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History

NBA history: front offices and player pay

Two things are on this page. The first scores every team's roster moves since 2015 by how they turned out. The second shows what teams have paid players in every season since 1990.

Which teams got the most from their roster moves, 2015-16 to 2025-26

Each player a team added since July 2015 is scored by what he gave the team above what his salary usually buys. Players and draft picks a team traded away count against it by what they went on to give their new teams. Pay that bought no minutes counts against the team that paid it.

Players already on a roster in July 2015 are left out. Golden State gets no credit here for Stephen Curry, and Portland gets none for Damian Lillard.

The unit is points of scoring margin over a season. About 30 points is worth one win, so +300 in a season is about ten wins more than the team's pay would usually buy.

Total for all eleven seasons, in points. Select a team to see its seasons and its largest moves.

One team at a time

Golden State Warriors: +2,656 points, 1st of 30

+1,922Players it addedWhat they gave the team above what their pay usually buys
+974Players and picks it traded awayAbove zero means they gave their new teams less than their pay usually buys
−107Pay that bought no minutesMissed seasons and money owed after a player left
−133Traded picks not yet used5 more sent than received, at the average for a traded pick
−33'15+374'16+440'17+274'18−240'19+64'20+242'21+143'22+376'23+718'24+430'25
Points above or below what the team's pay would usually buy, by season. The label is the year the season began.
−33'15+374'16+440'17+274'18−240'19+64'20+242'21+143'22+376'23+718'24+430'25
Points above or below what the team's pay would usually buy, by season. The label is the year the season began.

Moves that returned the most

  1. +572Kevon LooneyOn the roster, 2015-16 to 2024-25
  2. +398Gary Payton IIOn the roster, 2020-21 to 2025-26
  3. +251Trading away D'Angelo RussellWhat he gave his new teams, 2019-20 to 2021-22
  4. +235Brandin PodziemskiOn the roster, 2023-24 to 2025-26
  5. +220Trading away Jordan PooleWhat he gave his new teams, 2023-24 to 2024-25

Moves that cost the most

  1. −583Andrew WigginsOn the roster, 2019-20 to 2023-24
  2. −522Klay ThompsonOn the roster, 2021-22 to 2023-24
  3. −105Kristaps PorziņģisOn the roster, 2025-26
  4. −85James WisemanOn the roster, 2020-21
  5. −75Jimmy Butler IIIOn the roster, 2024-25 to 2025-26

Every team, every season

Each square is one team in one season. Teal means its moves returned more than its pay would usually buy that season. Red means less.

LessMore

Team2015-162016-172017-182018-192019-202020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26Total
1. Golden State Warriors−33+374+440+274−240+64+242+143+376+718+430+2,656
2. Denver Nuggets−16+185+324+284+325+439+350+48+8+406+373+2,619
3. Minnesota Timberwolves+103+199+480+345−317+53+500+227+353+50+142+2,135
4. Indiana Pacers+132+47+217+72+73+189+142+192+514+375−387+1,591
5. Boston Celtics−146−155−113+156+213−4+270+614+372+202+114+1,576
6. Oklahoma City Thunder−94−218−337+11+210−110−63+261+444+604+405+1,484
7. Toronto Raptors−85+19+378+339+164+35+61+443−68−146+235+1,269
8. Atlanta Hawks−102−237−77+448+9−53−8+18+265+579+388+1,097
9. Cleveland Cavaliers−80+85+371−302−244−8−122+87−160+997+557+1,074
10. Memphis Grizzlies−152−342−131−143+487+375+438+138−402+342−159+848
11. Miami Heat+94+86+164−145+379+160+53−111−70−92+398+756
12. Milwaukee Bucks−354+166+28+349+405+367+126+8−218−138−130+583
13. New York Knicks−280−14+15−303−159+113+140+62+149+397+312+459
14. Dallas Mavericks+21+71−2230+452−54−178−259+296+275−318−50
15. San Antonio Spurs+82+57−4−176+15−31+191−345−216+18+314−69
16. Phoenix Suns−28−221−538−52+140+366+338−31+67−233+105−299
17. Philadelphia 76ers−320−343+393+149+200−52−161−1+343−238−279−336
18. Washington Wizards−62−146−118+7+197−5+285+234−89−432−289−339
19. LA Clippers+137+54−122+311+198+283+8−488−250−282−275−507
20. Sacramento Kings+235−139−420+140+56+347−293+17−163−62−213−602
21. Charlotte Hornets−1−248−125−17−204+112+598−442−188−410−239−847
22. Los Angeles Lakers−48−326−212−355−98−269−137+334+404−215+301−860
23. Houston Rockets−15+217−155−302−124−138−102−269−262−126+315−936
24. Portland Trail Blazers+44−262−60+178−3+224+6−170−460−272−213−1,065
25. New Orleans Pelicans+71−16+62−235−82+93−63−128+55−711−389−1,369
26. Utah Jazz−48−184+49−87−220−86+51−130−359−630−262−1,827
27. Detroit Pistons−241−324+32−435−173−424−854−512−240+224+681−2,320
28. Brooklyn Nets+211−177−55−326−278+87−294−142−177−722−709−2,396
29. Orlando Magic−219−598−227+194+244−674−697−318−149−216−71−2,703
30. Chicago Bulls+3−286−345−619−232−112−476−301−255−76−194−2,786

The total also includes traded picks that have not been used yet, so it can differ from the sum of the seasons.

The players who returned the most and the least for their pay

These are players a team added after July 2015 and kept on its roster. A star on a maximum salary can land in the second list: the estimate says he gave less than that much pay usually buys, which is different from saying he played badly. One player is estimated less exactly than a whole team: the estimate is typically off by about one point per 48 minutes, and that adds up over several seasons.

Most above their pay

  1. +2,335Nikola JokićDenver Nuggets. On the roster, 2015-16 to 2025-26
  2. +1,013Tyrese HaliburtonIndiana Pacers. On the roster, 2021-22 to 2024-25
  3. +1,008Mitchell RobinsonNew York Knicks. On the roster, 2018-19 to 2025-26
  4. +993Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderOklahoma City Thunder. On the roster, 2019-20 to 2025-26
  5. +729Jarrett AllenCleveland Cavaliers. On the roster, 2020-21 to 2025-26
  6. +681Mikal BridgesPhoenix Suns. On the roster, 2018-19 to 2021-22
  7. +598Jalen DurenDetroit Pistons. On the roster, 2022-23 to 2025-26
  8. +594Karl-Anthony TownsMinnesota Timberwolves. On the roster, 2015-16 to 2023-24
  9. +572Kevon LooneyGolden State Warriors. On the roster, 2015-16 to 2024-25
  10. +564Ivica ZubacLA Clippers. On the roster, 2018-19 to 2024-25

Furthest below their pay

  1. −829Devin BookerPhoenix Suns. On the roster, 2015-16 to 2025-26
  2. −696Jaylen BrownBoston Celtics. On the roster, 2016-17 to 2025-26
  3. −624Julius RandleNew York Knicks. On the roster, 2019-20 to 2023-24
  4. −600Tobias HarrisPhiladelphia 76ers. On the roster, 2018-19 to 2023-24
  5. −583Andrew WigginsGolden State Warriors. On the roster, 2019-20 to 2023-24
  6. −567Blake GriffinDetroit Pistons. On the roster, 2017-18 to 2019-20
  7. −557RJ BarrettNew York Knicks. On the roster, 2019-20 to 2022-23
  8. −550Chandler ParsonsMemphis Grizzlies. On the roster, 2016-17 to 2018-19
  9. −525Brandon IngramNew Orleans Pelicans. On the roster, 2019-20 to 2023-24
  10. −522Klay ThompsonGolden State Warriors. On the roster, 2021-22 to 2023-24

The trades that helped and hurt the most

A team that trades a player or pick away is charged with what he went on to give his new teams above his pay. If he gave them less than his pay usually buys, trading him away counts in the team's favor.

Trading away paid off

  1. +594Trading away Tobias HarrisLA Clippers. What he gave his new teams, 2018-19 to 2023-24
  2. +525Trading away Brandon IngramLos Angeles Lakers. What he gave his new teams, 2019-20 to 2023-24
  3. +512Trading away Paul GeorgeOklahoma City Thunder. What he gave his new teams, 2019-20 to 2023-24
  4. +493Trading away Andrew WigginsMinnesota Timberwolves. What he gave his new teams, 2019-20 to 2023-24
  5. +459Trading away Blake GriffinLA Clippers. What he gave his new teams, 2017-18 to 2019-20
  6. +431Trading away Tim Hardaway Jr.New York Knicks. What he gave his new teams, 2018-19 to 2023-24
  7. +429Trading away Jerami GrantDetroit Pistons. What he gave his new teams, 2022-23 to 2025-26
  8. +404Trading away Zach LaVineMinnesota Timberwolves. What he gave his new teams, 2017-18 to 2023-24
  9. +397Trading away Kyle KuzmaLos Angeles Lakers. What he gave his new teams, 2021-22 to 2023-24
  10. +395Trading away the 2020 No. 30 pick (Desmond Bane)Boston Celtics. What the player gave the team that used the pick, 2020-21 to 2023-24

Trading away cost the most

  1. −1,324Trading away Jarrett AllenBrooklyn Nets. What he gave his new teams, 2020-21 to 2025-26
  2. −1,008Trading away the 2018 No. 36 pick (Mitchell Robinson)Chicago Bulls. What the player gave the team that used the pick, 2018-19 to 2025-26
  3. −993Trading away Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderLA Clippers. What he gave his new teams, 2019-20 to 2025-26
  4. −836Trading away Tyrese HaliburtonSacramento Kings. What he gave his new teams, 2021-22 to 2024-25
  5. −544Trading away Ivica ZubacLos Angeles Lakers. What he gave his new teams, 2018-19 to 2024-25
  6. −465Trading away Jakob PoeltlToronto Raptors. What he gave his new teams, 2018-19 to 2021-22
  7. −454Trading away Dyson DanielsNew Orleans Pelicans. What he gave his new teams, 2024-25 to 2025-26
  8. −426Trading away the 2022 No. 12 pick (Jalen Williams)LA Clippers. What the player gave the team that used the pick, 2022-23 to 2025-26
  9. −413Trading away the 2017 No. 22 pick (Jarrett Allen)Washington Wizards. What the player gave the team that used the pick, 2017-18 to 2019-20
  10. −401Trading away Montrezl HarrellHouston Rockets. What he gave his new teams, 2017-18 to 2019-20

What each team paid and what it got

Each dot is a team. Further right means it paid its players more across the eleven seasons. Higher means its players gave more. Teams above the line got more for each dollar than the league as a whole. This chart counts every player, including those on a roster before 2015.

Total player pay against total player value for each team, 2015-16 to 2025-26 6,0008,00010,00012,000 $1.4B$1.5B$1.6B$1.7B Total paid to players → ↑ Player value, in points League rate Golden State Warriors: paid $1.74 billion, got 12,906 points of player valueGSWDenver Nuggets: paid $1.50 billion, got 11,501 points of player valueDENMinnesota Timberwolves: paid $1.49 billion, got 9,957 points of player valueMINIndiana Pacers: paid $1.38 billion, got 10,010 points of player valueINDBoston Celtics: paid $1.55 billion, got 11,305 points of player valueBOSOklahoma City Thunder: paid $1.44 billion, got 9,799 points of player valueOKCToronto Raptors: paid $1.50 billion, got 10,162 points of player valueTORAtlanta Hawks: paid $1.38 billion, got 9,425 points of player valueATLCleveland Cavaliers: paid $1.59 billion, got 9,621 points of player valueCLEMemphis Grizzlies: paid $1.39 billion, got 7,950 points of player valueMEMMiami Heat: paid $1.54 billion, got 8,840 points of player valueMIAMilwaukee Bucks: paid $1.58 billion, got 10,457 points of player valueMILNew York Knicks: paid $1.44 billion, got 6,697 points of player valueNYKDallas Mavericks: paid $1.43 billion, got 8,198 points of player valueDALSan Antonio Spurs: paid $1.41 billion, got 9,130 points of player valueSASPhoenix Suns: paid $1.50 billion, got 8,433 points of player valuePHXPhiladelphia 76ers: paid $1.47 billion, got 9,816 points of player valuePHIWashington Wizards: paid $1.48 billion, got 7,319 points of player valueWASLA Clippers: paid $1.65 billion, got 10,232 points of player valueLACSacramento Kings: paid $1.37 billion, got 8,335 points of player valueSACCharlotte Hornets: paid $1.37 billion, got 7,313 points of player valueCHALos Angeles Lakers: paid $1.53 billion, got 8,042 points of player valueLALHouston Rockets: paid $1.47 billion, got 10,053 points of player valueHOUPortland Trail Blazers: paid $1.49 billion, got 7,362 points of player valuePORNew Orleans Pelicans: paid $1.49 billion, got 9,030 points of player valueNOPUtah Jazz: paid $1.38 billion, got 8,264 points of player valueUTADetroit Pistons: paid $1.38 billion, got 5,873 points of player valueDETBrooklyn Nets: paid $1.48 billion, got 6,784 points of player valueBKNOrlando Magic: paid $1.36 billion, got 5,896 points of player valueORLChicago Bulls: paid $1.43 billion, got 7,146 points of player valueCHI
Total player pay against total player value for each team, 2015-16 to 2025-26 6,0008,00010,00012,000 $1.4B$1.6B Total paid to players → ↑ Player value, in points League rate Golden State Warriors: paid $1.74 billion, got 12,906 points of player valueGSWDenver Nuggets: paid $1.50 billion, got 11,501 points of player valueDENMinnesota Timberwolves: paid $1.49 billion, got 9,957 points of player valueMINIndiana Pacers: paid $1.38 billion, got 10,010 points of player valueINDBoston Celtics: paid $1.55 billion, got 11,305 points of player valueBOSOklahoma City Thunder: paid $1.44 billion, got 9,799 points of player valueOKCToronto Raptors: paid $1.50 billion, got 10,162 points of player valueTORAtlanta Hawks: paid $1.38 billion, got 9,425 points of player valueATLCleveland Cavaliers: paid $1.59 billion, got 9,621 points of player valueCLEMemphis Grizzlies: paid $1.39 billion, got 7,950 points of player valueMEMMiami Heat: paid $1.54 billion, got 8,840 points of player valueMIAMilwaukee Bucks: paid $1.58 billion, got 10,457 points of player valueMILNew York Knicks: paid $1.44 billion, got 6,697 points of player valueNYKDallas Mavericks: paid $1.43 billion, got 8,198 points of player valueDALSan Antonio Spurs: paid $1.41 billion, got 9,130 points of player valueSASPhoenix Suns: paid $1.50 billion, got 8,433 points of player valuePHXPhiladelphia 76ers: paid $1.47 billion, got 9,816 points of player valuePHIWashington Wizards: paid $1.48 billion, got 7,319 points of player valueWASLA Clippers: paid $1.65 billion, got 10,232 points of player valueLACSacramento Kings: paid $1.37 billion, got 8,335 points of player valueSACCharlotte Hornets: paid $1.37 billion, got 7,313 points of player valueCHALos Angeles Lakers: paid $1.53 billion, got 8,042 points of player valueLALHouston Rockets: paid $1.47 billion, got 10,053 points of player valueHOUPortland Trail Blazers: paid $1.49 billion, got 7,362 points of player valuePORNew Orleans Pelicans: paid $1.49 billion, got 9,030 points of player valueNOPUtah Jazz: paid $1.38 billion, got 8,264 points of player valueUTADetroit Pistons: paid $1.38 billion, got 5,873 points of player valueDETBrooklyn Nets: paid $1.48 billion, got 6,784 points of player valueBKNOrlando Magic: paid $1.36 billion, got 5,896 points of player valueORLChicago Bulls: paid $1.43 billion, got 7,146 points of player valueCHI

How the team scores are made

Version team-value-ledger-v1, built 2026-11-12. A player's value in a season is an estimate of his Game impact per minute, times his minutes, measured above a freely available replacement. For 2025-26 and earlier the estimate comes from box-score statistics only, fitted to Game impact in 2025-26 and checked on 2026-27. Box scores miss much of defense, so strong defenders with modest statistics are rated too low.

A player's pay is turned into points by taking his share of all league pay that season and giving him the same share of all league value. What he gave beyond that is his value above pay. A traded pick is worth what the player chosen with it gave the team that used it. A traded pick that has not been used yet, or could not be traced, is valued at 26 points, the average of the 308 traded picks that have been used.

A player who changed teams during a season is counted with the team he finished it on. Salaries are the reported amounts from HoopsHype.

Player pay

What the NBA has paid its players since 1990

NBA teams paid players $293.6 million in 1990-91 and $5.63 billion in 2025-26, about 19 times as much. Dollar figures are the amounts paid at the time and are not adjusted for inflation.

Total player pay by season

The league had 27 teams and 353 paid players in 1990-91. It had 30 teams and 594 paid players in 2025-26.

Total pay to NBA players by season, 1990-91 to 2025-26 0$1.0B$2.0B$3.0B$4.0B$5.0B$6.0B 1990-911995-962000-012005-062010-112015-162020-212025-26 League pay$5.6B
Total pay to NBA players by season, 1990-91 to 2025-26 0$1.0B$2.0B$3.0B$4.0B$5.0B$6.0B 1990-912000-012010-112020-21
League pay: $5.6B

The highest salary, the average and the median

The highest salary went from $4.2 million (Patrick Ewing) to $59.6 million (Stephen Curry), about 14 times as much. The median salary went from $650,000 to $3.6 million, about 5.6 times as much. Half of the players paid in a season earned less than the median.

Highest, average and median NBA salary by season 0$10M$20M$30M$40M$50M$60M 1990-911995-962000-012005-062010-112015-162020-212025-26 Highest salary$60M Average$9.5M Median$3.6M
Highest salaryAverageMedian
Highest, average and median NBA salary by season 0$10M$20M$30M$40M$50M$60M 1990-912000-012010-112020-21
Highest salary: $60MAverage: $9.5MMedian: $3.6M

How much of the money goes to the best-paid players

The best-paid tenth of players took 28% of league pay in 1990-91 and 44% in 2025-26. Their share was highest in 2021-22, at 47%. Two-way contracts began in 2017-18 and added many low-paid players to the count, which lowers the bottom half's share from that season on.

Share of league pay going to the best-paid tenth of players and to the bottom half, by season 010%20%30%40%50% 1990-911995-962000-012005-062010-112015-162020-212025-26 Top tenth of players44% Bottom half8%
Top tenth of playersBottom half
Share of league pay going to the best-paid tenth of players and to the bottom half, by season 010%20%30%40%50% 1990-912000-012010-112020-21
Top tenth of players: 44%Bottom half: 8%

Team payrolls: the highest, the average and the lowest

In 2025-26 the highest team payroll was $211.9 million and the lowest was $152.0 million. In 1990-91 the range was $7.5 million to $14.4 million.

Highest, average and lowest NBA team payroll by season 0$50M$100M$150M$200M$250M 1990-911995-962000-012005-062010-112015-162020-212025-26 Highest payroll$212M Average team$188M Lowest payroll$152M
Highest payrollAverage teamLowest payroll
Highest, average and lowest NBA team payroll by season 0$50M$100M$150M$200M$250M 1990-912000-012010-112020-21
Highest payroll: $212MAverage team: $188MLowest payroll: $152M

Every season in one table

SeasonTeamsPlayers paidTotal payAverageMedianHighest salaryTop tenth's shareLowest payrollHighest payroll
2025-2630594$5.63 billion$9.5 million$3.6 million$59.6 million Stephen Curry44%$152.0 million$211.9 million
2024-2530579$5.20 billion$9.0 million$3.5 million$55.8 million Stephen Curry44%$140.5 million$220.7 million
2023-2430614$4.93 billion$8.0 million$3.2 million$51.9 million Stephen Curry44%$132.6 million$209.4 million
2022-2330575$4.55 billion$7.9 million$3.2 million$48.1 million Stephen Curry43%$104.5 million$192.9 million
2021-2230654$4.12 billion$6.3 million$2.4 million$45.8 million Stephen Curry47%$82.0 million$179.0 million
2020-2130579$3.91 billion$6.7 million$2.9 million$43.0 million Stephen Curry44%$95.8 million$171.1 million
2019-2030516$3.56 billion$6.9 million$2.7 million$40.2 million Stephen Curry43%$96.6 million$132.0 million
2018-1930577$3.60 billion$6.2 million$2.5 million$37.5 million Stephen Curry40%$79.2 million$153.2 million
2017-1830587$3.36 billion$5.7 million$2.4 million$34.7 million Stephen Curry40%$85.4 million$137.7 million
2016-1730546$2.97 billion$5.4 million$2.9 million$31.0 million LeBron James38%$80.1 million$128.5 million
2015-1630501$2.35 billion$4.7 million$2.6 million$25.0 million Kobe Bryant36%$61.7 million$108.3 million
2014-1530514$2.20 billion$4.3 million$2.3 million$23.5 million Kobe Bryant36%$54.4 million$91.8 million
2013-1430493$2.12 billion$4.3 million$2.5 million$30.5 million Kobe Bryant37%$51.7 million$102.6 million
2012-1330495$2.11 billion$4.3 million$2.5 million$27.8 million Kobe Bryant37%$48.0 million$100.1 million
2011-1230464$2.02 billion$4.3 million$2.5 million$25.2 million Kobe Bryant36%$49.0 million$88.3 million
2010-1130460$2.03 billion$4.4 million$2.6 million$24.8 million Kobe Bryant34%$45.3 million$91.4 million
2009-1030457$2.11 billion$4.6 million$2.8 million$23.2 million Tracy McGrady34%$56.9 million$91.4 million
2008-0930461$2.16 billion$4.7 million$2.9 million$24.8 million Kevin Garnett34%$56.0 million$96.6 million
2007-0830470$2.06 billion$4.4 million$2.6 million$23.8 million Kevin Garnett35%$53.7 million$101.7 million
2006-0730496$1.94 billion$3.9 million$2.2 million$21.0 million Kevin Garnett36%$42.0 million$117.4 million
2005-0630480$1.90 billion$4.0 million$2.5 million$20.0 million Shaquille O'Neal35%$33.5 million$126.6 million
2004-0530471$1.77 billion$3.8 million$2.2 million$27.7 million Shaquille O'Neal36%$23.9 million$102.6 million
2003-0429455$1.67 billion$3.7 million$2.0 million$28.0 million Kevin Garnett37%$34.7 million$89.4 million
2002-0329452$1.67 billion$3.7 million$2.3 million$25.2 million Kevin Garnett36%$43.0 million$105.6 million
2001-0229451$1.56 billion$3.5 million$2.3 million$22.4 million Kevin Garnett36%$33.8 million$86.0 million
2000-0129456$1.50 billion$3.3 million$2.2 million$19.6 million Kevin Garnett36%$29.6 million$87.4 million
1999-0029517$1.31 billion$2.5 million$1.5 million$17.1 million Shaquille O'Neal40%$22.5 million$73.9 million
1998-9929427$1.07 billion$2.5 million$1.6 million$18.5 million Patrick Ewing37%$28.4 million$59.9 million
1997-9829445$948.5 million$2.1 million$1.3 million$33.1 million Michael Jordan37%$24.5 million$61.3 million
1996-9729416$803.7 million$1.9 million$1.2 million$30.1 million Michael Jordan38%$16.0 million$58.3 million
1995-9629452$724.3 million$1.6 million$1.1 million$18.7 million Patrick Ewing31%$18.0 million$43.3 million
1994-9527419$598.3 million$1.4 million$1.1 million$14.7 million Magic Johnson29%$16.3 million$42.1 million
1993-9427386$500.3 million$1.3 million$1.1 million$5.7 million David Robinson26%$14.3 million$23.7 million
1992-9327402$429.0 million$1.1 million$814,000$5.7 million David Robinson27%$10.9 million$25.2 million
1991-9227384$369.6 million$962,000$750,000$7.1 million Larry Bird28%$10.8 million$25.3 million
1990-9127353$293.6 million$832,000$650,000$4.2 million Patrick Ewing28%$7.5 million$14.4 million

What is counted

Pay counts every player a team paid that season, including two-way and 10-day contracts and money still owed after a player was waived. A player paid by two teams in one season is counted once, with both amounts added together. Salaries are the reported amounts for each season; they leave out bonuses that were not reported and money withheld or returned under the league's escrow system.

Source: player salaries as reported by HoopsHype, summed by Read the Game. Totals built 2026-11-12.