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The NBA is one of the highest paying leagues in the world. This is not an exaggeration or a blatant statement that knows not its depth. This is a well researched statement and so, I'll reiterate - the NBA is one of the highest paying leagues in the world. And not just in basketball but across sports.
According to this report on the NBA's official website, the average salary of an NBA player in 2020-21 was $7.5 million. In comparison, this report by statistica.com puts the average salary in the English Premier League at $4.08 million. That is almost $3.5 million less than in the National Basketball Association.
The 10 highest paid NBA Players
A league that pays an average wage of over $7 million will always pay astonishing wages to its top players. And by astonishing we mean unimaginable numbers. Wolf of Wall Street numbers just through wages.
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Today, we rank the ten highest paid stars in the NBA. This ranking will only take into consideration the wages paid by clubs and will not include endorsements or any off-court earnings.
#10 Giannis Antetokounmpo - $39,340,000
Giannis Antetokounmpo is ranked tenth on this list of highest paid NBA players. He makes over $39 million in wages over the term of a year. His salary increased by over $11 million from 2020-21. That's an unbelievable 42.9% rise.
The Greek Freak led the Milwaukee Bucks to their second ever NBA Championship and won the NBA Finals MVP award for his extraordinary effort. Giannis is a beast on the court and ever so charming off the court. His likeability and thrilling playing style grants the Bucks hoards of viewership and new endorsements. Milwaukee is justified in honoring Giannis and his loyalty by giving him the salary he deserves.
#9 Kawhi Leonard - $39,344,900
Kawhi Leonard represents the LA Clippers in the NBA. He is a gifted player capable of making high stakes plays. He showed his innate ability to win regardless of the circumstances during the 2018-19 Toronto Raptors championship campaign.
Claw would go on to lead the Canadian team to their first ever championship win. Post his move to the Clippers, Kawhi has teamed up with the likes of Terance Mann and Paul George. Kawhi is easily one of the highest paid players in the league and will be paid a whooping $39,344,900 million in 2021-22.
#8 Paul George - $39,344,970
Paul George earns 70 grands more than his superstar teammate Kawhi Leonard. With his $39,344,970 salary cap this year, PG13 is placed at the eighth spot on this list. The seven-time All-Star is the highest paid player on the list. His salary increased by about $3.89 million from the 2020-21 NBA season.
#7 Kevin Durant - $40,918,900
The slim reaper is placed 7th on the list of highest paid NBA players for the 2021-22 season. He plays for the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference alongside league superstars James Harden and Kyrie Irving.
Kevin Durant has many different avenues of earnings - from endorsements to Jersey Sales; he is one of the highest paid athletes in the world. His club gives him $40+ million dollars in wages. He is the first player on this list to earn in the 40 million bracket.
KD is an invaluable player. His Brooklyn Nets salary reflects the importance he holds over the league and the game of basketball. His contract will allow him to make almost $14 million more by the 2025-26 NBA Season.
#6 LeBron James - $41,180,544
LeBron James is ranked fourth on Forbes' list of the world's highest paid athletes from 2010-2019. This year, King James is ranked sixth on the NBA's highest paid players list. He will earn over $41 million in the 2021-22 season.
James earned more than double his salary in off-the-court earnings in 2020-21. In the Lakers' bid to try and win the Championship, the management has increased his salary by almost two million. He remains one of the highest earning athletes and will stay that way for years to come.
#5 Damian Lillard - $43,750,000
The Portland Trail Blazers have managed to retain their franchise and the NBA's leading player Damian Lillard for now, but things have been quite ambiguous and stressful at the Moda Center.
Despite the problems brewing between the management and Dame, Dame cannot deny that the money is good. The Blazers' superstar will make close to $44 million in 2021-22.
#4 Russell Westbrook - $44,211,146
The newest Laker will earn $44,211,146 in wages in the 2021-22 NBA season. He'll be earning over $3 million more than his teammate LeBron. Russell Westbrook's trade from the Washington Wizards to the LA Lakers was the hottest news in the league post the championship.
Russ is a dynamic player. His addition to the Lakers will improve the overall ability and strength of the team. James and Anthony Davis, alongside Westbrook, will be a sight to behold in the upcoming NBA season.
#2 John Wall - $44,310,840
The number two position on the list of highest paid NBA players is a tie and therefore there is no number three. The first one at number two is John Wall of the Houston Rockets. Wall is ranked above the likes of Durant and James. In fact there is only one player in the NBA who draws a salary more than Optimus Dime.
The Houston Rockets will pay John over $44 million in the 2021-22 season to keep him happy and motivated. The high-flyer explosive player is one of the fastest in the NBA. He can find his groove in any condition and is capable of making game-winning shots.
#2 James Harden - $44,310,840
James Harden is tied with John for second spot on this list. The Brooklyn Nets superstar is part of one of the most formidable big threes in NBA history. He is a lethal scorer with a trunk full of tricks. His step-back three was once the most feared shot in the league. Harden is also ranked 5th on the list of the NBA's 3-point leading scorers.
Harden's wage is the highest in the Nets, higher than both KD and Kyrie. After an infuriating exit from the 2021 playoffs, the Nets and Harden will be eager to try for the ring once again. With a roster like theirs, it isn't too far-fetched a dream either. The Beard will earn about $44.3 million in wages in the 2021-22 season.
#1 Stephen Curry - $45,780,966
The three-time championship winner, two-time MVP winner, and a two-time scoring champ reigns supreme on this list. Steph Curry is amongst the best players in the league at present and is arguably the greatest shooter of all time. His accomplishments are a reflection of his skills and dedication to the game and to the NBA.
He is often credited as the incharge of ushering in the era of three-pointers, and for changing the game of basketball forever. Curry is delightful to watch. His playfulness on and off the court, the grace of his game, and the sheer range and accuracy of his three-pointers is beyond comparison.
Steph took the Golden State Warriors to 5 consecutive NBA Finals, winning three of them. On this arduous journey, Steph and Co. bested super teams, incredible players, and impenetrable doubt. After all he has done for his team, it is no surprise that Steph Curry is the highest paid player in the league.
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