The NBA is one of the most popular and lucrative sports leagues in the world. With its massive fan base, media attention, and endorsement deals, it’s no surprise that some of the league’s top players earn staggering amounts of money each year. As we approach the end of the 2019-2020 season, it’s time to take a look at the highest paid players in the NBA.
Take for example LeBron James, who has been consistently ranked among the highest-paid NBA players since his rookie season with Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. In this current season alone, he earns $37.4 million from his salary as well as endorsements. However, he isn’t even close to being the top earner this year. This just goes to show how much money there is in professional basketball and how valuable these star athletes are to their respective teams and sponsors alike.
NBA’s highest paid player of the 2019-2020 season
One of the most talked-about topics in the NBA is player salaries. The top players earn millions of dollars each season, and fans are often curious about who makes the most money. In this article, we will explore the highest paid NBA player for the 2019-2020 season.
The NBA’s highest paid player for the 2019-2020 season was Stephen Curry, a point guard for the Golden State Warriors. Curry signed a five-year contract extension worth $201 million in July 2017, which made him one of the highest paid athletes in any sport worldwide. Despite missing more than half of the 2019-2020 season due to injury, he still earned an estimated $43.8 million from his salary and endorsements.
It is not surprising that Curry tops the list as one of the greatest basketball players of all time with numerous accolades including two MVP awards, three championships with Golden State Warriors among others . However, it may be surprising to some that LeBron James did not make it to number one on this list.
To better understand how much money these players make compared to average Americans’ earnings, here are some statistics:
- In 2020, the median annual income for American households was $68,703.
- It would take over 630 years for someone earning minimum wage ($7.25 per hour) to earn what Steph Curry earns in one year.
- With his yearly earnings, Steph Curry could buy approximately 4 Lamborghinis every month or over 47 properties priced at $925K each.
In addition to his impressive stats on paper and huge paycheck, Stephen Curry has also given back to society through charitable donations such as supporting underprivileged children’s education and donating anti-malaria nets against malaria outbreaks across Africa. Such philanthropic efforts show that these players aren’t just big earners but have a heart of gold.
Second highest paid player in the NBA for the 2019-2020 season
As we move on to the second highest paid player in the NBA for the 2019-2020 season, it is interesting to note that this particular player has been consistently among the top earners in the league. Let’s take a hypothetical example of a fan who follows this player closely and sees him as a role model for aspiring athletes.
When we talk about high salaries in the NBA, there are several factors at play. Here are some reasons why certain players earn significantly more than others:
- Skill set: Players with exceptional skills and abilities tend to command higher salaries.
- Marketability: Some players have an undeniable star power that translates into merchandise sales, endorsements, and ticket revenue.
- Team dynamics: A team may be willing to pay top dollar to retain or acquire a key player who can help them win games and championships.
- Contract negotiations: An agent or representative who is skilled at negotiating contracts can help their client secure a lucrative deal.
Now let’s take a look at the table below which showcases the top five highest paid players of the 2019-2020 season:
| Rank | Player Name | Salary (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Curry | $40.2 |
| 2 | Chris Paul | $38.5 |
| 3 | Russell Westbrook | $38.5 |
| 4 | John Wall | $37.8 |
| 5 | Kevin Durant | $37.2 |
It is worth noting that all these players have something in common; they are highly skilled veterans with years of experience under their belt.
Despite earning such large sums of money, many basketball fans would argue that these individuals deserve every penny due to their hard work and dedication towards mastering their craft. They put themselves through grueling training regimens, endure injuries, and spend countless hours perfecting their skills on the court. As a result, they have earned the admiration and respect of millions of fans worldwide.
As we move forward to the next section about the third highest paid player in the NBA for the 2019-2020 season, it is important to remember that while salaries may be high, these players must continue to perform at an exceptional level in order to maintain their position as top earners in the league.
Third highest paid player in the NBA for the 2019-2020 season
Moving on to the second runner-up, we have a player who has been consistently performing well and delivering positive results for his team. For instance, in one of the matches where he was playing against , he managed to score 40 points, leading his team to victory.
When it comes to his salary, this player earned a whopping $38.2 million during the 2019-2020 NBA season. Here are some interesting facts about how he spends his hard-earned money:
- He owns a multi-million dollar mansion in Los Angeles that boasts an indoor gymnasium, pool, and cinema.
- He is known for splurging on luxury cars like Lamborghinis and Bentleys.
- In addition to endorsing top brands such as Nike and Coca-Cola, he also invests heavily in real estate projects.
- Despite his lavish lifestyle, he actively donates to charitable causes through his foundation.
To provide further context regarding salaries of high-profile NBA players, here’s a table showcasing the five highest-paid players of the 2019-2020 season:
| Rank | Player Name | Team | Salary (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $43.8 |
| 2 | Chris Paul | Oklahoma City Thunder | $41.4 |
| 3 | This Player | Current Team | $38.2 |
| 4 | Next Player | Not disclosed | $34.5 |
| 5 | Another Player | Yet another team | $33 |
It’s fascinating to see just how much these athletes earn each year while doing what they love. However, their success doesn’t come without hard work, dedication and sacrifice both on and off the court.
As we move on to discuss the third-highest paid NBA player of the 2019-2020 season, we can see that there is no shortage of talented and highly valued athletes in this league.
The fourth highest paid NBA player of the 2019-2020 season
Moving on to the third highest paid player in the NBA for the 2019-2020 season, we have Kemba Walker. He signed a four-year contract with Boston Celtics worth $141 million. The former Charlotte Hornets point guard made his first All-NBA team last year after averaging career highs of 25.6 points and 5.9 assists per game.
When it comes to the most lucrative contracts in NBA history, names like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant come up frequently. However, modern-day players are now earning just as much or even more than these legends did during their playing days. Here are some interesting facts about top NBA salaries that might surprise you:
- Stephen Curry is currently the highest-paid player in the league.
- Only three non-American players make it onto the list of top ten earners.
- Nine out of ten of these players play either shooting guard or small forward positions.
- LeBron James has been named one of the best-paid athletes globally by Forbes Magazine since 2014.
Let’s take a closer look at how these high-profile earnings compare across different teams and individual performance levels:
| Rank | Player | Team | Salary (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $40.2 |
| 2 | Chris Paul | Oklahoma City Thunder | $38.5 |
| 3 | Kemba Walker | Boston Celtics | $34.4 |
| 4 | Russell Westbrook | Houston Rockets | $33 |
As shown in this table, each player’s salary varies depending on factors such as age, experience level, team standing, and overall market value.
Additionally, there is an ongoing debate concerning whether or not NBA players deserve such exorbitant salaries given their job requirements. While some argue that they are paid what the market dictates, others believe that their salaries should be more in line with those of essential workers.
While the debate continues, it is clear that these players’ earnings will continue to rise as long as fans keep buying tickets and merchandise. In fact, .
Moving on to the fourth highest-paid player in the NBA for the 2019-2020 season, we have James Harden from Houston Rockets.
Fifth highest paid player in the NBA for the 2019-2020 season
Moving on to the fourth highest-paid NBA player of the 2019-2020 season, it is important to note that this athlete’s salary was a whopping $38.2 million for that year. Let’s take a closer look at who this player is and how they earned their place as one of the top earners in professional basketball.
One example of an individual who has consistently remained among the highest-paid players in the league is Damian Lillard, point guard for the Portland Trail Blazers. In addition to his impressive on-court performance, which includes five All-Star selections and numerous other accolades, Lillard also boasts an extensive endorsement portfolio with brands such as Adidas and Hulu.
Despite being known primarily for his scoring ability (averaging over 28 points per game during the 2019-2020 season), Lillard also excels in facilitating his teammates’ success through assists and leadership qualities. These attributes have undoubtedly contributed to both his team’s overall success and personal financial gain.
To further understand what makes these high salaries possible, let us explore some key factors that influence NBA player earnings:
- Performance: Naturally, top-performing athletes are more likely to earn higher salaries due to their value and contributions to their respective teams.
- Team market size: Players on teams located in larger markets tend to generate more revenue through merchandise sales, ticket sales, etc., leading to higher salaries.
- Endorsements: As previously mentioned with Damian Lillard, endorsements can significantly boost a player’s income beyond just their base salary.
- Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): The CBA determines many aspects of player contracts including maximum contract amounts and annual raises.
Now let’s delve into a comparison between two of the top earners from the 2019-2020 NBA season:
| Player | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $40.2 million |
| Chris Paul | Oklahoma City Thunder | $38.5 million |
While both players earned substantially high salaries, it is important to note that Curry’s endorsement deals brought in an additional estimated $45 million for the year.
Overall, it is clear that there are numerous factors at play when it comes to NBA player earnings and how they rank among their peers. From individual performance to team market size and beyond, each athlete’s journey to financial success is unique yet interwoven within the larger context of professional basketball.
The fifth highest paid player in the NBA for the 2019-2020 season will be discussed in the following section.
Sixth highest paid player in the NBA for the 2019-2020 season
Continuing our discussion on the highest paid NBA players of the 2019-2020 season, we move to the sixth spot.
Let’s start with an example: Jamal Murray, a Canadian professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets, was the sixth highest-paid player in the NBA during that season. He signed a five-year contract extension worth $170 million dollars.
One reason why these top players make such high salaries is due to their marketability and endorsement deals. Companies are willing to pay big bucks for athletes who can promote their products effectively. Additionally, being one of the best players in the league often leads to various opportunities outside of basketball, such as media appearances or other business ventures.
Here is a bullet list of some additional factors that contribute to high player salaries:
- Player performance and stats
- Team success and playoff appearances
- TV ratings and overall revenue generated by the league
- Salary cap restrictions
To give you an idea of how much money we’re talking about here, let’s take a look at this table showcasing the six highest-paid players from that season:
| Rank | Player | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $40,231,758 |
| 2 | Chris Paul | Oklahoma City Thunder | $38,506,482 |
| 3 | Russell Westbrook | Houston Rockets | $38,178,000 |
| 4 | John Wall | Washington Wizards | $37,800,000 |
| 5 | Kevin Durant | Brooklyn Nets | $37,199,000 |
| 6 | Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets | $34,500,000 |
Looking at this table , it is clear that these players earned a significant amount of money for their talents on the court. However, it is important to note that these salaries are often negotiated by agents and representatives who work tirelessly to secure lucrative deals for their clients.
Overall, NBA players make a considerable amount of money due to various factors such as performance, marketability, team success and revenue generated by the league. While some may argue that these salaries are excessive, it’s important to remember that professional athletes have short careers and must capitalize on opportunities when they arise.