NBA is one of the highly recognized sporting league which earns around billions of dollars per season through endorsements, ticket sales, numerous TV deals and subscription based revenue generation. This revenue is highly influenced by the game an individual player or a team and the effort the put day in and day out to entertain the fans all around the globe. To keep players encouraged and keep them loyal to the team they play, the owners of the team need to pay them according to their efforts they put on to the team. This makes the player realize their worth for the team they play for and how valuable they are to the city they play for.
Here in this blog, we would be discussing the highest paid NBA players for the 2019- 19 season. To give a little overview of the pay that these player get, they are around $12,000 for per minute on the floor and if we calculate the revenue they generate for a whole of 48 minute they pay for would be staggering $5,76,000. Shocking isn’t it?
Let’s get on the top 10 list –
Paul George – Oklahoma City Thunder
Salary/ Bonuses - $30.6 million
Endorsements - $8 million
Total Earnings - $38.6 million
One of the greatest player in the current regular season averaging 28.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 4.1 APS and season steals leader and one of the MVP contender for the current season. Proving his every penny’s worth, he has been instrumental alongside Russell Westbrook for reaching the playoffs. Playing almost a modified role in the team after his trade from the Indian Pacers, he has been quick to get accustomed to the same. Last season did not plan out as planned when they lost out on 1st round matchup against the Utah Jazz which completely exposed Melo, Westbrook, and PG. As a result, getting rid of Melo’s contract and getting new pieces in the team and signing of new rookies would help George to get afloat
Blake Griffin – Detroit Pistons
Salary/ Bonuses - $32.1 million
Endorsements - $7 million
Total Earnings - $39.1 million
Used to be one of the most exciting players in the NBA during his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers. Dunking over the players who used to guard him and totally having dominance over the paint. Currently seeing the way he is playing does not feel like he is in his old form. Constantly troubled by his knee injuring and not playing constantly leaves a very big loophole in the team formation. He is even missing the 1st round playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks which have seen them trailing for the playoffs. He would be turning 30 soon and Pistons would be keen on looking on the future options with Blake. Currently, he averages 24.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 5.4 APG. His injuries have led to in the fear of getting eliminated in the 1st round of the playoffs and I would conclude by saying he is slightly overpriced considering his current case.
Damian Lillard – Portland Trailblazers
Salary/ Bonuses - $28 million
Endorsements - $13 million
Total Earnings - $41 million
Currently the franchise player for the Blazers averaging about 25.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 6.9 APG. The less said would be the more of his worth for the team. Same like a few NBA players without whom a team would not be even close of being called as a Playoffs team, Portland is such a city where without Lillard, and the team is not even close to getting into the playoffs. Dame helped the Blazers to clinch the number 3 seed in the Western Conference and would be battling the OKC Thunder in the 1st round. With Jusuf Nurkic out for the season with a leg injury, it’s a double responsibility for the All-Star to guide the team as far as possible.
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
Salary/ Bonuses - $24.2 million
Endorsements - $19 million
Total Earnings - $43.2 million
A player who is one of the Top 2 contenders for the Season Most Valuable Player, helped the Bucks clinch Top seed for the first time since their NBA Championship season which was led by Kareem Abdul – Jabbar. Currently averages about 27.7 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and 5.9 APG. Bucks who ended up being the last seen for 2017 – 2018 season had a complete turnaround with the help of Giannis and currently with Blake Griffin put for Pistons, it would be an easy 1st round for the Bucks. It would, therefore, depend on how far the Bucks reach the postseason.
6. Chris Paul – Houston Rockets
Salary/ Bonuses - $35.7 million
Endorsements - $8 million
Total Earnings - $43.7 million
A future Hall of Famer, one of the greats in the NBA currently, Top 5 Point Guard in the League for a while now, a 9 time All – Star and 2013 All- Star Game MVP, he is also one of the good defenders in the game considering his age. But considering James Harden as the franchise player, Paul usually plays 2nd fiddle to the Reigning MVP. It is shocking the Paul earns almost as Lebron James and considering his current contract, he would be earning more than $ 40 million just on the salary and the bonuses in the upcoming season. He currently averages 15.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 8.2 APG.
5. James Harden – Houston Rockets
Salary/ Bonuses - $30.4 million
Endorsements - $17 million
Total Earnings - $47.4 million
The reigning MVP, Franchise Player for the Houston Rockets, namely known as ‘The Beard’. Since signed from the OKC Thunder, Harden has mapped Rockets back into the Playoffs contention and is worth more than the earning that he is currently getting. As mentioned he is currently in the Top 2 for the MVP contention for the current season. He also set NBA record for consecutive games with more than 30 points which was earlier held by Kobe Bryant. He currently averages a staggering 36.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG and 7.5 APG. Without Harden, Rockets are not even close to becoming a championship team.
4. Russell Westbrook – Oklahoma City Thunder.
Salary/ Bonuses - $35.7 million
Endorsements - $18 million
Total Earnings - $53.7 million
Beast on the court, one of the few ungradable players in the league today. Explosive in the offense and has averaged a Triple – Double in the past 2 seasons and the current season as well. He is also called as a triple-double king. I do believe that he would take over Oscar Roberson as most Triple-Doubles in the NBA history and if not would try to come close to Roberson. He is one of a kind player but gets criticized on the shot conversion rate and not getting the desired win rates which is required. With the of Paul George and the company, it would be interesting to see how far the OKC Thunder would reach this Post Season. He currently averages 22.9 PPG, 11.1 RPG, and 10.7 APG.
3. Kevin Durant – Golden State Warriors
Salary/ Bonuses - $30 million
Endorsements - $53 million
Total Earnings - $65 million
Arguably the best all round player in the team, after leaving OKC Thunder in the most shocking trade in the NBA history, he has managed to win 2 Championships and NBA Finals MVP. No one else in the team apart from Steph Curry is even close in the total earning earned by the player. He currently averages 26.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG and 5.9 APG
2. Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
Salary/ Bonuses - $37.5 million
Endorsements - $42 million
Total Earnings - $79.5 million
3 time NBA Champion, greatest 3 pointer shooter ever alongside Ray Allen, an iconic player who changed the way how 3 point shooting is done in the recent history. He is definitely one of a type player in the NBA currently and holds multiple shooting records. He currently averages about 27.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 5.2 APG. He is currently dominating the playoffs as well and well could be on the verge of clinching his 4th NBA Championship
LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers
Salary/ Bonuses - $35.7 million
Endorsements - $53 million
Total Earnings - $88.7 million
One of the greatest player to step on the Basketball Court, he is worthy every penny spent on by a franchise. Notably the franchise player at every franchise he played for namely the Cleveland Cavs, Miami Heat and currently the Los Angeles Lakers. He also does a lot for the community notably for his hometown at Akron. People call him to be more than just an athlete. He holds a record for reaching 8 straight NBA finals. Missing out on the playoffs this year leaves the required rest for LeBron and come back stronger next season and help Lakers to get the Playoff push that they were waiting for. He averaged 27.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 8.3 APG.
