JBOMB Basketball Blog

New NBA season means new salaries and contract terms for most of NBA players. However, not many players enjoy what they deserve, while on contrary, some others don’t deserve the pay they have received this year.

Just read on to understand what I mean…

Here is the Top 10 salaries in 2009-2010 season, courtesy of DraftExpress.com to give you the big picture of what’s going on in NBA players’… err… pockets.

Top 10 highest salaried NBA players in 2009-2010 NBA Season

• Tracy McGrady (Houston Rockets, guard): $23,239,561 *
• Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers, guard): $23,034,375
• Jermaine O’Neal (Miami Heat, forward/center): $23,016,000 **
• Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs, center): $22,183,220
• Shaquille O’Neal (Cleveland Cavaliers, center): $20,000,000 ***
• Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks, forward): $19,795,714
• Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics, forward): $19,795,712
• Ray Allen (Boston Celtics, guard): $18,776,860
• Rashard Lewis (Orlando Magic, forward): $18,010,791
• Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks, guard): $17,040,000

Notes:

* Oh, the agony the Rockets have to face this year. They pay T-Mac for more than $23 million, but he is hit (often) with injuries – He did returned a moment ago, but will T-Mac be able to play well? Overall, T-Mac, in my opinion, is over-paid, considering his proneness to injuries and his questionable professionalism (e.g. He once declared not being able to play for the Rockets for a while – going for his leg’s rehab – on a very short notice.)

** Another irony – Jermaine O’Neal is a great player, but his playing time and overall performance is poor, considering his $23 million plus salary (as of today – 29 minutes per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, 13.0 points per game – just so so)

*** The Real Superman is THE icon of the NBA, but he is slowing down. Shaq is still an excellent endorsement material, but not really pose a fearful presence on the low post anymore – proof: The Cavs only play him 22 minutes a game – Not really a game changing compared to his $20 million contract. Let’s see what the Cavs have on table to offer to Shaq when his contract is over.

Original image by MySportsRumors.com