The unprecedented increase in the NBA’s salary cap this past offseason led to a frenzy of big money free agent deals. Quite a few players garnered contracts that would have been unheard of in the past, and with the cap set to jump to over $100MM next season, we’re likely to see even more agreements that will make us shake our heads in disbelief…and envy, if we are to be completely honest with ourselves. It’s a great time to be an NBA player, with the average salary in the league for the 2015/16 campaign currently sitting at $5,381,744.
Listed below is a rundown of the top 50 earners this season around the league. LeBron James tops the list with a fully guaranteed salary of $30,963,450, which also marks the first time in his career that King James is the highest paid player in the league. But it is Mike Conley of the Grizzlies who currently has the most guaranteed money set to come his way — $140,529,829 over the life of his current deal.
As you peruse the list below, make note of the player or players you believe to be the most overpaid, as well as those who you think are the best values for their salary. And for those wondering, the Warriors’ Stephen Curry didn’t even come close to cracking this list, landing at No. 82 overall with his salary of $12,112,359 for this season. Talk about getting value for your dollars, Golden State! Sound off in the comments section below with your picks for best/worst value based on the below list. We look forward to what you have to say.
- LeBron James [Cavaliers] —$30,963,450
- DeMar DeRozan [Raptors] —$26,540,100
- Russell Westbrook [Thunder] —$26,540,100
- Mike Conley [Grizzlies] —$26,540,100
- Kevin Durant [Warriors] —$26,540,100
- James Harden [Rockets] —$26,540,100
- Al Horford [Celtics] —$26,540,100
- Dirk Nowitzki [Mavericks] —$25,000,000
- Carmelo Anthony [Knicks] —$24,559,380
- Damian Lillard [Trail Blazers] —$24,328,425
- Chris Bosh [Heat] —$23,741,060
- Dwyane Wade [Bulls] —$23,200,000
- Dwight Howard [Hawks] —$23,180,275
- Chris Paul [Clippers] —$22,868,828
- Harrison Barnes [Mavericks] —$22,116,750
- Bradley Beal [Wizards] —$22,116,750
- Anthony Davis [Pelicans] —$22,116,750
- Andre Drummond [Pistons] —$22,116,750
- Chandler Parsons [Grizzlies] —$22,116,750
- Hassan Whiteside [Heat] —$22,116,750
- Derrick Rose [Knicks] —$21,323,250
- Marc Gasol [Grizzlies] —$21,165,675
- DeAndre Jordan [Clippers] —$21,165,675
- Brook Lopez [Nets] —$21,165,675
- Kevin Love [Cavaliers] —$21,165,675
- Nicolas Batum [Hornets] —$20,869,566
- LaMarcus Aldridge [Spurs] —$20,575,005
- Blake Griffin [Clippers] —$20,140,838
- Paul Millsap [Hawks] —$20,072,033
- Ryan Anderson [Rockets] —$18,735,364
- Allen Crabbe [Trail Blazers] —$18,500,000
- Paul George [Pacers] —$18,314,532
- Luol Deng [Lakers] —$18,000,000
- Kyrie Irving [Cavaliers] —$17,638,063
- Kawhi Leonard [Spurs] —$17,638,063
- Jimmy Butler [Bulls] —$17,552,209
- Tobias Harris [Pistons] —$17,200,000
- Enes Kanter [Thunder] —$17,145,838
- Wesley Matthews [Mavericks] —$17,100,000
- Greg Monroe [Bucks] —$17,100,000
- Bismack Biyombo [Magic] —$17,000,000
- Evan Fournier [Magic] —$17,000,000
- Joakim Noah [Knicks] —$17,000,000
- DeMarcus Cousins [Kings] —$16,957,900
- John Wall [Wizards] —$16,957,900
- Klay Thompson [Warriors] —$16,663,575
- Evan Turner [Trail Blazers] —$16,393,443
- Gordon Hayward [Jazz] —$16,073,140
- Timofey Mozgov [Lakers] —$16,000,000
- Ian Mahinmi [Wizards] —$15,944,154
I’d say the Bulls got value for what they paid for so far with Wade and Jimmy Butler.
Worst value for me would be Deng for 18M . Crabbe Mahimi, mosgov, noah, and parsons are also up there for debate of value.
Best value maybe clay Thompson?
I’d say best value is kawhi and Kyrie klay and then jimmy worst is Bosh cause of blood clots But we can’t assess fully cause they could be one year deals others are stretched over a few etc. if these were all one year deals that would be my order. Nice post Zack.