Year after year, the salaries of NBA players increase.<\/p>\n
Dylan Harper, the Spurs second overall pick last summer, is making $56M on a rookie contract compared to $35M, the total career earnings of his father Ron Harper. It\u2019s not that the senior Harper was underpaid, that was just what a player of his stature made during that era.<\/p>\n
By comparison, Michael Jordan earned $94M during his 15 seasons in the NBA.<\/p>\n
It stands to reason that the highest paid players of all time are currently playing.<\/p>\n
But what may come as a surprise is how many games have been missed by the players who earn the most.<\/p>\n
This list from Clutch Points illuminates the high cost of signing superstars.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere\u2019s the list in order:<\/p>\n
1. LeBron James ($581 million)<\/p>\n
2. Kevin Durant ($501 million)<\/p>\n
3. Steph Curry ($470 million)<\/p>\n
4. James Harden ($411 million)<\/p>\n
5. Paul George ($406 million)<\/p>\n
6. Chris Paul ($404 million)<\/p>\n
7. Kawhi Leonard ($378 million)<\/p>\n
8. Jimmy Butler ($366 million)<\/p>\n
9. Damian Lillard ($365 million)<\/p>\n
10. Anthony Davis ($364 million)<\/p>\n
The main thing that sticks out when looking at this list is injuries. AD, Dame, and Jimmy are already out for the rest of this season. LeBron missed the first 14 games of the year, Steph\u2019s been on the bench for 16, while Kawhi\u2019s sat for 13. PG13 is suspended, but even when he isn\u2019t, it seems like he\u2019s always hurt as well.<\/p>\n
And, of course, CP3 was cut by the Clippers 16 games into the season and eventually retired.\u201c<\/p>\n
Obviously, CP3 did not make the bulk of his money this season, but it does underscopre just how much goes into signing and maintaining high-quality players.<\/p>\n
Teams invest in players who don\u2019t pan out, waive players paying on those contracts, and make trades that do not support their bottom line.<\/p>\n
It is a business after all.<\/p>\n
Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs<\/a> community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.<\/p>\n