NBA Salaries Exposed: Average Earnings by Position

By Jordan Samar September 06, 2024 06:39

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

In the sports world, not only is it one of the most famous sports leagues in America, but the NBA also remains the richest among all. The money, thanks to the constantly rising revenue of the league, which was all but stagnant from around 2001-2010, means that we are at an unprecedented time in which the players' salaries have never been so high. In this article, we look at some trends surrounding NBA player earnings by position and examine what goes into those figures.

Point Guards

Point guards are known as the floor generals of their teams, and they run the show in terms of plays. Point guards can command some of the highest average salaries in the NBA, and for good reason.

Salary Insights

Stephen Curry, the top point guard, could earn an average of $55 million during the 2023-2024 season.

Factors Influencing Salaries

Veteran Point Guard: More Experience/Resume, Better Pay
Market Supply: Teams are hungry for the top-level talent of point guards, leading to higher price tags.

Trends

Rising Salaries: The need for a versatile scoring assist playing point guard has increased salaries
Performance Influence: A player's outstanding playoff or big-game performance can greatly increase market value.

Shooting Guards

Shooting guards are the team's most powerful scorers and some of their best-selected players who can make points. The fact that they are paid in the biggest part of their scoring and potential means it all.

Salary Insights

Shooting guards such as Devin Booker are paid a minimum of $55 million annually.

Factors Influencing Salaries

Potential to Score: The value of players who can repeatedly put up big scores is immense.
Defensive Skills: Shooting guards known for their defense can demand a higher price in most cases.

Trends

Focus on Three-Point Shooting: As the league has transitioned to being three-point happy, a premium has been placed upon shooting guards with long-range touch.
The Youth Movement: Up-and-coming shooting guards with potential are getting paid early in their careers

Small Forwards

The small forward is the most versatile player on a basketball court. SF's paid according to how well they can transition and be involved in the play all over the pitch.

Salary Insights

Small forwards such as Kevin Durant can make up to $51 million annually.

Factors Influencing Salaries:

Versatile: A player's value increases when playing multiple positions and roles.
Leadership: Small forwards who can lead and motivate their teams from the position are close to rare in the NBA.

Trends

Heightened Versatility: As the current NBA best exhibits, small forwards need to be able to defend multiple positions and take on a bigger load offensively.
Star Power Forwards: Top-level star power forwards can be paid 15+ million.

Power Forwards

Power forwards possess attributes of inside and outside play with great strength. As their pay suggests, they are the two real contributors in that respect.

Salary Insights

Power forwards like LeBron James earn around $48 million annually.

Factors Influencing Salaries:

Rebound and Defense: Rebounding is a great skill to have, as well as defense.
Scoring Ability: Power forwards who score outside of the block and mid-range are getting more love in our current environment

Trends

Stretch Four Role: Recent years have seen sharp spikes in salaries for players capable of shooting from the perimeter, establishing a power forward that can do so as an enormous value.
Analytics: The contract negotiations of power forwards everywhere now include analytics that suggest how little value their brand has to teams' present and future.

Centers

They are usually the tallest players on the team, play defense, and rebound. They spawned the rise in rim protection at high salaries and skill as interior scorers.

Salary Insights

NBA MVP Nikola Jokić boasts earnings of $51 million / year.

Factors Influencing Salaries:

Defensive Anchor: Similarly, someone who can protect the rim and block shots has a value to their team that no one cares about.
Offensive Contribution: Centers that can score efficiently and pass well are a plus,

Trends

The Evolution of the Center Position: To fit in this new era, a typical NBA center has to both be able to defend and provide some on offense.
Better Passing: Bigs who can pass the ball and generate passing opportunities for others are starting to become favorites.

NBA Salary Cap and Contracts

The NBA salary cap is the biggest piece of what decides player pay. A ceiling is imposed on how much money a team can spend on player salaries throughout one season.

Impact on Player Earnings

Cap Space: The NBA salary cap grows as the league's revenue does, so teams can sign players to larger contracts.
Luxury Tax: Teams that go over the salary cap have to pay a luxury tax, which drives spending choices for teams

NBA salaries are based on myriad factors, from position and production to available market demand. In the future, as the league progresses, we also should expect changes in player earnings. Certainly, the ability to read these trends will provide significant insight into what drives salary growth for players able to play multiple positions and score effectively. The continued rise in the salary cap and a forward-thinking approach that should span into other sports areas will have teams varying expenses for years to come. However, it'll work out great simply by making competitive balance sustainable from a fiscal standpoint.