5 players who are expected to perform because of their expiring contracts in the 2021-22 NBA season

Everyone has different methods of motivation, and the NBA is no different. There are intrinsic motivators, such as the desire to be great that is apparent with the greatest in the league. Then there are extrinsic motivations, with the primary one being financial compensation.

NBA contracts are absurd dollar amounts, and players are well aware when they are due for payday the following offseason. Anyone would be more motivated to perform throughout a particular stretch of time if they knew that millions of more dollars were on the table based on their performance.

The idea of a contract year is far from a myth: players often perform at near peak levels when they are on expiring contracts. Inversely, some players seem to coast a bit more in the year following their long-term security.

Here are five players who are on expiring deals for the 2021-22 NBA season and therefore have additional motivation to perform at a high level.

#5 Derrick Jones Jr.

New Orleans Pelicans v Portland Trail Blazers

Derrick Jones Jr. signed a two-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers for just under $10-million annually in the 2020 NBA offseason.

While Jones Jr. is primarily known for his defensive contributions and high-flying in transition, efficiency on the offensive end is key for his role. In the year prior to his 2020 NBA free agency, he uncoincidentally converted an impressive 52.7 percent of his attempts, second only to his rookie season.

Jones also averaged a career-high in points that season with 8.5 per night for the Miami Heat. During his first NBA season in Portland, Jones was his usual self on the defensive end, and he showed progress in his three-point shooting. His 31.6 percent from three on 2.3 attempts per night is a notable development.

Now a member of the Chicago Bulls, Derrick Jones Jr. should benefit from playing alongside an elite passing guard like Lonzo Ball. If he can show the capability to be consistent and reliable from beyond the arc, Jones could be due for a payday above the mid-level exception in the 2022-23 NBA offseason.

#4 Marvin Bagley III

Unlike the others on this list, Marvin Bagley will be a restricted free agent in the 2022-23 NBA offseason. Bagley has been undeniably disappointing throughout his first three seasons with the Sacramento Kings, and will forever be connected to Luka Doncic and the rest of the stars he was chosen over in the elite 2018 NBA Draft class.

Health has been a chief concern for Bagley, who has played in just 52 percent of Sacramento's games since being drafted. Additionally, Bagley has been a negative defender whenever he is on the floor and certainly contributed to the Kings' managing to have the worst defensive rating of all time last season.

Regardless, some teams are going to think they can turn the 6'11" fluid athlete's career around. He has an impressive 2020-21 statline on the surface with averages of 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds while converting 50.4 percent of his attempts from the field and 34.3 percent from three.

This is the definition of a "prove it" season for Marvin Bagley III, and he is likely well aware of that. A motivated and regularly engaged Bagley has the potential for some exciting statistical nights, and the rest of the league may be keeping their eye on him as well.

#3 Jeremy Lamb

We have seen the effect of a contract season on Jeremy Lamb before. With one year remaining headed into the 2018-19 season, Lamb proceeded to average a career-high in points (15.3), rebounds (5.5), and field-goal attempts (12.4) which led to him being offered a three-year $31.5-million deal from the Indiana Pacers.

During his first season in Indiana, Lamb unfortunately went down with a torn ACL. His recovery rate was impressive, and he participated in 36 games for the Pacers last season. With health now on his side and a full offseason removed from his injury, Lamb will look to get back into the swing of things.

Don't be surprised to see Jeremy Lamb come out of the gates with a different level of aggression in an attempt to gain the trust of new head coach Rick Carlisle.

There's potential for the guard to break into the Pacers' starting lineup and prove that he can be a difference maker on a playoff roster prior to his free agency.

#2 Dennis Schroder

Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns - Game Two

Dennis Schroder must have been massively disappointed with the way this offseason went for him financially. He reportedly rejected a four-year $84-million extension offer that was put on the table by the Los Angeles Lakers mid-season.

With limited amounts of cap space available to NBA teams, the available money dried up fast. Teams with clear holes at the point guard position looked in other directions, and Schroder was quickly one of the last sizeable names available on the market before eventually inking a one-year $5.8-million deal with the Boston Celtics.

The logic here is re-entering free-agecy in the 2022 off-season for the chance of an increased payday. Schroder impressed in his 61 starts for the Los Angeles Lakers averaging 15.4 points, 5.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from three.

If the German guard can up those percentages and tally a few more points per night as a starter in Boston, the market may be kinder to him in the 2022 NBA offseason. The chip on his shoulder this season should be massive, and the league should expect a highly motivated Dennis Schroder this year.

#1 Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Harrell has always been someone who plays with an edge. Supplying him with even more motivation could lead to a big year for the 6'7" big man. We have seen the impact of a contract year on Harrell before, when he was bound for free-agency after the 2019-20 NBA season.

That year, Harrell averaged a career-high in points (18.6) and rebounds (7.1) for the Los Angeles Clippers while en route to securing the Sixth Man of the Year Award. Harrell disappointed during his time with the Lakers, particularly in the playoffs.

With his looming defensive concerns primarily influenced by his unideal size for a center, Harrell needs to be extremely impactful and efficient on the offensive end of the floor to frequently be a positive contributor.

As if more motivation was needed, Montrezl Harrell was recently traded to the Washington Wizards in the Russell Westbrook deal. The Wizards have been unable to find a consistent answer at the center position, and Harrell may be eyeing that role.

Don't be surprised to see Montrezl Harrell turn his usual fiery self up a notch alongside Bradley Beal in the capital.