What’s the Biggest NBA Contract?
The NBA’s new TV deal is worth $24 billion. How will that affect player contracts?
The Biggest NBA Contracts
A player’s NBA contract is determined by a number of factors, including their experience, age, skill, and market value. The biggest NBA contracts are typically given to the league’s best players. Here’s a look at the five largest contracts in NBA history.
The 5 Biggest Contracts in NBA History
In the NBA, a max contract is a specific type of player contract which gives the player the ability to earn a certain amount of money based on their basketball abilities and years of experience in the league. The maximum amount that a player can earn in their first year of a max contract is 25% of the team’s salary cap, and this number can increase in subsequent years, depending on how long the contract is for and whether or not the player meets certain individual performance goals.
The following are the 5 biggest contracts in NBA history, based on total money earned:
5. DeMar DeRozan – 4 years, $140 million (2016-20)
4. Russell Westbrook – 5 years, $205 million (2017-22)
3. James Harden – 4 years, $228 million (2017-21)
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 4 years, $100 million (2016-20)
1. Kevin Durant – 2 years, $54.3 million (2016-18)
The 5 Highest-Paid Players in the NBA
The 5 highest-paid players in the NBA are:
1. LeBron James – $33.4 million
2. Kevin Durant – $26.5 million
3. Russell Westbrook – $26.5 million
4. James Harden – $26.6 million
5. Damian Lillard – $28 million
The Biggest NBA Free Agents
The NBA’s free agency period is just around the corner, and there are a few big names that will be on the market. One of those names is Kevin Durant, who is set to become a free agent after his contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder expires. Durant is one of the best players in the NBA, and he will be looking for a max contract.
The 5 Biggest NBA Free Agents of All Time
The 5 biggest NBA free agents of all time are:
1. Michael Jordan
2. Shaquille O’Neal
3. LeBron James
4. Kevin Durant
5. Kobe Bryant
The 5 Most Valuable NBA Free Agents
The 5 Most Valuable NBA Free Agents:
1. Kevin Durant: As one of the best players in the world, Durant will have no shortage of suitors when he hits free agency. He’s still in his twenties and has already won an NBA title and Finals MVP, so he’ll be looking for a max contract that could be worth over $200 million.
2. LeBron James: Like Durant, James is one of the best players in the world and will be able to command a max contract. He’s currently 32 years old, but there’s no reason to think he can’t keep playing at a high level for several more years. His next deal could be worth over $200 million as well.
3. Paul George: George is another player who is sure to receive a max contract offer. He’s just 27 years old and is coming off an All-Star season in which he averaged 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. His next deal could be worth around $140 million.
4. DeMarcus Cousins: Cousins is a bit of a wild card because he’s coming off a serious Achilles injury that occurred in late January 2018. He’s still just 27 years old though, and when healthy, he’s one of the best centers in the league. If teams are willing to take a gamble on his health, he could sign a deal worth around $130 million.
5. Chris Paul: Paul will also be eligible for a max contract this summer, but at 33 years old, he probably won’t command as much money as some of the other top free agents. He’s still an excellent point guard and averaged 18 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds per game last season. His next deal could be worth around $100 million.
The Future of NBA Contracts
With the new TV deal, the NBA is expected to see a rise in the salary cap. This could mean that players will be looking at bigger contracts in the near future. What does this mean for the future of the NBA? Only time will tell, but it’s certainly an exciting time to be a basketball fan.
The 5 Biggest NBA Contracts of the Future
With the NBA season on indefinite hiatus, we decided to take a look at the 5 biggest NBA contracts of the future. These are the contracts that will have the most impact on the league going forward.
1. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
5. Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets
The 5 Highest-Paid Players in the NBA
The 5 highest-paid players in the NBA are:
1. LeBron James – $88 million
2. Steph Curry – $74 million
3. Russell Westbrook – $67 million
4. Kevin Durant – $65 million
5. James Harden – $58 million
These are the top-earning NBA players as of 2021. Their salaries may change in the future as they sign new contracts, but currently, these are the highest-paid NBA players.
