NBA All-Value Team Spotlights 15 Bargain Standouts Beating Their Contracts
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The NBA’s annual All-Value Team has been unveiled, singling out 15 players from 12 clubs who are providing outsized production while earning no more than $3 million this season. To qualify, players must have six or fewer years of service and cannot be on first- or second-round rookie scale contracts. Fourteen of the selections have held two-way deals at some point, and eight have been waived during their careers.
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaching, each name on the list is positioning for a significant payday down the road. Their current salaries—and, in many cases, their paths through waivers, minimum agreements and two-way conversions—underscore just how far they are outperforming expectations.
Atlanta Hawks — Vit Krejci
Contract: $2.3 million in 2025-26
2025-26 numbers: 23.6 MPG, 9.9 PPG, 49.7 FG%, 45.2 3P%
The No. 37 pick in 2020 has bounced from Washington to Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Minnesota and back to the Hawks. Since Trae Young’s Oct. 29 MCL sprain, Krejci is logging 24.6 minutes a night and shooting 46.6% from deep, highlighted by a 28-point outburst against the Clippers on Nov. 10.
Boston Celtics — Neemias Queta
Contract: $2.3 million with a 2026-27 team option
2025-26 numbers: 24.6 MPG, 10.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.3 BPG
Waived by Sacramento in 2023, the 7-footer signed a two-way deal that Boston quickly upgraded. Now starting 26 games, Queta has eight double-digit rebounding performances, including a 19-point, 18-board night versus Minnesota. The Celtics are plus-14.1 per 100 possessions when he plays.
Dallas Mavericks — Brandon Williams
Contract: $2.3 million, unrestricted in 2026
2025-26 numbers: 22.2 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 4.1 APG, 1.3 SPG
After Luka Dončić’s February trade and Kyrie Irving’s ACL tear last spring, Williams’ minutes tripled. He parlayed the surge into a two-year pact and now owns eight multi-steal games and 11 outings with at least five assists.
Dallas Mavericks — Ryan Nembhard
Contract: $636,435 two-way
2025-26 numbers: 20.6 MPG, 8.4 PPG, 5.3 APG, 52.8 FG%, 46.2 3P%
The undrafted Gonzaga guard moved into the starting lineup on Nov. 28 and Dallas is 6-4 since. As a starter he averages 11.6 points, 6.9 assists and only 1.8 turnovers, but he can dress for just 25 more games unless converted to a standard contract.
Denver Nuggets — Spencer Jones
Contract: $636,435 two-way
2025-26 numbers: 25.2 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 55.7 FG%, 37.8 3P% (as starter)
Called on after Aaron Gordon’s Nov. 21 hamstring strain, Jones has helped Denver post an 8-4 record with him in the first five. The club can sign him for up to four years once he hits 50 active games.
Detroit Pistons — Daniss Jenkins
Contract: $636,435 two-way
2025-26 numbers: 16.5 MPG, 7.7 PPG, 3.0 APG
Jenkins averaged 20.2 points over five games in November, including a 26-point effort against Indiana, but his role shrank once Caris LeVert and Jaden Ivey returned. Detroit would need a roster spot to upgrade his deal.
Detroit Pistons — Javonte Green
Contract: $2.8 million, unrestricted in 2026
2025-26 numbers: 18.3 MPG, 6.4 PPG
The 32-year-old journeyman posted back-to-back 20-point games during Detroit’s franchise-record 13-game win streak. His salary guarantees if he remains on the roster after Jan. 7.
Golden State Warriors — Pat Spencer
Contract: $636,435 two-way
2025-26 numbers: 15.7 MPG, 7.2 PPG, 41.7 3P%
In his second two-way stint, Spencer has three starts and a recent 19-point showing against Cleveland. Steve Kerr praised his competitive edge, but Golden State must clear space to keep him eligible for the postseason.
Memphis Grizzlies — Cam Spencer
Contract: $2.5 million
2025-26 numbers: 22.3 MPG, 12.3 PPG, 50.0 3P%
Spencer ranks second league-wide in three-point accuracy and has averaged 16.9 points over his past 10 outings, capped by a 27-point, seven-triple performance on Dec. 15 against the Clippers.
Memphis Grizzlies — Jock Landale
Contract: $2.4 million, unrestricted in 2026
2025-26 numbers: 22.2 MPG, 10.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG
Signed after Houston prioritized other centers, Landale has filled in for the injured Zach Edey and recorded two 20-point, 10-rebound games, including one last week versus Minnesota.
Oklahoma City Thunder — Ajay Mitchell
Contract: $3 million
2025-26 numbers: 26.2 MPG, 14.1 PPG, 1.4 SPG
The Thunder traded up in the 2024 draft to grab Mitchell, and he has rewarded them with the NBA’s fourth-highest scoring average among reserves. He posted five 20-point games while Jalen Williams recovered from wrist surgery.
Phoenix Suns — Collin Gillespie
Contract: $2.4 million, unrestricted in 2026
2025-26 numbers: 27.9 MPG, 13.2 PPG, 41.2 3P%
Elevated to the starting lineup in late November, Gillespie is averaging 16.6 points since and poured in 28 during a Dec. 1 victory at the Lakers. He will enter 2026 free agency with early Bird rights that allow Phoenix to offer up to four years and $67 million.
Philadelphia 76ers — Dominick Barlow
Contract: $636,435 two-way
2025-26 numbers: 26.5 MPG, 9.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG
Now on his fourth two-way pact, Barlow ranks fifth on the team in minutes, ahead of Paul George and Joel Embiid. Philadelphia can convert his deal at any time to secure postseason eligibility.
San Antonio Spurs — Julian Champagnie
Contract: $3 million with 2026-27 team option
2025-26 numbers: 28.2 MPG, 10.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG
The former waiver claim has started 17 games and is averaging the fourth-most minutes on the roster while shooting 42.4% from deep over his last five contests.
Toronto Raptors — Sandro Mamukelashvili
Contract: $2.5 million with 2026-27 player option
2025-26 numbers: 20.5 MPG, 10.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG
Signed in July for the veteran minimum, Mamukelashvili has doubled his minutes from last season and helped Toronto outscore opponents by 9.2 points per 100 possessions when he plays. He posted 18 points and seven rebounds in a recent win over Milwaukee.
All 15 honorees hope their cut-rate contracts will soon give way to more lucrative deals, but for now they remain some of the league’s best bargains as the playoff race intensifies.
Source: ESPN
