Highest Nba Contract by Year

The NBA has become a lucrative business for both players and teams. With the league`s revenue increasing each year, it`s no surprise that players are signing contracts with eye-popping figures. In this article, we`ll take a look back at the highest NBA contract by year and the players who earned them.

2000 – Shaquille O`Neal ($88.4 million)

In 2000, Shaquille O`Neal signed a 7-year, $88.4 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. This was the highest NBA contract at the time, and it made him the highest-paid player in the league. O`Neal helped lead the Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000-2002, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.

2005 – Kevin Garnett ($126 million)

In 2005, Kevin Garnett signed a 5-year, $126 million contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves. This made him the highest-paid player in the league at the time. Garnett had a stellar season that year, earning his second NBA MVP award and leading the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals.

2010 – Kobe Bryant ($136.4 million)

In 2010, Kobe Bryant signed a 3-year, $136.4 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. This was the highest NBA contract at the time and made him the highest-paid player in the league. Bryant led the Lakers to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, solidifying his place as one of the greatest players of all time.

2015 – Anthony Davis ($145 million)

In 2015, Anthony Davis signed a 5-year, $145 million extension with the New Orleans Pelicans. This contract made him the highest-paid player in the league at the time. Davis had a breakout season in 2014-2015, earning his first NBA All-Star selection and leading the Pelicans to the playoffs for the first time in four years.

2020 – Damian Lillard ($196 million)

In 2020, Damian Lillard signed a 4-year, $196 million extension with the Portland Trail Blazers. This was the highest NBA contract of the year and made him the highest-paid player in the league. Lillard had a strong season, earning his fifth NBA All-Star selection and leading the Trail Blazers to the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years.

In conclusion, these players have all earned their place in NBA history as some of the highest-paid players in the game. As the league`s revenue continues to increase, we can expect to see even larger contracts in the years to come.