Kobe Bryant may be in the midst of a nightmare season with the Los Angeles Lakers but he can take solace in knowing he has already won five championship rings and is still the highest-paid player in the NBA.
Meanwhile, in a perfect example of just how backwards the NBA's salary system can be, the arguably two best players in the NBA, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, are not even in the top five.
Of the players on this year's list most will be getting huge raises in the next two years as players and teams jockey for a position prior to the much anticipated higher salary cap that is coming for the 2016-17 season.
Using data from Spotrac.com, here are the highest-paid players in the NBA and their current contract situations.
#1 Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers — $23.5 Million
Position: Shooting Guard
Contract: 2 years, $48.5 million
Career Earnings: $298.3 million
One thing to know: Kobe's contract has handcuffed the Lakers this season and next. But the Lakers have just $5.4 million committed to the 2016-17 roster, the same year the NBA's salary cap is expected to go way up. The Lakers could potentially add three superstars that year.
SOURCE: HoopsHype.com
#2 Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks — $23.4 Million
Position: Power forward
Contract: 5 years, $99.7 million
Career Earnings: $162.1 million
One thing to know: Stoudemire ranks 9th among active players in career earnings.
#3 Joe Johnson, Brooklyn Nets — $23.2 Million
Position: Shooting guard
Contract: 6 years, $123.7 million
Career Earnings: $170.2 million
One thing to know: Johnson has one more year on his contract at $24.9 million. The Nets' payroll this year is $93.7 million but they only have $25.9 million committed after Johnson's contract expires after the 2015-16 season.
SOURCE: HoopsHype.com
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