The All Stars are fast approaching and fans are busy voting for their favorite players. But let’s have a look at the list of players who earn the highest amount of money with their new and improved contracts at the beginning of the 2017-18 season. With Stephen Curry given a huge contract and some of the craziest free agency signings, the highest earning list has undergone a major reshaping compared to last season. According to business insider, what follows are some of the biggest contracts.

Stephen Curry- $34.7 million

After signing a five-year contract worth $201.2 million at the beginning of the 2017-18 season, Stephen Curry has become the highest paid NBA Player right now.

The two time MVP finally replaces LeBron James to make it to the top of the list.

Lebron James- $33.3 million

At the beginning of the 2016-17 season, King James signed a new contract for the Cavs that promised $100 million in three years and his salary is estimated to increase in the 2018-19 season.

Paul Millsap- $30.8 million

The Denver Nuggets beat out other teams and managed to sign an actual star in the NBA. Paul Millsap has a two-year contract worth $61.0 million.

Gordon Hayward- $29.7 million

Celtics did it man! They signed Hayward, along with Kyrie Irving, at the beginning of this season and offered a four-year contract worth $127.8 million, which is one of the biggest free agency moves of all time!

Blake Griffin- $29.5 million

With Chris Paul off the team, the Clippers have to hold on to their main man Blake Griffin. He currently has a five-year contract guaranteeing $171.2 million.

Kyle Lowry- $28.7 million

Lowry has a three-year contract worth $100 million with the Raptors but he can earn a further $2 million in bonuses.

However, that would require him to make it to the All-Star game, be named All-NBA and All-Defense and win the championship with the Raptors.

Mike Conley- $28.5 million

Back in 2016, when Mike Conley signed his new five-year contract of $152.6 million, it was the highest in the history of the NBA.

Russell Westbrook- $28.5 million

Russell Westbrook signed a $205 million contract extension that will be activated next season.

As of now, he is still reaping the three-year contract of $85.6 million with the Thunder which has him tied with Mike Conley.

James Harden- $28.3 million

James Harden has two years left on his four-year contract worth $118 million before his new extension comes into effect, which would earn him a lot more.

DeMar DeRozan- $27.7 million

Back in 2016, DeMar DeRozan’s five-year, $139 million deal was the second-biggest in the history of the NBA.

How the teams cope up with such high wages

The NBA announced a nine-year deal with ESPN and Turner that promised $24 billion. According to Rich Sandomir of the New York Times, this lucrative arrangement kicked in before the start of the 2016-2017 season. According to Sports Business Journal, ESPN pays $1.4 Billion and Turner pays $1.2 Billion per season. This new deal has directly influenced the inflation of the wage market for the players and coaching staff in the NBA.
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