The trade deadline often means expiring contracts receive increased attention, and we listed the largest expiring contracts of 2011/12 last month. With the deadline behind us and the focus eventually shifting to the summer, it's worth taking a look at which teams may have their cap flexibility handicapped by expensive long-term deals.
In many cases, these contracts are ones teams are happy to pay, if it means locking up a top-10 or top-15 NBA player. But some of these deals have the potential to become albatrosses before they expire, if they aren't already. Here's a look at the contracts with the most money remaining on them after this season (minimum $40MM):
* Derrick Rose (Bulls): Five years, $94MM
Joe Johnson (Hawks): Four years, $89.3MM
LeBron James (Heat): Four years, $79.32MM (third-year ETO; fourth-year player option)
Chris Bosh (Heat): Four years, $79.32MM (third-year ETO; fourth-year player option)
Dwyane Wade (Heat): Four years, $77.67MM (third-year ETO; fourth-year player option)
* Russell Westbrook (Thunder): Five years, $78MM
Kevin Durant (Thunder): Four years, $73.69MM
Carmelo Anthony (Knicks): Three years, $67.22MM (third-year ETO)
Amare Stoudemire (Knicks): Three years, $65.04MM (third-year ETO)
Kobe Bryant (Lakers): Two years, $58.3MM
* Kevin Love (Timberwolves): Four years, $58MM (fourth-year ETO)
David Lee (Warriors): Four years, $57.13MM
Rudy Gay (Grizzlies): Three years, $53.67MM (third-year player option)
Nene (Wizards): Four years, $52MM
Zach Randolph (Grizzlies): Three years, $50.8MM (third-year player option)
Al Horford (Hawks): Four years, $48MM
Joakim Noah (Bulls): Four years, $48MM
Carlos Boozer (Bulls): Three years, $47.1MM
LaMarcus Aldridge (Trail Blazers): Three years, $45.38MM
Marc Gasol (Grizzlies): Three years, $44.58MM
Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks): Two years, $43.63MM
Tyson Chandler (Knicks): Three years, $42.3MM
Danilo Gallinari (Nuggets): Four years, $42MM
Note: Players marked with an asterisk signed extensions that will go into effect next season. Their exact contract figures have yet to be determined, so the totals listed are based on various reports.
Storytellers Contracts was used in the creation of this post.