Top 10 highest paid NBA players in history

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Here is the list of the top 10 highest paid players in the history of the NBA

NBA Players make a boatload of cash. The amount the fighters make can only be compared to few other elite sports like Football.

All the top players earn at least $20 million a year. Let’s take a look at the highest-paid players ever in the history of the NBA.

1) LeBron James

There is a reason why LeBron James is known as ‘King James’. The Los Angeles Lakers’ Small Forward is considered by many as the greatest basketball player of all time, and hence his massive net worth.

LeBron James has won four NBA championships
LeBron James (L) and Anthony Davis for the LA Lakers (Getty)

James began his career playing for his home team Cleveland Cavaliers. He then moved to the Miami Heat, became an indomitable force and got back to the Cavaliers again, and helped them win an NBA title. He currently plays for the Lakers.

LeBron James net worth

The 36-year old has an unbelievable net worth of $500 million. James earned a salary of around $39 million in the year 2020-21. James is the richest basketball player ever in terms of total career earnings.

James’ total career earnings amount to a whopping $343.8 million.

2) Kevin Garnett

Kevin ‘The Big Ticket’ Garnett was a part of the NBA for almost 21 years. Garnett retired in 2016, and was an integral part of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics during the late 90s and 2000s.

Kevin Garnett Net worth

The lanky American has a net worth of $120 million. He earned an astounding $28 million in the year 2003-04 during his time at Minnesota Timberwolves. His total career earnings amount to $334.3 million.

3) Kobe Bryant

Considered to be one of the greatest NBA players of all time, the late Kobe Bryant enthralled the fans with his supreme skills and animal mentality. He spent all his 20 years in the NBA playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant unfortunately lost his life in 2020 due to a helicopter crash.

Kobe Bryant Net Worth

Kobe Bryant amassed a net worth of almost $600 million (during his time of passing). The Lakers legend earned $30 million playing for the Lakers in the year 2013-14. Bryant’s total career earnings is an impressive $323 million.

4) Chris Paul

Considered to be one of the greatest point-guards of all time, Chris Emmanuel Paul plays for the Phoenix Suns. He has been a part of the NBA since 2005.

Chris Paul net worth and salary
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Phoenix Suns Deandre Ayton, Chris Paul, Cameron Johnson, and Devin Booker break a huddle during the Phoenix Suns game versus the Los Angeles Clippers game 3 NBA,

Paul began his career playing for the New Orleans Hornets. He then moved to the Los Angeles Clippers, before having a short stint with Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder. He currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.

Chris Paul Net Worth

Chris Paul has a net worth of $130 million. CP3 made a staggering $41 million in the year 2020-21. His career earnings amount to approximately $300 million.

5) Shaquille O’Neal

One of the most iconic and powerful NBA players of all time, Shaquille O’Neal was a force to be reckoned with during the late 90s and early 2000s. From smashing boards to bone-shattering blocks, the 7ft 1in behemoth started his career playing for the Orlando Magic.

Shaquille O'Neal will feature on AEW Dynamite
Shaquille O’Neal performs onstage during the 2019 NBA Awards presented by Kia on TNT at Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner Sports)

He was then an integral part of the dominant Los Angeles Lakers. After spending 8 years with the Lakers he moved to Miami Heat. What followed then was brief spells at the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.

Shaquille O’Neal Net Worth

Shaq has a net worth of $400 million. During the 2004-05 season, his first year at Miami Heat, he earned a flabbergasting $27.6 million. Shaq’s total career earnings are estimated to be around $286.5 million.

6) Kevin Durant

One of the modern day greats, Kevin ‘KD’ Durant plies his trade for the Brooklyn Nets. He spent a large part of his NBA career playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he won the MVP in the year 2014.

Kevin Durant recently tested positive for the coronavirus
Kevin Durant left the Warriors to join the Nets (Image Credit: Getty)

Durant then moved to the Golden State Warriors in the year 2016. He helped them to back-to-back title wins, and nearly missed out on a three peat. KD then moved to the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.

Kevin Durant Net Worth

Kevin Durant’s net worth is a mind-boggling $170 million. His salary for the year 2020-21 is around $40 million which has been his highest paying year until today. Durant’s total career earnings amount to $286 million.

7) Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony plays as a power forward for the Portland Trail Blazers. He spent a large part of his career, playing for the Denver Nuggets from 2003-11. He then played around 6 years for the New York Knicks.

Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is back in the NBA with the Blazers (Image credit: Getty)

Melo then moved to the Oklahoma City Thunder for just a year. Same was the case with his time at Houston Rockets. In 2019 Anthony moved to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Carmelo Anthony Net Worth

Anthony has a net worth of $160 million. His highest single-season earnings has been 26.2 million during his time at the Oklahoma City Thunder in the year 2017-18. Anthony’s total career earnings – $260 million approximately

8) Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki is considered to be one of the greatest power forwards of all time. His 25 year old career had him play only for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Nowitzki won the MVP in the year 2011, after guiding the Mavericks to an NBA title.

The German announced his retirement two years ago.

Dirk Nowitzki Net Worth

Dirk Nowitzki has a net worth of around $140 million. He earned a stunning $25 million in the year 2016-17 during his time at the Mavericks. HIs total career earnings is an astonishing $252 million.

9) Russell Westbrook

Considered to be one of the best point guards of all time, Russell Westbrook plays for the Washington Wizards. He previously played just one year for the Houston Rockets.

Russell Westbrook net worth
February 22, 2021, Los Angeles, California, USA: The Wizards Russell Westbrook 4 attempts a shot

Prior to his time at the Houston Rockets, he spent a staggering 12 years at the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he initially formed a formidable partnership with James Harden and Kevin Durant.

Westbrook won the MVP award in the year 2017.

Russell Westbrook Net Worth

Russell Westbrook has a net worth of $170 million. The current year has been his highest earning year. He received a salary of around $41.5 million. Westbrook’s total career earnings stands at $244 million.

10) Dwight Howard

The lanky and ripped Dwight Howard plays for the Philadelphia 76ers. Throughout his career, he has spent his time across various franchises.

The longest time he ever spent at a franchise was during his time at the Orlando Magic. He moved to Los Angeles Lakers for a year. Howard then moved to the Houston Rockets in the year 2013.

He once again returned to the Lakers in the year 2019, and now he plays for the 76ers.

Dwight Howard Net Worth
Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard Net Worth

Dwight Howard has a net worth of $140 million. His highest single season earning was in the year 2017-18, when he earned $23.5 million. Howard’s total career earnings amount to $242.5 million.

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