NBA 18/19: The 3 worst contracts on the Lakers roster

Ever since the final years of Kobe Bryant's tenure in Los Angeles, the organization has been carefully planning their return to the top of the NBA. The Lakers have offloaded expensive salaries in favour of developing young players, while also freeing up enough salary space that the team can acquire two All-Stars in free-agency.

The first arrived in the form of LeBron James this summer, although the team still has a number of bad contracts, and here we will look at the three worst contracts currently on the Lakers roster.

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#3 Michael Beasley $3.5 Million (1 Year)

Michael Beasley was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers after an impressive season for the Knicks

Michael Beasley's Lakers contract is by no means disastrous, although it is strange that the Lakers are paying the player more than the veteran's minimum. Beasley himself was keen on a move to the Lakers, as he wanted to once again team up with LeBron on a contending team. Despite the knowledge of this, Magic Johnson and the Lakers management decided to give the 29-year-old a $3.5 million one-year contract.

While Beasley impressed in his lone season in New York with the Knicks, averaging 13.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, it was surprising that the Lakers were willing to pay the forward more than JaVale McGee, who was coming off back-to-back championship-winning seasons with the Golden State Warriors.

Beasley has impressed in his limited minutes on the court this season, although he has struggled to break into Luka Walton's rotation. The former Knicks man has missed the last three games through personal reasons, and for the 2018/19 season, Beasley is averaging just 7.1 minutes-per-game. Don't be surprised if the Lakers look to move the 29-year-old on this month.

#2 Rajon Rondo - $9 Million (1 Year)

Rondo has started just two games this season

Rajon Rondo's contract would not be considered bad on most NBA teams, however, Rondo's contract stands out on a franchise that has done an excellent job on avoiding inflated contracts.

The Lakers were probably aware that they were overpaying the 32-year-old when they made him a $9 million offer back in the summer, although the franchise was in a difficult position. Magic Johnson knew that the Lakers had to wait another year to acquire a second All-Star, however, the franchise also needed to equip James with a competitive team for the 2018/19 NBA season.

This resulted in the 4-time All-Star becoming the third highest earner on the team, although he has been outperformed by fellow veteran McGee, who is signed to a veterans minimum deal. The saving grace for the Lakers is that Rondo will leave the franchise in 2019, so no long-term damage has been done to the Lakers salary cap.

#1 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope $12 Million (1 Year)

Caldwell-Pope has averaged just 8.6 points-per-game this season

In the summer of 2017, Caldwell Pope signed a one-year, $18 million contract with the team, and despite an average season, the Lakers extended his contract by a further year in the summer of 2018.

Despite his salary dropping by a third this season, the 25-year-old remains vastly overpaid, and Caldwell-Pope has had no effect on the Lakers this season. Caldwell-Pope has lost his place in the starting five to the impressive Josh Hart, and he is now playing just 21.6 minutes per game. This is the fewest minutes that he has averaged since his rookie year, Caldwell-Pope's $12 million salary could have been used to bring in a much better player during the summer.

The Lakers are reportedly looking to trade the player away this month, although the franchise may struggle to move a player with an expiring contract, that has struggled to make an impact.