For all basketball athletes out there, it is a well known fact that a career in the NBA can be lucrative and highly rewarding. There are quite a few all-time greats who have risen in the ranks of people’s hearts in the last 20 years and have left their mark on the court. Moreover it’s not surprising that all of them are among the highest paid of all time. That’s why we decided to look around and compile a list of the highest paid NBA players of all time.
Dwyane Wade ― $152,915,934 Over 13 Seasons
Dwayne Wade is an NBA legend but you knew that. A three-time NBA champion, 12-time NBA All Star, NBA All-Star Game MVP in 2010, and so much more. Let’s not forget his Gold medal with Team USA in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, along with two more Bronze medals in 2008 and 2010. No one can deny his greatness.
Dwyane Wade
Rashard Lewis — $155,332,815 Over 16 Seasons
While with Orlando, he collected two All-Star selections, and reached the NBA Finals in 2009. Furthermore Lewis doesn’t have to worry about car insurance quotes considering his highest single-season salary was $21.1 million.
Rashard Lewis
Pau Gasol — $167,499,615 Over 15 Seasons
This Spanish pro has been a six-time NBA All-Star and a four-time All-NBA selection, he’s won two NBA championships, was NBA Rookie of the Year (only one of three non-Americans to do so). Right now, he holds numerous Grizzlies franchise records and has won two Olympic silver medals, FIBA World Cup title and three EuroBasket titles with the Spanish national team.
Pau Gasol
Kobe Bryant ― $323,312,307 Over 20 Seasons
Kobe Bryant played his entire 20 year career with the Lakers. Bryant entered the NBA directly from high school and won five NBA championships. He’s an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. Moreover, Kobe holds the NBA record for the most seasons playing with one franchise for an entire career!
Kobe Bryant
Allen Iverson ― $154,494,445 Over 14 Seasons
Allen Iverson may have retired after 14 seasons but he goes down as one of the greats. Most noteworthy though is that Iverson was an eleven-time NBA All-Star, won the All-Star game MVP award in 2001 and 2005, and was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2001.
Allen Iverson
Amar’e Stoudemire ― $161,628,892 Over 14 Seasons
Even though he suffered from chronic knee problems in his career, he still won the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, made six appearances in the NBA All-Star Game, was a first-team All-NBA selection in 2007, and won a bronze medal with the U.S. team.
Amar’e Stoudemire
Zach Randolph ― $162,235,800 Over 15 Seasons
In 15 seasons, he managed to be a two-time NBA All-Star who started out playing college ball for Michigan State University before being drafted in the 2001 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Crazily, his highest single-season salary is that of $17.8 million so he surely doesn’t have to worry about needing car cheapest insurance.
Zach Randolph
Vince Carter ― $154,823,574 Over 18 Seasons
Vince Carter has achieved a lot in 18 seasons, so much we can’t even name. However let’s remember he represented Team USA in the Summer Olympics, winning gold. Furthermore he’s an 8-time NBA All-Star who is known for his leaping ability and slam dunks with nicknames like “Vinsanity”, “Air Canada”, and “Half-Man, Half-Amazing”.
Vince Carter
Shaquille O’Neal ― $292,198,327 Over 19 Seasons
Just what hasn’t Shaq achieved in his professional career? There’s not much left. Some of his accolades are 1992–93 NBA Rookie of the Year, 15 All-Star game selections, three All-Star Game MVP awards, three Finals MVP, 14 All-NBA team selections, and three All-Defensive Team selections. Shaq is one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year.
Shaquille O’Neal
Rasheed Wallace ― $158,110,581 Over 16 Seasons
Wallace’s 16 seasons in the NBA are impressive. He’s won one championships and 4 All-Star games – plus, Wallace is currently the NBA’s all-time leader in player technical fouls, with 317!
Rasheed Wallace
Tracy McGrady ― $162,978,278 Over 15 Seasons
From 1997–2013, McGrady was a seven-time NBA All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, and a two-time NBA scoring champion (2003–2004). Kobe Bryant even said that Tracy McGrady is “the toughest player he ever played against.”
Tracy McGrady
Chris Bosh — $163,195,452 Over 13 Seasons
At Toronto, Bosh emerged as one a young star – in his career, he became a five-time NBA All-Star, appeared for the U.S. national team at the 2008 Summer Olympics winning gold, and supplanted former fan-favorite Vince Carter as the face and leader of the Raptors franchise.
Chris Bosh
Dwight Howard — $163,555,486 Over 12 Seasons
Howard entered the 2004 NBA draft and was selected first overall by Orlando Magic! He has an impressive record as he’s an eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA team selection, five-time All-Defensive member, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Consistently ranked as one of the best in rebounds, blocks, field goal percentage and free throw attempts – Howard has set countless franchise and league records.
Dwight Howard
Elton Brand — $164,901,096 Over 16 Seasons
Brand had a great career from 1999–2016, even amounting to $17.1 million as a highest single-season salary. This Duke legend was selected with the first overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, and later played for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks.
Elton Brand
Kevin Garnett ― $326,362,956 Over 21 Seasons
Garnett spent 21 seasons playing in the NBA! Named to 15 All-Star Games, All-Star MVP award 2003, and is currently tied for third most All-Star selections in NBA history. Plus he has been selected nine times for All-NBA Teams and 12 times for All-Defensive Teams. Most noteworthy Garnett holds numerous Timberwolves franchise records.
Kevin Garnett
LeBron James ― $169,643,842 Over 13 Seasons
LeBron James is practically a household name. To date, he’s won three NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals, two Olympic gold medals, an NBA scoring title, and and the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Furthermore James has also been selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams, was named the game’s MVP twice, 12 All-NBA teams, and six All-Defensive teams, and moreover is the Cavaliers’ all-time leading scorer.
LeBron James
Dirk Nowitzki ― $216,646,362 Over 18 Seasons
Since 1994, the German 13-time NBA all-star dominates the court and is considered one of the greatest power forwards. Nowitzki is a 12-time All-NBA Team member and is also the first European player to start in an All-Star Game. Furthermore, he’s a legend overseas, with the German national basketball team and winning the FIBA Europe Men’s Player of the Year twice.
Dirk Nowitzki
Tim Duncan ― $235,631,050 Over 19 Seasons
Duncan spent his entire 19 year career with the San Antonio Spurs. Considered one of the greatest power forwards of all time, he is a five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA MVP, and three-time NBA Finals MVP. Moreover, he’s a 15-time NBA All-Star and the only player selected to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams in his first 13 seasons.
Tim Duncan
Grant Hill — $142,854,650 Over 19 Seasons
When your highest single-season salary is $16.9 million, yeah, you make the list. In 19 seasons, Hill has been in 7 All-Star Games and was part of the NBA First-team All-NBA once.
Grant Hill — $142,854,650 Over 19 Seasons
Alonzo Mourning – $143,906,333 Over 15 Seasons
Alonzo Mourning or “Zo” had a single-season salary of $16.4 million while with Miami Heat. Moreover, he’s got a champion, 7 All-Star Games, and one NBA First-team All-NBA to his name.
Alonzo Mourning – $143,906,333 Over 15 Seasons
Dikembe Mutombo – $143,666,581 Over 18 Seasons
With a single-season salary of $20.6 million, Dikembe Mutombo easily makes the list. Most noteworthy though for the 7 ft 2 in athlete is his eight All-Star Games.
Dikembe Mutombo – $143,666,581 Over 18 Seasons
Joe Johnson – $150,571,837 Over 13 Season
A 6’7″ swingman, seven-time NBA All-Star who played for the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, and Miami Heat. Furthermore, he represented the United States national team.
Joe Johnson – $150,571,837 Over 13 Season
Gilbert Arenas – $163,061,257 Over 11 Seasons
“Agent Zero” is a a three-time NBA All-Star and a three-time member of the All-NBA Teams, with a single-season salary of $22.3 million – his highest ever.
Gilbert Arenas – $163,061,257 Over 11 Seasons
Baron Davis – $147,692,983 Over 13 Seasons
Baron Davis is a two-time NBA All-Star who is also considered the NBA’s all-time leader when talking about steals per game for the playoffs. Not bad at all. Neither is his $16.4 million highest single-season salary.
Baron Davis – $147,692,983 Over 13 Seasons
Ray Allen – $184,356,410 Over 18 Seasons
Up next is one of the most accurate three-point and free throw shooters in all of the NBA’s history, Ray Allen was a 10-time NBA All-Star who also won two NBA championships. Furthermore, Allen is the NBA’s all-time leader in three-point field goals in both the regular and postseason.
Ray Allen – $184,356,410 Over 18 Seasons
Paul Pierce – $184,819,552 Over 16 Seasons
“The Truth” is is a 10-time NBA All-Star who moreover, is just one of only three players to score over 20,000 points with the Celtics alone in his career. Oh yeah, let’s not forget his highest single-season salary was that of a stunning $19.8 million.
Paul Pierce – $184,819,552 Over 16 Seasons
Stephon Marbury – $151,115,945 Over 13 Seasons
The 6 ft 2 in was an NBA All-Star in 2001 and 2003, moreover he was voted into the All-NBA Third Team in 2000 and 2003. Oh yeah, his highest single-season salary is a whopping $20.8 million.
Stephon Marbury – $151,115,945 Over 13 Seasons
Jason Kidd – $187,675,468 Over 18 Seasons
The 6 ft 4 in point guard dominated the court from 1994–2013. In that time, he was 10-time NBA All-Star, an NBA champ, 5-time All-NBA First Team; furthermore, his ability to pass and rebound easily made him a triple-double threat.
Jason Kidd – $187,675,468 Over 18 Seasons
Chris Webber – $178,230,697 Over 15 Seasons
Five-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA Team member, a former NBA Rookie of the Year, and furthermore a former number one overall NBA draftee – that’s right, we’re talking about Chris Webber. In his career, he averaged 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists which is how he earned his highest single-season salary of $19.1 million.
Chris Webber – $178,230,697 Over 15 Seasons
Michael Jordan – $90,235,000
As if the legendary Michael Jordan, THE greatest player in the history of the NBA, wouldn’t make this list. Air Jordan and-or His Airness is a 6-time NBA champion, 5-time NBA MVP, 14-time NBA All-Star, and this list could literally run on forever. He’s Michael Jordan, people, do we really need to say more?
Michael Jordan – $90,235,000
Jermaine O’Neal – $168,794,021 Over 18 Seasons
Six time NBA All-Star, forward–center enjoyed a highest single-season salary of $23.0 million in his 18 seasons in the NBA. Just this year, moreover O’Neal will play in the BIG3 league.
Jermaine O’Neal – $168,794,021 Over 18 Seasons
Andrei Kirilenko – $91,447,414
The 6 ft 9 in Russian-American makes the list of course. We won’t list all of his accolades but what we will say is that he’s one of the most versatile players of his generation. Furthermore he is also considered to be one of the greatest international players of all time.
Andrei Kirilenko – $91,447,414
Juwan Howard – $151,465,633 Over 19 Seasons
From 1994 to 2013, Juwan Howard was a star power forward slash center for eight different NBA teams. This All-American also had a high single-season salary of $20.6 million – yeah, you’re reading that right.
Juwan Howard – $151,465,633 Over 19 Seasons
Peja Stojakovic – $97,956,720
Peja won the NBA Three-point shootout a whopping two times, and also was the first European-born player to win one of the All-Star Weekend competitions. By the time he retired in 2011, he earned 1,760 three-point field goals, which ranks him as 10th all-time.
Peja Stojakovic – $97,956,720
Yao Ming – $93,390,336
Thing is Yao Ming might not even play another game in the NBA ever again, however we’re quite sure that he has enough money to dribble on by. Oh yes, and at the end of his final season, he was actually the tallest active player in the NBA, at 7 ft 6 in.
Yao Ming – $93,390,336
Lamar Odom – $98,867,658
Some know Lamar Odom as Khloe Kardashian’s husband but in the NBA, he’s known as the Sixth Man of the Year who won the NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.
Lamar Odom – $98,867,658
Erick Dampier – $97,113,349
From 1996–2012, Erick Dampier may not have lead an impressive NBA career but he still managed to rack up some $97 million and change.
Erick Dampier – $97,113,349
Damon Stoudamire – $99,672,198
Mighty Mouse’s career may have taken a bad turn towards the end but when you’ve earned close to a $100 million dollars, safe to say, you’ll end up just fine.
Damon Stoudamire – $99,672,198
Michael Redd – $100,682,819
Yes, our jaws are on the floor considering Michael Redd has made more than $100 million in his career, and further more, he made over $18 million last season despite sitting out a majority of the year with a serious injury.
Michael Redd – $100,682,819
Reggie Miller – $101,311,748
As five-time All-Star selection, Miller would lead the league in free throw accuracy a staggering five times and even won a gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics. Furthermore, he’s earned over $101 in his career.
Reggie Miller – $101,311,748
Steve Francis – $103,501,131
The Franchise is known for his crossover dribble, driving ability, and flashy dunks. Francis has some successful seasons under his belt and with $103 million to boost, he’s set for life.
Steve Francis – $103,501,131
Eddie Jones – $101,254,222
This three-time NBA All-Star was chosen 10th overall in the 1994 NBA draft by the one and only Los Angeles Lakers. From 1994–2008, he racked up an impressive $101 million in his career, which pretty much means he never has to think about car insurance quotes a day in his life.
Eddie Jones – $101,254,222
Jalen Rose – $102,438,250
A member of the “Fab 5” winds up on our list and what’s most note worthy is that he’s earned some $102 million dollars in his career!
Jalen Rose – $102,438,250
Karl Malone – $104,133,378
The Mailman was a power forward who spent his first 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz. Moreover, he’s a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, 14-time NBA All-Star, and also an 11-time member of the All-NBA first team. Not bad at all.
Karl Malone – $104,133,378
Gary Payton – $104,367,619
“The Glove” was the kind of defender you didn’t want to come up against. Payton is widely considered as one of the best point guards of all time and moreover, is the only point guard to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Gary Payton – $104,367,619
