Three NBA superstars are rightfully the highest-paid NBA players for 2015.
Forbes reported that due to new giant contracts that involve local and national TV networks, several NBA franchises significantly rose in value in the past 12 months. The New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls are valued at least $1.5 billion.
On top of the list is LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 30-year-old has generated total earnings of $64.4 million comprised of both his NBA salary and endorsements. Currently, James is signed with the Cavs for two years for $42.1 million. He opted to go for the two-year contract, instead of the four initially offered, which was supposed to pay him more. This is so he can opt to become a free agent in 2016. It was a financially strategic move for James, considering how the new TV contract of the NBA, valued at $24 billion, will take effect in 2016, which will help James command a larger salary at that time.
Off the court, James earned around $44 million from endorsing brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Samsung, Beats by Drre, Audemars Piguet, Tencent, Upper Deck and Kia Motors.
Second in the Forbes list is Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 26-year-old raked in $54 million in the past year from both his salary and endorsements. In the current NBA season, he is being paid $19 million, which is the 11th best in the league. In the summer of 2014, Durant signed a contract with Nike for 10 years which will reportedly pay him up to $300 million, plus royalties. The contract also included a retirement plan, which will add more millions.
Durant has managed to earn about $35 million from endorsing brands like Nike, Sonic, BBVA, Panini and others.
At No. 3 is Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, who raked in $49.5 million in the past year. He was the highest-paid NBA player for nine consecutive years until now. Bryant has the highest salary in the league for the fifth straight year, being paid $23.5 million by the Lakers.
Bryant is also actively endorsing brands and has earned more millions from the likes of Nike, Hublot, Lenovo and Panini. Kobe is also planning his future in business, such as setting up Kobe Inc. in 2013.
No. 4 in the list is Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls with $38.9 million and is then followed by Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks with $30.5 million.