5. Wesley Matthews, Dallas Mavericks:
One season into his four-year, $65 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, Matthews was down in almost every category in his first year. Matthews did have a season-ending Achilles injury that he was coming back from. Matthews shot career-lows from the field (38.8 percent) and from three-point territory (36 percent). Matthews averaged 12.5 points per game, his lowest since his rookie year. With the loss of Chandler Parsons and the aging Dirk Nowitzki, and finally fully healthy, Matthews needs to turn back into the sharpshooter he was in Portland.
4. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Hornets:
The Hornets lost three key players from their playoff berth last year in Courtney Lee (Knicks), Al Jefferson (Pacers) and Jeremy Lin (Nets). Kidd-Gilchrist has been devastated by injuries since entering the league. His first season he played in 78 games and has gone down since then at 62, 55, and just seven games last year. Kidd-Gilchrist has the skill set to be a top defender in the league.
3. Chandler Parsons, Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies gave a max contract at $95 million to Chandler Parsons. Parsons bursted onto the scene in Houston and has been one of the best second-round picks in the last few seasons. Since moving to Dallas, Parsons’ scoring and games played have gone down. Parsons’ two seasons in Dallas were cut short due to injuries shelving him for the playoffs both seasons. When healthy, Parsons is one of the league’s best three-and-D guys.
2. DeMarre Carroll, Toronto Raptors
After signing a four-year, $60 million deal with the Toronto RaptorsCarroll had been on four different teams before finding himself in Atlanta under coach Mike Budenholzer. Carroll had turned himself into a great three-and-D guy in just two seasons in Atlanta. Carroll season was hit by injuries and only played 26 games and had a bad postseason scoring 8.9 points per and shot 39 percent from the floor and 32 percent from three.
1. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
The Wizards re-signed Bradley Beal to a five-year, $128 million contract. Beal has played in over 70 games once and has been unable to stay healthy in his first four seasons. If healthy, Beal is a top three-point shooter and with backcourt teammate John Wall can be a top tandem in the league. Beal needs to stay healthy this year and play a full season and make the leap to an All-Star. The Wizards took a big risk by giving Beal a max contract.