The 10 Most Overpaid Players in the NBA

The lockout that forced this fast-paced 66-game season that is upon us was all about money and how much the players should make.

NBA players are paid significantly large amounts of money to play the game that they love.

However, some players are paid more than others.

How much a player makes is determined by many things.

Well, some of those things need to be changed after looking at some of the names on this list.

Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan has not been playing a lot of minutes, but that does not mean he is not making a lot of money.

He is making $21.3 million this season, making him the third-highest-paid player in the league.

Some fans still consider Duncan a premier player in the league, but I am not one of them as he continues to cash in on more than the veteran's minimum. However, he is still one of the most professional and fundamental players in the game.

I'm not mad at you, Timmy.

Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett's bark has always been loud, but I'm not sure he has the bite to back it up anymore.

He isn't posting All-Star numbers by any means but his pocket isn't hurting. The second-highest-paid player in the league, ranking behind only Kobe Bryant, KG is extremely fortunate to be making the money he is in the last few years of his career.

Rashard Lewis

Rashard Lewis has had the potential to be a great player ever since he came into the league.

He's a versatile, 6'11" shooter with a Lamar Odom-type body. But he has never really lived up to the hype.

Yet somehow he is still making $22.1 million this season. He's a solid role player, but worth $22 million? He will never live up to that type of paycheck for as long as he plays.

Pau Gasol

This might stir up a little controversy.

I believe Pau Gasol is a good player, one of the most skilled big men to ever play in the league.

And I also realize his contract is not monstrous; he is making $17.8 million this year.

The reason I believe he is overpaid is the fact that he is being paid more than All-Stars such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard.

I also believe that Andrew Bynum is more important to the Lakers organization than Gasol. If anyone should be making that $17 million it's Bynum.

Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups only makes $14.2 million a year.

But let's be honest here: He is no longer Big Shot Billups of the Detroit Pistons.

He is a solid role player who should make more than your average veteran, but he is no $14 million player. 

Part of the reason he got amnestied.

He better enjoy his last big check, because it's only a matter of time before people catch on. Just look at his numbers from last night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson is right there on the border of just another average Joe and a superstar. 

What cannot be argued is he making superstar money, about $18 million a year.

With all the good guard play throughout the league, I do not consider Johnson a superstar. 

He has all the tools to be a great player, yet he continues to fail to live up to the hype. 

At least he can go home to all that money when he and the Hawks are eliminated from the players year after year.

Elton Brand

Elton Brand.

Oh, you didn't know he was still in the league?

Not only is he still in the league, but he is making $17 million out in Philadelphia posting mediocre numbers.

Despite all the injuries throughout his career, he still found a way to stumble upon this big contract.

Some guys have all the luck.

Antawn Jamison

Antawn Jamison was brought to Cleveland in hopes of helping LeBron James win a championship.

Well, we know how that worked out and as a result, James took his talents to South Beach.

Meanwhile, Jamison is sitting pretty on $15 million this season.

Jamison is an undersized small forward playing the power forward position to the best of his ability.

But the truth of the matter is Dan Gilbert put a little too much trust in his hands and money in his pocket.

Marcus Camby

Marcus Camby will block some shots and dunk the ball from time to time. 

He'll even hit a jumper every now and then.

But he is 7'0" and you can't teach height; as a result, he is making a solid $13 million.

About just as much as Kevin Durant was making last year.

Emeka Okafor

Emeka Okafor is ranked on the list of highest-paid players right above LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge is in the conversation for MVP right now while Okafor will likely never be even considered an All-Star.

Okafor must be doing something right. Let me know if you figure out what it is because I sure don't know.