Who Were the Highest Paid NBA Players in 2020? Full Salary Breakdown

As I was analyzing the latest NBA salary data for 2020, I couldn't help but reflect on that insightful volleyball analogy about different players bringing unique skillsets to the game. The NBA landscape last year perfectly illustrated this principle - we saw an incredible diversity of playing styles and contributions among the league's highest earners, each justifying their massive contracts in completely different ways. The financial landscape of professional basketball has evolved dramatically, and 2020 presented a fascinating snapshot of how teams value different types of talent.

Let me start with the absolute top tier. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors led the pack with a staggering $43 million salary, which honestly surprised even me given he missed virtually the entire season due to injury. This speaks volumes about how teams value legacy and brand power alongside current performance. Right behind him was Chris Paul at $41 million, whose impact on the young Oklahoma City Thunder roster proved that veteran leadership and basketball IQ can be worth every penny. What's fascinating here is how these two players represent completely different value propositions - Curry as the face of a franchise and global superstar, Paul as the ultimate floor general who elevates everyone around him.

The middle tier of high earners tells an equally compelling story. Russell Westbrook's $38 million contract with the Houston Rockets showcased how explosive athleticism and triple-double capability still command premium dollars, even as the game evolves toward three-point shooting. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant's $37 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets, despite him sitting out the entire season recovering from Achilles surgery, demonstrated how teams will invest in proven championship-caliber talent. I've always believed that teams pay for future production as much as past performance, and Durant's situation perfectly illustrates this principle.

What really caught my attention was seeing LeBron James at $37 million - honestly, given his impact on the Lakers' championship run and his continued dominance at age 35, this almost feels like a bargain in today's market. Then you have players like John Wall earning $38 million while not playing a single minute, which makes me question how teams manage long-term financial risks. The Wizards were essentially paying superstar money for zero production, a situation that keeps front office executives awake at night.

The international players added another layer of intrigue to this financial picture. Giannis Antetokounmpo's $27 million salary with the Milwaukee Bucks seemed remarkably team-friendly for a back-to-back MVP, especially when you compare it to Tobias Harris making $31 million with the Philadelphia 76ers. This disparity highlights how timing and negotiation leverage can dramatically affect earnings, sometimes creating situations where very good players outearn truly great ones. Personally, I'd take Giannis at his salary over most players earning significantly more - his two-way impact is just that valuable.

Looking at the big men, we saw interesting valuation patterns. Karl-Anthony Towns at $27 million represents the modern big man who can stretch the floor, while Rudy Gobert's $26 million contract rewards defensive anchor capabilities. This reminds me of that volleyball comparison - different hitters bringing completely different skillsets. In basketball terms, you have Towns as the offensive powerhouse and Gobert as the defensive specialist, both commanding similar salaries despite contributing in radically different ways.

The point guard market showed similar diversity. Damian Lillard at $29 million embodies the clutch shooting and leadership qualities teams covet, while Kyle Lowry at $31 million demonstrates how championship experience and two-way play remain highly valued. I've always been partial to point guards who can both score and facilitate, and these contracts show that teams are willing to pay premium prices for complete packages at the position.

What struck me most about analyzing these salaries was how they reflect the evolving nature of basketball value. James Harden at $38 million represents offensive system unto himself, while Klay Thompson at $32 million (despite missing the season) shows how elite three-point shooting and defensive versatility maintain value even through injuries. The Warriors paying both Curry and Thompson top dollar while they were injured speaks to organizational loyalty and long-term vision that you don't often see in professional sports.

As we move toward the conclusion, it's clear that 2020 represented a transitional period in NBA salary structures. The supermax contracts have created unprecedented earnings for homegrown stars, while the mid-level exceptions have allowed teams to fill out rosters with quality role players. The financial landscape continues to evolve, with player empowerment and strategic team-building creating new patterns in how basketball talent gets compensated. If there's one takeaway from studying these numbers, it's that there's no single formula for earning top dollar in today's NBA - different skills, different roles, and different circumstances can all lead to similar financial outcomes, much like how different volleyball hitters each bring unique approaches to scoring points. The beauty of basketball, much like volleyball, lies in this diversity of excellence, and the 2020 salary breakdown beautifully captures how the NBA economy rewards various forms of basketball greatness.