The 27 highest-ρáíd players in the NBA for the 2017-18 season
27. J.J. Redick — $23.0 million
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 1 year, $23.0 million
One thing to know: Redick is entering his 12th NBA season and in his first 11 seasons, he never made more than $7.4 million in any one season. This season he will make more than the next two highest-ρáíd players on the 76ers combined, Amir Johnson and Jerryd Bayless, who will make $20.0 million combined.
t25. Harrison Barnes — $23.1 million
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 4 years, $94.4 million
One thing to know: Barnes was signed by the Mavericks to a max contract as a restricted free agent, but it might not have happened if Kevin Durant had not signed with the Warriors. According to a report, You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. In the end, the Dubs got Durant and let Barnes walk.
t25. Chandler Parsons — $23.1 million
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 4 years, $94.4 million
One thing to know: Health is the biggest concern with Parsons. He has played in just 161 games out of a possible 246 games the last three seasons.
24. Dwight Howard — $23.5 million
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Position: Center
Contract: 3 years, $70.5 million
One thing to know: Dwight Howard will be playing for his fifth team in seven years when the 2017-18 season starts. Howard's one season with the Atlanta Hawks was one of his better seasons since being traded away from the Orlando Magic in 2012. The 8-time All-Star averaged 13.5 points and 12.7 rebounds per game during the regular season.
t20. Andre Drummond — $23.8 million
Team: Detroit Pistons
Position: Center
Contract: 5 years, $127.2 million
One thing to know: Drummond has made 683 free throws in his career. He has missed 1,110.
t20. Anthony Davis — $23.8 million
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Position: Power Forward
Contract: 5 years, $127.2 million
One thing to know: Davis likely lost out on an additional $23 million from "The Derrick Rose Rule" by missing 21 games during the 2015-16 season. Davis was not named to an All-NBA team which You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
t20. Bradley Beal — $23.8 million
Team: Washington Wizards
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 5 years, $127.2 million
One thing to know: Staying healthy is the key to Beal's contract. The 2016-17 season was just the second time he played more than 63 games in a season. But in staying healthy, he posted career highs of 23.1 points per game and 20.1 PER.
t20. Hassan Whiteside — $23.8 million
Team: Miami Heat
Position: Center
Contract: 4 years, $98.4 million
One thing to know: Whiteside played in just 19 games in the first four seasons after being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2010. However, since landing in Miami he has developed into one of the best defensive big men in the NBA, leading the league in rebounds this past season and in blocks two seasons ago.
19. C.J. McCollum — $24 million
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 4 years, $106.6 million
One thing to know: McCollum was rewarded with a max-level extension after just one season as a starter. He then rewarded the Trail Blazers for the generosity by continuing to improve in his fourth season, pushing his average up to 23.0 points per game. He also had a career high 19.9 PER this past season.
18. Chris Paul — $24.3 million
Team: Houston Rockets
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 5 years, $107.3 million
One thing to know: Paul shocked the NBA by agreeing to a trade to the Rockets to team with James Harden and form one of the most compelling backcourts in the league. The pair will almost certainly play well together early on, but what happens if things go cold or when the heat is turned up? Will the pair be able to co-exist?
17. Otto Porter Jr. — $24.8 million
Team: Washington Wizards
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 4 years, $106.5 million
One thing to know: Porter re-signed with the Wizards even though You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
16. Jrue Holiday — $24.9 million
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 5 years, $131.8 million
One thing to know: Holiday may have been one of the luckiest players in the NBA in recent seasons. After the Pelicans traded for Demarcus Cousins, they couldn't afford to let their point guard walk in free agency without a viable replacement. That gave Holiday all the leverage he needed for a max contract.
15. Kevin Durant — $25 million
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 2 years, $51.3 million
One thing to know: Durant took nearly $10 million less than he was eligible for because You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
14. Andrew Wiggins — $25.3 million
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 4 years, $146.4 million
One thing to know: Since Wiggins was traded by the Cavs to the T-Wolves as part of the deal for Kevin Love, he has matured into a 24-point-per-game scorer and a key component on maybe the most intriguing young roster in the NBA.
13. Damian Lillard — $26.2 million
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 5 years, $139.9 million
One thing to know: Lillard's contract jumped in value by about $15 million thanks to "The Derrick Rose Rule," a rule that allowed younger star players to earn more money if they met certain criteria. Lillard qualified by twice making the All-NBA team.
12. Carmelo Anthony — $26.2 million
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 5 years, $124.1 million
One thing to know: The Thunder were supposed to be the classic example of the small-market team that couldn't keep its stars. Instead, it put on a You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., including the surprise trade for Anthony.
11. Al Horford — $27.7 million
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Center
Contract: 4 years, $113.3 million
One thing to know: With the Celtics adding Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward this offseason, it is easy to forget that the first big piece to the team's rebuild was a max contract for Horford.
10. DeMar DeRozan — $27.7 million
Team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 5 years, $139.0 million
One thing to know: DeRozan's deal was the second-largest in NBA history when it was signed in 2016.
9. James Harden — $28.3 million
Team: Houston Rockets
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 4 years, $118.0 million
One thing to know: Harden still has two seasons left on his current contract before his 4-year, $169.3 million extension kicks in. His salary in the first season of that deal will be $37.8 million and it will eventually grow to $46.9 million.
t7. Russell Westbrook — $28.5 million
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 3 years, $85.6 million
One thing to know: Westbrook recently signed a $205 million extension that will kick in next season. You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. Westbrook's salary will peak in the final season at $46.7 million.
t7. Mike Conley — $28.5 million
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 5 years, $152.6 million
One thing to know: Conley's contract was the richest in NBA history when it was signed during the 2016 free agency period.
6. Kyle Lowry — $28.7 million
Team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 3 years, $100.0 million
One thing to know: You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. But to get them all, he would need to make the All-Star game, be named All-NBA and All-Defense, and have the Raptors win the championship. On top of that, he would also need to play in at least 65 games and average at least 25 minutes per game.
5. Blake Griffin — $29.5 million
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Position: Power Forward
Contract: 5 years, $171.2 million
One thing to know: Part of the Clippers' pitch to re-sign Griffin included You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., including Muhammad Ali, President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, President Barack Obama, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, and even Michael Jackson.
4. Gordon Hayward — $29.7 million
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 4 years, $127.8 million
One thing to know: In one of the biggest moves of free agency, the new-look Celtics signed Hayward and will team him with Kyrie Irving. The Celtics overachieved a bit to reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season. This season, they are expected to be back after completing what Doc Rivers called You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. Unfortunately, You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. just minutes into his first game with the Celtics.
3. Paul Millsap — $30.8 million
Team: Denver Nuggets
Position: Power Forward
Contract: 2 years, $61.0 million
One thing to know: The Nuggets landed a legit star this offseason thanks to the Atlanta Hawks' apparent decision to go into a rebuilding mode. According to Millsap, You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
2. LeBron James — $33.3 million
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 3 years, $99.9 million
One thing to know: LeBron is in his 5th season, and after two years of one-year contracts in his return to the Cavs, he finally started to cash-in big time the last two seasons. Either way, we shouldn't worry about LeBron, he is still You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
1. Stephen Curry — $34.7 million
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 5 years, $201.2 million
One thing to know: Curry's $201 million contract was the largest in NBA history at the time of its signing, a huge pay bump from what was the biggest bargain in the NBA. Warriors owner Joe Lacob apparently wanted to try to get another bargain out of Curry as You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. Instead, Curry is the NBA's newest highest-ρáíd player, replacing LeBron James.
Source:Business Insider
27. J.J. Redick — $23.0 million
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 1 year, $23.0 million
One thing to know: Redick is entering his 12th NBA season and in his first 11 seasons, he never made more than $7.4 million in any one season. This season he will make more than the next two highest-ρáíd players on the 76ers combined, Amir Johnson and Jerryd Bayless, who will make $20.0 million combined.
t25. Harrison Barnes — $23.1 million
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 4 years, $94.4 million
One thing to know: Barnes was signed by the Mavericks to a max contract as a restricted free agent, but it might not have happened if Kevin Durant had not signed with the Warriors. According to a report, You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. In the end, the Dubs got Durant and let Barnes walk.
t25. Chandler Parsons — $23.1 million
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 4 years, $94.4 million
One thing to know: Health is the biggest concern with Parsons. He has played in just 161 games out of a possible 246 games the last three seasons.
24. Dwight Howard — $23.5 million
Team: Charlotte Hornets
Position: Center
Contract: 3 years, $70.5 million
One thing to know: Dwight Howard will be playing for his fifth team in seven years when the 2017-18 season starts. Howard's one season with the Atlanta Hawks was one of his better seasons since being traded away from the Orlando Magic in 2012. The 8-time All-Star averaged 13.5 points and 12.7 rebounds per game during the regular season.
t20. Andre Drummond — $23.8 million
Team: Detroit Pistons
Position: Center
Contract: 5 years, $127.2 million
One thing to know: Drummond has made 683 free throws in his career. He has missed 1,110.
t20. Anthony Davis — $23.8 million
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Position: Power Forward
Contract: 5 years, $127.2 million
One thing to know: Davis likely lost out on an additional $23 million from "The Derrick Rose Rule" by missing 21 games during the 2015-16 season. Davis was not named to an All-NBA team which You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
t20. Bradley Beal — $23.8 million
Team: Washington Wizards
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 5 years, $127.2 million
One thing to know: Staying healthy is the key to Beal's contract. The 2016-17 season was just the second time he played more than 63 games in a season. But in staying healthy, he posted career highs of 23.1 points per game and 20.1 PER.
t20. Hassan Whiteside — $23.8 million
Team: Miami Heat
Position: Center
Contract: 4 years, $98.4 million
One thing to know: Whiteside played in just 19 games in the first four seasons after being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2010. However, since landing in Miami he has developed into one of the best defensive big men in the NBA, leading the league in rebounds this past season and in blocks two seasons ago.
19. C.J. McCollum — $24 million
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 4 years, $106.6 million
One thing to know: McCollum was rewarded with a max-level extension after just one season as a starter. He then rewarded the Trail Blazers for the generosity by continuing to improve in his fourth season, pushing his average up to 23.0 points per game. He also had a career high 19.9 PER this past season.
18. Chris Paul — $24.3 million
Team: Houston Rockets
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 5 years, $107.3 million
One thing to know: Paul shocked the NBA by agreeing to a trade to the Rockets to team with James Harden and form one of the most compelling backcourts in the league. The pair will almost certainly play well together early on, but what happens if things go cold or when the heat is turned up? Will the pair be able to co-exist?
17. Otto Porter Jr. — $24.8 million
Team: Washington Wizards
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 4 years, $106.5 million
One thing to know: Porter re-signed with the Wizards even though You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
16. Jrue Holiday — $24.9 million
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 5 years, $131.8 million
One thing to know: Holiday may have been one of the luckiest players in the NBA in recent seasons. After the Pelicans traded for Demarcus Cousins, they couldn't afford to let their point guard walk in free agency without a viable replacement. That gave Holiday all the leverage he needed for a max contract.
15. Kevin Durant — $25 million
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 2 years, $51.3 million
One thing to know: Durant took nearly $10 million less than he was eligible for because You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
14. Andrew Wiggins — $25.3 million
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 4 years, $146.4 million
One thing to know: Since Wiggins was traded by the Cavs to the T-Wolves as part of the deal for Kevin Love, he has matured into a 24-point-per-game scorer and a key component on maybe the most intriguing young roster in the NBA.
13. Damian Lillard — $26.2 million
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 5 years, $139.9 million
One thing to know: Lillard's contract jumped in value by about $15 million thanks to "The Derrick Rose Rule," a rule that allowed younger star players to earn more money if they met certain criteria. Lillard qualified by twice making the All-NBA team.
12. Carmelo Anthony — $26.2 million
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 5 years, $124.1 million
One thing to know: The Thunder were supposed to be the classic example of the small-market team that couldn't keep its stars. Instead, it put on a You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., including the surprise trade for Anthony.
11. Al Horford — $27.7 million
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Center
Contract: 4 years, $113.3 million
One thing to know: With the Celtics adding Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward this offseason, it is easy to forget that the first big piece to the team's rebuild was a max contract for Horford.
10. DeMar DeRozan — $27.7 million
Team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 5 years, $139.0 million
One thing to know: DeRozan's deal was the second-largest in NBA history when it was signed in 2016.
9. James Harden — $28.3 million
Team: Houston Rockets
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 4 years, $118.0 million
One thing to know: Harden still has two seasons left on his current contract before his 4-year, $169.3 million extension kicks in. His salary in the first season of that deal will be $37.8 million and it will eventually grow to $46.9 million.
t7. Russell Westbrook — $28.5 million
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 3 years, $85.6 million
One thing to know: Westbrook recently signed a $205 million extension that will kick in next season. You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. Westbrook's salary will peak in the final season at $46.7 million.
t7. Mike Conley — $28.5 million
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 5 years, $152.6 million
One thing to know: Conley's contract was the richest in NBA history when it was signed during the 2016 free agency period.
6. Kyle Lowry — $28.7 million
Team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 3 years, $100.0 million
One thing to know: You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. But to get them all, he would need to make the All-Star game, be named All-NBA and All-Defense, and have the Raptors win the championship. On top of that, he would also need to play in at least 65 games and average at least 25 minutes per game.
5. Blake Griffin — $29.5 million
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Position: Power Forward
Contract: 5 years, $171.2 million
One thing to know: Part of the Clippers' pitch to re-sign Griffin included You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., including Muhammad Ali, President John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, President Barack Obama, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, and even Michael Jackson.
4. Gordon Hayward — $29.7 million
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 4 years, $127.8 million
One thing to know: In one of the biggest moves of free agency, the new-look Celtics signed Hayward and will team him with Kyrie Irving. The Celtics overachieved a bit to reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season. This season, they are expected to be back after completing what Doc Rivers called You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. Unfortunately, You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. just minutes into his first game with the Celtics.
3. Paul Millsap — $30.8 million
Team: Denver Nuggets
Position: Power Forward
Contract: 2 years, $61.0 million
One thing to know: The Nuggets landed a legit star this offseason thanks to the Atlanta Hawks' apparent decision to go into a rebuilding mode. According to Millsap, You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
2. LeBron James — $33.3 million
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Small Forward
Contract: 3 years, $99.9 million
One thing to know: LeBron is in his 5th season, and after two years of one-year contracts in his return to the Cavs, he finally started to cash-in big time the last two seasons. Either way, we shouldn't worry about LeBron, he is still You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now..
1. Stephen Curry — $34.7 million
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Point Guard
Contract: 5 years, $201.2 million
One thing to know: Curry's $201 million contract was the largest in NBA history at the time of its signing, a huge pay bump from what was the biggest bargain in the NBA. Warriors owner Joe Lacob apparently wanted to try to get another bargain out of Curry as You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. Instead, Curry is the NBA's newest highest-ρáíd player, replacing LeBron James.
Source:Business Insider
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