After injuries and underwhelming performances in recent seasons, Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant may no longer be considered one of the elite players in the National Basketball Association, but he’s still the highest paid.
The 37-year-old shooting guard will receive a cool $25 million salary for the 2015-2016 season, narrowly beating out the second-highest paid player, Joe Johnson, a small forward for the Brooklyn Nets who will make $24.9 million.
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James ranks third, with a $23 million salary.
The 100 highest-paid players in the league will make an average of $13.1 million this season. That’s $3 million less than the best professional baseball players, but about $2 million more than top NFL pros.
Even second-tier NBA players do relatively well. The average salary for NBA players this season is $4.1 million, according to BasketballReference.com. And salaries should continue to rise. Next year, the NBA will increase its salary cap (currently $70 million) after signing anine-year, $24 billion deal selling broadcast and streaming rights to Turner Broadcasting and ESPN.
In the 2016-2017 season, the cap is projected to reach $89 million and the luxury tax line $108 million, just in time for superstars James and Kevin Durant to reach free agent status. The following year, the cap could be $108 million and the luxury tax mark will rise to $127 million, according USA Today.
As recently as 2011, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was claiming the NBA was sharing too much of its revenue with players to continue to operate. Negotiations that year brought the players share of basketball-related income down to 51 percent from 57 percent.
KOBE BRYANT, $25 MILLION
Los Angeles Lakers: Despite recent injuries and underwhelming performance on the court, the 37-year-old shooting guard maintains his rank as the highest paid player. Will big money translate into a big year?
JOE JOHNSON, $24.9 MILLION
Brooklyn Nets: In his 15th NBA season, the small forward is a seven-time All-Star and the most veteran player on the Brooklyn Nets.
LEBRON JAMES, $23 MILLION
Cleveland Cavaliers: The small forward has returned to his home team with a smart contract that expires just in time for the 2016-2017 season, when the salary cap jumps to $89 million.
CARMELO ANTHONY, $22.9 MILLION
New York Knicks: The 31-year-old small forward sat out much of last season due to a knee injury and is returning to a team that pundits predict will once again perform poorly this year. Knick fans may not be in a Melo mood.
DWIGHT HOWARD, $22.4 MILLION
Houston Rockets: The center has promised he’ll be ready for the 2015-2016 season, despite recent reports of persistent back injuries.
CHRIS BOSH, $22.2 MILLION
Miami Heat: After a serious health scare last seasons with blood clots in his lungs, the power forward has returned to prove he deserves to be one of the highest paid players in the league.
CHRIS PAUL, $21.5 MILLION
Los Angeles Clippers: Paul and the Clippers are looking to finally get over the conference semifinals hump. The point guard is also the president of the NBA players union has become a major advocate for players’ rights.
KEVIN DURANT, $20.2 MILLION
Oklahoma City Thunder: Back from injury, the small forward is looking to recapture his scoring crown and lead the Thunder deep into the playoffs. It may be his last chance to win a title in Oklahoma City, as Durant will become a free agent next year, just in time to take advantage of the higher salary cap.
DERRICK ROSE, $20.1 MILLION
Chicago Bulls: The oft-injured point guard is coming back from a left orbital fracture. Can he stay on the court enough to help the Bulls make a run at the favored Cavs?
DWYANE WADE, $20 MILLION
Miami Heat: Wade will be leading a rebuilt Heat team in pursuit of a fourth ring after missing the playoffs for just the second time in his career.
LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE, $19.7 MILLION
San Antonio Spurs: The power forward joined the Spurs during the offseason, accepting a four-year $84 million contract to leave the Portland Trailblazers.
KEVIN LOVE, $19.7 MILLION
Cleveland Cavaliers: After a disappointing season last year, the power forward decided to stick with the Cavs, signing a five-year, $113 million contract.
MARC GASOL $19.7 MILLION
Memphis Grizzlies: The center averaged more than 17 points per game last season. In a recent poll of NBA general managers, he was voted the best center and the best international player in the league.
BLAKE GRIFFIN, $18.9 MILLION
Los Angeles Clippers: Is it us, or does it seem like the 6-foot-10 power forward is getting paid just a few pennies for every monster jam?
PAUL MILSAP, $18.7 MILLION
Atlanta Hawks: The All-Star power forward averaged nearly 17 points per game last season as the Hawks racked up 60 wins and earned the top playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference.
PAUL GEORGE, $17.1 MILLION
Indiana Pacers: The small forward played just six games last season before a leg injury sidelined him. He has said he’s back and ready to play this season. Can he make Indiana a force again?
RUSSELL WESTBROOK, $16.7 MILLION
Oklahoma City Thunder: The point guard averaged more than 28 points per game last season, and he combines with Kevin Durant to give the Thunder as potent a 1-2 punch as any team in the league.
KAWHI LEONARD $16.4 MILLION
San Antonio Spurs: The 24-year-old small forward has been called the most underrated superstar in the NBA. He is the reigning defensive player of the year.
ENES KANTER, $16.4 MILLION
Oklahoma City Thunder: He signed a four-year, $70 million deal with the Thunder this season, despite weak defense that's considered a liability for the team.
JIMMY BUTLER, $16.4 MILLION
Chicago Bulls: The shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls is so determined to never look back that he had his car’s rearview mirror removed. Butler has emerged as a star to lead the Bulls through Derrick Rose's injuries.
TOBIAS HARRIS, $16 MILLION
Orlando Magic: The 23-year-old small forward just signed a four-year, $64 million contract, suggesting that if you don't know his name yet, you will soon.
JOHN WALL, $15.9 MILLION
Washington Wizards: The two-time All-Star point guard, now 25, was the No. 1 draft pick in 2010 but may just be entering his prime.
DEMARCUS COUSINS, $15.9 MILLIoN
Sacramento Kings: The center for the Sacramento Kings has a four-year contract worth $62 million.
JAMES HARDEN, $15.8 MILLION
Houston Rockets: The shooting guard made headlines off the court recently when girlfriend Khloe Kardashian reportedly called a timeout on their relationship and decided to rethink her divorce to former NBA player Lamar Odom.
ROY HIBBERT, $15.6 MILLION
Los Angeles Lakers: The 7' 2" center dropped 15 pounds in the offseason to keep up with the faster pace of today’s NBA play.
Now you know the big boys with the fat cheques.
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