Highest-paid NBA players by season
The highest-paid NBA players by season over the past twelve seasons have received contracts with salaries noted in the twenty-million-dollar range. In this twelve-year span, Kevin Garnett received $28,000,000, which was the highest salary payment of any NBA player, during the 2003–2004 season. Garnett has been the highest-paid NBA player per year in seven of the past twelve NBA seasons. Michael Jordan was the first NBA player to sign a contract worth over thirty million dollars in a season. During the 1997–1998 season, Jordan earned $33,000,000. Kobe Bryant become just the second player to reach this milestone when the 2013-2014 season began.[1] LeBron James became the third in 2016-17.
Beginning in the 1984–85 NBA season, the NBA's first salary cap was introduced. The NBA salary cap is the maximum dollar amount each NBA team can spend on its players for the season. However, the NBA uses a "soft" salary cap, which means that significant "salary exceptions" allow NBA teams to exceed their allotted amount in order to sign players. The salary cap is determined during the offseason, but as stated earlier, it is liable to change.[2]
An exception is necessary to sign a player for a contract that would exceed the salary cap threshold of the "soft cap". The Larry Bird exception, more commonly known as Bird Rights, allows teams to re-sign a current player only if he has played for that particular team for a minimum of three years.[3] Another exception known as the mid-level exception allows for teams that are over the salary cap to sign one or more players as long as they do not exceed the total amount of the average NBA salary.[4] Next, the bi-annual exception can be used by teams every other year to sign a free agent(s) for up to two years at an amount set by the NBA.[5] Finally, the rookie player exception allows any NBA team to sign their first-round draft pick to a contract based upon a scale previously set forth by the NBA. Another option for teams would be to assign players to a league-assigned minimum salary contract for a maximum of two years.
According to the game performance during the 2010–11 NBA season, the league's best players were not its highest-paid players. Each year there are ten players selected to one of the two All-NBA Teams. Out of those ten players chosen that year, Kobe Bryant was the only player that was also among the game's ten highest-paid during the 2010–11 NBA season.[6]
Highest-paid NBA players by season
2016–2017
Player [7] | Salary | Team |
LeBron James | $30,963,450 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Al Horford | $26,540,100 | Boston Celtics |
DeMar DeRozan | $26,540,100 | Toronto Raptors |
James Harden | $26,540,100 | Houston Rockets |
Kevin Durant | $26,540,100 | Golden State Warriors |
Russell Westbrook | $26,540,100 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Mike Conley, Jr. | $26,540,100 | Memphis Grizzlies |
Dirk Nowitzki | $25,000,000 | Dallas Mavericks |
Carmelo Anthony | $24,559,380 | New York Knicks |
Damian Lillard | $24,328,425 | Portland Trail Blazers |
|
2015–2016
Player [8] | Salary | Team |
Kobe Bryant | $25,000,000 | Los Angeles Lakers |
LeBron James | $22,970,500 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Carmelo Anthony | $22,875,000 | New York Knicks |
Dwight Howard | $22,359,364 | Houston Rockets |
Chris Bosh | $22,192,730 | Miami Heat |
Chris Paul | $21,468,695 | Los Angeles Clippers |
Kevin Durant | $20,158,622 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Derrick Rose | $20,093,064 | Chicago Bulls |
Dwyane Wade | $20,000,000 | Miami Heat |
LaMarcus Aldridge | $19,689,000 | San Antonio Spurs |
|
2014–2015
Player [9] | Salary | Team |
Kobe Bryant | $23,500,000 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Amar'e Stoudemire | $23,410,988 | New York Knicks |
Joe Johnson | $23,180,790 | Brooklyn Nets |
Carmelo Anthony | $22,458,401 | New York Knicks |
Dwight Howard | $21,436,271 | Houston Rockets |
Chris Bosh | $20,644,400 | Miami Heat |
LeBron James | $20,644,400 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Chris Paul | $20,068,563 | Los Angeles Clippers |
Deron Williams | $19,754,465 | Brooklyn Nets |
Rudy Gay | $19,317,326 | Sacramento Kings |
|
2013–2014
Player [10] | Salary | Team |
Kobe Bryant | $30,453,805 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Dirk Nowitzki | $22,721,381 | Dallas Mavericks |
Amar'e Stoudemire | $21,679,893 | New York Knicks |
Joe Johnson | $21,466,718 | Brooklyn Nets |
Carmelo Anthony | $21,388,953 | New York Knicks |
Dwight Howard | $20,513,178 | Houston Rockets |
Pau Gasol | $19,285,850 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Chris Bosh | $19,067,500 | Miami Heat |
LeBron James | $19,067,500 | Miami Heat |
Dwyane Wade | $18,673,000 | Miami Heat |
|
2012–2013
Player [11] | Salary | Team |
Kobe Bryant | $30,453,805 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Dirk Nowitzki | $20,907,128 | Dallas Mavericks |
Amar'e Stoudemire | $19,948,799 | New York Knicks |
Joe Johnson | $19,752,645 | Brooklyn Nets |
Carmelo Anthony | $19,444,503 | New York Knicks |
Pau Gasol | $19,285,850 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Chris Bosh | $19,067,500 | Miami Heat |
LeBron James | $19,067,500 | Miami Heat |
Dwyane Wade | $18,673,000 | Miami Heat |
Chris Paul | $18,668,431 | Los Angeles Clippers |
|
2011–2012
Player [12] | Salary | Team |
Kobe Bryant | $25,244,493 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Kevin Garnett | $21,247,044 | Boston Celtics |
Tim Duncan | $21,164,619 | San Antonio Spurs |
Rashard Lewis | $21,136,631 | Washington Wizards |
Dirk Nowitzki | $19,092,873 | Dallas Mavericks |
Pau Gasol | $18,714,150 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Carmelo Anthony | $18,518,574 | New York Knicks |
Amar'e Stoudemire | $18,217,705 | New York Knicks |
Elton Brand | $18,160,355 | Philadelphia 76ers |
Dwight Howard | $18,091,770 | Orlando Magic |
|
2010–2011
![](../I/m/Kobe_Bryant_61_NYK4.jpg)
During the
2010–11 NBA season, Kobe Bryant was the highest-paid player in the league. Bryant's net worth was valued at over $140 million as of 2009.
[13] Bryant, who has spent his entire 18-year career in a
Los Angeles Lakers uniform, is under contract with the team until the 2015–2016 NBA season.
[14]
Player [15] | Salary | Team |
Kobe Bryant | $24,806,250 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Rashard Lewis | $19,573,711 | Washington Wizards |
Tim Duncan | $18,835,381 | San Antonio Spurs |
Kevin Garnett | $18,832,044 | Boston Celtics |
Michael Redd | $18,300,000 | Milwaukee Bucks |
Andrei Kirilenko | $17,823,000 | Utah Jazz |
Pau Gasol | $17,823,000 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Gilbert Arenas | $17,730,694 | Washington Wizards |
Yao Ming | $17,686,100 | Houston Rockets |
Zach Randolph | $17,666,666 | Memphis Grizzlies |
2009–2010
Player [16] | Salary | Team |
Kobe Bryant | $23,034,375 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Jermaine O'Neal | $23,016,000 | Miami Heat |
Tracy McGrady | $22,843,124 | New York Knicks |
Tim Duncan | $22,183,220 | San Antonio Spurs |
Shaquille O'Neal | $21,000,000 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Dirk Nowitzki | $19,795,714 | Dallas Mavericks |
Paul Pierce | $19,795,712 | Boston Celtics |
Ray Allen | $18,776,860 | Boston Celtics |
Rashard Lewis | $18,010,791 | Orlando Magic |
Michael Redd | $17,040,000 | Milwaukee Bucks |
2008–2009
Player [17] | Salary | Team |
Kevin Garnett | $24,751,934 | Boston Celtics |
Jason Kidd | $21,372,000 | Dallas Mavericks |
Jermaine O'Neal | $21,372,000 | Toronto Raptors |
Kobe Bryant | $21,262,500 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Shaquille O'Neal | $21,000,000 | Phoenix Suns |
Allen Iverson | $20,840,625 | Detroit Pistons |
Stephon Marbury | $20,840,625 | Boston Celtics |
Tim Duncan | $20,598,704 | San Antonio Spurs |
Tracy McGrady | $20,370,437 | Houston Rockets |
Ray Allen | $18,388,430 | Boston Celtics |
2007–2008
Player [18] | Salary | Team |
Kevin Garnett | $23,751,934 | Boston Celtics |
Shaquille O'Neal | $21,000,000 | Phoenix Suns |
Jason Kidd | $19,728,000 | New Jersey Nets |
Jermaine O'Neal | $19,728,000 | Indiana Pacers |
Kobe Bryant | $19,490,625 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Tim Duncan | $19,014,188 | San Antonio Spurs |
Allen Iverson | $19,012,500 | Denver Nuggets |
Stephon Marbury | $19,012,500 | New York Knicks |
Tracy McGrady | $18,257,750 | Houston Rockets |
Baron Davis | $16,440,000 | Golden State Warriors |
2006–2007
Player [19] | Salary | Team |
Kevin Garnett | $21,000,000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Shaquille O'Neal | $20,000,000 | Miami Heat |
Jason Kidd | $18,084,000 | New Jersey Nets |
Jermaine O'Neal | $18,084,000 | Indiana Pacers |
Kobe Bryant | $17,718,750 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Tim Duncan | $17,429,673 | San Antonio Spurs |
Allen Iverson | $17,184,375 | Philadelphia 76ers |
Stephon Marbury | $17,184,375 | New York Knicks |
Tracy McGrady | $16,901,500 | Houston Rockets |
Grant Hill | $16,901,500 | Orlando Magic |
|
2005–2006
Player [20] | Salary | Team |
Shaquille O'Neal | $20,000,000 | Miami Heat |
Chris Webber | $19,125,000 | Philadelphia 76ers |
Kevin Garnett | $18,000,000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Allen Iverson | $16,453,125 | Philadelphia 76ers |
Stephon Marbury | $16,453,125 | New York Knicks |
Jason Kidd | $16,440,000 | New Jersey Nets |
Jermaine O'Neal | $16,440,000 | Indiana Pacers |
Kobe Bryant | $15,946,875 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Tim Duncan | $15,845,157 | San Antonio Spurs |
Vin Baker | $15,750,000 | Los Angeles Clippers |
|
2004–2005
Player [21] | Salary | Team |
Shaquille O'Neal | $29,464,000 | Miami Heat |
Dikembe Mutombo | $19,684,000 | Houston Rockets |
Allan Houston | $17,531,000 | New York Knicks |
Chris Webber | $17,351,000 | Sacramento Kings |
Damon Stoudamire | $15,750,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Penny Hardaway | $14,625,000 | New York Knicks |
Latrell Sprewell | $14,625,000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Shareef Abdur-Rahim | $14,625,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Stephon Marbury | $14,625,000 | New York Knicks |
Michael Finley | $14,609,000 | Dallas Mavericks |
|
2003–2004
Player [22] | Salary | Team |
Kevin Garnett | $28,000,000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Shaquille O'Neal | $26,571,000 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Rasheed Wallace | $18,000,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Dikembe Mutombo | $17,895,000 | New York Knicks |
Allan Houston | $15,937,000 | New York Knicks |
Chris Webber | $15,937,000 | Sacramento Kings |
Damon Stoudamire | $14,625,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Penny Hardaway | $13,500,000 | Phoenix Suns |
Latrell Sprewell | $13,500,000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Antonio McDyess | $13,500,000 | Phoenix Suns |
|
2002–2003
Player[23] | Salary | Team |
Kevin Garnett | $25,200,000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Shaquille O'Neal | $23,571,000 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Shawn Kemp | $21,500,000 | Orlando Magic |
Juwan Howard | $20,625,000 | Denver Nuggets |
Scottie Pippen | $19,727,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Karl Malone | $19,250,000 | Utah Jazz |
Rasheed Wallace | $16,200,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Dikembe Mutombo | $16,105,000 | New Jersey Nets |
Chris Webber | $14,343,000 | Sacramento Kings |
Damon Stoudamire | $13,500,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
|
2001–2002
Player[24] | Salary | Team |
Kevin Garnett | $22,400,000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Shaquille O'Neal | $21,428,000 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Alonzo Mourning | $18,756,000 | Miami Heat |
Juwan Howard | $18,750,000 | Denver Nuggets |
Scottie Pippen | $18,083,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Karl Malone | $17,500,000 | Utah Jazz |
Rasheed Wallace | $14,400,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Dikembe Mutombo | $14,315,000 | Philadelphia 76ers |
Gary Payton | $12,926,000 | Seattle SuperSonics |
Shawn Kemp | $12,770,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
|
2000–2001
Player[25] | Salary | Team |
Kevin Garnett | $19,600,000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Shaquille O'Neal | $19,285,000 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Alonzo Mourning | $16,879,000 | Miami Heat |
Juwan Howard | $16,875,000 | Washington Wizards |
Hakeem Olajuwon | $16,685,000 | Houston Rockets |
Karl Malone | $15,750,000 | Utah Jazz |
Dikembe Mutombo | $14,422,000 | Philadelphia 76ers |
Patrick Ewing | $14,000,000 | Seattle SuperSonics |
David Robinson | $13,196,000 | San Antonio Spurs |
Scottie Pippen | $13,151,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
|
1999–2000
Player[26] | Salary | Team |
Shaquille O'Neal | $17,142,000 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Kevin Garnett | $16,806,000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Alonzo Mourning | $15,004,000 | Miami Heat |
Juwan Howard | $15,000,000 | Washington Wizards |
Scottie Pippen | $14,795,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Karl Malone | $14,000,000 | Utah Jazz |
Larry Johnson | $11,910,000 | New York Knicks |
Gary Payton | $11,020,000 | Seattle SuperSonics |
Rasheed Wallace | $10,800,000 | Portland Trail Blazers |
Shawn Kemp | $10,780,000 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
1998–1999
Player[27] | Salary | Team |
Patrick Ewing | $18,500,000 | New York Knicks |
Shaquille O'Neal | $17,000,000 | Los Angeles Lakers |
David Robinson | $14,841,000 | San Antonio Spurs |
Kevin Garnett | $14,000,000 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Alonzo Mourning | $13,130,000 | Miami Heat |
Juwan Howard | $13,125,000 | Washington Wizards |
Hakeem Olajuwon | $12,943,000 | Houston Rockets |
Dikembe Mutombo | $11,218,000 | Atlanta Hawks |
Jayson Williams | $11,000,000 | New Jersey Nets |
Scottie Pippen | $11,000,000 | Houston Rockets |
References