In the NBA, minimum-salary players are considered to be on the fringes of the league. Generally speaking, a team's minimum salary is akin to shopping on Taobao. If you find a good player, it's a great deal that can enhance the team's competitiveness. If you get an average player, you can cut them at any time without any impact. Therefore, minimum-salary players face significant pressure and could be eliminated from the NBA at any moment. However, there are also many players in the league who, despite being on minimum-salary contracts, have delivered outstanding performances, such as Westbrook proving himself and Jones giving up a million-dollar annual salary.
Westbrook
Last year, Westbrook chose to leave the Clippers and joined the Nuggets on a minimum salary. At the time, many fans believed that Westbrook was incompatible with Jokic. However, this year, Westbrook has proven himself with his actions. So far this season, he has averaged 12.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists with a shooting percentage of 46%. The current Westbrook is capable of doing the dirty work, excelling in defense, maintaining offensive stability, and possessing rebounding and playmaking abilities. With such a performance, the Nuggets can be said to have found a gem.
Dunn
Prior to this, Dunn had been wandering through multiple teams in the league. He has decent skills but inconsistent performances and not a high attendance rate, which is why he hasn't achieved success. Now, he has joined the Clippers on a minimum salary, and the cost-effectiveness is quite high. Dunn averages 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Although his scoring isn't high, Dunn's defense is top-notch, and he is versatile with high efficiency on both ends of the court. He is an excellent defensive guard, and his attendance rate this year has been stable, making him undoubtedly strong.
Jones
Jones of the Suns can be considered the strongest minimum-salary player in the league this season. Previously, there were teams in the market offering him a contract worth millions of dollars per year. However, Jones wanted to prove himself and ultimately chose to join the Suns on a minimum salary. Currently, he averages 12.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 43%. He is an excellent scorer, playmaker, and shooter. Although Jones' performance is strong, the Suns' record is poor, so his dream of winning a championship is unlikely to come true.
Yabusele
Last year, Yabusele was still playing in the CBA, but he completely exploded on the Olympic stage, subsequently gaining the opportunity to return to the NBA. This year, he joined the 76ers on a minimum salary and has become a key player for the team. He now averages 10 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, with a 50% shooting percentage. He has managed to establish himself, and securing another contract should not be too difficult.
Trent
The former league tough guy, Trent has always been a bench player, and he is in his prime. Joining the Bucks on a minimum salary was also to prove his worth. This season, he has performed well, playing 34 games and averaging 9.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while maintaining a three-point shooting percentage of 42.5%, remaining one of the league's sharpshooters. As a minimum-salary player, he is absolutely a great value.