How high can they go? NBA salaries skyrocketing
Fred Jeter | 11/24/2021, 6 p.m.
Someone needs to knock a hole in the ceiling. NBA salaries keep going up, up, up.
Successful jump shots and rebounds are paying off like never before.
The league’s highest paid performer in 1985 was Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers with a $2.5 million contract. Johnson maintained the same NBA top salary for 1985-86 and 1986-87.
That’s little more than pocket change relative to today’s jump shooters. Even untested newcomers nowadays reap paychecks comparable to the great Magic Johnson.
For example, NBA rookie Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland, the 26th overall NBA draft pick out of Virginia Common- wealth University, is making $2,096,880 in his first season with the Denver Nuggets.
It’s almost comical compar- ing today’s compensation with that of decades long ago.
In 1959, the Philadelphia Warriors signed rookie Wilt Chamberlain to a $30,000 contract, which is equivalent to about $266,000 today. That made “The Big Dipper” the league’s highest paid player.
The skimpy pay didn’t stop Chamberlain from averaging 37.6 points and 27 rebounds and winning Rookie of the Year.
The overall top salary this season goes to the Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry—nearly $46 million.
And at 33, the brilliant guard is still just warming up. Under terms of his escalating contract, he will make $59,606,817 for the 2025-26 campaign.
