• Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos would need to pay a lot for this team
• LeBron James would be a caption of this super expensive team
• Stephen Curry is the highest-paid player of the 2023-24 NBA Season
What does the most expensive NBA team look like heading into the 2023-24 NBA season? We have already seen the highest-paid players in the world for the upcoming season, with superstar point guard Stephen Curry taking the biggest bag home. Money is on the minds of NBA fans and the media around the globe because we are seeing top superstars getting paid major money, mainly in the sport of professional soccer.
While not every country or owner can throw money at superstar athletes the way the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can, it is still interesting to imagine if unlimited finances are available for NBA stars. We have already seen how the top 20 players in the world would get paid if unlimited finances were available, and it is time to get back to reality by naming the most expensive team in the NBA heading into the 2023-24 season.
By taking the 15 most expensive players in the world and creating a 15-man lineup with three players per position, the most expensive team in the NBA would be worth an unbelievably ridiculous amount of money. Here is the most expensive NBA team in the 2023-24 season and the success the players would have together.
Point Guards:
1- Stephen Curry – $51,915,615
2- Bradley Beal – $46,741,590
3- Damian Lillard – $45,640,084
Total Value Of Point Guards: $144,297,289
All three players are elite scorers and among the best offensive talents in the league. Stephen Curry is renowned for his three-point shooting and off-the-dribble scoring, Bradley Beal is a versatile scorer who can score from anywhere on the court, and Damian Lillard is known for his deep shooting range and clutch performances. This would open up driving lanes for others and make it challenging for opponents to defend.
While primarily being scorers, both Curry and Lillard are excellent playmakers, capable of creating opportunities for their teammates. Their court vision and passing skills would add another dimension to the team’s offense. In terms of offensive versatility, Beal and Lillard are skilled at drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line, adding another dimension to their scoring ability and potentially putting pressure on opposing defenses.
One potential challenge with this lineup is defense. While all three players are capable defenders, they are not necessarily known for their lockdown defense. Opponents with strong guard play might exploit defensive weaknesses. However, considering how dominant these players are, occupying an amount of over $144 million for three point guards is incredible but understandable.
Shooting Guards:
1- Paul George – $45,640,084
2- Klay Thompson – $43,219,440
3- Khris Middleton – $40,396,552
Total Value Of Shooting Guards: $129,256,076
All three shooting guards are exceptional scorers with the ability to put up big numbers on any given night. Paul George is a versatile scorer with an excellent mid-range game and three-point shooting. Klay Thompson is one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history, and Khris Middleton is known for his scoring efficiency and clutch performances. George averages a career 38.1% from the three-point line over his career, while Thompson nails 41.6% and Middleton shoots 38.8%.
These shooting guards are not only about offense as well. Paul George and Klay Thompson are both elite perimeter defenders known for their ability to lock down opposing guards and wings. Khris Middleton is also a solid defender, contributing to a strong defensive presence in the backcourt. Not to mention, each player in this lineup has extensive playoff experience, having performed at a high level in pressure situations. Their experience and ability to perform in the postseason would be invaluable for a championship-contending team.
One potential challenge with this lineup is the injury history of both Klay Thompson and Paul George. Both players have dealt with significant injuries in recent seasons, and their health and availability could be a concern. However, Paul George, Klay Thompson, and Khris Middleton would be a potent scoring and defensive force. Their three-point shooting, playoff experience, and defensive prowess make them a formidable backcourt with the trio of superstar point guards beside them.
Small Forwards:
1- Kevin Durant – $47,649,433
2- Kawhi Leonard – $45,640,084
3- Jimmy Butler – $45,183,960
Total Value Of Small Forwards: $138,473,477
The trio of small forwards would be unstoppable on both ends of the court. Kevin Durant is a scoring machine with his scoring arsenal from all areas of the court, Kawhi Leonard is known for his efficient scoring and mid-range game, and Jimmy Butler is a versatile scorer who can attack the basket and knock down perimeter shots. Durant averages a career 27.3 PPG, Leonard posts 19.6 PPG, and Butler is averaging 18.2 PPG.
This rotation also features three elite defenders, making it a defensive powerhouse on the wings. Kevin Durant is a long and agile defender capable of guarding multiple positions, Kawhi Leonard is renowned for his lockdown defense, and Jimmy Butler is a tenacious on-ball defender and a great team defender.
The extensive playoff experience among all these players has led the players to excel in high-pressure situations. Their postseason experience and ability to perform in critical moments would be invaluable for a championship-contending team. Their ability to score, defend, rebound, and make plays for their teammates makes them extremely valuable assets.
As always, the case of load management must be discussed. Both Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard have a history of dealing with injuries, and load management might be necessary to preserve their health and ensure they are at their best during the playoffs. But Butler’s never-ending presence and willingness to take hits and keep going means he can make up for the superstar players’ inconsistencies.
Power Forwards
1- Giannis Antetokounmpo – $45,640,084
2- LeBron James – $46,698,737
3- Anthony Davis – $40,600,080
Total Value Of Power Forwards: $132,938,901
The starting power forward lineup consisting of Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, would be the most expensive forward lineup in NBA history.
All three superstars are incredibly versatile and athletic, making them a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Giannis Antetokounmpo, known as the “Greek Freak,” possesses unmatched length, speed, and agility, which allow him to excel in scoring, rebounding, and defense. LeBron James is renowned for his all-around game, with elite playmaking, scoring, and court vision. Anthony Davis is a two-way star, capable of scoring from inside and outside while also being an elite shot-blocker.
The frontcourt of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis would be an absolute force in the paint. Their ability to finish around the rim, grab offensive and defensive rebounds, and protect the rim on defense would give the team a significant advantage. At the same time, both Giannis and LeBron are exceptional playmakers, able to initiate the offense, make precise passes, and create scoring opportunities for their teammates. Their playmaking ability would make the team’s offense dynamic and difficult to defend.
Finally, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have already won an NBA championship together with the Los Angeles Lakers, demonstrating their ability to perform at the highest level in the playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, has also shown his capability to lead a team to the NBA Finals and win a title.
Overall, the Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis lineup would be a powerhouse trio with incredible versatility, athleticism, and championship experience. Their combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive ability would make them a formidable force and a top contender for NBA championships.
Centers
1- Joel Embiid – $46,900,000
2- Nikola Jokic – $46,550,000
3- Rudy Gobert – $41,000,000
Total Value Of Centers: $134,450,000
Finally, big men are back because they are making incredible amounts of money and are dominating the game again. Joel Embiid has an array of post moves and can stretch the floor with his shooting, Nikola Jokic is a versatile offensive threat with exceptional passing and shooting skills, and Rudy Gobert excels at finishing around the rim and scoring on lobs and putbacks.
With three skilled rebounders on the floor, the team would have a significant advantage on the boards. Embiid, Jokic, and Gobert are all exceptional rebounders, and their ability to control the glass would create second-chance opportunities and limit opponents’ offensive rebounds. This lineup also boasts two of the best shot-blockers in the league. Embiid and Gobert are formidable rim protectors, deterring opponents from attacking the paint and altering shots around the basket. Joel posted 1.7 BPG n 2023, while Gobert averaged 1.4 BPG.
Most importantly, Jokic is known for his exceptional passing skills as a center. His ability to find open teammates and create opportunities for others would make the offense more dynamic and challenging for opponents to defend. Overall, the Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Rudy Gobert lineup would be an imposing frontcourt with exceptional scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability. Their combined talent and versatility would make them a dominant force on both ends of the floor.
This Superteam Would Dominate The NBA But Who Could Afford To Own This Team?
Overall, the most expensive team in the NBA would be worth an unbelievable $679,415,743. That is over half a billion dollars that will be paid for the top-15 players in terms of money owed. That makes soccer star Kylian Mbappe’s offer from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia even more obscene because the player can make more in one year than these 15 NBA players combined.
Regardless, nearly $700 million is being dedicated to 15 star players in the league making obscene money. Only the richest people in the world would be willing and able to take on a team with this amount of star power because over half a billion dollars worth of contracts means a person must be worth more than $100 billion to actually make this affordable and reasonable. The two names that come to mind? Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
Musk, the owner of Tesla and Space X, is the richest man in the world, with $239.9 billion in net worth. Elon is currently preparing for a fight showdown with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg (who is worth $104.4 billion), so he could be interested in owning a sports franchise and paying 15 players over half a billion dollars to dominate the NBA. Bezos (the founder of Amazon) should also receive a shout-out because he is worth $151.8 billion and is another character who seems to be interested in physical sports.
By having a billionaire owner that clears $100 billion with ease, the players can be combined on one team and strive to win every championship in every season. Considering most of the players are in their primes, this team would win the next six or seven championships with ease because the superstar power and talent would be off the charts. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is trying to create superteams in the world of soccer, but the richest men in the world, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, would have the chance to own a franchise and pay the 15 richest players in the world to dominate the world of basketball.
