Steve Nash and Luka Doncic
The two maestros of Dallas’ franchise over the last 20 years. Steve Nash — the whimsical point guard out of Canada (by way of South Africa), and Luka Doncic — the bruising bull of a ballhandler from the country of Slovenia. Both are high basketball I.Q. players with an unassuming ruthlessness on the court. Nash was a two-time MVP, and as such cashed in quite well. He accumulated $146 million throughout his lengthy career with the Suns, Mavs, and Lakers.
Doncic is just starting his journey as an NBA superstar. At 23 years old, he just signed his rookie extension — paying him an approximated $247 million by the time he turns 27. At that point, he’ll be eligible for the supermax deal. Assuming Doncic stays healthy, he looks like a surefire bet to bank at least half a billion by the conclusion of his playing career.
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Kevin Garnett and Karl-Anthony Towns
When Kevin Garnett signed a massive contract extension with the Timberwolves in 1997, it made him the highest paid player in the league. At the time, Garnett’s six-year, $121 million extension was the richest long-term contract in sports history. As it turned out, Garnett was well worth the deal as he ended up earning 15 All-Star nods and the league MVP in ’04. Over his illustrious career, Garnett earned a reported $343 million in salary.
Following stints with the Celtics and Nets, Garnett returned to Minnesota in 2014 where he began serving as a mentor for two No. 1 overall picks – Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. The latter of which is still with Minnesota, and is already one of the most decorated players in the team’s history. Towns’ upcoming extension will kick in following the 2024 season. When it ends, Towns will have earned $406 million over his career.
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Michael Jordan and Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal is a fine player. He’s made three All-Star teams to date, and can put the ball in the basket. Michael Jordan is — of course — the G.O.A.T. Let us compare the salaries each has made in the NBA during their careers.
Bradley Beal (with existing years left on current deal): $428.9 million
Michael Jordan: $94 million
Only twice did MJ make more than $5 million in a single season in which he played. Beal is slated to make $57 million alone in 2026-27.
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Stephen Curry and Wilt Chamberlain
One of the great players of any era, Wilt Chamberlain broke salary records all the way back in 1968 when he inked a five-year contract worth $250,000. A number that large had never been heard of at that time, and cemented Chamberlain as one of the top stars of his generation. Of course, salaries have increased a fair amount since that time.
Stephen Curry, for example, made $2.7 million as a rookie out of Davidson. That was well before Curry had won four championships and set all-time records. Since 2009, the NBA’s three-point king has earned over $300 million in his career. He’s also set to be one of the highest-paid players for the next several seasons. His current deal – which runs through 2026 – will grant him an additional $170 over the next three seasons.
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Gary Payton and Russell Westbrook
Two of the most decorated point guards in league history, Gary Payton and Russell Westbrook earned vastly different salaries over their careers. While Payton was regarded as one of the league’s best defenders and playmaker, his yearly salary capped at $12.9 million during the ’01-’02 seasons. In total, Payton earned $104 million throughout his career.
Westbrook passed that mark in just the last few seasons alone. In ’23, Westbrook opted into the final year of his deal worth $47 million. The former MVP and all-time leader in triple doubles has earned over $335 million in 15 seasons.
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Landry Shamet and Charles Barkley
Looking at Charles Barkley’s career earnings (a former MVP and 11-time All-Star) compared to Landry Shamet (career reserve who has been in the league for five years) shows just how far the game has progressed. Barkley was one of the top players of his era and is regarded as one of the top 20 or 30 greatest players ever. In 14 NBA seasons, Barkley earned $40 million.
Shamet has made a nice career for himself after being a late-first round pick out of Wichita State. A good shooter and capable playmaker, Shamet inked a four-year extension with the Suns this past offseason to be one of the team’s top reserve. The four-year deal will pay him $42 million – setting his career earnings to just under $52 million. That number probably has Barkley wishing he was born a few years later.
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Kawhi Leonard and David Robinson
‘The Admiral’ David Robinson was the first piece put in place to ignite a very strong Spurs’ dynasty under Head Coach Gregg Popovich. He was a walking double-double — and a guy who was a matchup nightmare for practically anyone not named Shaquille O’Neal. Despite being a Hall of Famer and 10-time All-Star (among many other accolades), Robinson made only $119 million during the course of his career.
Contrast that with Kawhi Leonard — an often-injured star who spends as much time on the bench as he does on the floor. That’s not to take away from his ability to play basketball. When healthy, there are few who are able to match up with his level as a two-way player. Conversely, Leonard has cashed in big time with the Spurs, Raptors, and now the Clippers. When adding in the final two years of his current contract, the year 2025 will coincide with Leonard collectively hauling in upwards of $325 million.
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James Harden and Hakeem Olajuwon
Harden and Olajuwon both previously starred for the Rockets. Of course, Olajuwon is a Hall of Famer who led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA Championships. He will forever be known as the best player in the history of the franchise. Harden may have been the best scorer, but he never attained the same level of postseason success. Naturally, though, we’d think it would offer an interesting comparison to show their money totals side by side:
Harden’s career earnings (including upcoming year of contract): $337.3 million
Olajuwon’s career earnings: $110.2 million
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Vince Carter and OG Anunoby
Vince Carter is arguably the best player to ever suit up for the franchise (though some will mention Tracy McGrady, Kawhi Leonard, and DeMar DeRozan in that same breath). For the sake of comparisons, let’s look at Carter versus the team’s top wing at this current time in OG Anunoby. Vinsanity is probably the best in-game dunker we’ve seen to date. He lit up throughout his career — coinciding with hefty deals from the Raptors and then the Nets. Towards the end of his career he morphed into a surprisingly strong role player. In 22 seasons(!), Carter hauled in over $172 million.
Anunoby is on pace to make that in practically a third of the time. A springy wing defender with terrific length and upside, teams have always been enamored with Anunoby’s ultimate ceiling. The 25-year-old has played six seasons so far — making $43 million. The two years remaining on his deal will virtually double that number, going to a smidge over $81 million. With the way his career is unfolding, a $100-million deal is surely in the cards.
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Ben Wallace and Alec Burks
Ben Wallace was the defensive anchor for a Detroit Pistons team that made six-straight trips to the Eastern Conference Finals. In Detroit’s memorable 2004 Finals victory, Wallace did his best at slowing down all-time great center Shaquille O’Neal. Though he was a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-NBA selection, Wallace was never paid like a superstar…until he left Detroit for Chicago, where he inked a three-year deal worth $46 million – making him one of the 15 highest-paid players in the league.
Current Pistons guard Alec Burks has been in the league since 2011 and has never been named an All-Star. Wallace (who started 116 playoff games in his career) earned $87 million over 16 NBA seasons. Burks (who has started zero playoff games in his career) will have amassed $88 million after his current deal expires following next season.
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David West and Zion Williamson
Squaring off are the former face of the franchise versus the current face of the franchise. Both were/are somewhat atypical for the power forward position — with West being a knockdown midrange shooter, and Williamson being the closest thing we’ve seen to a prime Charles Barkley. West was a two-time All-Star throughout his career. As such, he parlayed the strong play into a few sizable deals. The most noteworthy was a multi-year agreement with the Pacers. In total, he made over $92 million throughout his 15-year career.
On the other end of the spectrum is Williamson — the former top overall pick with unbelievable athleticism and unusual dimensions for a perceived superstar. Built like an offensive tackle/defensive end, Williamson has been a terror in the paint for the opposition to stop. When healthy, he’s been one of the league’s most efficient scorers. He’s currently in the final year of his rookie contract — where he’s made a little over $40 million. This offseason, he’s eligible for an extension which would make him $188 million over the next five years.
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Reggie Miller and Buddy Hield
Pacers fans have been treated to two of the most prolific three-point shooters in NBA history. Of course, Reggie Miller is the former three-point king. In a time where the three-point arc was largely ignored, Miller was a marksman who helped pave the way for players today. Miller made 2,560 threes in his career (plus 320 in the postseason) – a record which has since been broken by Ray Allen, Stephen Curry and James Harden.
Hield recently set the record for the fastest player to record 1,000 career threes. The former Oklahoma Sooner is second all-time in three-pointers made per game (3.1) behind only Curry. Elite three-point shooters like Hield are paid handsomely in today’s NBA, as the Pacer guard will have earned $101 million by the end of next season. Miller made $105 million in his career. The main difference being it took Miller 18 years to reach that mark while Hield will reach the century milestone in just Year 8.
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Kenyon Martin and Nikola Jokic
Comparing Kenyon Martin and Nikola Jokic is a reminder that players are not defined by their draft position. Martin was the No. 1 pick in the 2000 NBA Draft following an illustrious career at Cincinnati. The athletic forward went onto to play a productive 15 years in the NBA, though the one-time All-Star never reached the All-NBA level. Still, Martin raked in a healthy $112 million in his playing career.
Jokic, on the other hand, is a former second-round pick who has since blossomed into a superstar. The back-to-back MVP is looking for a third trophy in 2023. After being overlooked in the 2014 NBA Draft, Jokic is currently on a deal which will run up his career earnings to a near $420 million tab.
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Kevin Durant and Kerry Kittles
This one will surely look a bit alarming when comparing Kittles to KD. For a long spell in the 90s, Kittle was one of the Nets’ best players. He had a relatively short NBA career (eight years). However, he did manage to make a respectable $55.58 million over that timespan. For most people who played professional sports, that’d be a boatload a money.
In reality, it still is. When looking at Kevin Durant’s money totals, however, it’s quite striking to see the difference. As a disclaimer, Kittles was also a good player! He averaged 14.1 PPG throughout his career before retiring. This past year, Durant made $42.9 million ALONE! In the last year of his current contract (2025-26), he’s slated to make north of $53 million. Meaning, in one year Durant will have made nearly as much as Kittles did for his entire career. If you combine all of the years Durant has played/is under contract to play, he will have made a whopping $495 million.
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Penny Hardaway and Rashard Lewis
Rashard Lewis was a little bit before his time. A 6-foot-10 forward with a sweet stroke, he just narrowly missed out on the era where being a stretch four with a green light from three was the norm. That’s not to say he didn’t get ‘paid’ during the duration of his career. In 16 seasons with Seattle, Washington, Miami and Orlando, Lewis hauled in just over $151 million.
Penny Hardaway’s career was snake-bit by injury after what appeared to be a highly-promising start. He made four-straight All-Star appearances for the Magic — and had the look of a surefire Hall of Famer. However, his career stalled upon moving to Phoenix. Injuries sabotaged his athleticism, and Hardaway simply was never the same player. Despite this, he still pulled in $120 million.
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Russell Westbrook and Magic Johnson
There aren’t many former NBA players as recognizable as the all-time great Magic Johnson. Revered as the greatest point guard in league history, Johnson dominated the game with his gift for sharing the basketball. The 6-foot-8 savant could do everything on the floor, but his passing ability made him particularly unique. Same goes for former league MVP Russell Westbrook. The current Laker ranks 10th all-time in assists having averaged over eight dimes per game over his career.
When Westbrook’s contract expires after this year, he will have earned over $335 million during his career. Johnson’s deal with the Lakers didn’t expire until well after his playing career was over. That’s because he signed a massive 25-year contract with the team back in 1984. The team was still paying Johnson as recently as 2010, as the famed guard earned just under $40 million for his playing career – and a lot more outside of it.
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Jalen Brunson and Mark Jackson
Jalen Brunson has been the newest darling of the New York basketball scene. His father once represented the franchise, and the Villanova product made the big money move over to The Big Apple from Dallas. Originally a second-round pick, Brunson made a little over $1 million for four-straight years. Betting on himself and his development, Brunson exploded into a very good point guard. Flush with cash, the Knicks ended up giving him $104 million over four seasons.
The same cannot be said for Mark Jackson. Jackson epitomizes NYC basketball in many ways. He was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Queens, played for St. Johns, and had a major impact on playground hoops culture (as did his late brother Escalade from the And1 tours). Eventually making his way to the Knicks as a rookie, Jackson enjoyed a 16-year career as one of the most prolific passers in the league. Despite being an elite passer of the basketball, he made just over $40 million collectively for his entire career.
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Mitch Richmond and Richaun Holmes
For most of the 90s, Mitch Richmond’s scoring acumen was the only thing Kings’ fans could look forward to seeing. The Kings were largely dreadful while Richmond was a member of the team, having made the playoffs just once from ’92-98 (they lost in the first round). However, Richmond was one of the game’s top scorers and was named an All-NBA player five times. Richmond earned a reported $50 million in his career, with his highest paydays occurring as a member of the Wizards when he made $10 million each year from ’00-02.
Richaun Holmes has been with the Kings since 2019 after becoming a success story from the 76ers’ “process era.” However, his playing time has taken a massive downturn ever since Domantas Sabonis joined the club and began occupying the center position. Holmes is playing less than 10 minutes per game this year, but the Kings are on the hook for his contract until at least 2025. By then, Holmes will have earned $61 million over his pro career.
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Karl Malone and Rudy Gobert
Karl Malone, a former MVP and 14-time All-NBA selection, earned between $2-6 million from ’92-99, but saw a massive pay raise prior to the 2000 season. That year, Malone was paid $14 million – a top-10 figure in the league at the time. The four-year deal he signed prior to that season paid him $66 million in total (granting him career earnings of just over $105 million). Notably, Malone was 36 years old at the time he signed the deal. Already a bit past his prime, there’s no telling how much Malone could have made if that amount of money had been around during his peak.
Perhaps it would have put him closer to former Jazz big man Rudy Gobert in the all-time earnings leaderboard. Gobert is one of the league’s top defenders, though has been maligned for his limited offensive skillset. Still, Gobert has already made $172 million in his career, and set to make an additional $130 million before his contract expires in 2026.
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Larry Johnson and Bismack Biyombo
This one might make Charlotte Hornets fans cry. Larry Johnson was a STUD throughout the 90s. What he lacked in height me made up for with long arms, sharp elbows, supreme physicality, and high-end athleticism. He was a total bull in the paint, and often outworked anyone who was tasked with guarding him. The former No. 1 Overall Pick made two All-Star teams, won Rookie of the Year in 1992, and was an All-NBA Second-Team selection in 1993. Despite this, Johnson only banked $83 million over the course of his 10-year career (with much of that coming from the Knicks).
Biyombo was drafted solely on potential. He’s a freak athlete, but has proven to be immensely raw throughout his 12-year career. We’re talking about a guy who’s been a career reserve averaging 5.1 PPG for his career. Despite this, Biyombo has made more money than Johnson has over the course of his career. A four-year, $67 million deal from the Magic netted much of his wealth. Collectively, Biyombo has banked nearly $90 million.
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Tim Hardaway and Tyler Herro
Tim Hardaway is both a Hall of Famer, and a five-time All-Star. During his prime, he was a lethal guard getting to the rim. Hardaway scored on pretty much anyone who tried to check him in both the half court and in transition. His high money-wise for a single season was $12.2 million (with the Heat). Hardaway didn’t even make at least $1 million in a season until Year 4 of his career. In total, he netted $46.6 million as an NBA player.
Conversely, Herro has been raking in the cash. His four years as a rookie led to him making approximately $16 million. One four-year extension later, and Herro will have made $136 million by the 2026-27 season (where he won’t even be 30 years old by that point). Oh yeah — and Herro hasn’t made one All-Star appearance. His best year coincided with a Sixth Man of the Year award.
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Clint Capela and Dominique Wilkins
Now this is a fascinating case. Dominique Wilkins was among the league’s best players during his prime. Some could make an argument he’s the best player to ever suit up for the Hawks. Even though this was the case, he never made more than $3.5 million in a single season (a combined $23.6 million over the course of 14 years). Remember, you’re talking about a nine-time All-Star and Hall of Famer.
Capela — on the other hand — has never made an All-Star team despite being a very good rebounder and shot blocker. In the years he’s played for both Houston and Atlanta, Capela has made over $88 million. Over the next two years, his career total will skyrocket to $130 million. Yes — more than $100 million in difference compared to Wilkins.
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Pau Gasol and Mike Conley Jr.
For a while, Pau Gasol was the face of the Grizzlies franchise. Before making his way to LA (as an eventual two-time Champion), Gasol was putting up workmanlike numbers — virtually averaging a double-double after being taken high in the first round. On his rookie deal, Gasol made a combined $13 million. The next year, he made $10.9 million alone. He steadily ‘got the bag’ playing as a member of the Lakers. After retiring in 2019-20, Gasol accrued a reported $225.4 million.
The post (Pau) Gasol years featured younger brother Marc and talented PG Mike Conley Jr. The former Ohio State star gave the Grizzlies 12 years before moving on to the Utah Jazz. With one more year left on his current contract, Conley will have made $274 million — roughly $50 million more than Gasol made comparatively speaking.
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Elton Brand and Nicolas Batum
Former Duke star Elton Brand was integral in breaking the Clippers’ playoff dry spell. When Brand led the Clippers to a playoff spot (and series win) in 2006, it was the first time the franchise had reached the postseason since 1997. Now, the Clippers are a playoff mainstay who have clinched a playoff spot in nine of the last 11 seasons – and haven’t had a losing record since 2011.
Previously a starter for the Clips, Nicolas Batum is now a key reserve for the team. While Batum has never been an All-Star or considered one of the top players in the league, he’s made a fair amount of money over his career earning $184 million since entering the league in 2008. Brand was one of the top power forwards of his era, but made just $165 million in 18 seasons.
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Jayson Tatum and Larry Bird
It only feels right to compare arguably the best player in the history of the Celtics’ franchise (Larry Bird) alongside the current best player on the team (Jayson Tatum). There are some natural similarities between the two — starting with the fact both are/were jumbo wings standing at least 6-foot-9. They operate as alpha scorers, and also assume the role as the go-to guy for the franchise. During Bird’s career, he saw himself making only $650,000 per year for the first five years of his rookie deal. The numbers jumped up a bit — and Bird ended up collectively making just over $25 million for the entire duration of his career as a player.
Boy, how things have changed. Tatum — also selected high in the first round — made $5.6 million alone during his rookie campaign. As of 2023, Tatum has featured in six NBA seasons. To this point, he’s banked $88 million. In terms of money he’s guaranteed to earn on his current deal, Tatum will have banked $192 million collectively after nine years in the league.
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LeBron James and Darius Garland
To the surprise of nobody, LeBron James is one of the highest paid players in league history. Since being drafted in 2003, James has earned nearly $400 million over his playing career. And, that number will continue to rise considering his career doesn’t look to be ending anytime soon. James is set to earn $53 million next season and $57 million in the final year of his current deal.
Times have certainly changed since James was a young player. James’ first extension with the Cavaliers back in 2006 paid him $60 million over four seasons. Current Cavs star Darius Garland recently inked his first extension with the team, worth a whopping $193 million over the next five years. By the time Garland’s deal ends he will be just 28 years old and will have already earned over $220 million in his career.
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Scottie Pippen and Goran Dragic
Playing alongside Michael Jordan, two-way forward Scottie Pippen won six titles and made seven All-NBA teams. Though, the Hall of Famer always felt underpaid. It was one of the main reasons he bolted for Houston after the ’98 season. Pippen never made more than $2.75 million in a single year with Chicago, but his salary jumped up to $11 million with the Rockets. In total, he made $109 million when his career had concluded.
Goran Dragic was a reserve until signing with the Suns in the 2013 season. After being given a chance to start, Dragic developed into one of the more reliable point guards in the league and was named an All-Star in 2018. Now with the Bulls, Dragic has already amassed over $152 million in his playing career.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Two league MVP’s were among the highest-paid players during the height of their careers. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA’s all-time scoring leader for 40 years and won the league MVP a record six times. After winning a title with the Bucks in 1971, Abdul-Jabbar eventually joined the Lakers where he added an additional five NBA Championships. He made waves in his final season with the Lakers when he earned a then-record $3 million for a single season. It’s estimated that Abdul-Jabbar made $20 million from salaries during his playing career.
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo makes over $20 million in half a season. The Greek superstar has signed deals worth over $335 million during his career with the Bucks. And, Giannis will be just 31 years old when he’s set to be a free agent again.
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Damian Lillard and Clyde Drexler
It didn’t take long for Clyde Drexler to assert himself as one of the top shooting guards in the league. Following an exquisite run with the Blazers, Drexler moved to Houston where he joined former college teammate Hakeem Olajuwon on the Houston Rockets. By joining the Rockets, Drexler’s yearly salary increased considerably. The All-NBA guard had made just $1.5 million in his final year in Portland, and earned a reported $9.8 million in his first season in Houston.
Still, Drexler’s combined earnings of around $30 million pale in comparison to Portland’s current star. Damian Lillard has yet to jump ship in his pro career. Sticking with the team that drafted him, Lillard has played all 11 of his NBA seasons as a member of the Trail Blazers. For his talent and loyalty, Portland rewarded the six-time All-NBA selection with a few massive extensions – his most recent being a two-year, $122 million deal inked last July. Lillard has already made $223 million in his career, but that number jumps to just under $450 million by the time his current deal expires in 2027.
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Allen Iverson and Tobias Harris
Outside of disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers fans, I’m not sure people realize how much money Tobias Harris has made during his tenure in the City of Brotherly Love. Starting his career in 2011, Harris has steadily made more and more money — culminating in a massive deal he accrued with the 76ers (in 2019-20). The deal saw him sign a five-year deal which netted him more than $30 mil a year. Through 2023-24, Harris will have earned over $248 million. Pretty good for what many consider to be a ‘decent’ — albeit unspectacular — player compared to his peers.
Iverson, on the other hand, was the heart and soul of this franchise for years. Not to mention, a perennial All-Star, four-time NBA scoring champion, and 2001 league MVP. Despite the accolades, Iverson NEVER made more than $20 million in one season — and that ironically came as a member of the Pistons. To put it into perspective, Harris will be set to earn $39 million in the final year of his deal. With the 76ers, Iverson never made more than $16.4 mil in a single year. Over Iverson’s career, he’s made nearly $100 million less ($154 million) than Harris will ($248 million) through ’24.
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The NBA’s Top 30 Superstars Right Now
30. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
In one of the most polarizing trades in recent NBA history, the Sacramento Kings opting to swap 22-year-old point guard Tyrese Haliburton for two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis has proven to be a wise decision for both sides. Haliburton has blossomed into a player who narrowly missed this list, as he currently leads the NBA in assists for the Indiana Pacers. For the Kings, the trade has allowed De’Aaron Fox to develop into the best version of himself we’ve seen — and another player who just missed the top-30 cut.
It also gave the Kings one of the best centers in basketball in Sabonis. Other than two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, there is no big man more adept at playmaking than Sabonis. In his first full year with the Kings, Sabonis is shooting a career-high from the field and from three while posting double-doubles on a nightly basis.
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29. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Washington’s Bradley Beal is still working on shedding woeful a playoff reputation, but there’s no doubting his immense skill-set. Beal has played in just one playoff series since 2018, and hasn’t gotten out of the first round since ’17 when he and John Wall toppled an Atlanta Hawks team featuring Dennis Schroder, Paul Millsap, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dwight Howard.
Beal committed himself to the Wizards this offseason after signing a massive extension which featured a no-trade clause. He remains a lethal three-level scorer who has improved dramatically as a passer since Wall’s departure. It’s just a matter if we see the 29-year-old play in any more meaningful games for the remainder of his career.
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28. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young’s young career has already taken several twists and turns. The former Oklahoma Sooner fell to No. 5 in the draft after the Hawks swapped spots with the Dallas Mavericks (who took Luka Doncic). In Young’s second season, he was already posting robust averages of 29.6 PPG and 9.3 APG. In Year 3, Young led the Hawks to an Eastern Conference Finals run after eviscerating the Knicks and 76ers in the first two rounds. Last year, the Hawks entered the season with massive expectations but ultimately disappointed en route to a play-in spot and first-round exit.
Atlanta went out and traded for Spurs guard Dejounte Murray this offseason in an attempt to take some ball handling responsibilities away from Young. Instead, Young is posting an even higher usage rate than last year, and has been woeful from beyond the arc. His shot creation and playmaking remain elite, but he remains a defensive liability who hasn’t shown the ability to play off the ball.
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27. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown never stops getting better. It seems like each year Brown returns to the floor with an added dimension to his arsenal. He didn’t enter the league as an exceptional shooter, and has since developed into a high-volume sniper with range. His assist totals have increased nearly every year he’s been in the league. Brown’s commitment to improving as a player is what separates him from other talented two-way wings. We saw that hard work pay off last year when Brown was Boston’s best player for stretches throughout the postseason — including in the NBA Finals.
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26. Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks
There are guards who can put up better numbers, but there aren’t many who can dominate a game on both ends like Jrue Holiday. Milwaukee’s two-way point played an invaluable role for the Bucks during their title run in ’21. Who can forget Holiday stripping Devin Booker in the closing seconds of a pivotal Game 5, and then delivering a perfect lob pass to Giannis Antetokounmpo to seal the game. Holiday does all of the little things, he defends multiple positions as well as any perimeter player, and can even fill up the scoreboard when called upon.
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25. DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
It’s not too often you see a player have their best season in Year 12. That’s exactly what DeMar DeRozan did in his first year with the Bulls. Following a lengthy tenure in Toronto and a short-stint in San Antonio, DeRozan signed with the Bulls prior to the ’22 season. He was expected to be a mentor and secondary option for two-time All-Star Zach Lavine, but each of their roles quickly changed as the season progressed. DeRozan took control of Chicago’s offense en route to an All-NBA Second-Team campaign. He made clutch buckets for the Bulls all year long, and even showed improvements as a three-point shooter. Now 33, DeRozan’s sweet mid-range game should continue to age like fine wine.
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24. Karl Anthony-Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
While some questioned the legitimacy of his claim, Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t completely off-base by considering himself the “greatest big man shooter of all-time.” Not only is he the reigning Three-Point Shootout champion, Towns is also shooting 40-percent from three (on 5.1 attempts) over the last six seasons.
There are times where it seems like he’s a bit too reliant on perimeter jumpers. Towns is more than capable of scoring on the low-block, as well. It would only make him more difficult to defend if he varied his attack. If the Timberwolves had any semblance of playoff success during Towns’ tenure he would likely be placed much higher on this list.
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23. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
The Heat have become recognized for their ability to develop players over the years. With all due respect to guys like Tyler Herro, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson, and others, starting center Bam Adebayo’s ascension into stardom stands as this franchise’s crowning developmental achievement. Adebayo was never expected to be this good. The former Kentucky Wildcat slid to No. 14 in the 2017 NBA Draft with concerns over his offensive ability and lack of position. At just 6-foot-9, Adebayo gives up height to just about every other center in the league. However, he makes up for that with immense basketball IQ and extraordinary athletic tools.
Defensively, there aren’t too many big men who can switch across multiple positions and protect both the paint and the perimeter quite like Adebayo does. He can guard Giannis for 48 minutes one night, and then the next game switch out on guys like Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown and hold his own.
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22. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
The NBA’s biggest enigma, Kyrie Irving has done more to stay relevant off the court than he has on the court in recent years. Of course, Irving played in just 29 games last season after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. His absence perhaps directly led to James Harden requesting a trade out of Brooklyn. Irving has suited up in just 121 regular season games since joining the Nets in 2019. He hasn’t had a significant playoff moment since sinking the game winning shot in the 2017 NBA Finals. Irving’s defense has continued to slip, and there are times where one has to question if he’s even worth a potential headache.
That is to say, Irving is undoubtedly one of the most skilled players in basketball — ever. He’s one of the most creative and gifted ball handlers the game has seen, and has been a knockdown shooter since entering the league. We’ve possibly never seen a player of his stature more adept and efficient at finishing near the rim. This year, he’s making 60-percent of his two-point attempts. His image may never be the same, and he may never reach the highs of that 2017 playoff run again, but Irving is a show-stopping talent whose on-court skill has shown no signs of slippage.
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21. Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam is the forgotten star of the league. In 2020, a year after helping the Raptors capture their first title in franchise history, Siakam was named an All-NBA Second-Team forward alongside his former teammate Kawhi Leonard. Last season, he was an All-NBA Third-Team selection following an excellent stretch to end the year. His constant development has been a staple for a Toronto team that always finds itself in the playoff hunt. Though Fred VanVleet and Scottie Barnes deserve plenty of praise, Siakam is the team’s engine on both ends and its best overall player.
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20. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
If we can get a few healthy years in a row for Zion Williamson, look out. We saw what the Duke product was capable of early on in his career. As a rookie in only 24 games, Williamson averaged 22 PPG in just 27.5 MPG. He upped that scoring total to 27.0 PPG on a blistering 61-percent field goal shooting in Year 2. After missing the entirety of last season, Williamson came back on the floor in ’22 and seemingly hasn’t missed a beat. In fact, he’s even been more aggressive attacking the paint with zero three-point attempts in over half of his games. No player is more dominant in the paint, as Williamson is the closest offering to a modern-day Shaquille O’Neal as we have in today’s league.
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19. Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Even at 37 years old, Chris Paul can still get the job done. The question for him (as it always has been) is health. Paul seemingly gets banged up towards the end of every season, and his recovery rate will only get worse as he gets older. When healthy, Paul is the league’s top offensive orchestrator from the point guard position. He almost always makes the right decision, whether that’s passing it off to a wide-open teammate or sinking one of his patented mid-range jumpers. Has he lost a step? Sure, but there’s no denying the impact he has had on every team he’s ever played for.
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18. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers
James Harden isn’t the same player we saw in Houston. Though, that’s mostly by design. Harden was asked to take more of a scoring load on a Rockets team that was filled with 3-and-D specialists who were mostly incapable of creating their own shot. Since his Houston days, Harden has joined forces with the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and, now, Joel Embiid — stars who are plenty capable of manufacturing their own offense. As such, Harden has assumed more of a playmaking role as his scoring totals have gone down. He remains an elite passer, though he’ll need to show up for a playoff series or two in order to shake off his lousy postseason reputation.
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17. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
We are seeing a superstar blossom before our very eyes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken his game to another level this season, developing into an offensive force who is capable of scoring at will. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging over 30 PPG this year while doing a majority of his damage in the paint. The wiry guard slithers his way past defenders, and has an array of finishing maneuvers to keep defenses off balance. The only issue the Thunder may have with SGA’s breakout is that he’s made it increasingly difficult for the team to tank for a top draft pick. However, having a 24-year-old superstar attached to your team is likely more beneficial than some additional ping pong balls.
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16. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Is Donovan Mitchell a drastically different player in Cleveland than he was in Utah? No. Mitchell has excelled early for his new team, but has always been regarded as an offensive dynamo capable of carrying a team offensively. It helps that the Cavaliers are built better around Mitchell than the Jazz were. Having a true point guard like Darius Garland to feed Mitchell the ball has done wonders for the latter’s efficiency numbers.
Additionally, having two athletic big men in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen to hide any defensive deficiencies certainly helps. Mitchell is an alpha dog scorer who has had plenty of memorable playoff moments already in his career. In Year 6, he may have finally landed on a team best suited to showcase his immense talent.
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15. Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Paul George has been one of the league’s top two-way players all the way back to his Indiana days. After building up a strong playoff resume early, George stumbled a bit with a few memorable clunkers in Oklahoma City and his first season with the Clippers. He shook off those disappointments with a memorable run in the ’21 postseason sans Kawhi Leonard. George led an undermanned Clippers team to the franchise’s first Western Conference Finals appearance.
Though, he was unable to lead his team in a similar manner last season when the Clippers were bounced out of the play-in tournament following consecutive losses. George is a supreme two-way talent, but has had too many playoff blunders for a player of his caliber.
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14. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Morant made the Year 3-leap last year, ascending into superstardom as the leader of a rising Grizzlies team. Helping Memphis to 56 regular season wins and a playoff series victory over the Timberwolves, Morant’s exciting style of play and intense demeanor made the Grizzlies one of the most fun teams to follow in the league.
He still has a ways to go as a shooter and defender, but Morant can get to the basket at will, is an excellent playmaker, and seems to be a joy to play alongside with. He’s not backing down from any player — regardless of their status — and that mindset will allow him to continue to climb these rankings as his career progresses.
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13. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
One thing Jimmy Butler is going to do is deliver in the playoffs. He might slog through the regular season from time-to-time. Butler has played in over 67 regular season games just twice in his 11-year career. However, when the game slows down and the lights get bright, Butler is always ready to go. He’s led Miami to two Eastern Conference Finals appearances in three seasons with the team, and was one shot away from taking them to the NBA Finals last year.
Butler went toe-to-toe with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the Bubble, and the Heat were the only team to take more than one game from the Lakers in a series during that playoff run. For his playoff heroics alone, Butler is right on the border of being a top-10 player.
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12. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
What we’re not going to do is forget just how good of a basketball player Damian Lillard is. An injury-riddled campaign from its star derailed Portland’s 2022 campaign. Lillard was limited to just 29 games as the Trail Blazers traded away several key pieces in a rebuilding year. Now, Lillard is back on the floor alongside some new faces which includes former Piston Jerami Grant. Early reports indicate that Lillard has not lost a step. He remains the league’s preeminent three-point bomber not named Stephen Curry, and has knocked down some of the most memorable clutch shots in NBA Playoff history.
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11. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
The end of Phoenix’s playoff run left a bad taste following a dominant regular season. While it wasn’t entirely his fault, First-Team All-NBA selection Devin Booker was nowhere to be found during the Suns’ despicable Game 7 performance. Booker’s off-night should not cloud what has been an incredible run for the league’s top two-guard. A complete offensive player, Booker is adept in all phases of the game. We’ve even seen stretches where Booker operates as the team’s point guard in Chris Paul’s absence. In those situations, Booker is capable of dropping 30 points and 10 assists on any given night.
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10. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Will we ever get another full season of Kawhi Leonard? After missing all of 2022 following an injury sustained during the Clippers’ first Western Conference Finals run, Leonard returned to the floor this season to much excitement. His return did not last long, as he played in just two games before landing on the injured list again. That pattern has continued throughout the year, with Leonard appearing in just a few games before shutting it down for several weeks. The Clippers and Leonard have taken a peculiar approach with the star’s rehab process, but it will ultimately pay off if the two-time Finals MVP can see the floor in the postseason.
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9. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Arguably the biggest story of the first half of the season has been Anthony Davis’ reemergence as a superstar. Davis had fallen down the rankings a bit after a pair of ho-hum campaigns. Following the Lakers’ title win in 2020, Davis posted career-low numbers in ’21 followed by another injury-riddled campaign the next year. Staying on the court has never been easy for Davis. Right now, however, he’s healthy and balling. Davis has been a dominant force for a Lakers team that has desperately needed it. He’s engaged on both ends of the floor, and has dominated the paint on both ends of the floor. With Davis playing like this, the Lakers have to be considered a threat in a wide-open Western Conference.
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8. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Ranking the top-tier of the NBA is not easy. It’s how you end up with the back-to-back MVP runner-up in the No. 8 spot. Joel Embiid is a force of nature, and was at his best last year without Ben Simmons. Embiid put up gaudy numbers (30.6 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.1 SPG) while picking up the slack until the 76ers acquired James Harden.
Embiid is a matchup nightmare for every team in the league, and has quelled any concerns about his ability to stay healthy for a full season. That being said, he does have the weakest playoff resume of the league’s top superstars. Both him and Harden have a lot to prove in the postseason this coming year.
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7. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Among the league’s superstars, LeBron James might be the most difficult to rank. His statistical profile hasn’t fallen off by any significant margin. The 37-year-old is off to what many consider a “slow start” this season while putting up averages of 25/9/7. He looks every bit as athletic as he always has, and remains the brightest mind in basketball.
That being said, it’s clear to anybody who has watched James throughout his career that he’s entering a different phase. He’s not quite as capable of dominating each and every night on both ends of the floor as he once was. The league has also gotten significantly better in recent years. James’ standing as the 7th best player is more of a testament to how great the talent is at the top of the league.
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6. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
As previously stated — ranking the top-tier of the NBA is not easy. That’s how you end up with the back-to-back league MVP ranked outside of the top-5. Nikola Jokic is unlike any player we’ve ever seen. He’s been recognized as the best big man passer for quite some time, but his evolution as a scorer has been shocking. With Denver’s other stars missing massive chunks of the last two seasons, Jokic has stepped up his scoring in a big way (26.7 PPG regular season and 30.2 PPG in the playoffs since ’21). Defensively, he can be a liability — evidenced by the Warriors endlessly attacking him during their playoff series. Still, he’s arguably the league’s most potent and efficient offensive fulcrum. With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. back to full health, Jokic is plenty capable of leading this group on a run to the NBA Finals.
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5. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
An argument can be made that Kevin Durant is the best player on the planet. Nobody can score the basketball quite like Durant can. And, we aren’t just talking about current players with that statement. Durant is one of the most skilled offensive players the game has ever seen. His mix of length, touch, and skill-set makes him an impossible matchup. However, it must be stated that Durant is coming off one of his lousier playoff outings.
Tasked with shouldering too much responsibility for the undermanned Nets, Durant was not his usual-efficient self in a sweep at the hands of the Celtics. It’s difficult to rank him above players who were outright better than him in the most crucial moments.
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4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
After years of waiting, Jayson Tatum finally put it all together for the Celtics in 2022. He became the best version of a two-way wing en route to his first NBA Finals appearance. Tatum put a stamp on his ascension in a first-round playoff series versus the Nets when he outplayed all-time great Kevin Durant in the four-game sweep. His playmaking has vastly improved over the last two years, and he was a key component for the top-ranked Celtics defense. His Finals outing left something to be desired, but the 24-year-old Tatum didn’t let that affect his development. Tatum has stormed out of the gates for the first-place Celtics to begin the year, and has arguably been the league’s MVP through the early stages of the season.
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3. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
While Tatum has the look of an MVP, it’s difficult to rank him above the player who bested his Celtics during last year’s NBA Finals. Now a four-time NBA Champion, Stephen Curry has accomplished all there is to accomplish in the league. Already noted as the game’s greatest shooter of all-time, Curry will continue to rewrite record books for the remainder of his career.
Last season’s playoff run was perhaps the highlight of his illustrious career. Curry shouldered an immense offensive workload en route to helping the Warriors capture their fourth title in eight years. Remarkably, he’s been even better this year as the Warriors look to defend their championship.
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2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic has already accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. The 23-year-old has been in the league for just four seasons, and has been named First-Team All-NBA three times. That’s already more than all-time greats like Dwayne Wade, Tracy McGrady and Russell Westbrook. He’s one First-Team nod away from tying Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett, and Dirk Nowitzki. Doncic has also established himself as one of the league’s best playoff performers.
After going toe-to-toe with the Clippers for two seasons (and giving premier defenders Kawhi Leonard and Paul George all types of fits), Doncic and the Mavericks broke through to the Western Conference Finals in ’22. Doncic completely obliterated the top-seed Suns in an unforgettable Game 7 performance. The wunderkind will be dominating the league for years to come.
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1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
After Giannis got over the championship hurdle, his game has taken another step forward. You can sense the confidence he plays with whenever he steps foot on the floor. Antetokounmpo plays with immense fire on both ends. He’s looking to punish defenders who dare to stand in his way of the rim. There is no player with his set of physical tools in the league. You can see the game slowing down for the man they call ‘The Greek Freak’. As such, that should be a terrifying proposition for the rest of the league as a whole. Giannis is undoubtedly the best player in the NBA at this current time.
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