Not long ago, Sports List of the Day ran down the highest paid players in baseball. Today, let’s take a look at the NBA, courtesy spotrac.com.
Here are the top 25 highest paid basketball players this season, led by king of the hill Kobe Bryant.
Now take a look at who’s in second. What? Rashard Lewis? Of the 11-34 Washington Wizards? Yeesh.
Did you know the Miami Heat‘s big three – LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh – all have similar contracts? The idea was to build a team to win championships. By contract, these guys are together through 2015-16.
And where is last year’s MVP dynamo, Derrick Rose? He’s only making $7.0 this year, but he’ll be on this list for the next four years at least.
Follow me on Twitter @VinGetz. Thanks!
PLAYER | TEAM | 2011-12 | CONTRACT | AVG SALARY | THROUGH | |
1. | Kobe Bryant | LAKERS | 25.2 | 3/$84 | 28.0 | 2013-14 |
2. | Rashard Lewis | WIZARDS | 22.2 | 6/$118.2 | 19.7 | 2012-13 |
3. | Tim Duncan | SPURS | 22.0 | 4/$40 | 10.0 | 2011-12 |
4. | Kevin Garnett | CELTICS | 21.2 | 3/$64.4 | 21.47 | 2011-12 |
5. | Dirk Nowitzki | MAVERICKS | 19.1 | 4/$80 | 20.0 | 2013-14 |
6. | Pau Gasol | LAKERS | 18.7 | 3/$57 | 19.0 | 2013-14 |
7. | Carmelo Anthony | KNICKS | 18.5 | 3/$67.1 | 22.37 | 2014-15* |
8. | Amar’e Stoudemire | KNICKS | 18.2 | 5/$99.7 | 19.94 | 2014-15 |
9. | Joe Johnson | HAWKS | 18.0 | 6/$123.7 | 20.62 | 2015-16 |
10. | Dwight Howard | MAGIC | 17.9 | 5/$80 | 16.0 | 2012-13 |
11. | Elton Brand | 76ERS | 17.1 | 5/$79.8 | 16.0 | 2012-13 |
12. | Zach Randolph | GRIZZLIES | 16.5 | 4/$71 | 17.75 | 2014-15* |
13. | Chris Paul | CLIPPERS | 16.4 | 4/$68 | 17.0 | 2012-13 |
13. | Deron Williams | NETS | 16.4 | 4/$70 | 17.5 | 2012-13* |
15. | LeBron James | HEAT | 16.0 | 6/$110 | 18.3 | 2015-16 |
15. | Chris Bosh | HEAT | 16.0 | 6/$110 | 18.3 | 2015-16 |
17. | Dwyane Wade | HEAT | 15.5 | 6/$107.5 | 17.92 | 2015-16 |
17. | Kevin Durant | THUNDER | 15.5 | 5/$86 | 17.2 | 2015-16 |
19. | Paul Pierce | CELTICS | 15.3 | 4/$61 | 15.33 | 2013-14 |
20. | Andrew Bynum | LAKERS | 15.2 | 4/$57.9 | 14.46 | 2012-13* |
21. | Antawn Jamison | CAVALIERS | 15.1 | 4/$50 | 12.5 | 2011-12 |
22. | Rudy Gay | GRIZZLIES | 15.0 | 5/$81.6 | 16.32 | 2014-15 |
23. | Chris Kaman | HORNETS | 14.0 | 5/$52.5 | 10.5 | 2011-12 |
23. | Al Jefferson | JAZZ | 14.0 | 5/$65 | 13.0 | 2012-13 |
25. | Andre Iguodala | 76ERS | 13.5 | 6/$80 | 13.33 | 2013-14* |
25. | Carlos Boozer | BULLS | 13.5 | 5/$75 | 15.0 | 2014-15 |
* Carmelo Anthony, Zach Randolph, Deron Williams and Andre Iguodala have player options for their final year that is included in contract terms above.
* Andrew Bynum’s option is a club option.
Photo: everyjoe.com
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.