The NBA Playoffs are in full swing.Scott Halleran/Getty Images
While the average NBA salary in 2017-18 is $5.7 million, there are several players in the NBA making well over $20 million. In fact, three players earned over $30 million this season, while 38 players earned between $20 million and $30 million.
Some of the league's highest earners are a little surprising. One player is among the top 20 highest-paid players yet he has never been selected to an All-Star roster and has never come close to leading the league in any statistical category.
Meanwhile, some big names didn't crack the top 50 in salaries. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jimmy Butler earned $17.5 million in 2017-18, according to Spotrac, but the salary was just short of the list.
In the 2016-17 season, the league average was $6.2 million. That's a higher rate than Major League Baseball ($4.4 million), the NHL ($2.9 million) and the NFL ($2.1 million). However, the NBA has fewer players on a roster than the other three leagues.
It might seem as though the NBA is overflowing with money due to television contracts and other revenue streams. However, an ESPN report on Sept. 19, 2017, pointed out that 14 of the NBA's 30 teams actually lost money in 2016-17.
But league losses don't have an impact on current salaries. Players like LeBron James, Steph Curry and James Harden continue to take home big checks every season.
So who had the highest salary in the NBA in 2017-18? Was it James? Curry? Or someone else?
12) CARMELO ANTHONY ($26,243,760)
The 10-time All-Star has earned $227 million in salary since entering the NBA in 2003.Streeter Lecka/Getty Images24 tied) HARRISON BARNES ($23,112,004)
The 25-year-old forward signed a four-year, $94 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks in July 2016 and has been solid contributor.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images23) DWIGHT HOWARD ($23,500,000)
Howard has earned over $210 million over the course of his career. The veteran big man will be a free agent this summer.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images19 tied) HASSAN WHITESIDE ($23,775,506)
Whiteside posts consistently strong numbers but has yet to play more than 77 games in a season.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images19 tied) ANDRE DRUMMOND ($23,775,506)
The 24-year-old has emerged as the best rebounder in the league, averaging 16 a game in 2017-18.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images19 tied) ANTHONY DAVIS ($23,775,506)
One of the best big men in the league, Davis can expect another lucrative contract when his current deal expires at the end of the 2020-21 season. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images19) BRADLEY BEAL ($23,775,506)
Beal is signed to a five-year, $127.2 million contract. The 24-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2020-21 season. Claus Andersen/Getty Images18) CJ MCCOLLUM ($23,962,572)
Considered one of the most underrated players in the NBA, McCollum has averaged better than 20 points per game since the 2015-16 season.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images17) CHRIS PAUL ($24,268,959)
At age 33, Paul is still going strong. He averaged 18.6 points per game off 46 percent shooting in 2017-18.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images16) OTTO PORTER JR. ($24,773,250)
It’s probably a little surprising to see Porter this high on the list, especially since he has never been an All-Star since entering the NBA in 2013. But Porter has increased his scoring average every season and is a solid defender. Patrick Smith/Getty Images15) JRUE HOLIDAY ($24,921,667)
The 27-year-old is signed to a five-year, $131.8 million contract, with $128.1 million guaranteed.Chris Graythen/Getty Images14) KEVIN DURANT ($25,000,000)
It’s surprising to see Durant at No. 14 but he can expect a huge payday this summer as a free agent.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images13) DAMIAN LILLARD ($26,153,057)
In another strong season, Lillard finished fourth in scoring (26.9 ppg). His five-year, $139.9 million contract expires at the end of the 2020-21 season. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images24 tied) CHANDLER PARSONS ($23,112,004)
Parsons is signed to a four-year, $94.4 million deal that will expire at the end of the 2019-20 season.
Abbie Parr/Getty Images11) AL HORFORD ($27,734,405)
The veteran big man has helped the Celtics go deep into the playoffs. Horford will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2019-20 season. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images10) DEMAR DEROZAN ($27,739,975)
Led the Raptors in scoring (23.0) and to the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Claus Andersen/Getty Images9) JAMES HARDEN ($28,299,399)
Harden is the frontrunner for the MVP after leading the Rockets to the best record in the NBA.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images7 tied) RUSSELL WESTBROOK ($28,530,608)
One of the league’s most dynamic players, Westbrook posted another triple-double season in 2017-18.J Pat Carter/Getty Images7 tied) MIKE CONLEY ($28,530,608)
The Grizzlies point guard is signed to a five-year deal worth $152.6 million, with $140.5 million guaranteed.
USA TODAY SPORTS6) KYLE LOWRY ($28,703,704)
The 32-year-old point guard has been a mainstay for the Raptors. He will earn $33.3 million in the 2019-20 season.
USA TODAY SPORTS5) BLAKE GRIFFIN ($29,512,900)
Griffin moved on from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Detroit Pistons in a major midseason trade. He will earn $39 million in the 2021-22 season.
USA TODAY SPORTS4) GORDON HAYWARD ($29,727,900)
The Boston Celtics swingman played in just one game in 2017-18. He will earn $34.2 million in 2020-21.USA TODAY SPORTS3) PAUL MILLSAP ($30,769,231)
It’s a bit surprising to find the mostly quiet power forward at No. 3. The 33-year-old will earn $29.2 million in 2018-19.
USA TODAY SPORTS2) LEBRON JAMES ($33,285,709)
King James posted MVP numbers this season. His career earnings are just over $200 million.
USA TODAY SPORTS1) STEPHEN CURRY ($34,682,550)
Curry comes in at No. 1. He only played in 51 games in 2017-18, but averaged 28.3 points per game and 6.1 assists.
USA TODAY37) DANILO GALLINARI ($20,559,599)
Gallinari is signed to a three-year, $64.8 million contract with the Denver Nuggets and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2019-20 season. Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images48 tied) WESLEY MATTHEWS ($17,884,175)
Matthews will earn $18.2 million in 2018-19 and then become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.Ronald Martinez/Getty Images48 tied) ENES KANTER ($17,884,175) Kanter averaged 14.1 points per game and 11 rebounds in 2017-18.
Abbie Parr/Getty Images46 tied) JOHN WALL ($18,063,850)
The 5-time All-Star will earn $19.2 million in 2018-19 and will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019.
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images46 tied) DEMARCUS COUSINS ($18,063,850)
Cousins is one of the top free agents of the summer. He has earned just over $80 million in salary since entering the league in 2010.
Rob Carr/Getty Images44 tied) KAWHI LEONARD ($18,868,625)
Leonard, who will earn $20.1 million in 2018-19, played in just nine games in 2017-18. There is speculation he will leave San Antonio in the summer.
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images44 tied) KYRIE IRVING ($18,868,625)
Irving missed 22 games in his first season with the Celtics. The All-Star guard will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2019-20 season and should become among the highest-paid players in the league.Elsa/Getty Images44 tied) JEFF TEAGUE ($19,000,000)
The Timberwolves guard finished the first year of his three-year, $57 million contract.
Abbie Parr/Getty Images42) ALLEN CRABBE ($19,332,500)
Crabbe averaged just 3.3 points per game in 2014-15 but finished the 2017-18 season with career-highs in scoring (13.2), rebounding (4.3) and assists (1.6). Abbie Parr/Getty Images41) PAUL GEORGE ($19,508,958)
The Thunder forward can expect a huge contract this summer as a free agent. The 28-year-old has earned just over $80 million over his career.
Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images40) RYAN ANDERSON ($19,578,454)
The Rockets forward is signed to a four-year contract worth $80 million. Anderson becomes a free agent after the 2019-20 season.
Tim Warner/Getty Images39) GEORGE HILL ($20,000,000)
The veteran point guard has earned an estimated $65 million since entering the NBA in 2008.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images38) SERGE IBAKA ($20,061,728)
The 28-year-old has been a consistent scorer and rebounder since entering the NBA in 2009.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Image50) KLAY THOMPSON ($17,826,150)
Thompson was the third-highest paid member of the Golden State Warriors. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2018-19 season.Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images36) VICTOR OLADIPO ($21,000,000)
The Pacers shooting guard posted career-highs in points (23.1), field-goal percentage (47.7) and assists (4.3) in 2017-18.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images35) RUDY GOBERT ($21,224,719)
The lanky center is signed to a four-year contract worth $102 million and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images34) LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE ($21,461,010)
The 32-year-old bounced back from a subpar 2016-17 season to finish with an impressive 23.1 scoring average.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images33) NICOLAS BATUM ($22,434,783)
The veteran small forward signed a five-year deal worth $120 million in July 2016 and will be a free agent at the end of 2020-21 season.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images31 tied) GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO ($22,471,910)
The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the league’s most productive players. He will likely become one of highest-paid players in the NBA when he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2020-21 season. Stacy Revere/Getty Images31 tied) STEVEN ADAMS ($22,471,910)
The Thunder big man signed a four-year, $100 million contact and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images27 tied) KEVIN LOVE ($22,642,350)
Love signed a five-year, $113.2 million contract and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2019-20 season.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images27 tied) BROOK LOPEZ ($22,642,350)
The impending free agent had a subpar season since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles, but Lopez could still command a big salary this summer.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images27 tied) DEANDRE JORDAN ($22,642,350)
The 29-year-old is still a dominating presence on the glass, averaging 15.2 rebounds in 2017-18.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images27 tied) MARC GASOL ($22,642,350)
Gasol, who in July 2015 agreed to a five-year contract worth more $110 million, has earned more than $128 million over his career.
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images26) JJ REDICK ($23,000,000)
The veteran sharpshooter is coming off the best scoring season of his career, averaging 17.1 points per game.
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
