Who's made the most money on losing teams in the NBA?
hoopshype staff
·3 min read
USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES / Coley Cleary
Usually, NBA teams have the goal of paying their top athletes large sums of money in hopes of having those players lead their franchises to the playoffs and beyond.
Of course, things don't always work out that way. Sometimes, injuries occur and interfere with even the savviest or safest of plans. Other times, the talent on the rest of the roster behind the max-level players isn't up to par, bringing the team as a whole down, or the star player simply doesn't perform at a star level.
These situations result in some big-name players cashing in big money with no team success to show for it. Former Wizard guards Bradley Beal and John Wall are clear examples of this and actually lead the NBA historically in career earnings on teams with losing records.
You can check the Top 30 below.
1. Bradley Beal: $162,415,784 made on losing teams
Oct 23, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Close of the tattoos of Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Losing seasons: Six (2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Jan 1, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 04: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls reacts to a foul call against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at United Center on February 04, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jan 14, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Losing seasons: Six (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
6. Kevin Love: $127,495,468
Dec 12, 2019; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) talks with official Natalie Sago (9) in the second half at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) in the game against the Miami Heat in the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Miami won 112-106. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan (11) looks to drive in as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: New York Knicks head coach Isiah Thomas (L) and Stephon Marbury #3 talk prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center on November 14, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 11: Andre Drummond #3 of the Chicago Bulls looks on against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Mar 14, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts to a foul call during the second half against the New York Knicks at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Losing seasons: Four (2013, 2020, 2022, 2023)
12. Nicolas Batum: $106,974,931
Jan 20, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) dribbles during the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Losing seasons: Six (2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
13. Blake Griffin: $101,990,709
Feb 5, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Losing seasons: Four (2011, 2018, 2020, 2021)
14. Anthony Davis: $100,503,143
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 11: Teammates DeMarcus Cousins #0 and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans during their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 11, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Losing seasons: Six (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022)
15. Carmelo Anthony: $96,183,501
Mar 11, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Losing seasons: Six (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022)
16. Gordon Hayward: $94,539,073
Apr 2, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA;Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Justin Holiday (8) defends in the second quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on while there's a break during the game against against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on November 24, 2015 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Losing seasons: Four (2005, 2014, 2015, 2016)
18. Evan Fournier: $92,344,844
Nov 10, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Evan Fournier (13) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 09, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Jan 21, 2019; Memphis, TN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Garrett Temple (17) during the second half at FedExForum. The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 105-85. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 9: Shareef Abdur-Rahim #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers is on the court during the game against the Boston Celtics on December 9, 2004 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 89-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 22: Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Moda Center on January 22, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Dec 9, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (left), guard Russell Westbrook (center) and forward LeBron James (right) sit on the bench during a timeout in the first half against the Memphis Grizzles at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Losing seasons: Three (2009, 2021, 2022)
24. Brook Lopez: $89,030,768
Oct 20, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez (11) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Lakers defeated the Suns 132-130. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand (42) reacts to his score against the Miami Heat during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Miami Heat won 112-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) brings the ball up court against Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Losing seasons: Five (2012, 2013, 2014, 2020, 2023)
27. Bismack Biyombo: $86,392,413
Mar 9, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo (8) reacts after Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (not pictured) was fouled on a three-point basket attempt in the second overtime at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 30: Joe Johnson #7 of the Brooklyn Nets moves with the ball against Danny Green #14 of the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center on October 30, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
Oct 19, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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