Patrick Beverley
2018-2019 salary: $5,027,028
Like I said, the first decision on this list is an easy one to make. Obviously, the LA Clippers should re-sign Patrick Beverley, and I would go as far to say that it should be a top priority, right up there with signing a superstar.
Beverley was the embodiment of the Clippers this past season. He gave his all in every game, was often overlooked and underrated and he stepped up when necessary to deliver a great performance and come out on top.
More importantly though is knowing that he never quit, just like his team.
After playing an injury-shortened season in 2017-2018 in which he appeared in just 11 games, Beverley bounced back with what could be considered a career-best season, even though he finished well short of his best statistical averages and missed the All-Defensive cut.
This time around, Beverley appeared in 78 games — the highest mark of his career — and started in 49 of them. And the he was with the starting five, the Clippers excelled. LA went 35-14 when they started games with Pat on the floor, as opposed to 13-16 when he came off the bench. Talk about value.
Beverley will likely demand more than $5 million annually this summer when he tests free agency, but assuming he returns to the Clippers, they’ll give him every penny he’s earned. They wouldn’t be here without him.