NBA Today: 3 players that will surprisingly earn more than LeBron James during the 2019-20 NBA season

Despite his advancing years, LeBron James is still widely regarded as the best player in the NBA. The superstar signed a four-year, $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers last summer, and the four-time MVP will lead LA's charge for a title over the next three seasons.

LeBron has historically been among the NBA's highest earners, and the 34-year-old will earn $37.4 million throughout the 2019-20 season. However, six NBA players will receive a larger paycheck than James over the next 12 months.

While names like Steph Curry understandably top LeBron's annual salary, here we will look at three players who surprisingly earn more than the four-time MVP.

#3 Kevin Durant - Brooklyn Nets - $38,199,000

Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors for the Brooklyn Ne

Kevin Durant ruptured his right Achilles tendon during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, and the 2014 MVP was subsequently ruled out for the entire 19-20 season. However, his status as one of the NBA's biggest stars meant that teams were not put off in free-agency, and Durant headed to the Brooklyn Nets on a four year, $165 million contract.

Upon signing for the Nets, much was made of KD's decision to take less than the max so that he could bring DeAndre Jordan to Brooklyn with him, although the 30-year-old will still earn almost $1 million more than James during the 19-20 season.

Some will ask how this is possible, and the answer is that Durant signed his four-year contract with the Warriors before being shipped to Brooklyn in the sign-and-trade that sent D'Angelo Russell to Golden State.

This allowed Durant to command a higher salary than he could have accepted from the Nets, and the All-Star is set to earn $38.1 million for sitting on the sidelines this season.

#2 John Wall - Washington Wizards - $38,199,000

John Wall's career has been halted by a series of serious injuries

In the summer of 2017, John Wall signed a four-year, $170 million contract extension with the Washington Wizards. Wall had just averaged career highs in points (23.1), assists (10.7), and steals (2.0), and the then 26-year-old was starting to establish himself among the NBA's best players.

However, since signing the biggest contract in franchise history, Wall has made just 73 regular appearances. The point guard will also miss the entire 19-20 season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon during a freak accident at his home.

Only three players will earn more money than Wall this season, and the guard is locked into his max deal until 2023. Miami has been named as a potential trade partner for the Wizards, and the franchise will be keen to offload one of the worst deals in NBA history.

#1 Chris Paul - Oklahoma City Thunder - $38,506,482

Chris Paul signed a four-year $160 million contract with the Houston Rockets last summer

The 2019-20 season will mark the second straight season that Chris Paul will earn more than James, although the gap between the two close-friends has never been more apparent. Despite being six months older than Paul, LeBron is still firmly in his prime and is about to lead the Lakers' title charge.

Meanwhile, Paul's performances during the 18-19 season were among the worst of his career, and the 34-year-old has missed almost 25% of regular-season games over the past three seasons.

The Houston Rockets managed to rid themselves of the remaining three seasons of CP3's contract earlier this summer, and the Oklahoma City Thunder now face paying the point guard more than $40 million during his age-36 season. The possibility of a buyout has been speculated, although Paul would be foolish to give up the most misguided contract in NBA history.