Highest Paid NBA Players this season in2010
Tracy McGrady – $23,239,561
Although Tracy McGrady didn’t play for a good portion of the year due to injuries he still made the big bucks. Starting out the season with the Houston Rockets and now with the New York Knicks, the franchise is dolling out a huge salary to retain his big name personal.
Kobe Bryant – $23,034,375
The new Mr. Laker just signed a contract extension that will keep Kobe in Los Angeles for another four years. More importantly in the eyes of his fans he will likely be a “Laker for Life”.
Jermaine O’Neal – $22,995,000
Jermaine O’Neal was an NBA MVP candidate with the Pacers and one of the premiere big men in the NBA. Now he’s still working off his contract from those past days of elite.
Tim Duncan – $22,183,218
The Big Fundamental is also The Big Bling Bling. But when you consider how much money he has made the Spurs franchise throughout the duration of his career with his four Championships in San Antonio, I don’t think anyone is complaining about Timmy getting his due ‘consideration’.
Shaquille O’Neal – $20,000,000
Shaquille O’Neal is a game changer. Just based on pure size and strength alone he can’t be ignored by defenses. and he also puts butts in seats. Although he did have a thumb injury, O’Neal helped the Cavs earn the top record in the league.
Dirk Nowitzki – $19,795,714
Disco Dirk has the Dallas Mavericks rolling in the second half of the season and is earning every dollar of that enormous $19.8 million figure. With a player option for next season, don’t be surprised to see Dirk command another big salary through an extension or free agency. He’s still ‘that good’.
Paul Pierce – $19,795,712
There is a lot of talk in Boston about who are the greatest Celtics of all-time. Surprisingly enough after their championship run a couple years ago, Pierce now comes up in that discussion with all the other Celtic legends.
Ray Allen – $19,766,860
Ray Allen is aging, The guy is still a lights out shooter, that may be considered technically the greatest overall shooter this league has ever seen.
Rashard Lewis – $18,876,000
When the Magic signed Rashard Lewis for this absurdly large contract for a player of his caliber, Magic fans were losing their minds. But the Magic have been winners the last two seasons so maybe he deserves the big bucks after all. Or maybe Dwight Howard is just ‘that good’.
Michael Redd – $17,040,000
Redd is a gunner. He is a volume shooter but also a deadly accurate player from beyond the arc.