The Largest Contracts in the History of the NBA

Given the current state of affairs in the sporting world, many teams are being a little tight with their money while they wait to see how the pandemic plays out. It would appear that the Milwaukee Bucks did not get the memo, though, as they just handed Giannis Antetokounmpo a whopping $228.2 million for 5 seasons, with that contract kicking in at the end of this season. It’s a massive, albeit well-deserved chunk of change, but it is not the biggest contract we have seen handed out in the NBA. In fact, Giannis come in second in that regard, so let’s look at the biggest of all time, as well as some others that broke the bank. Let’s jump right into action and then you can continue making your bets against our NBA odds.

Biggest Contracts in NBA History

Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers

The superstar point guard still had 2 years left on his contract with the Trail Blazers when he signed an extension last summer. The deal turned out to be just shy of $200 million for 4 years. That essentially guarantees that Lillard will remain in Portland through the 2024-25 season.

Russell Westbrook – Oklahoma City Thunder

We assume that Lillard will stay in Portland to see out his contract, but you really never know. Back in September 2017, the Oklahoma City Thunder presented Westbrook with a $233 million deal for 6 years, but it wasn’t that much longer before they shipped him to the Houston Rockets, who are no on the hook for that massive contract.

James Harden – Houston Rockets

Harden is another player that is not likely to see the end of his contract with the team that signed him to it in the first place. The Houston Rockets are actively seeking a trade for the disgruntled Harden, who still has 2 years left on the $228 million 6-year deal that he signed with the Rockets back in 2017.

Paul George – LA Clippers

George has played just one season for the Clippers, but that was enough for them to break out the checkbook and sign him to a massive extension. The 4-year extension came in at $190 million, but it could end paying him as much as $226 million during that period.

Steph Curry – Golden State Warriors

The man at the heart of the Warriors dynasty got what he deserved back in 2017 when the Warriors signed him to a 5-year deal valued at $201 million. Rumor has it that he could be in line for another big extension starting in 2022.

Klay Thompson – Golden State Warriors

While Curry is definitely the man in Golden State, he was surrounded by some amazing talent when the Warriors were on top. Klay Thompson was one of those guys, and he was rewarded with a 5-year $190 million contract, although injuries have sidelined him for the last couple of seasons.

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