30 richest players in the NBA
By John Buhler
Chris Paul
Point Guard, Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul will go down as the greatest point guard of the greatest generation of point guards. There are other point guards that are better as scorers, but Paul is the best all-around. It is not surprising that he has been paid handsomely over the years, earning $158,226,325.
Paul was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft out of Wake Forest by the then New Orleans Hornets, where he would spend his first six NBA seasons. Out of college, Paul would sign a two-year deal worth $6.52 million. New Orleans would exercise its team options with Paul twice for $3.615 and $4.5 million.
His first big pay day would come in July 2008 when New Orleans would give him the four-year rookie scale extension worth $63.6 million. In a seismic, blockbuster trade, Paul was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers in December 2011. He then exercised his player option for $17.8 million for 2012-13 as part of the deal.
Paul signed his next big contract in summer 2013, inking a five-year max with the Clippers worth $107. 3 million. He is now in the fourth year of his five-year deal with the Clippers. Paul can opt out of his contract this summer, as he probably will.
Should he opt in for whatever reason, Paul will have made roughly $182,492,284 in NBA salary before summer 2018. At 31 years old, Paul stands to make well over $200 million before he hits 35 years of age and likely exits his prime.
On paper, Paul has done it all, but win an NBA Championship. He has yet to make an appearance in a conference final. Paul could re-up with the Clippers, this summer or next. However, do expect him to consider other options he may find an easier path to winning an NBA Championship.