The Highest-Paid NBA Shooting Guards From 1988-2023

• James Harden earned the most money in a single season for a shooting guard with $44.3 million in 2021-22

• Kobe Bryant led the NBA in salary for the most seasons as a shooting guard with nine

• Michael Jordan led the NBA with the least amount of money in 1991 earning just $2.5 million

One of the most significant differences between the NBA of days past and the league today is the money players make on an annual basis. Just 30 years ago, a max contract consisted of a player earning $1 million per season like Magic Johnson who led the NBA for point guards with a similar salary. Today, you will see the top NBA point guards earning $250 million in contracts worth over $30 million annually. That is how much the game has evolved on the financial level. 

Today, just as we previously did with point guards, we are going to go back over the last 30-plus seasons of NBA basketball to show you the highest-paid shooting guards every season during that stretch. You will see that for most seasons, some of the most elite talent, like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, led the NBA from the shooting guard position as far as pay and talent go. Of course, there are more players sprinkled in there as the highest-paid shooting guards in the NBA. Now, it is time to see who they are.

These are the highest-paid NBA shooting guards from 1988 through 2023. 

1987-88 Season – Michael Jordan – $850,000

The 1987-88 season is a season to remember for Michael Jordan as the NBA’s highest-paid shooting guard. Although he would make less than $1 million, Michael Jordan would play like he was already more valuable than any other player in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls. Jordan would have a near-perfect season winning both the MVP award and Defensive Player of the Year award averaging 35.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 3.2 steals per game.

On the heels of his scoring and steals titles, the Bulls would win 50 games and head toward the playoffs with some momentum as they matched up with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. The series would go the distance of five games with Jordan and the Bulls prevailing in Game 5, 107-101. Jordan averaged 45.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game

In the second round of the playoffs, the Bulls would be met by the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons who came in and dominated the Bulls both physically and mentally. Jordan would average 27.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game. However, the physicality would be too much for the Bulls to handle and the Pistons would dismiss Chicago in five games.

1988-89 Season – Michael Jordan – $2,000,000

Michael Jordan would once again take the title of the NBA’s highest-paid shooting guard in 1989 with a salary of $2 million. Jordan was the fifth-highest-paid player in the entire NBA that season trailing only Patrick Ewing, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Robert Parish. Kevin Duckworth would also earn $2 million for the season, tied with Jordan for the fifth spot.

The season would be another fantastic one individually for Jordan. He averaged 32.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.9 steals per game in 81 games played while shooting 53.8% from the field. The Bulls would go on to win 47 games and once again head toward the NBA playoffs as one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. This time, the Bulls would defeat the Cavaliers and Knicks rather easily in the first two rounds to set up another grudge match with the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The 1989 Eastern Conference Finals was another physically grueling series for both teams as the Pistons left Jordan with no room to operate as he usually did. Although he would average 29.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, the Pistons would prevail over the Bulls once again in six games and go on to win the NBA championship led by Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars.

1989-90 Season – Michael Jordan – $2,500,000

The 1989-90 season would mark the third season in a row that Michael Jordan was the highest-paid shooting guard in the NBA with an increased salary of $2.5 million. He ranked sixth in the NBA behind Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. Jordan would play all 82 games and win his fourth straight scoring title with 33.6 points per game on 52.6% shooting.

After winning 55 games, the Bulls steamrolled both the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers in the first two rounds of the playoffs, dropping just two games between the two series combined. Once again, the Bulls headed toward the Eastern Conference Finals for a matchup with the Detroit Pistons who were the best team in the NBA at the time.

The series would resemble a heavyweight boxing match more than it would a playoff series as the Pistons unleashed an attack on Jordan and the Bulls that would border the lines of assault. Despite 32.1 points per game from Jordan in the series, the Pistons would prevail in Game 7 by a score of 93-74 to advance to their third straight NBA Finals and win their second straight championship.

1990-91 Season – Michael Jordan – $2,500,000

By the time the 1990-91 season rolled around, Michael Jordan was already considered to be the most talented player in the NBA. However, he had yet to get past the powerhouse teams in the Eastern Conference, such as the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics. In 1991, that was all about to change and a new era was on the horizon in the NBA.

Jordan’s $2.5 million salary tied him with Robert Parish as the eighth-highest-paid player in the NBA. Jordan would earn his salary and then some with his second MVP award averaging 31.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. The Bulls would win 61 games and look like heavy favorites heading into the NBA playoffs.

In their first three series, the Bulls would go 11-1 overall in 12 games, earning their first-ever trip to the NBA Finals. Jordan and the Bulls would face off against Magic Johnson and the Lakers in the championship series, a series that would be dominated by Jordan and the Bulls. It took just five games for the Bulls to defeat the Lakers with Jordan claiming Finals MVP honors for the first time averaging 31.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 11.4 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.

1991-92 Season – Reggie Lewis – $3,340,000

Reggie Lewis of the Boston Celtics would overtake Jordan as the highest-paid shooting guard in the NBA for the 1991-92 season. Lewis would be the fourth-highest-paid player in the NBA with his $3.34 million salary while Jordan was right behind him in fifth-place with a $3.25 million salary. Lewis’ teammate Kevin McHale along with Hot Rod Williams and retired Larry Bird would be the only players to earn more than him during the 1991-92 season.

Lewis would have a career year in 1992, earning his first and only All-Star appearance averaging 20.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. The Boston Celtics would win 51 games and qualify for the NBA playoffs. In the first round, Lewis would help Boston sweep the Indiana Pacers with a team-leading 27.7 points and 2.3 steals per game.

The following round would not go as well for Lewis and Boston against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although the series would be hard-fought and go to seven games, Lewis and Boston would fall in Game 7 and their championship hopes were dashed. Against Cleveland, Lewis would average 28.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.4 steals per game but it was not enough to defeat Cleveland who would ultimately lose to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals.

1992-93 Season – Michael Jordan – $4,000,000

After capturing his second straight NBA championship and Finals MVP in 1992, Michael Jordan would once again become the highest-paid shooting guard in the NBA with a salary of $4 million. Jordan’s increase in salary would make him the second-highest-paid player in the NBA, trailing only David Robinson, who made $5,720,000 in the year.

Much like each of the previous two seasons unfolded, Jordan would lead the Bulls to the promised land once again. He captured his seventh straight scoring title averaging 32.6 points per game while adding 6.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and a league-leading 2.8 steals per game. They would win 57 games and once again head toward the NBA playoffs as the heavy favorites.

After going 11-2 over their first 13 playoff games, the Bulls would meet MVP Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals. Jordan would break an NBA record in the series averaging 41.0 points per game in the highest-scoring Finals series by a player ever. The Bulls would defeat the Suns in six games and became the first team to three-peat as NBA champions since the Boston Celtics of the 1950s and 1960s. Jordan would win his third straight Finals MVP but shockingly retire before the 1994 season after his father was killed tragically in the offseason.

1993-94 Season – Michael Jordan – $4,000,000

Despite being retired and turning his attention to baseball, Michael Jordan remained the highest-paid shooting guard for the 1993-94 season with a salary of $4 million. Even though he would not step on the court for the entirety of the year, Jordan remained the fifth-highest-paid player on the season along with Ron Harper and Robert Parish.

The only players to earn more than the $4 million Jordan was getting would be David Robinson, Buck Williams, John Williams, and Vlade Divac. In his absence, the Houston Rockets led by Hakeem Olajuwon would become NBA champions which marked the first time the NBA had champions not named the Chicago Bulls since 1989-90.

1994-95 Season – Michael Jordan – $3,850,000

The 1994-95 season would mark the second straight season that Michael Jordan would begin retired yet remain the highest-paid shooting guard in the league. His $3.85 million salary ranked 16th in the NBA. Magic Johnson led the entire NBA with a $14.66 million salary which would be over $7 million more than any other player made that year.

Of course, Jordan would return to the Bulls for 17 games in the regular season, helping the Bulls qualify for the NBA playoffs with a record of 47-35. In their first-round series against the Charlotte Hornets, Jordan would lead the way with 32.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game as they defeated the Hornets in five games.

The next series would be an issue for the Bulls as they headed into battle against Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, and the Orlando Magic. Unfortunately for the Bulls, they could not match the physicality and overall talent of Orlando and would fall in six games marking the first time they had lost this early in the playoffs with Jordan on the court since 1988.

1995-96 Season – Clyde Drexler – $9,810,000

When the 1995-96 season came around, Clyde Drexler of the Houston Rockets would take over the title as the highest-paid shooting guard in the NBA. As a matter of fact, Drexler would be the second-highest-paid player in the NBA trailing only Patrick Ewing who earned $18.7 million for the New York Knicks.

Drexler was now a member of the Houston Rockets having been acquired by them during the 1994-95 season and helping them win the NBA championship that season. Drexler would be an All-Star in 1996, averaging 19.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. The Rockets would win 48 games and head toward the NBA playoffs with some momentum.

The Rockets would defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, needing just four games to do so. Drexler averaged 14.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game for Houston as they headed toward a matchup with the Seattle SuperSonics. Unfortunately, this is where the fun would stop for Drexler and Houston as The SuperSonics would sweep the Rockets in four games on their way to the NBA Finals.

1996-97 Season – Michael Jordan – $30,140,000

After capturing his fourth NBA championship and fourth Finals MVP award in 1996, Michael Jordan took over once again as the NBA’s highest-paid shooting guard and highest-paid overall player. Jordan would earn $30.14 for the 1996-97 season with the second-highest-paid player being Horace Grant with a $14.57 million salary.

Jordan would have an incredible season in 1997, winning his ninth scoring title averaging 29.6 points per game on 46.5% shooting. The Bulls would win 69 games during the regular season but Jordan would lose out to Karl Malone for league MVP honors. Michael Jordan would make sure that both he and his team would have the final word though.

The Bulls would go 11-2 over their first 13 playoff games to reach their fifth NBA Finals in seven years. Their opponent would be the Utah Jazz led by MVP Karl Malone, and Jordan took it personally. In the series, Jordan would average 32.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game to seal Chicago’s fifth NBA championship and his fifth Finals MVP award as they defeated the Jazz in six games.

1997-98 Season – Michael Jordan – $33,140,000

Once again, in 1998, Michael Jordan would remain the highest-paid shooting guard and player in the NBA with a salary of $33.14 million. Jordan would be the only player in the league to earn over $30 million for the season as well as just one of two players to earn at least $20 million for the season.

The 1998 season would be an up-and-down one for the Bulls but Jordan would secure his fifth MVP award averaging 28.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. The Bulls would win 62 games and once again head into the NBA playoffs as the favorites for their second three-peat as NBA champions.

In the NBA playoffs, the Bulls would be tested as they went 11-4 over their first 14 games which included a seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers in the Conference Finals. In the NBA Finals, the Bulls would once again meet the Utah Jazz who many thought would finally knock off the Bulls and Jordan in their pursuit of a second three-peat.

That would not be the case as the Bulls would defeat the Jazz in six games. Once again, Michael Jordan would lead the way and claim his NBA-record sixth Finals MVP award averaging 33.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. After the season, the Bulls and their championship core would be disbanded by management and Michael Jordan would retire for the second time.

1998-99 Season – Allan Houston – $7,000,000

The 1998-99 season was a strange one for shooting guards and how they were paid now that Michael Jordan was out of the league. Allan Houston of the New York Knicks would take over the top spot as the highest-paid player for the position, earning $7 million on the season. Houston’s $7 million salary would rank 28th in the NBA as just 14 players would earn $10 million or more during the season.

Houston had yet to evolve into the All-Star he would eventually become but the 1999 season would be a magical one for the Knicks as a whole. In a shortened 50-game season, the Knicks would win 27 games and qualify for the NBA playoffs. In their first-round matchup, Houston would be the one to seal the series over the top-seeded Miami Heat with a game-winning jumper in a decisive Game 5 to win the series.

The Knicks would advance to the NBA Finals where they would take on the San Antonio Spurs led by Tim Duncan and David Robinson. With Patrick Ewing sidelined due to a partially torn Achilles, the Knicks were all but left for dead. Although they would win one game in the series, they did not have enough to overcome the Spurs’ attack and would drop the Finals in five games. They have not been back to the Finals since despite paying over $3.3 billion in player salary.

1999-00 Season – Mitch Richmond – $10,000,000

It is pretty hard to believe that Mitch Richmond was the highest-paid shooting guard in the NBA during the 1999-00 season. Richmond was no longer the perennial All-Star he was with the Kings during the 1990s and was now in his second season with the Washington Wizards. Richmond’s $10 million salary ranked 20th in the NBA for the 2000 season as well and he was just one of 20 players to earn that much money on the year.

Richmond was decent for the Wizards that season. He would appear in 74 games averaging 17.4 points per game on 42.6% shooting overall and 38.6% from three. Even with Richmond as their leading scorer, the Wizards were abysmal during the 1999-00 season, winning just 29 games, finishing seventh in their own division, and missing the NBA playoffs altogether.

2000-01 Season – Reggie Miller – $10,670,000

Along with being one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history, Reggie Miller was also handsomely paid during his NBA career. During the 2000-01 season, Miller and the Pacers were coming off their first and only appearance in the NBA Finals. Miller’s $10.67 million salary in 2000-01 would rank 22nd overall in the NBA for that season and was just slightly ahead of Allen Iverson’s $10.14 million for shooting guards.

In 2001, Miller would play 81 games and average 18.9 points per game shooting 44.0% overall and 36.6% from three. The Pacers would finish exactly .500 for the season with a 41-41 record, just qualifying for the playoffs. Unfortunately for Indiana, the quest for another trip to the NBA Finals was thwarted when they faced off with the 76ers in the first round. The Pacers would be eliminated by league MVP Allen Iverson in just four games even though Miller matched Iverson’s output with 31.3 points per game in the series.

2001-02 Season – Allan Houston – $12,750,000

During the 2002 season, Allan Houston would once again claim the title of the highest-paid shooting guard in the NBA. Houston’s $12.75 million salary ranked 11th in the NBA with only 15 players in the entire NBA making at least $12 million on the season.

During the 2001-02 season, Houston would play 77 games and average 20.4 points per game on 43.7% shooting overall and 39.3% from three. However, under coaches Jeff Van Gundy and Don Chaney, the Knicks would finish with just 30 wins and miss the NBA playoffs entirely. Houston, who was coming off back-to-back All-Star appearances, was the team’s leading scorer while finishing second among starters in three-point shooting behind Mark Jackson.

2002-03 Season – Allan Houston – $14,343,750

After signing a massive contract extension that most Knicks fans would say is one of the worst in their team’s history, Allan Houston would become the ninth-highest-paid player in the NBA in 2002-03. Houston was just one of nine players in the league to make at least $14 million that season.

In 2002-03, Houston would play all 82 games for the fourth time in his career. His 2002-03 season would be even more productive than his previous year, averaging 22.5 points per game on 44.5% shooting overall and 39.6% from three. The Knicks would only slightly improve to 37 wins under coach Don Chaney and once again miss the NBA playoffs entirely. Houston was once again the Knicks’ leading scorer but it was not enough to help get his squad back to the postseason.

2003-04 Season – Allan Houston – $15,937,500

Allan Houston’s salary would take another step up in 2003-04 and make him the fifth-highest-paid player in the NBA along with Chris Webber of the Kings. Only Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O’Neal, Dikembe Mutombo, and Rasheed Wallace would earn more than Houston during the season but as we would see, it would be a massive overpay from the Knicks.

This season would be the first sign of Houston’s health declining, particularly in his knees. Houston would be limited to just 50 games on the year as he averaged 18.9 points per game on 43.5% shooting. The Knicks would improve as a team, however, and qualify for the NBA playoffs with a 39-43 record. The fun would stop there for New York as they were swept by the Nets in the first round of the playoffs in four games. Houston, suffering from knee issues, would not make a single appearance in the playoffs.

2004-05 Season – Allan Houston – $17,531,250

Much to the ire of Knicks fans and team executives, Allan Houston’s contract would balloon up to $17. 53 million in 2004-05 which made him the third-highest-paid player in the NBA. Houston’s salary was now only exceeded by Shaq’s $27.7 million and Dikembe Mutombo’s $19.5 million for that season.

Unfortunately for the Knicks, Houston was done as a player in the NBA, making just 20 appearances while averaging only 11.9 points per game in those contests. The Knicks as a whole would take a massive step backward and win just 33 games, missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. As for Houston, it would be the final time we ever saw him on the court as he walked away from the game at the age of 33.

2005-06 Season – Allan Houston – $19,125,000

Even though he would not step foot on the court for the 2005-06 season, Allan Houston was still owed a massive amount of money from the Knicks. His %19.13 million salary for the season made him the second-highest-paid player in the NBA, trailing only Shaquille O’Neal’s $20 million for the top spot. Under Coach Larry Brown, the Knicks were awful, finishing with a 23-59 record overall and a star player in Stephon Marbury who was disgruntled and unable to get along with Brown. The Knicks’ woes would only continue as they tried to rebuild and get back to their winning ways.

2006-07 Season – Kobe Bryant – $17,718,750

After years of Allan Houston’s reign as the NBA’s top-paid shooting guard, Kobe Bryant would finally take over during the 2006-07 season. Bryant was now at the center of attention with the Lakers as Shaquille O’Neal now resided in South Beach with Dwyane Wade where they were coming off an NBA championship run.

Bryant would be the seventh-highest-paid player in the NBA that season and just one of nine players in the entire league to earn at least $17 million. As for Bryant, he did everything he could with the Lakers as he secured his second straight scoring title averaging 31.6 points per game along with 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Kobe’s incredible season led the Lakers to 42 wins as they were able to squeak into the NBA playoffs.

In the first round of the playoffs, Bryant and the Lakers would run into the NBA’s best offense in the Phoenix Suns led by MVP Steve Nash. The Lakers would fight hard but manage to win just one game as the Suns dominated the series in five games. Bryant led the way for the Lakers with 32.8 points per game on 46.2% shooting but had just one teammate, Lamar Odom, contribute at least 10.0 points per game in support. Yeah, you try and win a playoff series with that kind of play by your side.

2007-08 Season – Kobe Bryant – $19,490,625

After his back-to-back scoring title seasons in 2006 and 2007, Bryant hit a different gear during the 2007-08 season. Bryant, the NBA’s seventh-highest-paid player, would capture his first and only MVP award in his career averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while leading the Lakers to 57 wins in the process.

The Lakers were on a roll after acquiring Pau Gasol at the NBA trade deadline and rolled through the playoffs to the NBA Finals with a 12-3 record through their first three series in the playoffs. Their play during the postseason set up a grudge match with the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen.

In the NBA Finals, Bryant would average 25.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.7 steals per game in the series. Unfortunately, the Lakers did not provide enough to combat the firepower from the Celtics’ Big Three and fell in six games while Paul Pierce grabbed Finals MVP honors. It marked Bryant’s second NBA Finals loss but it would not be the last time we saw him on the NBA’s biggest stage.

2008-09 Season – Kobe Bryant – $21,262,500

Following his MVP campaign and Finals loss, Kobe Bryant remained the NBA’s highest-paid shooting guard with a salary of $21.3 million in 2008-09. He was now the fourth-highest-paid player in the NBA and one of nine players to earn at least $20 million in the year. Bryant’s $21.3 million trailed Jason Kidd, Jermaine O’Neal, and Kevin Garnett for the highest salaries in the entire NBA.

That money was well-earned for the season as Bryant averaged 26.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while suiting up for all 82 games. The Lakers would win 65 games and were headed for the NBA playoffs with a full head of steam. The Lakers would have to battle during the playoffs, going 12-6 in their first three series which included a seven-game thriller against the Rockets in the second round.

In the NBA Finals, Bryant and the Lakers would take on the Orlando Magic led by Dwight Howard. In the series, Bryant would completely overwhelm Orlando with his play as the Lakers cruised to their first NBA title since 2002. Bryant would earn Finals MVP honors for the first time in his career with 32.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.

2009-10 Season – Tracy McGrady – $23,239,562

By the time that the 2009-10 season rolled around, Tracy McGrady was a shell of the high-flying and electric player he used to be. His knee and back issues had now completely overtaken his body and we were left with just a few remnants of the player he used to be. McGrady was now the highest-paid player in the NBA on the backend of a massive contract with the Rockets making $23.24 million.

McGrady could only muster six appearances with the Rockets before he was traded to the Knicks as a part of a three-team deal. McGrady would play only 24 games for the Knicks who had their own issues and could only muster 29 wins on the season. Overall in 2010, McGrady averaged just 9.4 points per game for New York on 38.9% shooting, a far cry from the scoring titles he used to collect earlier in his career.

2010-11 Season – Kobe Bryant – $24,806,250

One year after his back-to-back NBA championships, Kobe Bryant would retake his crown as the league’s top-paid shooting guard. Not only would he take that spot but he would also be the NBA’s highest-paid player overall with his $24.8 million salary, and the only player to earn at least $20 million for the season.

Once again during the regular season, Kobe Bryant played all 82 games and averaged 25.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. The Lakers would win 57 games and win the Pacific Division for the fourth straight season. In the NBA playoffs, the wheels would fall off for the Lakers in the second round. With frustrations boiling over, the Lakers would be swept in four games by the Dallas Mavericks putting to rest any and all hopes for a three-peat by Bryant and the Lakers.

2011-12 Season – Kobe Bryant – $25,244,493

During the 2012 season, Kobe Bryant remained the NBA’s highest-paid shooting guard with a $25.24 million salary. He also remained the NBA’s highest-paid player overall earning nearly $4 million more than Vince Carter and Kevin Garnett who were the second and third-highest-paid players in the league.

Due to injury, Bryant would only play 58 games during the 2012 season averaging 27.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. In the 66-game season, the Lakers would win 41 games and earn a trip to the NBA playoffs. The Lakers would win their first-round playoff matchup over the Nuggets in seven games with Bryant averaging 29.1 points per game. The fun would stop there for L.A. however, as the eventual Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder took them down in five games in the second round.

2012-13 Season – Kobe Bryant – $27,849,000

After missing 24 games during the 2012 season, Bryant would return in 2013 to play 78 games for the Lakers as they desperately needed him in order to compete. Bryant was once again the NBA’s highest-paid player earning nearly $27.9 million on the season. During the regular season, he averaged 27.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. It would be the final time we saw Bryant in his true peak form for the entirety of a season.

Behind Bryant’s brilliant play, the Lakers would win 45 games and make their way to the NBA playoffs. In the first round, the Lakers would be matched up with the eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs. The only issue is that they would be without Bryant for the entirety of the series due to injury and were promptly swept from the playoffs in four games. Unfortunately, we would never get another chance to see Kobe Bryant in the NBA playoffs ever again.

2013-14 Season – Kobe Bryant – $30,453,000

In 2014, Kobe Bryant would remain both the NBA’s highest-paid shooting guard and its highest-paid player overall. Kobe would earn over $30 million in salary in the year and was the only NBA player to do so. As a matter of fact, Bryant was the only player in the NBA to earn over $25 million for the 2014 season with the closest salary to his being Dirk Nowitzki’s 22.7 million.

The season would not go well for Bryant or for the Lakers. Bryant was still recovering from an Achilles tear that he suffered toward the end of the 2012-13 season and would be limited to just six games in 2013-14. Due to these circumstances, the Lakers would only be able to accumulate 27 wins in the year under Head Coach Mike D’Antoni, relying on Pau Gasol and Jodie Meeks as their top scorers.

2014-15 Season – Kobe Bryant – $23,500,000

Despite the optimism from doctors and Bryant himself, most of us fans knew the end was near for Bryant due to his inability to remain healthy for any stretch of time that could be considered meaningful. Only Bryant and Joe Johnson would earn over $23 million for the 2015 season with Bryant remaining the highest-paid player in the NBA at $23.5 million in total.

The injury bug continued to bite Bryant as he would be limited to just 35 games at 36 years of age. The Lakers would suffer an even worse fate than in previous years without a fully healthy Kobe, winning just 21 games. No player on the Lakers roster would average even 15.0 points per game except Bryant who averaged 22.9 points per game in the 35 games he was able to play in 2014-15.

2015-16 Season – Kobe Bryant – $25,000,000

In his final season in the NBA, Kobe Bryant went out on his terms as an icon in the sport both on the court and in the wallet. Bryant received the send-off only legends earn in their careers as the only player in the league to make $25 million. The Lakers remained one of the worst teams in basketball though as they fought to give Bryant one last magical season.

With just 17 wins, however, that was not possible so they had to settle for only the magic that Kobe Bryant could provide as an individual. Bryant would play 66 games averaging 17.6 points per game for the struggling Lakers but his greatest moment would come in the final game of his career at the Staples Center. In one last hurrah on an NBA court, Bryant would end his career with a 60-point game and a victory against the Utah Jazz as we said goodbye to one of the greatest players to ever touch NBA hardwood.

2016-17 Season – DeMar DeRozan – $26,540,100

The 2016-17 season was the beginning of the steady increase in salary for players until they reached the astronomical levels they have today. DeMar DeRozan led all shooting guards with a $26.54 million salary as a member of the Toronto Raptors. DeRozan was an All-Star for the Raptors that season as he led them to the third-best record in the Eastern Conference at 51-31.

DeRozan averaged 27.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game during the regular season as the Raptors strung together one of their best seasons in franchise history. The Raptors would look incredible in their first-round playoff matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Led by DeRozan’s 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, they would advance in six games to play the Cleveland Cavaliers.

As great as the Raptors looked, there was nothing they could do against LeBron James and his Cavaliers squad as they promptly swept the Raptors in four games. DeRozan did all that he could to keep the series competitive but struggled from the field shooting just 42.6% overall averaging 20.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

2017-18 Season – James Harden – $28,299,399

During the 2018 season, James Harden would take his rightful place as the NBA’s highest-paid shooting guard earning $28.3 million for the season. He was tied with reigning MVP Russell Westbrook as the eighth-highest-paid player in the NBA which was a significant omen to what was about to occur.

Harden would go on an MVP tear himself averaging 30.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Harden would not only win his first scoring title but would also take home the MVP award as he led the Rockets to 65 wins and the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs. In the NBA playoffs, Harden would lead the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals with five-game series wins over both the Timberwolves and Jazz in the first two rounds.

In the Conference Finals, Harden would lead the Rockets to a 3-2 series lead over the defending champion Golden State Warriors. A classic Game 6 Klay Thompson game and a complete meltdown in Game 7 thwarted any plans of the Rockets upsetting the Warriors as they fell in seven games and were sent home by the eventual NBA champions.

2018-19 Season – James Harden – $30,570,000

In 2019, James Harden remained the NBA’s highest-paid shooting guard with a salary of $30.57 million. He was once again the eighth-highest-paid player in the NBA and only one of 11 players with a $30 million salary for 2018-19. Harden’s salary was once again well-deserved as he went on a scoring tear that saw him win his second straight scoring title and the first 35.0 points per game season since Kobe Bryant in 2006.

Harden would average 36.1 points per game in 2018-19 along with 6.6 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. As a result, the Rockets would win 53 games and take home the fourth seed for the Western Conference playoffs. In the playoffs, the Rockets would again take down the Utah Jazz in their first series to set up a rematch from the previous season’s Conference Finals with the Warriors.

The series was another hard-fought one for Houston as they tried to knock off the defending champions. Despite 34.8 points and 5.5 assists from Harden, the Rockets could not hold off Golden State’s offensive attack and fell in six games marking another incredible season by Harden that fell well short of what they hoped to achieve.

2019-20 Season – James Harden – $38,199,000

During the 2020 season, James Harden remained the highest-paid shooting guard in the NBA with a $38.2 million salary. This made him the fourth-highest-paid player overall in the NBA that season along with John Wall who made the same amount. Only Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, and Russell Westbrook’s salaries exceeded those of Harden and Wall.

Harden would play 68 games for the Rockets in 2020, earning his third straight scoring title averaging 34.3 points per game on 44.4% shooting overall and 35.5% shooting from three. Once again, the Rockets were headed toward the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Western Conference as the NBA restarted their season in a bubble format after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rockets had to fight for their lives in a seven-game series against the Thunder but prevailed behind 29.7 points and 8.0 assists from Harden. The next series against the Lakers would be far less competitive as Los Angeles only fell in one game and promptly eliminated Houston in five games to go on and win the NBA championship.

2020-21 Season – James Harden – $41,254,920

The salaries at the top of the NBA remained the same as the season before in terms of the players who were making the most money at the time. Harden was once again tied with John Wall as the NBA’s fourth-highest-paid player, earning $41.25 million for 2021. Harden, however, would play just eight games for the Houston Rockets before being dealt to the Brooklyn Nets forming a superteam with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Despite all of the hype surrounding Brooklyn, Harden would play in just 36 games for them that season averaging 24.6 points and 10.9 assists per game. The Nets would win 48 contests out of 72 as the Nets earned the second seed in the East for the playoffs. After a five-game series win over the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn advanced to play the Milwaukee Bucks in round two.

In the series, injuries to both Harden and Irving limited them to four games as they fell in seven games in the series. The Big # in Brooklyn had fallen short of both their and everyone else’s expectations but as we all know, Brooklyn’s problems had only just begun.

2021-22 Season – James Harden – $44,310,840

With a slight increase in pay to $44.3 million in 2022, James Harden became the second-highest-paid player in the NBA for 2021-22. Harden’s salary trailed only Stephen Curry’s $45.8 million for 2022 and was still matched by John Walla with the Houston Rockets as well.

The 2022 season was another tumultuous one for Harden as things came to a head between him and the Brooklyn Nets. After just 44 games in Brooklyn, Harden forced a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers where he averaged 21.0 points and 10.5 assists per game in 21 games played in Philadelphia. With 51 wins under their belt, the Sixers headed toward the NBA playoffs hoping Harden could help them get past the second round of the playoffs.

Those goals would fall short for Philadelphia. After defeating the Raptors in six games in the first round, the 76ers would meet their match in the second round against the Miami Heat. Despite Harden and Embiid’s best efforts, the Heat dismissed the Sixers in six games to cut yet another season short for the City of Brotherly Love.

2022-23 – Bradley Beal – $43,279,250

Before I get into the specifics of Bradley Beal, take a moment to scroll back through this list and see how much the NBA’s highest-paid shooting guards have increased their salary over the last 33 years. Beal was earning $43.3 million for 2022-23 and was still only the sixth-highest-paid player in the entire NBA.

Beal had one of the best contracts in the league not only in terms of money but the fact he was also one of the few players in NBA history with a no-trade clause. After playing just 40 games in 2022, Beal would only be able to hit the court for 50 games in 2023 in Washington for a Wizards franchise, spiraling toward the bottom of the league in serious fashion.

Through those 50 games, Beal averaged 23.2 points and 5.4 assists per game on 50.6% shooting overall and 36.5% shooting from three. Washington finished with just 35 wins on the year and not only missed the NBA playoffs but also missed a chance to qualify through the NBA’s Play-In Tournament. This past offseason, Beal waived his no-trade clause in order to form a new big 3 in Phoenix with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. 

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