As the NBA opens the 2019-2020 campaign, Steph Curry will become the first NBA player ever to earn $40 million in salary in a single season.
In 2017 the Golden State Warrior signed a five-year deal worth about $201 million, which equates to the $40 million per season, and this season his salary will be $40,231,758. He’s currently the highest-paid player in the NBA over other marquee names like LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
The second-highest paid players behind Curry are Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul, who both have a salary of $38,506,482.
Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets during the last off-season, where he’ll reunite with his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate James Harden. Paul, meanwhile, who was traded for Westbrook, will be wearing a Thunder’s jersey this season.
Those who close out the top 10 highest NBA players are John Wall, Durant and Harden, who all make $38,199,000. James is next at $37,436,858, then Kyle Lowry who earns $34,996,296.
Blake Griffin, who makes $34,449,964 and Tobias Harris who earns $32,742,000 round out the top 10.
As for Curry, in the same way that Julius Erving revolutionized basketball with the dunk and above the rim play, one could say the Golden State Warriors guard has done the same with his 3-point shooting.
Before Curry entered the league, much of the game was played in the paint, near the basket, and offensive schemes were often centered around teams’ big men.
But after Curry, the game opened up and teams began finding more use for players who could spread the floor and shoot from well beyond the 3-point arc. And these days, pulling up for a 3-pointer on a fast break is much more common because of Curry.
This year’s NBA season starts on Oct. 22, and the Golden State Warriors’ first game is on Oct. 24 against the Los Angeles Clippers, who during the offseason acquired Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
