The Los Angeles Clippers have put together a lineup this season with players that all would’ve been in contention for All-NBA First Team a few years ago. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden are four of the most accomplished players of their generation, which has made them some of the highest earners in the league’s history. All four players are among the nine highest-paid players ever in total earnings.
1. LeBron James – $479,466,457
2. Kevin Durant – $396,705,024
3. Chris Paul – $389,909,419
4. Stephen Curry – $354,721,977
5. Russell Westbrook – $340,265,800
6. James Harden – $338,570,135
7. Paul George – $305,332,086
8. Damian Lillard – $279,348,442
9. Kawhi Leonard – $276,566,211
10. Al Horford – $275,636,768
(Source: Spotrac)
Russell Westbrook leads the way as No. 5 on the all-time earners list with $340,265,800 million earned over 16 seasons in the NBA. He slots in behind LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Chris Paul. Slightly behind Westbrook at No. 6 all-time is James Harden with career earnings of $338,570,135 million over 15 seasons.
The third consecutive Clippers’ star on the list is Paul George, who is No. 7 all-time. Over 14 NBA seasons, George has made $305,332,086 million. The Clippers’ streak on this list is interrupted by Damian Lillard at No. 8, but Kawhi Leonard shows up at No. 9. Over 12 NBA seasons, Kawhi has earned a total of $276,566,211 million.
With all four players possibly hitting free agency next season, there’s a good chance they still have places to climb up on this list. The Clippers are one of the heaviest spenders this season, ranking behind the Warriors in luxury tax bills. Despite the heavy costs, the franchise would love to give these guys more money and keep them on the team provided they finally help the franchise compete for a championship this season.
The Clippers Need To Sacrifice To Maximize Their Championship Window
The money that their four stars have earned over their careers proves that they’ve been among the most coveted players in the NBA for the majority of their prime. But the reason all of them are together on the same team right now is because they’re not all at that level anymore. They all need each other to not only dominate on the court but make room for each other given all of them have had success as No. 1 options on title contenders before.
Paul George has the least conventional accolades out of the group and stresses upon the team making sacrifices for each other.
“Yeah, yeah, we’ve talked, we came together. It’s nothing secretive or nothing that hasn’t been told. The fact of the matter is, you know, all four of us are superstars, great players, but there’s got to be sacrifices, right?”
Harden and Westbrook are both former MVPs that comprise the team’s starting backcourt. Kawhi is the only one with a proven championship pedigree, having two titles and two Finals MVPs to his name, along with a couple of Defensive Player of the Year awards. George has made six All-NBA Teams and even finished as an MVP Finalist in 2019, but has never won any of the major individual awards outside of Most Improved Player in 2013.
Sacrifice is going to be key, not only during the season but in the offseason as well. If the four are genuinely motivated to win titles, they won’t all agitate to get a max contract. Westbrook is not in contention for one, but Kawhi, George, and Harden are targeting a max. It’s unlikely the Clippers max out everyone, given their age and the lack of success the team has had in the last four years.
This is an expensive roster that could either get way more expensive next season or see a dramatic fall in roster value if a few of these four players end up leaving in the 2024 offseason.
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