The NBA is full of talented athletes who are paid handsomely for their skills on the court. However, not all contracts are created equal. In fact, some deals can be downright disastrous for both the player and the team. Here are some of the worst NBA contracts in recent memory.

1. Joakim Noah – New York Knicks

In 2016, the New York Knicks signed Joakim Noah to a four-year, $72 million contract. At the time, Noah was coming off a season in which he averaged just 4.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. The Knicks hoped that Noah would bring some veteran leadership and defensive prowess to the team. However, Noah played just 53 games in two seasons due to injuries and was eventually waived by the team. The Knicks are still paying him $6.4 million per year through the 2021-22 season.

2. Luol Deng – Los Angeles Lakers

In 2016, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Luol Deng to a four-year, $72 million contract. Deng was a two-time All-Star and had a reputation as a solid defender. However, he was already 31 years old at the time of the signing and his production had been declining. Deng played just one season with the Lakers before being waived, but the team is still paying him $5 million per year through the 2021-22 season.

3. Chandler Parsons – Memphis Grizzlies

In 2016, the Memphis Grizzlies signed Chandler Parsons to a four-year, $94 million contract. Parsons was a talented player, but had a history of knee injuries. He played just 95 games in three seasons with the Grizzlies and was eventually traded to the Atlanta Hawks. The Grizzlies are still paying Parsons $5.1 million per year through the 2020-21 season.

4. Nicolas Batum – Charlotte Hornets

In 2016, the Charlotte Hornets re-signed Nicolas Batum to a five-year, $120 million contract. Batum was a solid player and had played well for the Hornets in the previous season. However, he struggled with injuries and his production declined. He played just 22 games in the 2018-19 season and has since been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Hornets are still paying Batum $27.1 million for the 2020-21 season.

5. Chris Paul – Houston Rockets

In 2018, the Houston Rockets traded for Chris Paul and gave him a four-year, $160 million contract. Paul was still a talented player, but he was already 33 years old and had a history of injuries. He played just two seasons with the Rockets before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets are still paying Paul $41.4 million for the 2020-21 season.

These contracts are just a few examples of how NBA teams can sometimes make costly mistakes. While it`s impossible to predict the future, these deals serve as a reminder that teams should be cautious when it comes to handing out huge contracts.