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Home > NBA News & Analysis > The Most And Least Expensive NBA Teams This Season

The Most And Least Expensive NBA Teams This Season

The difference between the most and least expensive NBA teams is almost $100 million.

Eddie Bitar
Apr 21, 2023
38 Min Read
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Credit: Fadeaway World

Every NBA team is bound by a salary cap, and that changes every season depending on league revenue and negotiation tactics by franchises. This season, the salary cap was pushed to the edge by a host of NBA teams while others hardly paid players waiting for a chance to rebuild through the draft and hope to attract top-tier free agents. However, which teams had the most expensive rosters this season?

Contents
  • 30. San Antonio Spurs – $101,549,048
  • 29. Utah Jazz – $114,346,400
  • 28. Indiana Pacers – $124,181,439
  • 27. Detroit Pistons – $127,673,493
  • 26. Memphis Grizzlies – $128,426,871
  • 25. Orlando Magic – $138,311,945
  • 24. Houston Rockets – $138,296,534
  • 23. Charlotte Hornets – $146,049,640
  • 22. New York Knicks – $146,837,571
  • 21. Toronto Raptors – $149,485,166
  • 20. Portland Trail Blazers – $151,480,955
  • 19. Sacramento Kings – $152,215,256
  • 18. Miami Heat – $152,766,041
  • 17. Chicago Bulls – $153,093,665
  • 16. New Orleans Pelicans – $154,090,191
  • 15. Cleveland Cavaliers – $154,561,446
  • 14. Oklahoma City Thunder – $155,437,627
  • 13. Atlanta Hawks – $158,133,740
  • 12. Philadelphia 76ers – $164,391,836
  • 11. Brooklyn Nets – $166,125,123
  • 10. Denver Nuggets – $168,032,244
  • 9. Minnesota Timberwolves – $175,101,722
  • 8. Boston Celtics – $175,483,265
  • 7. Phoenix Suns – $175,806,777
  • 6. Dallas Mavericks – $179,946,621
  • 5. Los Angeles Lakers – $180,067,292
  • 4. Milwaukee Bucks – $180,769,815
  • 3. Washington Wizards – $183,801,576
  • 2. Los Angeles Clippers – $193,025,394
  • 1. Golden State Warriors – $200,320,856
    • Next
    • The NBA Player Pyramid For The 2022-23 Playoffs

We are currently in the playoffs, where the best teams in the league are going to battle, but it is never too late to look back to the regular season and how each side set up their roster. The salary cap for the 2022-23 NBA season was just over $123 million, and that was quite high considering the players’ salaries at the moment. Not to mention, it is important to note that the salary cap for the NBA season will likely rise to $134 million and $162 million on a tax level, which is record-breaking.

With this amount of extra money being afforded to NBA teams, the flexibility for franchises to move forward and make changes is extremely enticing. We have already seen how players got paid at a historical level throughout NBA history, but let’s focus purely on the 2022-23 NBA season to deduce which teams had the most and least expensive NBA teams.


30. San Antonio Spurs – $101,549,048

Three most expensive players:

1. Doug McDermott – $13,750,000

2. Danilo Gallinari – $13,000,000

3. Devonte’ Graham – $11,550,000

The San Antonio Spurs hardly spent on players this year because they are trying to go all-in for Victor Wembanyama and lose as many games as possible. San Antonio only managed 22 wins this season and finished 15th in the Western Conference.

Even if they don’t end up getting Victor Wembanyama, a top-3 draft pick means this campaign was a success because they weren’t going anywhere by trading Dejounte Murray before the start of the regular season and not having any star players.


29. Utah Jazz – $114,346,400

Three most expensive players:

1. Collin Sexton – $17,325,000

2. Lauri Markkanen – $17,259,999

3. Jordan Clarkson – $14,260,000

It is amazing how good the Utah Jazz were as a team despite losing both Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Lauri Markkanen became an All-Star by posting 25.6 PPG and 8.6 RPG and having a career year across the board. Not to mention, the team competed hard on offense.

Utah ranked 7th in PPG and 10th in offensive rating as they scored a ton of points under exceptional head coach Will Hardy. The youngsters competed despite having zero expectations and Walker Kessler averaged 9.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 2.3 BPG as Rudy Gobert’s new replacement.


28. Indiana Pacers – $124,181,439

Three most expensive players:

1. Myles Turner – $35,069,500

2. Buddy Hield – $21,177,750

3. Daniel Theis – $8,694,369

The Indiana Pacers are another team that wasn’t expected to do much yet didn’t decide to tank in an embarrassing fashion. Rather, they tried to win games and held onto their important players, such as Myles Turner and Buddy Hield even if teams like the Los Angeles Lakers came knocking.

The most expensive player was Myles Turner, a shot-blocking center who probably belongs on a contending team rather than a rebuilding one. With over $35 million nailed on the salary cap, the Pacers have to fork out some cash even if they had a low cap hit compared to the rest of the league.


27. Detroit Pistons – $127,673,493

Three most expensive players:

1. Bojan Bogdanovic – $19,550,000

2. Marvin Bagley III – $12,500,000

3. Cade Cunningham – $10,552,800

The Pistons do have some exciting young players, such as Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, although they did have to take a nearly $20 million salary cap hit courtesy of Bojan Bogdanovic. The team did well in terms of salary cap, regardless.

Marvin Bagley III was a decent pickup because he is only 24 years old and has the athleticism and a tremendous base to work off. The Pacers hardly had a massive hit on their salary cap and finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference means they could have another valuable draft pick on the way.


26. Memphis Grizzlies – $128,426,871

Three most expensive players:

1. Jaren Jackson Jr. – $28,946,605

2. Steven Adams – $17,926,829

3. Tyus Jones – $15,000,000

The Memphis Grizzlies will have a massive hit on their salary cap next season when they start paying their key players, including Ja Morant. The superstar point guard was still on his rookie payment plan and that meant the franchise barely had to fork out cash while they competed for the NBA championship.

It is likely that the Grizzlies won’t be able to keep and pay all of their players going forward, but they had enough players in their roster to have plenty of depth and coverage for Morant when the point guard missed time with off-court issues and injury.


25. Orlando Magic – $138,311,945

Three most expensive players:

1. Jonathan Isaac – $17,400,000

2. Markelle Fultz -$16,500,000

3. Wendell Carter Jr. – $14,150,000

The Orlando Magic have not benefited from Jonathan Isaac’s presence enough as they are taking a big salary cap hit on the defensive wing. They are also paying Markelle Fultz despite the point guard dealing with his injury problems and inconsistent shooting. The point guard appeared in 60 games which is solid, but he only shot 31.0% from three.

Orlando is tanking for the Victor Wembanyama chance, and finishing 13th in the Eastern Conference is a great way of achieving their goal. No player was making major money for the Orlando Magic this season and this sets them up to rebuild around Paolo Banchero and the young prospect coming in.


24. Houston Rockets – $138,296,534

Three most expensive players:

1. John Wall – $40,866,760

2. Derrick Favors – $10,183,800

3. Danny Green – $9,710,528

Houston was an atrocious team throughout the season, even if they have some bright young talents, including Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, and Alperen Sengun. It seems the Rockets have had enough of losing and is searching for a legitimate coach who can be a leader in the locker room and sidelines. Of course, Houston is obviously tanking.

Finishing 14th in the Western Conference means the team should be in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, and they are likely to finish among the top-3 in the drafting order. The Rockets had to absorb John Wall’s massive $40 million salary cap hit but that was a necessity as the player was brought in during the Russell Westbrook trade. The next two most expensive players did not even play a game for the Rockets this year.


23. Charlotte Hornets – $146,049,640

Three most expensive players:

1. Gordon Hayward – $30,075,000

2. Terry Rozier – $21,486,316

3. Kelly Oubre Jr. – $12,600,000

Michael Jordan should be stepping down and that is a great sign for Charlotte Hornets fans. Nobody knows what Jordan was thinking when he decided to pay over $30 million for Gordon Hayward, a player who reached his prime in the 2016-17 season and has not recovered since. No doubt, that was a bad signing.

Otherwise, the Hornets had to pay for Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre Jr, two solid players who compete on both ends. The future in Charlotte lies in the hands of LaMelo Ball and possibly Miles Bridges, although the latter’s future is in doubt specifically. The Hornets were poor this season, finishing 14th in the East thanks to Ball’s injuries.


22. New York Knicks – $146,837,571

Three most expensive players:

1. Jalen Brunson – $27,733,332

2. Julius Randle – $23,760,000

3. Evan Fournier – $18,000,000

The New York Knicks are locked in a battle with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season in the first round, and they did it despite having their third most expensive player hardly playing games. Fournier is on the trade market, but nobody would take on his salary for the services of a sharpshooter who plays no defense. Otherwise, the Knicks are happy to pay and continue to pay for Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson.

Randle is having a bounce-back year after a criticism-filled campaign last year and Brunson has been a blessing for the franchise. The duo is extremely talented and will compete hard for a chance to guide the Knicks to the second round of the playoffs. Things could be looking up for New York in the coming seasons as they can pick and choose which players they want to keep for the long term.


21. Toronto Raptors – $149,485,166

Three most expensive players:

1. Pascal Siakam – $35,448,672

2. Fred VanVleet – $21,250,000

3. Gary Trent Jr. – $17,505,000

Toronto had almost $150 million in salary cap hit this season and the fact that they had to pay Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet makes perfect sense since they are the best players on the team. Siakam is one of the best power forwards in the league and was an All-Star this season, while VanVleet competes on both ends in the backcourt.

The Raptors missed out on the playoffs because the team needs more than Siakam and VanVleet, especially when Gary Trent Jr is limited in terms of all-around impact. Toronto will have to pay Scottie Barnes going forward, so perhaps they could be massive sellers in the market this summer.


20. Portland Trail Blazers – $151,480,955

Three most expensive players:

1. Damian Lillard – $42,492,492

2. Anfernee Simons – $22,321,429

3. Jerami Grant – $20,955,000

The Portland Trail Blazers go as Damian Lillard goes. The superstar point guard keeps making news because his loyalty is impressive but also because of how stubborn he is coming across. Dame is one of the game’s 75 greatest players and came off a season posting 32.2 PPG and 7.3 APG despite not playing with another All-Star without disrespect to Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant.

Lillard caused a $42.5 million cap hit in Portland and that is no surprise considering how dominant he is as a point guard. Simons and Grant are the next most expensive players, and they are the next best players for the team. Time will tell if Portland will rebuild or clean house in terms of who they keep for the future.


19. Sacramento Kings – $152,215,256

Three most expensive players:

1. De’Aaron Fox – $30,351,780

2. Domantas Sabonis – $18,500,000

3. Harrison Barnes – $18,352,273

The Sacramento Kings had the 19th most expensive squad in the NBA, which is impressive considering they captured the 3rd seed in the Western Conference ahead of the likes of the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors. De’Aaron Fox was the most expensive player and since he won Clutch Player of the Year, he is well worth the money he is getting paid.

Domantas Sabonis has also been an exceptional player for the Warriors in terms of size, rebounding, and playmaking and he only caused a $18.5 million cap hit. Harrison Barnes had a similar cap hit in Sacramento and he is another player who brings a lot to the table on both ends. Let’s see if the Kings can overcome the Warriors in the first round and shock the world.


18. Miami Heat – $152,766,041

Three most expensive players:

1. Jimmy Butler – $37,653,300

2. Bam Adebayo – $30,351,780

3. Kyle Lowry – $28,333,334

Miami had to fight and claw their way into the playoffs this season and they did it with the 18th most expensive roster in the league. Jimmy Butler is the man getting paid the most and he was making over $37 million per season on the Heat’s finance chart. Bam Adebayo was next and nobody should have a problem with the duo being paid as much as they are.

The issue could lie with Kyle Lowry, who has had many ups and downs with the Miami Heat franchise. The point guard was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle for Miami last year, but that failed since he is showing age and is no longer an All-Star. Tyler Herro is the third-best player on the team and perhaps should be the third-most expensive when taking into account talent, impact, and long-term future.


17. Chicago Bulls – $153,093,665

Three most expensive players:

1. Zach LaVine – $37,096,500

2. DeMar DeRozan – $27,300,000

3. Nikola Vucevic – $22,000,000

Will the Chicago Bulls be sellers this summer? Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are elite offensive players, but they don’t have much to work with when they aren’t scoring the ball for the Bulls every time. Nikola Vucevic puts up numbers, but his impact is hardly there at times, and the rest of the roster is filled with average but unspectacular players in certain areas.

No doubt, head coach Billy Donovan should be on the hot seat because the Chicago Bulls did not compete at a high level as they missed the playoffs. LaVine and DeRozan were the two highest-paid players, and for good reason, but Vucevic is possibly making too much money for how little he brings on defense. It could be time for a Chicago clearout this summer.


16. New Orleans Pelicans – $154,090,191

Three most expensive players:

1. C.J. McCollum – $33,333,333

2. Brandon Ingram – $31,650,600

3. Jonas Valanciunas – $14,700,000

The New Orleans Pelicans almost made the playoffs and they did it with superstar Zion Williamson once again dominating news outlets due to his unavailability. Williamson has only played 114 games over four seasons which is literally embarrassing for a player as hyped as he was. Williamson does not seem to respect the Pelicans franchise, and that means the franchise should cut its losses and trade him.

CJ McCollum, the team’s most expensive player this season, said it best when he mentioned that the Pelicans need their best players on the floor. Brandon Ingram is a player for the foreseeable future, and his money is guaranteed, along with dominant rebounder Jonas Valanciunas. If Zion does not want to be in New Orleans, he should be traded immediately.


15. Cleveland Cavaliers – $154,561,446

Three most expensive players:

1. Donovan Mitchell – $30,913,750

2. Kevin Love – $27,442,830

3. Jarrett Allen – $20,000,000

Cleveland had Kevin Love’s massive salary take a hit on their cap, which is why they appeared 15th on this list. Love had a great career in Cleveland as LeBron James and Kyrie Irving’s shooter and rebounder. The power forward was kept in Cleveland because the city feared they would not attract another All-Star again, but they were seriously wrong.

The Cavaliers traded for Donovan Mitchell this season and the shooting guard has been a revelation by averaging 28.3 PPG on 48.4% FG, 38.6% 3-PT FG, and 86.7% FT. Mitchell is an elite scorer who is getting better by the year, so his salary will be accepted by the franchise. Otherwise, Jarrett Allen is the third-highest-paid player and that’s because of his elite paint defense.


14. Oklahoma City Thunder – $155,437,627

Three most expensive players:

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – $30,913,750

2. Kemba Walker – $27,431,078

3. Luguentz Dort – $15,277,778

Similar to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Oklahoma City Thunder had a hefty hit on their salary cap thanks to a veteran player who was let go this season. Kemba Walker had over $27 million in salary cap despite not playing a single game for the Thunder. The trade to bring him in was due to draft compensation, and it seems the point guard’s days in the NBA are numbered.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrived as a superstar this season and while we knew he would become a dominant all-around player, nobody expected him to average 31.4 PPG at 24 years old. The superstar is just getting started and the money he is paid is worth every penny. Talented defender Luguentz Dort had a $15 million salary cap hit which isn’t bad considering how hard he plays.


13. Atlanta Hawks – $158,133,740

Three most expensive players:

1. Trae Young – $37,096,500

2. John Collins – $23,500,000

3. Clint Capela – $18,706,897

Trae Young is the star of the show in Atlanta and is getting paid like one. The point guard is often criticized for his attitude in the locker room or his high-turnover style of play, but he did post 26.2 PPG and 10.2 APG over 73 games. Young does play almost every game and tries his best on the offensive end, to his credit.

However, his time in Atlanta could be numbered if the Boston Celtics sweep them in the first round. John Collins could also be the next player to go since he had a $23.5 million cap hit despite having a down year. Clint Capela is a solid defender and rebounder, but he is limited offensively and is not the same player that helped the Houston Rockets reach the Western Conference Finals in the 2017-18 season.


12. Philadelphia 76ers – $164,391,836

Three most expensive players:

1. Tobias Harris – $37,633,050

2. Joel Embiid – $33,616,770

3. James Harden – $33,000,000

How on Earth is Tobias Harris still having such a large salary cap hit on the Philadelphia 76ers? Harris is not a bad player by any means, as he posted 14.7 PPG as the team’s fourth option behind Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey. It is just the fact that the forward is grossly overpaid and not in the team’s future plans.

The 76ers won’t be able to move Harris unless they lose the trade, which means he will continue being the franchise’s most expensive player. Embiid and Harden are the next-most expensive players, and that is for obvious reasons. It will be a travesty if Embiid does not win the MVP award this season and Harden has changed his game to become the best passer in the NBA.


11. Brooklyn Nets – $166,125,123

Three most expensive players:

1. Ben Simmons – $35,448,672

2. Mikal Bridges – $21,000,000

3. Spencer Dinwiddie – $19,500,000

Ben Simmons might be the saddest case in the NBA. The Australian star seems to be battling mental issues because the Brooklyn Nets shut him down and decided to save him for any solid trade that becomes available this summer. Simmons only appeared in 42 games this season, posted 6.9 PPG, and shot a whopping 0% from three and 43.9% from the free-throw line.

That is simply embarrassing for a player of Simmons’ caliber, but there doesn’t seem to be light at the end of the tunnel for him. Luckily for Brooklyn, Mikal Bridges is a bonafide star and is averaging 25.7 PPG against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. Spencer Dinwiddie also had a hefty cap hit and he is a solid scorer who might be best suited for a 6th man role instead of a starter position.


10. Denver Nuggets – $168,032,244

Three most expensive players:

1. Nikola Jokic – $33,047,804

2. Jamal Murray – $31,650,600

3. Michael Porter Jr – $30,913,750

The Denver Nuggets kick off the top-10 list of the most expensive roster because the franchise has dedicated its finances to three players: two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. That is not a bad Big Three by any means, as the Nuggets finished 1st in the Western Conference in the regular season and truly believe they can win an NBA title for the first time in its franchise history.

Jokic is the main man making the most money and he is already in the argument for being the greatest Denver Nugget of all time. Murray has been healthy this season, thankfully, and posted 20.0 PPG and 6.2 APG over 65 games. Porter Jr is the key because his shot-making is critical if the Nuggets want to achieve their dream of winning it all, and back issues have hindered the player at times.


9. Minnesota Timberwolves – $175,101,722

Three most expensive players:

1. Rudy Gobert – $38,172,414

2. Karl-Anthony Towns – $33,833,400

3. Evan Turner – $27,909,834

Oh boy, Rudy Gobert should not be number one on the team with the 9th highest salary cap in the NBA. The center is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner and an excellent defender and rebounder, but he lacks the intangibles to be a truly dominant player. Gobert had an almost $40 million hit for the Timberwolves this year.

Karl-Anthony Towns is the next man up and a player of his skills in the modern NBA should be paid as much as he is. Even if Towns frustrates fans at times with his inconsistency and attitude, he is a very skilled big man. Evan Turner, a player who has not been in the NBA since the 2019-20 season, caused a massive $27 million cap hold for the Timberwolves this year and that might be very surprising.


8. Boston Celtics – $175,483,265

Three most expensive players:

1. Jayson Tatum – $30,351,780

2. Jaylen Brown – $28,741,071

3. Al Horford – $26,500,000

The Boston Celtics are forking out a lot of cash to their star players, but that is because the team is contending for an NBA title. Jayson Tatum is the best player on the team and should be paid handsomely for the rest of his career due to his elite skill and natural talent. Jaylen Brown has remained uncertain about his future in Boston, but he should be retained on max money because he is a tremendous 1B to Tatum’s 1A in the offense.

Al Horford won’t be making this kind of money going forward because he is 36 years old and past his prime as a scorer. However, he plays elite defense and is a veteran whose attitude and leadership make the Celtics better. Boston will likely hold onto their core going forward and that means they will have one of the most expensive rosters in the NBA going forward if they retain Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon.


7. Phoenix Suns – $175,806,777

Three most expensive players:

1. Kevin Durant – $44,124,845

2. Devin Booker – $33,833,400

3. Chris Paul – $30,913,750

Anytime a franchise adds a massive player of Kevin Durant’s caliber in terms of impact, skill, and salary, they will have an expensive roster. Kevin Durant has a $44 million hit on the Suns’ cap and considering he is arguably the best player in the world behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, that seems reasonable. Remember, Phoenix wants to win it all and they risked a trade for the recently injury-prone superstar.

Devin Booker is another player making max money and he might be the best shooting guard in the world at only 26 years old. The shooting guard posted 27.8 PPG this season and will be the best sidekick in the NBA behind Kevin Durant in Phoenix’s offense. Chris Paul is almost 38 years old and is clearly overpaid, but a player of his leadership does not come around often, and that is why he remains the third-best player on the team.


6. Dallas Mavericks – $179,946,621

Three most expensive players:

1. Kyrie Irving – $38,917,057

2. Luka Doncic – $37,096,500

3. Tim Hardaway Jr. – $19,602,273

The Dallas Mavericks took a massive gamble on Kyrie Irving before the trade deadline and it completely backfired. Irving had a terrific regular season with the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks, posting 27.1 PPG, but he caused the Mavericks to fall from a playoff spot to out of the postseason completely. It might seem harsh to blame Kyrie singlehandedly, but look what the player accomplished with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets.

Luka Doncic is making max money and is one of the faces of the NBA going forward, similar to a young Larry Bird. It seems the Mavericks want to keep Irving on the team going forward, and that might be a mistake, but Luka does need help and Dallas will struggle to attract top-tier free agents. Tim Hardaway Jr had a nearly $20 million hit on the Mavericks’ cap, and he might be overpaid, considering he is a streaky shooter.


5. Los Angeles Lakers – $180,067,292

Three most expensive players:

1. LeBron James – $44,474,988

2. Anthony Davis – $37,980,720

3. D’Angelo Russell – $31,377,750

The Lakers are forking out serious cash to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, two of the top-ten players in the world. James is 38 years old and slowing down a little bit, but he sells tickets and is still the most fascinating story in the NBA. It is not just Skip Bayless who loves talking about LeBron, it is probably every NBA fan across the world. The same goes for Anthony Davis, a dominant but frustrating player.

Davis could be even better than he is, but his paranoia about his injuries and also his inconsistent mentality have brought him down a few notches. It doesn’t matter because the player seems to be untouchable because his talent is truly off the charts. D’Angelo Russell was a key pickup for the Lakers this season, and he had a big hit on Los Angeles’ salary cap as the team is trying to make its way back to the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2019-20 season.


4. Milwaukee Bucks – $180,769,815

Three most expensive players:

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo – $42,492,492

2. Khris Middleton – $37,948,276

3. Jrue Holiday – $33,665,040

Milwaukee’s moves to bring on Jrue Holiday worked in the 2020-21 NBA season because it gave the best player in the world Giannis Antetokounmpo some help to win a title. Giannis won the title for Milwaukee in the 2021 season, and he is worth every penny that the franchise pays for him. Other than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, there might not be a better player in the history of the Bucks franchise.

Khris Middleton, when healthy, is one of the best sidekicks in the NBA alongside Giannis, and he is actually a terrific scorer, defender, and closer. He might be slightly overpaid, but the fact that he won a title with Giannis is enough to convince the masses he earns his dough. The same goes for Jrue Holiday, who is an elite defender and a hustle-first guard.


3. Washington Wizards – $183,801,576

Three most expensive players:

1. Bradley Beal – $43,279,250

2. Kristaps Porzingis – $33,833,400

3. Will Barton – $14,375,000

How could a team that finished 12th in the Eastern Conference have the third-most expensive roster in the NBA this season? Bradley Beal is making supermax money, and while he is one of the best scoring guards in the NBA, he is not good enough to be the best player on a title contender. Regardless, he is the star in Washington, so his salary should not be argued with.

However, the same does not go for Kristaps Porzingis. The big man had a bounce-back year by posting 23.2 PPG and 8.4 RPG and is a solid starter and fringe All-Star at times when healthy. That does not mean the Latvian isn’t overpaid because his best days seem to be behind the 27-year-old. Will Barton was acquired this season, and he is a solid shooter and finisher at the rim, so his $14 million cap hit isn’t too bad.


2. Los Angeles Clippers – $193,025,394

Three most expensive players:

1. Paul George – $42,492,568

2. Kawhi Leonard – $42,492,492

3. Eric Gordon – $19,568,360

The Los Angeles Clippers have a very expensive roster thanks to a superstar duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George that has done nothing but frustrate. Leonard is one of the top-five players in the world when healthy and deserves the money he gets in a perfect world. However, Leonard is always “injured” and it can’t be possible that an athlete in such tremendous shape could always be on the DNP list.

The same goes for Paul George, who has yet to have a 60-game season with the Clippers. It is an absolute shame that Leonard and George can’t stay healthy together because the team’s title chances are going down the drain time and time again. Eric Gordon was brought in before the trade deadline, and his experience and scoring ability will be needed for the Clippers to get past the Phoenix Suns in the first round.


1. Golden State Warriors – $200,320,856

Three most expensive players:

1. Stephen Curry – $48,070,014

2. Klay Thompson – $40,600,080

3. Andrew Wiggins – $33,616,770

The Golden State Warriors have the most expensive team in the NBA, and that’s because they are paying four guys massive deals. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are the core of the franchise and have proven to be invaluable during the team’s four championship runs. Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole were also extended with big money (4-year, $109M, and 4-year, $140M, respectively) this season.

Wiggins is the third-highest player, as he had a $33.6M hit on the Warriors’ salary cap, and we did not see enough of the wing player since he appeared in 37 games in the regular season. The Warriors are locked in battle with the Sacramento Kings in the first round and their future depends on how the playoffs turn out. Golden State has four guys locked in for the future, and that means the franchise will continue to have a very expensive roster. 

Next

The NBA Player Pyramid For The 2022-23 Playoffs

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ByEddie Bitar
Eddie Bitar is a senior staff writer for Fadeaway World from Denver, Colorado. Since joining the team in 2017, Eddie has applied his academic background in economics and finance to enhance his sports journalism. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree from and later a Master's degree in Finance, he integrates statistical analysis into his articles. This unique approach provides readers with a deeper understanding of basketball through the lens of financial and economic concepts. Eddie's work has not only been a staple at Fadeaway World but has also been featured in prominent publications such as Sports Illustrated. His ability to break down complex data and present it in an accessible way creates an engaging and informative way to visualize both individual and team statistics. From finding the top 3 point shooters of every NBA franchise to ranking players by cost per point, Eddie is constantly finding new angles to use historical data that other NBA analysts may be overlooking.
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