Highlights
- The Lakers are one of the most iconic basketball teams globally, with a rich history of success and a large fan base clamoring for the purple and gold.
- Big-name players like Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and LeBron James have graced the Lakers' roster, bringing unforgettable memories and big paychecks to the franchise.
- Players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Andrew Bynum, Luol Deng, Russell Westbrook, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Anthony Davis, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant have been among the highest-paid Lakers, earning significant salaries throughout their time with the team.
It is an undebatable fact that the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most iconic basketball teams, not just in the NBA, but worldwide.
The franchise is rich in history and has seen it all. From Kobe Bryant's legendary buzz-beaters to Shaquille O'Neal's dominant performances in the paint, the Lakers have always been a team to watch.
The Lakers are, along with the Celtics, the most successful team in the NBA, with 17 championships to their name. Owing to their status, the franchise has the largest fan base in the NBA, with 21.8 million fans worldwide clamoring for the purple and gold.
In 2022, the Los Angeles franchise was rated as the third most valuable team in the NBA at an estimated $5.9 billion. The Lakers have attracted some of the game's biggest talents like Kobe, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and LeBron James.
With big names come big paychecks; these names have brought unforgettable memories to the franchise, and it is only fair that they are duly rewarded.
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$49,958,196
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is one of the best shooting guards in recent history. KCP, as he was affectionately dubbed, joined the Lakers in July 2017.
He put ink to paper that month, signing a one-year contract worth $18 million. Following a successful season, Caldwell-Pope re-signed with the Lakers on a reported one-year, $12 million contract.
In 2019, KCP renewed his contract again, this time on a two-year contract worth $16 million. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope won his first championship with the Lakers in the 2019-2020 season; he played a crucial role in securing the Lakers' first ring in ten years.
After the successful championship run, he renewed with the Lakers for the third and final time, agreeing on a three-year, $40 million deal. Caldwell-Pope's time with the Lakers was memorable for the fans and his bank account; he bagged over $49 million in Los Angeles, translating to $157,101 per game.
Total Earnings | $49,958,196 |
Earnings Per Game | $157,101 |
Highest Lakers Salary | $17,745,894 in 2017-18 |
9 Andrew Bynum
$49,987,258
The LA Lakers drafted Andrew Bynum in 2005 with the tenth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. He is the youngest drafted player in NBA history.
His struggles with injuries greatly affected his career and his time at the Staples Center. However, he eventually developed into a key player for the Lakers, helping them win two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.
In 2008, Bynum extended his contract with the Lakers in a deal worth $58 million over a four-year period. Although Bynum's time with the Lakers ended in acrimony, he is still fondly remembered for his contribution to the franchise's 2009 and 2010 triumphs in the league.
In his first season with the Lakers, he was paid $2 million. By his final year with the Lakers, he earned a $16 million annual salary.
Total Earnings | $49,987,258 |
Earnings Per Game | $107,268 |
Highest Lakers Salary | $14,900,000 in 2011-12 |
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$64,544,067
A surprise appearance on the list of the highest-paid Lakers players of all time, given that most Lakers fans will struggle to remember his time with the purple and gold. Luol Deng joined the Lakers in July 2016 and penned a four-year, $72 million contract.
The deal was one of the most expensive in the NBA at the time, a sign that the Lakers were still in a bid to remain competitive after Kobe Bryant's retirement. Luol Deng was a two-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA defender during his time in Los Angeles.
However, Luol Deng's time with the Lakers was largely disappointing, given that he spent more time on the sidelines with injuries; he was also inconsistent at a time when the franchise needed a leader. The franchise paid Deng a total of $64,544,067 in salary over two years before he called it quits in 2018 to join the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Total Earnings | $64,544,067 |
Earnings Per Game | $1,132,352 |
Highest Lakers Salary | $18,000,000 in 2016-17 |
7 Russell Westbrook
$75,262,848
A phenomenal point guard whose reputation proceeds him, Russell Westbrook III's time with the Oklahoma City Thunder was remarkable. His slam dunks, athleticism, and explosiveness are qualities that made him who he is, and when ESPN announced that he would be joining the Lakers in 2021, fans welcomed him with open arms.
However, his time with the franchise was a mixed bag. He was criticized for his inconsistency, and his play style struggled to fit in with his teammates, particularly LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The former MVP joined the crosstown rival Los Angeles Clippers.
Although his time with the Lakers was challenging, Westbrook became one of the highest-paid players in the franchise's history, earning $578,000 for every game he played.
Dubbed "Fashionista" by fans, Westbrook put his money to good use when it comes to the state of his wardrobe; his former teammate James Harden disclosed in an interview that Westbrook spends around $350,000 annually on clothes alone.
Total Earnings | $75,262,848 |
Earnings Per Game | $578,944 |
Highest Lakers Salary | $47,080,179 in 2022-23 (No. 1 in the NBA that season) |
6 Lamar Odom
$77,459,717
Lamar Odom was drafted by city rivals the LA Clippers in 1999, but crossed town to join the Lakers in 2004. He was an incredibly versatile player who could score, pass, rebound, and defend.
After a successful championship run in which the 6-foot-10 power forward played a crucial role in a title victory, the franchise rewarded him with a four-year, $33 million deal in the summer of 2009. The investment paid off, as Odom was again largely involved on their way to another championship title.
However, Odom's time with the Lakers was not without controversy, as he struggled with substance abuse and personal issues. However, he was a fan favorite at the Staples Center and was well compensated for his time and efforts.
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Earnings Per Game | $127,400 |
Highest Lakers Salary | $14,148,596 in 2008-09 |
5 Pau Gasol
$120,116,000
Dubbed "Kung Pow" by the Lakers faithful, Pau Gasol was an integral part of the Lakers' championship runs in 2009 and 2010. Known for his work ethic, professionalism, positive attitude, and smooth play with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol's time with the Lakers is forever etched in history.
In his first season with the Lakers, Gasol made $13,735,000 and helped the franchise win its first ring in seven years. In December 2009, Gasol signed a three-year extension with the Lakers worth $57 million.
The LA Lakers repeated as champions in 2010, taking down the Boston Celtics in the finals. Pau made $16,452,000 during the 2009-10 season.
In the summer of 2014, the Hall of Famer left Los Angeles and joined the Chicago Bulls. The two-time NBA champion is regarded as one of the greatest international players of all time.
Total Earnings | $120,116,000 |
Earnings Per Game | $230,107 |
Highest Lakers Salary | $19,285,850 in 2013-14 |
4 Anthony Davis
$133,177,099
Anthony Davis is one of the most talented big men in the league today and has been a key player for the Lakers since he joined them in 2019. He helped lead them to their championship win in 2020.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time, Davis left the New Orleans Pelicans to join the Lakers in 2020. Alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis was a pivotal piece in the Lakers' 2020 Championship triumph.
In the summer of 2020, Davis signed a five-year max contract extension with the Lakers, worth $202 million. The new and improved deal will see him take home over $35 million in 2022 and $38 million in 2023.
Total Earnings | $133,177,099 |
Earnings Per Game | $564,309 |
Highest Lakers Salary | $37,980,720 in 2022-23 |
3 Shaquille O'Neal
$144,749,716
There are few words sufficient to describe how dominant Shaquille O'Neal was in the paint. The Lakers' acquisition of O'Neal in 1996 is considered one of the biggest free-agent signings in NBA history.
The 7-foot tall Shaq joined the Los Angeles Lakers on a seven-year, $121 million contract, which was considered a mammoth deal at the time. With a certain teenage superstar on the team's roster, Shaq led the franchise to a three-peat championship title from 2000 to 2002.
By 2003, Shaquille O'Neal's deal with the Lakers expired, and he re-signed with the franchise to the tune of $88.5 million for the next three years. The four-time Finals MVP is considered one of the best players to have ever donned the purple and gold.
Shaquille O’Neal raked in big money as a Laker, earning $144,749,716 during his time in Los Angeles.
Total Earnings | $144,749,716 |
Earnings Per Game | $227,593 |
Highest Lakers Salary | $24,749,999 in 2003-04 |
2 LeBron James
$197,966,106
Few basketball players have exceeded expectations like LeBron James has; he was touted as the next big thing in the league from his high school days, and he left no questions unanswered. He signed a four-year, $153 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer of 2018.
After joining the Lakers, "The King" quickly transformed the team into championship contenders, having missed the playoffs since 2014. In 2020, the four-time MVP co-started with Anthony Davis to lead the franchise to their 17th championship title.
He reportedly earned $41 million in 2022 and is scheduled to pick up $44 million by the end of 2023. His current contract sees him bagging $616,716 every time he steps out on the court.
LeBron is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, a legend of the sport; the LA Lakers chapter in his illustrious 20-year career is phenomenal.
Total Earnings | $197,966,106 |
Earnings Per Game | $616,716 |
Highest Lakers Salary | $44,474,988 in 2022-23 |
1 Kobe Bryant
$328,237,108
Arguably the best player in the franchise's history and is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players ever, the late Kobe Bryant spent his 20-year career with the Lakers and won five championships.
Picked by the Lakers as 13th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft, "Black Mamba" would partner with Shaquille O'Neal to three-peat the NBA championship for the franchise. Bryant earned over $323 million as a Lakers player; his contribution and performance far exceeded his compensation, making him a bargain for the franchise.
The former MVP went from an annual salary of $1.1 million in his rookie year to $70 million in 2000, after he agreed on a six-year contract with the Lakers. Kobe signed his first mega-deal after the team's 2009 championship triumph; a three-year, $84 million extension.
Kobe signed another two-year, $48 million extension in November 2013. The five-time champion made $30,453,805 in 2013-14, $23,500,000 in 2014-15, and $25 million in 2015-16, his final season in the NBA.
Total Earnings | $328,237,108 |
Earnings Per Game | $209,602 |
Highest Lakers Salary | $30,453,000 in 2013-14 (No. 1 in the NBA that season) |
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