The Toronto Raptors made a bold trade last year, bringing in former Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram -- and handing him a fat new contract. Ingram had wanted to be paid like a star for years, and the Raptors finally granted his wish.
If you want to be confused about how good an NBA player is, send them to New Orleans. One of the most poorly-run franchises in the league has built rosters year after year that do not fit together. When you add in that the team has also dealt with a shocking number of injuries, you get an environment that obscures player evaluations like a full solar eclipse.