Grading the NBA's 15 Highest-Paid Players This Season
The NBA's maximum salary grows each year with the salary cap. Depending on circumstances, some may exceed this year's highest-tier max of $47.6 million (35 percent of the cap).
Is that too much? Perhaps, but shouldn't the top stars of an industry that may bring in $10 billion this year earn appropriately?
The bigger question may be which teams have properly apportioned those resources. Are they getting true bang for their buck? How are the most expensive players performing individually, and, more importantly, how well are their franchises doing?
The following lists the NBA's 15 highest-paid players earning a combined $682 million—with a few (dis)honorable mentions where price doesn't match production.
No. 15: Anthony Davis
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Team: Los Angeles Lakers (22-22)
2023-24 Salary: $40.6 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Five years, $252.9 million (including 2023-24)
Stats: 25.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.2 blocks per game (entering Sunday)
Games Played: 42
The Lakers aren't as good as expected this season after a run to the Western Conference Finals. Still, Davis is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate while leading the team in scoring.
Durability has been a recurring issue for Davis, but this season, he's managed to stay on the court consistently—yet the Lakers still stand in play-in range. Don't place that blame on Davis; he's been tremendous, but he loses half a point for L.A.'s record.
Grade: A-
No. 14: Fred VanVleet
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Team: Houston Rockets (20-22)
2023-24 Salary: $40.8 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Three years, $128.5 million (final season is a team option)
Stats: 17.3 points, 8.5 assists, 38.8 percent from three-point range
Games Played: 40
The Houston franchise got tired of playing the lottery, investing in several veteran players this offseason, including VanVleet (30 in February), to help guide the roster back to the postseason. The results have been mixed. Yes, the team is dramatically better than last year's 22-win team, but the Rockets have a lot of ground to make up for a surefire playoff bid.
VanVleet is a very respectable lead guard with championship experience. Is he going to earn a top-15 All-NBA bid? No, but Houston's big investment is relatively short, with only two years locked in.
Grade: B-
No. 13: Rudy Gobert
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Team: Minnesota Timberwolves (30-12)
2023-24 Salary: $41 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Three years, $131.5 million
Stats: 13.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.1 blocks per game
Games Played: 41
If a contract was measured by points per dollar, Gobert would get a failing grade—and the Timberwolves got significant grief for their generous offering to the Utah Jazz to acquire Gobert in trade. But this year, the Timberwolves are healthy and more united, resulting in the best record in the Western Conference.
Gobert, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, has been the center of the team's stingy defense. It's rare for players to get paid for what they bring on that side of the ball, but Gobert is earning his salary.
The bigger question is performance in the postseason, where Gobert's teams have struggled—will history repeat?
Grade: An unexpected A
No. 12: Klay Thompson
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Team: Golden State Warriors (18-22)
2023-24 Salary: $43.2 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Final year, $43.2 million
Stats: 17.3 points, 38.6 percent from three-point range
Games Played: 39
Most players would love to shoot 38.6 from three in a down year, but Thompson is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He's well below his career average of 42.4 percent, and the last time he scored fewer than 20 per game was in 2013-14.
The Warriors, like Thompson, aren't quite at their best, so this year, they need to climb to get into the play-in from 12th place. Some of that isn't on Thompson, considering Draymond Green's suspension and Chris Paul's injury (hand).
Don't sleep on Golden State getting into the postseason, but the bigger question beyond will be how much to pay Thompson this summer. He's unlikely to be on this top-15 list next year.
Grade: C+
No. 11: Jimmy Butler
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Team: Miami Heat (24-19)
2023-24 Salary: $45.2 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Three years, $146.4 million
Stats: 21.3 points, 37.7 percent from three (entering Sunday)
Games Played: 28
Butler's availability for the Heat this season has been sporadic, and yet the team has kept pace in the second tier of Eastern Conference playoff teams. While Butler's grade may be affected, Miami's greater focus is getting players in peak condition for the postseason, where it tends to overperform (NBA Finals in 2022-23 from the eighth seed).
If Butler is a second-tier regular-season star, he's much more than that in the playoffs (where he best earns his salary).
Grade: B
Nos. 7-10 (tie): Kawhi Leonard
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Team: LA Clippers (27-14)
2023-24 Salary: $45.6 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Four years, $195.6 million
Stats: 23.8 points, 44.1 percent from three (entering Sunday)
Games Played: 36
Leonard and the Clippers agreed to continue their partnership for an additional three seasons, and the team has been excellent once it adjusted to the James Harden acquisition. Leonard's most significant question is always durability, but he's been primarily present this year.
Like Thompson with the Warriors, Leonard's salary is part of a much larger whole, given that both teams are well over the NBA's luxury tax line. Considering the financial ramifications, dollars spent on Leonard are significantly more expensive.
Grade: A
Nos. 7-10 (tie): Paul George
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Team: LA Clippers (27-14)
2023-24 Salary: $45.6 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Two years, $94.4 million
Stats: 23.9 points, 42.1 percent from three (entering Sunday)
Games Played: 39
While George can opt out of his contract after this season, with the team playing so well, he could end up signing an extension similar to Leonard's. Both have struggled to stay healthy with the Clippers, but this season has been relatively steady.
George is shooting the ball well above his career average and seems to benefit from playing with Harden as a shot-creator. The Clippers haven't gotten as far in the playoffs as they would like with the Leonard/George duo, but they feel better stocked this year for a serious run.
Grade: A
Nos. 7-10 (tie): Damian Lillard
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Team: Milwaukee Bucks (29-13)
2023-24 Salary: $45.6 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Four years, $203 million
Stats: 25.5 points, 6.9 assists, 35.5 percent from three
Games Played: 39
The Bucks made the blockbuster acquisition of Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the season, and the team is among the best in the Eastern Conference. Lillard continues to score at an elite level but is shooting below his average from three (35.5 percent this season; 37.2 percent career average).
It will have to wait until the postseason to judge Milwaukee's decision to swap out Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, etc, for Lillard. The Bucks haven't been back to the NBA Finals since their title in 2021, but will Lillard's scoring offset what the team gave up in Holiday's defensive prowess?
Grade: A
Nos. 7-10 (tie): Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Team: Milwaukee Bucks (29-13)
2023-24 Salary: $45.6 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Five years, $263.5 million
Stats: 31.2 points, 11.4 rebounds per game
Games Played: 40
If Antetokounmpo is a top-five player (as his All-NBA first-team status would attest), then he's playing for a discount. The Bucks have the second-best record in the East behind the Boston Celtics (33-10), hoping that Antetokounmpo and Lillard will get the franchise another title.
Antetokounmpo will continue to earn at a high level with a recent extension adding three years to his deal (player option before 2027-28).
Grade: A+
No. 6: Bradley Beal
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Team: Phoenix Suns (24-18)
2023-24 Salary: $46.7 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Four years, $207.7 million
Stats: 17.6 points, 38.8 percent from three (entering Sunday)
Games Played: 18
Beal played 90 games with the Washington Wizards over his final two years. It shouldn't be surprising that he's only been a part-time player this year. When available, Beal is putting up numbers similar to Thompson, except the three-point shooting percentage is above Beal's 37.2 career average.
It's unclear if the Suns will work as well as the front office had hoped, but as Beal and his teammates get more time together, the potential stands out clearly. With his price and inconsistent availability, Beal gets the lowest grade on the list.
Grade: C
Nos. 2-5 (tie): Joel Embiid
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Team: Philadelphia 76ers (28-13)
2023-24 Salary: $47.6 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Four years, $213.3 million
Stats: 35 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks per game
Games Played: 31
If Embiid had played more games, he'd have earned the highest possible grade. Coming off an MVP season, Embiid's numbers are up from last year in points, rebounds and assists.
That's remarkable and worth every dollar, but the Sixers have found it elusive to keep him fresh for a long postseason run. Still, the franchise is among the top contenders in the East, and that's while pacing Embiid to keep him healthy.
Grade: A
Nos. 2-5 (tie): Nikola Jokić
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Team: Denver Nuggets (30-14)
2023-24 Salary: $47.6 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Five years, $276.1 million
Stats: 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 9.1 assists per game (entering Sunday)
Games Played: 43
While Jokić lost the regular-season MVP to Embiid, he came home with the NBA Finals MVP and a ring. The Nuggets continue to be a powerhouse despite a few injuries. Jokić has generally been available and is nearly averaging a triple-double.
The Nuggets are just one game behind the Timberwolves for the top seed in the West. Jokić may or may not be the best player in the world (depending on rooting interest), but he should be at least a top-five-paid player.
Grade: A+
Nos. 2-5 (tie): Kevin Durant
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Team: Phoenix Suns (24-18)
2023-24 Salary: $47.6 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Three years, $153.5 million
Stats: 28.9 points, shooting 46.6 percent from three (entering Sunday)
Games Played: 35
Durant is shooting the lights out in Phoenix. At 35, he is at a career-high three-point percentage. The Suns have struggled to get all three stars (Devin Booker, Beal and Durant) on the floor enough together. The potential remains, and Phoenix has climbed of late in the West.
Durant, like Jokić, Embiid and Beal, will break the $50 million mark next season. As long as Durant is healthy (he missed the 2019-20 season with an Achilles injury), he's earning his salary as one of the league's elite scorers.
Grade: A
Nos. 2-5 (tie): LeBron James
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Team: Los Angeles Lakers (22-22)
2023-24 Salary: $47.6 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Two years, $99 million
Stats: 24.7 points, 7.5 assists, shooting 39.2 percent from three (entering Sunday)
Games Played: 40
James led the Lakers to the inaugural In-Season Tournament title in December, but the team has been remarkably inconsistent since. At 39 in his 21st season, James is shooting at his best long-range percentage in a decade. He's the marquee star on an NBA marquee franchise and is probably playing at a discount at that price.
After last year's playoffs, James hinted at retirement. He can opt out of his $51.4 million salary for 2024-25 but may not be ready to call it a career yet (given his play, he's still a significant force). Instead, motivation to leave might land where his son ends up after USC (Bronny James).
Grade: A-
No. 1: Stephen Curry
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Team: Golden State Warriors (18-22)
2023-24 Salary: $51.9 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Three years, $167.3 million
Stats: 26.7 points, 4.9 assists, 39.7 percent from three
Games Played: 37
The Warriors are working Green back into the mix after his suspension, but Curry has only been able to do so much with his squad short-handed. Golden State is currently two games behind the Utah Jazz and Lakers (both 22-22) for the last spot in the play-in. There's plenty of time for the franchise to rebound.
Is it right to complain about Curry's scoring dip from last year's 29.4 points per game? Or his three-point percentage down from 42.7? Curry just needs more support. But given his salary and the team's performance, his grade takes a hit.
Grade: B+
Honorable Mention
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A few big names are just outside the top 15, including Luka Dončić, Trae Young and Zach LaVine at $40.1 million. Of that group, only the Dallas Mavericks (24-18) have a winning record. The Atlanta Hawks (18-24) still seem to believe in Young as their franchise player. The Chicago Bulls (21-23) and LaVine no longer seem aligned, and LaVine's efficiency and durability have dipped considerably from his All-Star seasons.
Tobias Harris continues to help the 76ers win, though his $39.3 million this season is pricy for his contribution. The Indiana Pacers just traded for one of the more expensive players, Pascal Siakam ($37.9 million)
Ben Simmons is the highest-paid player who does the least (also at $37.9 million) with the Brooklyn Nets—making just six appearances thus far this year.
Among those playing up to their contracts are Kyrie Irving ($37 million) of the Mavericks, Devin Booker ($36 million) of the Suns, Karl-Anthony Towns of the Timberwolves (36 million) and James Harden (35.7 million) with the Clippers.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.
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