- The point guard position has changed dramatically over the past two decades
- A ton of stars across the league are getting paid big bucks for specialist skill-sets
- The highest-paid player in the NBA happens to be a point guard
In the ever-evolving landscape of professional basketball, the financial landscape continues to shift as well. The title of “point guard” holds a special significance in the NBA, representing the strategic minds that orchestrate the game from the court’s heart.
- Honorable Mention
- Jamal Murray – $33,833,400
- 10. Darius Garland – $34,005,250
- 9. Ja Morant – $34,005,250
- 8. Jrue Holiday – $34,954,667
- 7. Kyrie Irving – $37,037,037
- 6. Ben Simmons – $37,893,408
- 5. Trae Young – $40,064,220
- 4. Luka Doncic – $40,064,220
- 3. Fred VanVleet – $40,806,300
- 2. Damian Lillard – $45,640,084
- 1. Stephen Curry – $51,915,615
As we begin to step into the 2023-24 season, a fresh array of contracts and negotiations have unveiled the latest rankings of the highest-paid NBA point guards. This article delves into the intriguing mix of skill, talent, and market value that have combined to place these elite playmakers at the summit of basketball earnings.
We have already seen the highest-paid players regardless of position for the upcoming 2023-24 season, but now let’s focus on the floor generals. From seasoned veterans to emerging talents, let’s explore the financial prowess of the league’s top point guards who will be getting paid the big bucks.
Honorable Mention
Jamal Murray – $33,833,400
2022-23 Stats: 20.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Jamal Murray is not a top-10 paid point guard in the league even if he is clearly a top-10 point guard in terms of talent. Actually, he might even be in the conversation for top-5 after what he did for the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs. Murray seems to be made up of the same stuff that Jimmy Butler is in terms of being a solid player in the regular season but a legitimate superstar in the playoffs.
Murray averaged 26.1 points and 7.1 assists per game in the playoffs on 39.6% shooting from the three-point line. The point guard was right behind Nikola Jokic in terms of being the most impactful player in the playoffs. Considering he is getting paid a little under $34 million, Murray is well worth his contract and will be an invaluable piece as Denver looks to repeat next season.
10. Darius Garland – $34,005,250
2022-23 Stats: 21.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 7.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Darius Garland is only 23 years old yet he has an All-Star appearance and a salary paying him over $34 million. That is not a bad situation to be in for a player heading into his fifth season as he will only get better on the offensive side of the floor. As he matures, the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise will grow with him. The question is, will Donovan Mitchell be the starting shooting guard?
With Mitchell on board, Garland has a chance to lead the Cavs to a deep run into the playoffs assuming Evan Mobley can also reach All-Star status. The team is filled with talent and an excellent coach who has plenty of experience now, so the time for Garland and the Cavs to show improvement is now.
9. Ja Morant – $34,005,250
2022-23 Stats: 26.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 8.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG
A superstar and a tremendous offensive player, Ja Morant is easily worth being a top-10 paid point guard in the world when he is on the court competing at a high level. Unfortunately, the 2022-23 season was marred with poor behavior and ridiculous suspensions stemming from pure immaturity. Ja is only 24 years old, but he needs to grow up as soon as possible.
The Memphis Grizzlies are paying him over $34 million a season to be their franchise player and he has managed to not come through last season. As Morant learns the ropes of being a superstar in the NBA and a mature young man, there will be growing pains and it is up to the Grizzlies to put up with that because the roster is built for championship success down the line.
8. Jrue Holiday – $34,954,667
2022-23 Stats: 19.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG
There are not many Bucks fans that will be upset about this contract. When the Bucks acquired Holiday before the 2021 season, it was the final piece in helping the team make a run at winning the championship. With Holiday’s playmaking and defense, the Bucks were able to win their first title in 50 years. Since then, Holiday has averaged 18.3 points and 19.3 points per game in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, Holiday doesn’t have to lead the team in scoring. He is the team’s best overall defender and has made the All-Defensive First Team (2021), and All-Defensive Second Teams (2022, 2023) while being an All-Star in 2023 as well. Having this great of a defender and a third option who can post at least 18 points per game in his sleep means the Bucks should be paying him over $34 million and not worrying about it.
7. Kyrie Irving – $37,037,037
2022-23 Stats: 27.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Kyrie Irving had a solid season statistically as he still made highlights and proved why he is a top-10 point guard in the world. However, team impact was not there again as he made a mess out of the Brooklyn Nets and later was blamed for the Dallas Mavericks missing the playoffs after they made the Western Conference Finals a year later.
Looking ahead, Kyrie needs to show why he is getting paid max dollars because there are tons of critics out there watching his every move on the court. Kyrie is a superstar offensive player but since he left LeBron James’ side, he hasn’t accomplished much outside of individual stats and accolades. Regardless, he will be one of the highest-paid point guards in the world.
6. Ben Simmons – $37,893,408
2022-23 Stats: 6.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Ben Simmons had a disastrous campaign with the Brooklyn Nets in the 2022-23 campaign. The Australian and former 3-time All-Star was non-existent on offense, posting irrelevant numbers compared to the money he is making. It seems his health, both physical and mental, have deteriorated and that is not good news for the Nets or any team that ends up absorbing his contract.
We are all hoping that Simmons gets back to his best because his natural talent and athleticism are through the roof. Making three All-Star Teams, two All-Defensive Team appearances, and a Rookie of the Year award show what Simmons can do, but the free-throw shooting and jump-shooting demons have clearly got to him and he must overcome them to save his career.
5. Trae Young – $40,064,220
2022-23 Stats: 26.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 10.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Statistically speaking and on the offensive side of the floor, Trae Young is one of the best point guards in the league. Young scoring average was 11th in the NBA and his 10.2 assists per game were second to James Harden, who led the league in assists. In terms of being an offensive juggernaut who can score and assist, Trae Young is literally a superstar player.
However, Young does get criticized for his inability to impact the defensive end of the floor and his size is somewhat of an issue. Along with that, the Atlanta Hawks have not been able to return to the Eastern Conference Finals as they did in 2021 which is somewhat of a problem. Regardless, even if there will be those who are shocked Young is making over $40 million, the man is an offensive star and will put up numbers.
4. Luka Doncic – $40,064,220
2022-23 Stats: 32.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Luka Doncic was one of two players that led the position in scoring last season. His 10.9 made field goals per game was third-best at the position, a hallmark of his scoring excellence. Doncic rebounds were the highest at the position while his assists average was sixth-best in the NBA. When it comes to complete players, you are not going to find much better than Doncic.
It feels like we haven’t seen the best from Doncic yet. Each season, he finds a way to do something more amazing. Two seasons ago, he led the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals and had to undergo a difficult campaign in 2023 with Kyrie Irving beside him. Regardless, from scoring to rebounding to playmaking, Doncic brings everything to the table so keep an eye out for Doncic during the MVP race in 2024.
3. Fred VanVleet – $40,806,300
2022-23 Stats: 19.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Fred VanVleet got paid this summer. The Houston Rockets had so much cap space that they could afford to bring in and pay the third-richest point guard in the NBA. VanVleet is clearly not a top-3 point guard in the NBA but he took advantage of a situation to be the locker room leader and veteran for the young and up-and-coming Rockets. In this role, expect VanVleet to have a career year.
Even if he doesn’t, his money is guaranteed. If he hovers around 20 points and 7 assists per game with the Rockets and at least gets them close to 30 or 35 wins, that would be a positive outcome for the player. The former 2019 NBA champion brings championship experience and steady playmaking at the point guard spot for the first time since Chris Paul was on the team, so Houston will be content with this cap hit.
2. Damian Lillard – $45,640,084
2022-23 Stats: 32.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Five point guards will receive over $40 million this season, and Damian Lillard is at the top of the list. Even if he failed to make the playoffs, Lillard was still a top-10 talent in the league. His numbers are clearly of superstar-caliber and he finished 3rd in scoring behind Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic. As he demands a trade, Lillard could be looking to take his talents for a new situation.
Unless he gets traded, Lillard will be relied on heavily once again as the Trail Blazers do not have the roster to compete. Whatever happens, what is certain is that Dame will get paid over $45 million in 2024. That is clearly a ton of money but for a top-75 player of all time who just averaged over 32 points per game, that seems reasonable in the current landscape.
1. Stephen Curry – $51,915,615
2022-23 Stats: 29.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.4 BPG
If there is a player that deserves over $50 million at the point guard position, it’s Stephen Curry. After landing his first Finals MVP Award after leading the Warriors to their fourth championship since 2015, Curry cemented his legacy as a top player in NBA history. Even last year, despite the chemistry struggles, Curry led the Warriors to the second round of the playoffs by averaging 30.5 points per game.
Curry finished top-7 in scoring although he wasn’t qualified because he only played 56 games, and was at his offensive best. With Curry on the floor healthy, the Warriors will always have a chance to compete in 2024. With the Warriors, Curry has won two MVP Awards, four titles, and one Finals MVP, and could look to lead this team to one more title with Chris Paul coming in. If he gets a fifth title, we will be talking about way more than his position-leading salary, which also tops the NBA as well.
