Highest paid NBA players of the last 10 years

2009-16: Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant

Bryant's total salary from 2009-2016: $179.88 million

The Black Mamba is commonly considered as the greatest player in the Lakers' fabled purple-and-gold uniform, playing 20 years for the franchise from the start of his career to the finish. Despite demanding a trade in 2007, Bryant was always viewed as a lifetime Laker, which is why owner Jeanie Buss had no qualms in giving him a last big payday in 2014.

Bryant was the face of the NBA from 2005 till 2010-11 or so, when LeBron moved to the Heat and became the prohibitive favorite for all team and individual honors out there. Despite earning over $315 million in career salary after his rookie deal expired, there is a distinct possibility that Bryant was indeed underpaid in contrast to his real value to the league over the course of one of the most legendary NBA careers of all time. Yes, even though he was the highest-paid player in the league for 7 straight years.