Fansided

30 richest players in the NBA

By John Buhler

Feb 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a play during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 113-104. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a play during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 113-104. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) reacts after a three point basket during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) reacts after a three-point basket during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
11

Vince Carter

Small Forward, Memphis Grizzlies

Without Vince Carter, there is a great chance Canada doesn’t have an NBA team anymore. In his prime, Carter was the Dominique Wilkins of his era, the best above-the-rim small forward in basketball. It’s no surprise that the 40-year-old hooper has made $159,087,631 in his NBA career.

Carter was the No. 5 overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft out of North Carolina by the Golden State Warriors. His draft rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors, where Carter would become a superstar for the next 5.5 years. Carter would ink a three-year rookie deal worth $6.45 million. Toronto would exercise its team options Carter for a fourth year, costing the Raptors $3 million for 2001-02.

In August 2001, Carter signed a six-year rookie scale extension worth $85 million. He was traded to the then-New Jersey Nets in December 2004. In June 2007, he terminated his deal with the Nets a year early, going on to sign a four-year, $61.6 million extension.

Carter was traded twice on that contract. First, he went to the Orlando Magic in June 2009. Then, Carter wound up with the Phoenix Suns in December 2010. Phoenix negotiated a buyout for $4 million before waiving him a year later.

Carter then went on to sign a pair of three-year deals with two different franchises in the Southwest Division. He first signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year deal worth $9.27 million in 2011. Then, Carter landed a three-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies worth $12 million in 2014.

This could be Carter’s last NBA season. He has had tremendous staying power in the NBA due to his ability to adapt from a dunk machine to a sharp-shooter from three. Carter is a culturally significant basketball player and is a lock for Springfield enshrinement.

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