Highest-paid NBA players by season

The highest-paid NBA players by season over the past twelve seasons have received contracts with salaries noted in the twenty-million-dollar range. In this twelve-year span, Kevin Garnett received $28,000,000, which was the highest salary payment of any NBA player, during the 2003–2004 season. Garnett has been the highest-paid NBA player per year in seven of the past twelve NBA seasons. Michael Jordan was the first NBA player to sign a contract worth over thirty million dollars in a season. During the 1997–1998 season, Jordan earned $33,000,000. Kobe Bryant become just the second player to reach this milestone when the 2013-2014 season began.^[1] LeBron James became the third in 2016-17.

Beginning in the 1984–85 NBA season, the NBA's first salary cap was introduced. The NBA salary cap is the maximum dollar amount each NBA team can spend on its players for the season. However, the NBA uses a "soft" salary cap, which means that significant "salary exceptions" allow NBA teams to exceed their allotted amount in order to sign players. The salary cap is determined during the offseason, but as stated earlier, it is liable to change.^[2]

Michael Jordan, who earned $33,000,000 in the 1997–98 NBA season, attempts a slam dunk at the old Boston Garden.

An exception is necessary to sign a player for a contract that would exceed the salary cap threshold of the "soft cap". The Larry Bird exception, more commonly known as Bird Rights, allows teams to re-sign a current player only if he has played for that particular team for a minimum of three years.^[3] Another exception known as the mid-level exception allows for teams that are over the salary cap to sign one or more players as long as they do not exceed the total amount of the average NBA salary.^[4] Next, the bi-annual exception can be used by teams every other year to sign a free agent(s) for up to two years at an amount set by the NBA.^[5] Finally, the rookie player exception allows any NBA team to sign their first-round draft pick to a contract based upon a scale previously set forth by the NBA. Another option for teams would be to assign players to a league-assigned minimum salary contract for a maximum of two years.

According to the game performance during the 2010–11 NBA season, the league's best players were not its highest-paid players. Each year there are ten players selected to one of the two All-NBA Teams. Out of those ten players chosen that year, Kobe Bryant was the only player that was also among the game's ten highest-paid during the 2010–11 NBA season.^[6]

Highest-paid NBA players by season

2016–2017 Player [7] Salary Team LeBron James $30,963,450 Cleveland Cavaliers Al Horford $26,540,100 Boston Celtics DeMar DeRozan $26,540,100 Toronto Raptors James Harden $26,540,100 Houston Rockets Kevin Durant $26,540,100 Golden State Warriors Russell Westbrook $26,540,100 Oklahoma City Thunder Mike Conley, Jr. $26,540,100 Memphis Grizzlies Dirk Nowitzki $25,000,000 Dallas Mavericks Carmelo Anthony $24,559,380 New York Knicks Damian Lillard $24,328,425 Portland Trail Blazers

2015–2016 Player [8] Salary Team Kobe Bryant $25,000,000 Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James $22,970,500 Cleveland Cavaliers Carmelo Anthony $22,875,000 New York Knicks Dwight Howard $22,359,364 Houston Rockets Chris Bosh $22,192,730 Miami Heat Chris Paul $21,468,695 Los Angeles Clippers Kevin Durant $20,158,622 Oklahoma City Thunder Derrick Rose $20,093,064 Chicago Bulls Dwyane Wade $20,000,000 Miami Heat LaMarcus Aldridge $19,689,000 San Antonio Spurs

2014–2015 Player [9] Salary Team Kobe Bryant $23,500,000 Los Angeles Lakers Amar'e Stoudemire $23,410,988 New York Knicks Joe Johnson $23,180,790 Brooklyn Nets Carmelo Anthony $22,458,401 New York Knicks Dwight Howard $21,436,271 Houston Rockets Chris Bosh $20,644,400 Miami Heat LeBron James $20,644,400 Cleveland Cavaliers Chris Paul $20,068,563 Los Angeles Clippers Deron Williams $19,754,465 Brooklyn Nets Rudy Gay $19,317,326 Sacramento Kings

2013–2014 Player [10] Salary Team Kobe Bryant $30,453,805 Los Angeles Lakers Dirk Nowitzki $22,721,381 Dallas Mavericks Amar'e Stoudemire $21,679,893 New York Knicks Joe Johnson $21,466,718 Brooklyn Nets Carmelo Anthony $21,388,953 New York Knicks Dwight Howard $20,513,178 Houston Rockets Pau Gasol $19,285,850 Los Angeles Lakers Chris Bosh $19,067,500 Miami Heat LeBron James $19,067,500 Miami Heat Dwyane Wade $18,673,000 Miami Heat

2012–2013 Player [11] Salary Team Kobe Bryant $30,453,805 Los Angeles Lakers Dirk Nowitzki $20,907,128 Dallas Mavericks Amar'e Stoudemire $19,948,799 New York Knicks Joe Johnson $19,752,645 Brooklyn Nets Carmelo Anthony $19,444,503 New York Knicks Pau Gasol $19,285,850 Los Angeles Lakers Chris Bosh $19,067,500 Miami Heat LeBron James $19,067,500 Miami Heat Dwyane Wade $18,673,000 Miami Heat Chris Paul $18,668,431 Los Angeles Clippers

2011–2012 Player [12] Salary Team Kobe Bryant $25,244,493 Los Angeles Lakers Kevin Garnett $21,247,044 Boston Celtics Tim Duncan $21,164,619 San Antonio Spurs Rashard Lewis $21,136,631 Washington Wizards Dirk Nowitzki $19,092,873 Dallas Mavericks Pau Gasol $18,714,150 Los Angeles Lakers Carmelo Anthony $18,518,574 New York Knicks Amar'e Stoudemire $18,217,705 New York Knicks Elton Brand $18,160,355 Philadelphia 76ers Dwight Howard $18,091,770 Orlando Magic

2010–2011

During the 2010–11 NBA season, Kobe Bryant was the highest-paid player in the league. Bryant's net worth was valued at over $140 million as of 2009.^[13] Bryant, who has spent his entire 18-year career in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform, is under contract with the team until the 2015–2016 NBA season.^[14]

Player [15]	Salary	Team
Kobe Bryant	$24,806,250	Los Angeles Lakers
Rashard Lewis	$19,573,711	Washington Wizards
Tim Duncan	$18,835,381	San Antonio Spurs
Kevin Garnett	$18,832,044	Boston Celtics
Michael Redd	$18,300,000	Milwaukee Bucks
Andrei Kirilenko	$17,823,000	Utah Jazz
Pau Gasol	$17,823,000	Los Angeles Lakers
Gilbert Arenas	$17,730,694	Washington Wizards
Yao Ming	$17,686,100	Houston Rockets
Zach Randolph	$17,666,666	Memphis Grizzlies

2009–2010

Player [16]	Salary	Team
Kobe Bryant	$23,034,375	Los Angeles Lakers
Jermaine O'Neal	$23,016,000	Miami Heat
Tracy McGrady	$22,843,124	New York Knicks
Tim Duncan	$22,183,220	San Antonio Spurs
Shaquille O'Neal	$21,000,000	Cleveland Cavaliers
Dirk Nowitzki	$19,795,714	Dallas Mavericks
Paul Pierce	$19,795,712	Boston Celtics
Ray Allen	$18,776,860	Boston Celtics
Rashard Lewis	$18,010,791	Orlando Magic
Michael Redd	$17,040,000	Milwaukee Bucks

2008–2009

Kevin Garnett was the highest-paid player during the 2008–09, 2007–08, and 2006–07 seasons; he relinquished that position to Shaquille O'Neal for two seasons, but was also the highest-paid player during the 2003–04, 2002–03, 2001–02, and 2000–01 seasons.

Player [17]	Salary	Team
Kevin Garnett	$24,751,934	Boston Celtics
Jason Kidd	$21,372,000	Dallas Mavericks
Jermaine O'Neal	$21,372,000	Toronto Raptors
Kobe Bryant	$21,262,500	Los Angeles Lakers
Shaquille O'Neal	$21,000,000	Phoenix Suns
Allen Iverson	$20,840,625	Detroit Pistons
Stephon Marbury	$20,840,625	Boston Celtics
Tim Duncan	$20,598,704	San Antonio Spurs
Tracy McGrady	$20,370,437	Houston Rockets
Ray Allen	$18,388,430	Boston Celtics

2007–2008

Player [18]	Salary	Team
Kevin Garnett	$23,751,934	Boston Celtics
Shaquille O'Neal	$21,000,000	Phoenix Suns
Jason Kidd	$19,728,000	New Jersey Nets
Jermaine O'Neal	$19,728,000	Indiana Pacers
Kobe Bryant	$19,490,625	Los Angeles Lakers
Tim Duncan	$19,014,188	San Antonio Spurs
Allen Iverson	$19,012,500	Denver Nuggets
Stephon Marbury	$19,012,500	New York Knicks
Tracy McGrady	$18,257,750	Houston Rockets
Baron Davis	$16,440,000	Golden State Warriors

2006–2007 Player [19] Salary Team Kevin Garnett $21,000,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal $20,000,000 Miami Heat Jason Kidd $18,084,000 New Jersey Nets Jermaine O'Neal $18,084,000 Indiana Pacers Kobe Bryant $17,718,750 Los Angeles Lakers Tim Duncan $17,429,673 San Antonio Spurs Allen Iverson $17,184,375 Philadelphia 76ers Stephon Marbury $17,184,375 New York Knicks Tracy McGrady $16,901,500 Houston Rockets Grant Hill $16,901,500 Orlando Magic

2005–2006 Player [20] Salary Team Shaquille O'Neal $20,000,000 Miami Heat Chris Webber $19,125,000 Philadelphia 76ers Kevin Garnett $18,000,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Allen Iverson $16,453,125 Philadelphia 76ers Stephon Marbury $16,453,125 New York Knicks Jason Kidd $16,440,000 New Jersey Nets Jermaine O'Neal $16,440,000 Indiana Pacers Kobe Bryant $15,946,875 Los Angeles Lakers Tim Duncan $15,845,157 San Antonio Spurs Vin Baker $15,750,000 Los Angeles Clippers

2004–2005 Player [21] Salary Team Shaquille O'Neal $29,464,000 Miami Heat Dikembe Mutombo $19,684,000 Houston Rockets Allan Houston $17,531,000 New York Knicks Chris Webber $17,351,000 Sacramento Kings Damon Stoudamire $15,750,000 Portland Trail Blazers Penny Hardaway $14,625,000 New York Knicks Latrell Sprewell $14,625,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shareef Abdur-Rahim $14,625,000 Portland Trail Blazers Stephon Marbury $14,625,000 New York Knicks Michael Finley $14,609,000 Dallas Mavericks

2003–2004 Player [22] Salary Team Kevin Garnett $28,000,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal $26,571,000 Los Angeles Lakers Rasheed Wallace $18,000,000 Portland Trail Blazers Dikembe Mutombo $17,895,000 New York Knicks Allan Houston $15,937,000 New York Knicks Chris Webber $15,937,000 Sacramento Kings Damon Stoudamire $14,625,000 Portland Trail Blazers Penny Hardaway $13,500,000 Phoenix Suns Latrell Sprewell $13,500,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Antonio McDyess $13,500,000 Phoenix Suns

2002–2003 Player[23] Salary Team Kevin Garnett $25,200,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal $23,571,000 Los Angeles Lakers Shawn Kemp $21,500,000 Orlando Magic Juwan Howard $20,625,000 Denver Nuggets Scottie Pippen $19,727,000 Portland Trail Blazers Karl Malone $19,250,000 Utah Jazz Rasheed Wallace $16,200,000 Portland Trail Blazers Dikembe Mutombo $16,105,000 New Jersey Nets Chris Webber $14,343,000 Sacramento Kings Damon Stoudamire $13,500,000 Portland Trail Blazers

2001–2002 Player[24] Salary Team Kevin Garnett $22,400,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal $21,428,000 Los Angeles Lakers Alonzo Mourning $18,756,000 Miami Heat Juwan Howard $18,750,000 Denver Nuggets Scottie Pippen $18,083,000 Portland Trail Blazers Karl Malone $17,500,000 Utah Jazz Rasheed Wallace $14,400,000 Portland Trail Blazers Dikembe Mutombo $14,315,000 Philadelphia 76ers Gary Payton $12,926,000 Seattle SuperSonics Shawn Kemp $12,770,000 Portland Trail Blazers

2000–2001 Player[25] Salary Team Kevin Garnett $19,600,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal $19,285,000 Los Angeles Lakers Alonzo Mourning $16,879,000 Miami Heat Juwan Howard $16,875,000 Washington Wizards Hakeem Olajuwon $16,685,000 Houston Rockets Karl Malone $15,750,000 Utah Jazz Dikembe Mutombo $14,422,000 Philadelphia 76ers Patrick Ewing $14,000,000 Seattle SuperSonics David Robinson $13,196,000 San Antonio Spurs Scottie Pippen $13,151,000 Portland Trail Blazers

1999–2000 Player[26] Salary Team Shaquille O'Neal $17,142,000 Los Angeles Lakers Kevin Garnett $16,806,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Alonzo Mourning $15,004,000 Miami Heat Juwan Howard $15,000,000 Washington Wizards Scottie Pippen $14,795,000 Portland Trail Blazers Karl Malone $14,000,000 Utah Jazz Larry Johnson $11,910,000 New York Knicks Gary Payton $11,020,000 Seattle SuperSonics Rasheed Wallace $10,800,000 Portland Trail Blazers Shawn Kemp $10,780,000 Cleveland Cavaliers

1998–1999

Player[27]	Salary	Team
Patrick Ewing	$18,500,000	New York Knicks
Shaquille O'Neal	$17,000,000	Los Angeles Lakers
David Robinson	$14,841,000	San Antonio Spurs
Kevin Garnett	$14,000,000	Minnesota Timberwolves
Alonzo Mourning	$13,130,000	Miami Heat
Juwan Howard	$13,125,000	Washington Wizards
Hakeem Olajuwon	$12,943,000	Houston Rockets
Dikembe Mutombo	$11,218,000	Atlanta Hawks
Jayson Williams	$11,000,000	New Jersey Nets
Scottie Pippen	$11,000,000	Houston Rockets

References

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