The contract extension of Giannis Antetokounmpo is at the top of the list, but what are the other richest contracts in NBA history?
Despite rumors that he would leave the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo has extended his contract with the team that drafted him and twice named him MVP. He did so by signing the NBA's highest-paying contract ever. But what about the other mega-agreements that have been signed over the years? Let's take a look at the top 11 richest contracts ever, with excellent exclusions and surprise appearances:
11. Damian Lillard: 176.3 million
Photo: ibtimes
Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers franchise man, swore eternal love to his team and it paid off handsomely. The deal was struck in May of this year when Lillard led Portland to the Conference Finals after a sensational Playoffs performance. A four-year extension worth up to 176.3 million dollars will ensure the number 0 until 2025.
10. Paul George: 176.3 million
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Paul George's first season with the Los Angeles Clippers was, without a doubt, one of the worst of his entire career. The former Pacer struggled mightily, particularly in the Playoffs, where his shooting percentages were far below what the general public had come to expect.
Despite this, the franchise renewed a contract with him at the maximum salary, requiring him to try again for the title as early as this season.
9. Ben Simmons: 177.2 million
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Despite his well-known shooting issues, Ben Simmons has emerged as the most representative player of the Philadelphia 76ers, alongside Joel Embiid. Simmons signed a contract that is commensurate with his abilities: a five-year extension worth $ 177.2 million was signed in 2019.
8. Khris Middleton: 177.5 million
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Few, if any, would have predicted Middleton's inclusion in this top ten. Nonetheless, Giannis Antetokounmpo's loyal squad, the only one who managed to maintain an adequate level in the recent Playoffs, signed a five-year extension in 2019 that would guarantee over $ 177 million. A very onerous contract for this player.
7. Tobias Harris: 180 million
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The mega-contract extension obtained by Tobias Harris with the Sixers in 2019 has heavily mortgaged the future of Phila's team, which was at the time very concerned not to lose their best players, and has been heavily criticized by many commentators and fans.
The former Clippers' contract messed up the management's cards, forcing them to give up Jimmy Butler on balance. Harris landed a $ 180 million contract.
6. Anthony Davis: 189.9 million
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For several weeks, the Davis-Lakers renewal issue occupied the courtroom. After winning the previous title, everyone expected the number three to sign a new contract with the team that had made him an NBA champion.
AD decided to forego the final year of his previous contract to sign a new one with the Lakers, which is even more lucrative: nearly 190 million dollars. After the sensational performances in the previous Playoffs, this is unquestionably a well-deserved contract.
5. Klay Thompson: 189.9 million
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Few players have had the incredible misfortune that Klay Thompson has had in recent years. The Golden State Warriors star was seriously injured in the 2019 Playoffs when he suffered a broken cruciate ligament in his knee in the Finals against Toronto. This appeared to be the year of his big comeback. Instead, just before the start of training camps, Klay was forced to give up the entire championship due to another terrifying injury (Achilles tendon rupture).
Meanwhile, in 2019, he signed a new contract with the Warriors, who rewarded him with a deal worth a total of 189.9 million dollars for his pivotal role in the Warriors' three NBA championships.
4. Stephen Curry: 201.2 million
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Stephen Curry's talent and revolution are difficult to put into words. The Warriors' number 30 was the most recognizable player during Golden State's five consecutive NBA Finals appearances, and he was widely regarded as the best long-range shooter in history.
The status of an absolute star could only guarantee him one of the richest contracts in history: his five-year contract, signed in 2017, is worth a total of $201.2 million, putting him in fourth place among the top ten contracts.
3. Rudy Gobert: $ 205 million
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Gobert enters the bottom step of the podium with millions of rights after Utah Jazz offered him a contract extension. In five years, we're talking about a total of 205 million dollars that will go directly into the pockets of the players. Utah believes in him and believes that he, along with Donovan Mitchell, can compete for the NBA title soon. The team's growth is palpable, and now it's up to him, along with his colleague, to drag the team out of Salt Lake City.
2. Russell Westbrook: 206.8 million
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Russell Westbrook is one of the few players who can split the audience into diehard fans and detractors. In recent seasons, the former Oklahoma City star has set records that seemed unbreakable, such as finishing a season with an average triple-double. Many people blame Russ for prioritizing personal stats over team victories. Westbrook left Oklahoma City in the hopes of forming a winning duo with Harden in Houston, but the plan was shattered in the final Playoffs against the Lakers.
The former number 0 is now getting ready to embark on a new adventure in Washington. However, he had signed a colossal contract with the Thunder in 2017, worth nearly 207 million dollars.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 228.2 million
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Finally, we have the most recent and most comprehensive agreement. The five-year extension signed by Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks, which has shattered the hopes of many franchises hoping to secure the services of the twice Greek MVP and fresh Defender of the Year, is at the top of the top ten contracts.
Giannis, on the other hand, has pledged his allegiance to the Bucks and is ready to go for the NBA title once more. Milwaukee put more than $ 228.2 million into the pot to persuade him.
