NBA All-Contract Team for 2026 features Brunson as captain, Avdija and Johnson among best values
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ESPN released its second annual NBA All-Contract Team on March 5, 2026, assembling a 15-player roster that stays below this season’s $187.89 million luxury-tax threshold while excluding max salaries, rookie-scale deals and one-year minimum contracts.
How the roster was built
The exercise, introduced last year, highlights contracts that allow clubs to retain depth without triggering harsh financial penalties added in the current collective bargaining agreement. Injured players such as Ajay Mitchell and Ivica Zubac were omitted because the team was designed to compete immediately.
Point guards
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks — $34.9 million
The captain’s four-year, $100 million pact signed in 2022 — extended in 2024 on similarly team-friendly terms — remains a benchmark for value while he averages 26.7 points and 6.2 assists.
Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics — $7.2 million
Last season’s Sixth Man of the Year is now a starter, posting career highs of 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists.
Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks — $4 million
The 24-year-old has seized a starting role after Damian Lillard’s departure, delivering 16.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals.
Shooting guards
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks — $15.1 million
In the first season of a four-year, $62 million contract, he is averaging 19.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals.
Sam Merrill, Cleveland Cavaliers — $8.4 million
One of the league’s top three-point shooters at 45.8 percent on seven attempts per game, signed through 2028 on a four-year, $36 million deal.
Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies — $2.5 million
The 2024 second-round pick is averaging 11.4 points and 5.5 assists while shooting 44 percent from deep.
Small forwards
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers — $14.4 million
Now an All-Star after last year’s trade from Washington, the 6-foot-8 wing is under contract for under $40 million combined across three seasons.
Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves — $7.5 million
Acquired at the deadline, he is hitting more than 44 percent of his threes and enters free agency this summer.
Julian Champagnie, San Antonio Spurs — $3 million
An emerging 3-and-D starter shooting over 38 percent from long range; team option for next season at the same salary.
Power forwards
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks — $30 million
The 22-year-old rewarded a five-year, $150 million extension by making his first All-Star Game while serving as Atlanta’s primary creator.
Josh Hart, New York Knicks — $19.4 million
Leads all players 6-5 or shorter with 7.4 rebounds per game and is shooting 38.3 percent from three.
Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks — $9 million
Provides versatile defense and efficient two-point scoring, signed for $9.4 million next season as well.
Centers
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks — $12.9 million
Elite offensive rebounder and rim protector headed for unrestricted free agency this summer.
Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons — $15 million
Key interior defender with a player option for 2027-28; partners with All-Star Jalen Duren in Detroit’s frontcourt.
Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics — $2.3 million
In his first full year as a starter, the 7-footer is shooting above 60 percent and has boosted Boston’s net rating by nearly seven points per 100 possessions.
Depth chart and outlook
The collection boasts 10 players with estimated plus-minus ratings above plus-1, more than any current NBA team. Analysts project a net rating around plus-8, suggesting a top playoff seed powered by the league’s most efficient offense and an average defense.
The roster remains under the tax line while fielding three 2026 All-Stars — Brunson, Avdija and Johnson — underscoring the competitive edge attainable through prudent salary management.
Source: ESPN
