'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The salary cap for the 2018-19 season is capped at $101.9 million, but with the free agent class this year, we saw a lot of max contracts spent around and a lot of 1-year deals given out by the team's front offices. This year with big names like LeBron, PG-13, CP3, Kevin Durant signed big contracts, while Westbrook and James Harden crossed the T's and dotted the I's on their max extensions last year.
Also Read: NBA 2017-18 - 10 Highest Paid NBA Players By Salaries
However, this year the deals were only 4 years as the players switched teams so we could get to see the golden 200 million $ plus numbers this offseason.
Who is the highest paid NBA player in 2018-19 season?
For the second-straight season, Stephen Curry is the highest paid NBA player earning $17MM+ more than Kyrie Irving in ’18/19 despite both star point guards technically being on max deals.
So let's look at the top 10 players based on their salaries for the 2018-19 season. (Salary figures via spotrac.com)
# 10 James Harden - Houston Rockets
Contract Details: 4-years and $117.9 million
Salary in 2017-18: $30,421,854
It's surprising that James Harden's name comes up in this list even though his max contract extension of $160 million/4 year has not even started. Harden signed this contract back in 2016 for $117.9 million over the course of 4 years. But he signed an extension by breaking his earlier contract and signing a max deal.
This deal combined with that of Chris Paul's max extension will put the budget for the Houston Rockets in the sky's for the next half a dozen years.
Still, Daryl Morey does not make mistakes when dealing with numbers, he should for himself and the Rockets make the slogan ' Trust the Numbers' because of his proficiency in using data analytics to advance his team. With Harden as the team's best player, Morey has continuously been able to beat the predictions and with Paul finally, here, the next step would be to win the coveted Championship.
#9 Mike Conley - Memphis Grizzlies
Contract Details: 5-years and $152.6 million
Salary in 2017-18: $30,521,115
The most unexpected name on this list, Mike Conley signed the then biggest contract in the NBA for $152.6 million in 2016. Memphis had hopes for their franchise when they were able to compile a team of Conley, Marc Gasol, Chandler Parsons and at that time, Zach Randolph as a veteran advisor. But their plans have not panned out, as they are struggling to compete in the tough Western Conference.
With Parsons not nearly worth his contract, Conley is the only one contributing to the team. Conley will be hoping that after injuries this season and with rookie Jaren Jackson Jr., the team would again be able to make the playoffs.
#8 Paul George - Oklahoma City Thunder
Contract Details: 4-years and $136.9 million
Salary in 2017-18: $30,560,700
Los Angeles no more, Paul George has been wanting to either move to the Lakers for three years. His situation with the Indiana Pacers had hit its peak as the supporting cast just wasn't good enough after Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert left. He was also incapable of beating LeBron James in a Playoff series and hence he wanted to go to LA (his home).
Last year, Indiana got the best out of him by trading him to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo, and most of the NBA society knew that in July of 2018, he will knock on the door of the Los Angeles Lakers.
But in the most shocking news since Kevin Durant left OKC, George signed a max with the Thunder and according to reports, he did not even meet with Magic or Pelinka. George signed a big contract to stay with Westbrook and compete for the big trophy.
#7 Kyle Lowry - Toronto Raptors
Contract Details: 3-years and $100 million
Salary in 2017-18: $31,000,000
Kyle Lowry's contract was unexpected when he signed this deal last year, especially with the fact that the Toronto Raptors were so overpowered by LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers for three years straight and Ujiri still relied on the backcourt of Lowry and DeRozan to reach the Finals.
Lowry is 32 years old and will be 33 by the time playoffs begin, which means he will have to contribute a lot with Kawhi Leonard otherwise he might be on the trading block for the Toronto front office to convince Leonard to stay in the North.
#6 Gordon Hayward - Boston Celtics
Contract Details: 4-years and $127.8 million
Salary in 2017-18: $31,214,295
The young Butler star made the move to the Boston Celtics the last offseason with a good contract based on his All-Star year performance the year before that. But, his green clover did not bring him that much good luck, when he suffered one of the worst injuries the game has ever seen. There are bad injuries, but Hayward's was something like a horror movie.
Last season his departure from the roster led the rookies, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, to take up the mantle and prove themselves on the big stage. This year, if you were to root for one player to succeed it, would be Gordon Hayward. The Celtics, in a 2-year time frame, went from underhanded against LeBron to a reckoning force in the East with only the Golden State Warriors as their obstacle.
#5 Blake Griffin - Detroit Pistons
Contract Details: 5-years and $171.1 million
Salary in 2017-18: $31,873,932
The ' Griffinton' went from being one big superstar on a huge contract to a mediocre Power Forward within one year. Blake Griffin got his $175 million contracts last year and within 4 months of that, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons. Stan Van Gundy' s luck was fading in Detroit and he tried replicating the NOLA strategy by paring up Andre Drummond and Griffin in the frontcourt.
However, with his injuries, Blake Griffin has lost his edge which was his athleticism, he may dunk over a car now but he is still not doing a lot on the court. It was also the Griffin contract which led to the Clippers calling in Jerry West to right the ship and lead them back on a glory path. His spot on this list may not be surprising but he is definitely not worth his stat sheet or his intangibles.
# 4 Russel Westbrook - Oklahoma City Thunder
Contract Details: 5-years and $205 million
Salary in 2017-18: $35,350,000
The second team to have two players on this list - Oklahoma City Thunder. Russell Westbrook signed his max extension last year after a strong triple-double season, to take control of the team after as their best player after Durant left. This year Sam Presti was able to convince All-Star Paul George to sign a long-term deal and contend to be at the top of the Western Conference.
Westbrook will be aiming to reach the Finals again after their young team lost to the Miami Heat in 2012.
#3 LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
Contract Details: 4-years and $153.3 million
Salary in 2017-18: $35,654,150
The ' King ' is finally in Los Angeles and his arrival was the biggest news for the NBA since KD's switch to the Warriors. LeBron is now in a position to cement his name into the best franchise in the NBA since its inception and also his final chance to contend MJ for the Mount Rushmore top spot.
LeBron secured a $153 million contract to play near Hollywood and win titles with rising stars in the league - Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball). Being at the top of the salaries list, one could now begin to wonder could LeBron, by the end of his career, be the highest paid sportsman?
#2 Chris Paul - Houston Rockets
Contract Details: 4-years and $159.7 million
Salary in 2017-18: $35,654,150
CP3 finally made his mark in the playoffs in the NBA when he took his team to Western Conference finals last year but failed to take them over the edge because of his injury.
Entering his 14th year in the NBA, Paul finally is a big contender to reach and win the NBA Finals. After leaving a really good roster in LA, and marking the end of 'Lob City', nobody expected Paul and Harden to be that good in Houston.
However, they were one game away from the finals. This year some may argue that Rockets are worse off than last year but one should not underestimate Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony's desire to win a title. Also, Paul will be going all out since he has an assured $160 million in his bank account.
#1 Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
Contract Details: 5-years and $201.1 million
Salary in 2017-18: $37,457,154
The first player to sign a 200+ mil plus contract in the history of sports has again got the top spot on the highest paid players list. The Golden State Warriors point guard again had a stellar performance against the Cavaliers in the 2018 Finals and is most probably going to be a part of the squad which goes for the 3-peat this season.
The two-time MVP was absolutely deserving of this contract after he won a Championship for the team on an 11mil/year contract before the current one.
Guess the Lakers players!
