their extensions after he goes so we can either let him go then, or sign and trade him away for a cheaper role player and some picks. Or depending on where we are maybe we just keep him 🤷‍♂️

[@LadySniperSwaggYT]

I still think OG is overpaid. He’s a good player but not 40+ million good. He’s probably why Brunson had to leave 100 mil on the table.

[@5JasonKidd2]

I think due to the increase in talent level, role players these days might be the 2nd or 3rd option 10 years ago. Role players r extremely important these days as it is hard to win a chip with good role players 2024 (White, Holiday, Horford), 2023 (AG, KCP, Brown) etc…

[@TheTEN24]

I think the correct role players get a ton of money now. I think OG is making too much but he’s also crucial to the Knicks. Thanks for the breakdown.

[@raresteakcubes3109]

Everything needs to go perfect to win a championship and great role players are a must

[@adam711s]

We’ve seen so many role player contracts age badly, I think that’s where the criticism comes from. I agree with your take though, great role players should be valued high and are important to winning a chip.

[@madxD144]

Okay, Tobias wasn't supposed to be a role player 😂

[@shotaomori6246]

I can think of a lot of great role players in their prime worth 25+ mil. Big ben, iggy Bowen, Horry, draymond (when he wasnt assaulting people as much), rodman, kukoc, etc. Even current ones like og, jrue, kcp, and AG are role players that usually do a lot of dirty work and specialize in defense, 3pt shooting, or post play. There is an elite tier of role players worth money, but i do agree majority arent in that tier and not worth a 25+ mil contract.

[@groffit1787]

i cant imagine the knicks without Hartenstein he did so much for the team last year. gonna miss bro but get the bag ig.

[@notkontentkid]

Role players help championships more than the stars do…pay needs to go up role players and lower for stars…guys need reality checks, being popular don’t win games, it sells tickets, that’s all

[@denim5667]

the simple answer is that the game is evolving. role players now and days are asked to do alot more for teams than they used to.

[@MrRapmaster19]

People who look at Hartenstein's, KCP's, and especially OG Anunoby's contracts as overpays are those who neglect to look at anything beyond the box score. The Knicks went 20-3 in the regular season when OG played, 30-29 when he didn't (the combo of before he was rostered in Oct.-Dec., and his injury that kept him out from Feb.-Mar.). Not to mention the fact had he not hurt his hammy in the ECSF, the Knicks would've been easily in the ECF vs Boston. That's handily worth $40M+ a year.

[@lushbIood]

I wonder if there's a lot of salary cap % contracts. Like a "5 year 10% of the cap annually"

[@jblassio]

lol…not to mention that these men are smart businessmen. I swear, why do teams fall for overcompensating these kids when they know that once a player gets the “supermax” there is a huge dropoff on their performance. Teams should sign players by the year after their rookie contract. A lot of these guys are just in it for the money.

[@mareklame8589]

I kinda get the point about salary cup increase, but I still think they could offer Hartenstein & Claxton less. Also NYK had to overpay OG bv of the contract ending after trade

[@RamoncitoMatias]

Role players today are the foundation of the team. Gone are the days of superteam

[@RiceT18]

Where do you find all your fair use clips?

[@chesterfieldjones1055]

This was good.

[@hedreccochoufi9531]

I believe all teams also have to spend 90% of the salary cap

[@YoungIllyMusic1]

Role players are more important than ever , majority of teams already have their base (#1 and #2 player ) you need those role players to be the final piece of the puzzle , the last couple of finals show be proof that role player signings are more important than the big “star” signing (Kp, kc, Bruce brown and Wiggins )

[@YoungIllyMusic1]

What guys need to understand that is these guys are getting paid for their value to the team and how they fit to compliment the stars around them , so you might say Herteistein (my bad if I spelt the name wrong ) an overpay but he suits that Okc roster for now and what they have going forward

[@therealallpro]

This interesting all the talk I heard this offseason is how role players are underpaid Lots of talk about the new cba killing their money

[@Monkey_D_Luffy56]

Most of the " OVERPAID " role players can be allstar themselves but they choose to do roles that narcissistic allstar can't do to win not to become famous and smart GM see how valuable they are Just look at Jalen Brunson for example

[@ThunderTalk]

hart is so worth it for the thunder on his contract

[@dan61909]

🔥 vid

[@kylenunez2820]

The problem with contracts as large as Hartenstein and Anunoby's is the fact that you have to build at least an 8-Man Rotation, with 1-3 of them being Stars. If Bench Players that are good, start demanding 20M per year, then how are teams gonna pay their stars and the other remaining 4-7 Bench Warmers? If nothing else, the current state of paying Role Players that much money just proves that today's era is gonna be a parity one, bc guys like Anunoby who know their worth would leave a great team to chase a bag from a lesser team. To be fair, I don't hate it, it's gonna be challenging for the front offices this time since rich owners don't really get to pay their way to a championship, but I hope it doesn't create too large of an ego for other role players that think their worth is too high, but are still needed by a contending team(which is honestly happening to a number of younger players a lot)

[@alexescutia4805]

Ihart ain’t too bad think his deals over around when they’re gonna start paying alot of their young guys

[@kennydifficult666]

So the league contract price should go up based on a players efficiency rating higher the contribution the more the pay.

[@SP.007]

Probably not overpaid, but previously under valued And cap % is drastically different

[@drift6785]

I blame it on Tobias Harris... 😂😂😂

[@YodaSmokes]

Adam silver has mishandled the cap. He’s mishandled a lot. He’s needs to be replaced

[@liferealgood]

He just negotiated like a $72B streaming/tv rights deal?

[@tonyallen4558]

What do you think Adam silver should have done differently with the salary cap? Cause obviously it’s not perfect, but the players aren’t taking up anymore cap space than they would’ve 10 to 15 years ago, and players are just naturally going to make more money with the rising popularity and marketability of the league.

[@c99kfm]

Jamal Murray, $208M over 4 years, $52M/year or 36,6% of salary cap. The Denver backoffice is working hard to keep Jokic from getting any more rings...

[@Lonewanderer1738]

The bargaining agreement creates the KD warriors 😂

[@theviewfromtheothersideline]

Bro, I can't afford Pop Tarts smh

[@alvarosalmeron05]

Cam Boozer has an interesting story video

[@aidanfoley5627]

This is just what happens when a strong union works within a company of this size, great working example of collective bargaining power, all people could do this

[@RJ-ox3gi]

I agree, the Nets got a steal with the Claxton contract

[@monkeymoo87]

Inflation 😤

[@Thurnmourer]

To be entirely honest, going by what I've heard about Mr Pippen's payroll. If you are getting more than him, relative to inflation, without having the record of a 90's Chicago Bull player. In my general opinion, with these details in mind, you are overpaid. No two ways about it.

[@mattdoherty7733]

Monte Morris rn 😭😭

[@ti8864]

Hartenstein is just a back up Center. You can't compare him to CWP or Claxton.

[@solar6811]

Bro told me I'm getting old in salary cap terms

[@AlexHoops]

😂😂😂😂