Highest-Paid Shooting Guards: At the shooting guard position, some of the greatest NBA players in history have participated. Just like point guards, shooting guards have seen their fair share of big earners over their NBA careers. Because they are oftentimes the best players on the court and terrific scorers, the greatest shooting guards in NBA history command some of the highest salaries of any players in the league.
Here is a breakdown of the highest-paid shooting guards in NBA history, based on their total career earnings. The financial means and on-court performance of this group of shooting guards never failed, ranging from All-Stars who made less than $100 million to MVPs who made over $300 million.
Sorting NBA Highest-Paid Shooting Guards Based on Tiers
According to tiers, these are the highest-paid shooting guards in NBA history.
Tier 5 – $100 Million-$149 Million
Evan Fournier – $145,384,369
Tim Hardaway Jr. – $138,406,221
Manu Ginobili – $129,539,615
Jamal Crawford – $124,283,187
J.J. Redick – $118,395,008
Allan Houston – $117,556,300
Richard Hamilton – $114,666,043
Reggie Miller – $103,864,768
Michael Redd – $101,991,325
Mike Miller – $100,776,913
The ten NBA highest-paid shooting guards in Tier 5 are those whose lifetime earnings are between $100 million and $150 million. With $145.4 million and still increasing, Evan Fournier leads this category, which is surprising. Fournier had his 11-year NBA career playing for the Nuggets, Magic, and Knicks, scoring 14.0 points a night on average. He will make the most money of his career with the Knicks in 2023–2024, taking home $18.85 million. He hasn’t played a minute this season despite playing in just four games, and because of his big deal, New York has struggled to let him go.
Tim Hardaway Jr. is the other non-All-Star to date to be classified in Tier 5, having made $138.4 million over the course of ten or more seasons. Hardaway Jr. is currently a member of the Dallas Mavericks after playing for six seasons between the Hawks and Knicks. Hardaway Jr. has averaged 14.0 points per game during his career, with a career-high 18.1 points per game in 2019. Hardaway Jr. has made nearly $16 million every season since 2018. nearly the next two seasons, Dallas is due to get his $34 million compensation.
Manu Ginobili is by far the most decorated player in Tier 5, having earned $129.5 million throughout his 16-year career with the San Antonio Spurs. With the Spurs from 2003 to 2018, the former Sixth Man of the Year and two-time All-Star helped them win four NBA titles in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. His top earning seasons, from 2010 to 2013, saw an annual compensation of over $10.7 million.
Another long-time NBA veteran, Jamal Crawford was one of the finest bench players in NBA history and enjoyed a successful career. Between 2001 and 2020, Crawford played for nine different clubs in 20 seasons, earning $124.3 million in total. Crawford’s three Sixth Man of the Year titles from 2010, 2014, and 2016 cemented his status as one of the greatest bench players in NBA history. After earning $13.25 million in 2017, his third award with the Clippers, he had his highest-paying season soon after.
One of the best free throw and three-point shooters in NBA history is J.J. Redick. He made $118.4 million in 15 NBA seasons with six different clubs because he was lucky enough to play at a time when that was highly rewarded. Between 2014 and 2020, Redick was a sharpshooter for the Clippers and Sixers. He averaged over 15.0 points per game each season and made a career-high $23 million with Philadelphia in 2018.
The Knicks have overpaid a lot of players in NBA history, including Allan Houston, during their $3.0 billion spending binge since their previous Finals trip in 1999. Houston was a gifted perimeter shooter and scorer who finished his career on two All-Star teams. With the Pistons and Knicks averaging 20.0 points per game or more in 2002 and 2003, Houston played 12 seasons from 1994 to 2005. Although injuries ended his career early, he was rewarded with one of the worst contracts in NBA history from the Knicks, which allowed him to be paid deep into retirement and rank among the highest-paid shooting guards annually.
There are just three players in Tier 5 who have ever won an NBA championship: Richard Hamilton. With three All-Star appearances and an NBA championship in 2004, Hamilton was at the peak of his career with the Detroit Pistons from 2003 to 2011. Hamilton’s highest earning years were from 2008 to 2012, when he earned between $10.0 and $12.5 million annually.
Without a doubt, one of the 2000s’ most underappreciated NBA players is Michael Redd. From 2001 until 2011, he played almost his whole career with the Milwaukee Bucks, putting up an average of 20.0 points per contest. Despite being underpaid in his early years with the organisation, he started earning $12 million in the 2006 season and continued to earn more every year until 2011, when he brought in $18.3 million. Redd, who only made $3 million, went on to become an All-Star and an All-NBA Team selection in 2004.
The last person in Tier 5 is another three-point expert who made a timely profit. Between 2001 and 2017, Mike Miller participated in 17 seasons and earned $100.8 million in that span. Miller was an expert from beyond the three-point line and played a major role in the Miami Heat’s two championship campaigns in 2012 and 2013. Miller’s career scoring average was a pitiful 10.6 points per game, with a career-high of 18.5 points per game in 2007.
Tier 4 – $150 Million-$199 Million
Dwyane Wade – $196,388,473
Ray Allen – $182,404,830
Eric Gordon – $179,769,741
Vince Carter – $171,885,974
Devin Booker – $166,532,853
Zach LaVine – $163,589,268
Tracy McGrady – $162,425,370
Allen Iverson – $154,770,668
Tier 4 will comprise the eight NBA shooting guards whose lifetime earnings range from $150 million to $199 million. Dwyane Wade leads this category with $196.4 million earned over 16 seasons with the Heat, Cavaliers, and Bulls. Throughout his career, Wade—a three-time NBA champion and Finals MVP—participated in eight All-NBA Teams and thirteen All-Star games. Wade only ever made slightly more than $20 million in a season twice, in 2016 and 2017, despite his legendary reputation in NBA history.
With $182 million earned over 18 NBA seasons with the Bucks, SuperSonics, Celtics, and Heat, Ray Allen comes in second on Tier 4. Throughout his career, Allen was selected for 10 All-Star teams and two All-NBA Teams in addition to winning two NBA titles. Following their 2008 championship run, Allen earned over $18 million a season with the Celtics between 2008 and 2010, which was the highest-earning stint of his career. After retiring, Allen held the NBA record for most three-point field goals until Stephen Curry surpassed him in 2021–2022.
Tier 4 anomaly Eric Gordon must have had access to an NBA superagent of some kind. In 2023–24, Gordon is in his sixteenth season and has played for the Suns, Rockets, Pelicans, and Clippers. Gordon led the Rockets to an NBA Sixth Man of the Year title in 2017 while averaging 16.2 points per game. Gordon made a minimum of $12.4 million a year from 2013 until 2023, but this summer he signed a $3.2 million veteran’s minimum contract with the Suns.
If you enjoyed basketball in the 2000s, you are aware of Vince Carter’s status as a total superstar. Carter never actually was in the running for anything close to an NBA title, but his incredible athleticism and sheer power made him one of the league’s biggest stars and attractions. Over his 22 NBA seasons, Carter made $171.8 million in total revenue, with $17.3 million coming from his 2011 season with the Suns.
Seeing Devin Booker develop into one of the top shooting guards and all-around players in the NBA has been amazing. Over the last four seasons, Booker has made over $27 million annually. His hard work has paid off, as he has been often picked for the All-Star squad and will see the Phoenix Suns compete in the NBA Finals in 2021. Booker will undoubtedly get to the top of this list by the time his next contract, which is scheduled to pay him $49.7 million in 2024–2025 and $61.6 million in 2027–2028, expires.
After developing into an explosive All-Star with the Timberwolves and Bulls over the previous ten seasons, Zach LaVine finds himself in a similar situation to that of Booker. LaVine, a two-time All-Star, has struggled with injuries but has averaged 23-0 or more points a game since 2019. LaVine is committed through 2025–25 with a $49 million player option in 2026–27. She is expected to make $40 million in 2023–2024.
Tracy McGrady is one of the few players on our list who is genuinely worth $300 million in terms of ability and raw talent. With the Raptors, Rockets, and Magic in the 200s, McGrady dominated the NBA with several scoring crowns, All-Star selections, and unforgettable clutch plays. Over the course of 15 NBA seasons, McGrady would make $162.4 million, but if injuries hadn’t derailed his career, he could have made much more.
One of the most important players in NBA history is the last person on Tier 4. With his demeanour off the court and his mindset as a 6’0″ top scorer on the court, Allen Iverson altered the course of the game. Despite earning more money from shoe and brand endorsements, Iverson still made $154.7 million throughout his 14-year NBA career. From 2001 to 2009, the four-time scoring champion and 2001 MVP earned $10 million or more every season, reaching a peak of $20.8 million in 2009.
Tier 3 – $200 Million-$249 Million
DeMar DeRozan – $230,005,770
CJ McCollum – $215,393,598
Joe Johnson – $215,168,975
Tier 3 is made up of just three NBA shooting guards who have earned between $200 million and $249 million over their careers. Having earned $230 million over the course of a 15-year career with the Raptors, Spurs, and Bulls, DeMar DeRozan leads Tier 3. During this period, DeRozan, who averages 21.0 points per game throughout his career, has been selected as a six-time All-Star and three-time member of the NBA Team. With the Raptors since 2017, DeRozan has earned over $26.5 million in each of the following seasons. In 2023–24, he is expected to make $28.6 million. At the end of this season, DeRozan will be a free agent. It will be intriguing to see who signs the 34-year-old and how much it will cost to maybe move him into Tier 2 by the end of his career.
In 2023–24, CJ McCollum will participate in his eleventh NBA season. Since joining the Trail Blazers in 2013 to begin his NBA career, McCollum has developed into a rising talent who is often overlooked. Although McCollum has never received an All-Star selection, he has undoubtedly received a high salary, earning over $23 million each season since 2018. Through the end of his current contract, which runs through 2025–2026, McCollum will earn approximately $30.6 million per year with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Among the greatest clutch scorers in NBA history is Joe Johnson. In 18 seasons of play from 2002 to 2028 and again in 2022, he is ranked in the top five most lifetime buzzer-beaters. At his best, Johnson averaged more than 21.0 points per game and was a seven-time All-Star. From 2006 to 2016, Johnson earned more than $12 million every season, and when playing with the Brooklyn Nets from 2014 to 2016, he earned more over $20 million.
Tier 2 – $250 Million-$299 Million
Bradley Beal – $267,875,552
Klay Thompson – $266,164,224
Both of the shooting guards that made up Tier 2 in our rating are still playing at a high level and are anticipated to go up into Tier 1 in the future seasons. Bradley Beal has made $267.9 million in his career with the Wizards and Suns as of right now. His career began in 2013. Beal entered into one of the greatest—or worst—contracts in NBA history when he committed to a five-year, $251 million deal with Washington in 2022, which included a no-trade clause. Beal is anticipated to be one of nine players to make over $50 million in 2024–2025. He also has a player option for $57.1 million for 2026–2027.
As one-half of one of the best backcourts in NBA history, Klay Thompson is among the league’s finest three-point shooters. In the past 13 seasons, Thompson has earned $266.2 million while playing a major role in the Warriors’ four NBA championship victories. As of right now, in 2023–24, Thompson is earning $43.2 million in the last season of his contract with the team, and an extension does not appear to be in the cards. Depending on the offer made, Klay Thompson may become a free agent for the first time in his career this summer.
Tier 1 – $300 Million+
James Harden – 338,529,540
Kobe Bryant – $323,312,307
In NBA history, only two shooting guards have had contracts worth more than $300 million. After seven seasons, James Harden has overtaken Kobe Bryant to become the highest-paid shooting guard of all time, having made $338.5 million since 2010. Harden has won three scoring titles, two assist titles, an MVP, and 10 All-Star selections in his career. He has made more than $25 million every season since 2017, and he made over $40 million in 2022 and 2023. Harden, who is now playing for the Clippers in 2023–24 on a $35.6 million player option, was dealt from the Sixers earlier this week.
After seven seasons at the top of the list, Kobe Bryant’s lengthy tenure as the highest-paid shooting guard in NBA history comes to an end. With five NBA titles, two MVP awards from the Finals, and an MVP in 2008, Bryant rose to become a global NBA superstar and one of the game’s best players ever between 1996 and 2016. Bryant earned $323.3 million over his 20-year Lakers career, with eight seasons earning more than $21 million annually.
Paul George, the shooting guard for the Clippers right now, is the last member of Tier 1.
Sorting NBA Highest-Paid Shooting Guards Based on Tiers. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
