Considering how difficult it is to get into the NBA, it makes sense why the most talented basketball players make a lot of money. However, as the game is changing and external factors such as health and age play a huge role in an NBA player’s career, many professionals are facing huge pay cuts. These are the five biggest pay cuts in NBA history:
5. James Harden: $15 million
The star guard had the chance to be the second highest paid NBA player for the 2022-23 season, grossing a whopping $ 47.4 million. However, in a dramatic twist, James Harden turned down the deal and accepted a $ 15 million salary cut.
Renewing his two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, Harden settled for $ 33 million for the first year and a player option worth $ 35.6 million for the second year. The motivation behind this sacrifice was to give the 76ers a chance to win a championship.
Harden’s voluntary sacrifice to take a pay cut allowed the 76ers to upgrade their bench by hiring new talent such as Danuel House, PJ Tucker and Trevelin Queen.
4. Victor Oladipo: $ 18.610.359
Victor Oladipo’s recent season turned out to be a disaster for the small forward / shooting guard who made just 33 appearances for three NBA teams. Additionally, Oladipo’s health posed a great deal of concern that he would appear in the 2022 season.
As a result, the Miami Heat player accepted a massive pay cut. The 30-year-old went from $ 21 million for the 2020-21 NBA season to $ 2,389,641 for 2021-22.
Several factors affect NBA players receiving pay cuts. These include performance, assessments, health conditions and financial limitations. In other cases, players may voluntarily agree to pay cuts for the common good. For example, Harden’s $ 15 million cut was influenced by his desire to give the Philadelphia team another chance at the championship.
3. Otto Porter: $ 26.099.598
Initially, the Washington Wizards formed a solid team of John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter, who signed a huge deal worth $ 20 million a year. Porter’s talent and dedication have made him a solid starter in the NBA.
Unfortunately, some injury-ridden seasons left the 28-year-old talent with almost no option other than to accept a veteran’s minimum payout with the Golden State Warriors.
From $ 28,489,239 in 2020-21 to $ 2,389,641 in 2021-22, Porter suffered a 91.6% pay cut, one of the largest in recent NBA history. Fortunately, he became an NBA champion in 2022.
2. Andre Drummond: $ 26.350.237
Andre Drummond, a two-time All-Star and Chicago Bulls player, recently took one of the NBA’s biggest salary hits. Despite averaging a double double for eight consecutive seasons, the two-time All-Star was reserved for the minimum wage of a veteran.
From $ 28,751,774 in 2020-21 to $ 2,401,537 in 2021-22, reports ESPN, Drummond is now in Chicago. The Bulls hope he can be a reliable presence for the team.
1. Shaquille O’Neal: $ 30 million
Legendary Jerry West convinced Shaq to cut his salary by $ 30 million to join the Lakers in 1996, the Lakers Nation reported. One of West’s strengths for Shaq was that he would play alongside Kobe Bryant, a duo who later earned the Lakers several league titles.
Shaq’s initial request was $ 150 million to join the Lakers. However, West sold the idea of a unified force made up of Shaq, Kobe and other promising young talent with the ability to win several championships.
West made it clear he could only offer $ 120 million, a deal Shaq accepted, leading the team to win several NBA titles. Unfortunately, an internal war and a battle of egos led to the fantastic duo’s separation from the Lakers, which saw Shaq change sides and move to the Miami Heat.
Related: Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant almost came to prominence in 2003 and 3 NBA legends had to “serve as potential muscle, if it comes to that”
