There was a time when basketball was a big man’s game. Dominating the paint was seen as a surefire way to score, and outside shooting wasn’t a sustainable way to succeed. Remember, the Portland Trail Blazers famously passed on Michael Jordan to take center Sam Bowie in 1984.
These days, things are a bit different. While some giants can succeed, especially if they’re capable of drifting to the perimeter, the game has changed. Ball-handling and outside shooting are essential skills, and that makes guards a key part of any successful team.
And that’s reflected in the money being handed out. While the Association has become more and more positionless over the years, some of the highest earners are listed as guards.
With that in mind, let’s look at this season’s most expensive players in that position, per Spotrac’s data (hence why someone like Ben Simmons, for example, is listed as a guard).
2023-2024’s Highest Paid Guards
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
10. Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets
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$37,893,408 Cap Hit and Total Cash
While trying to determine if someone is underpaid or overpaid can be tricky, Simmons falls rather clearly on the latter side of the line. For all of the Australian’s potential, he’s simply been unable to stay on the court.
And, as the cliche says, availability is the best ability. Comparing Simmons’ salary to his time on the court reflects how low he has fallen.
Tied 7: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls; Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks; Trae Young, Atlanta Falcons
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$40,064,220 Cap Hit and Total Cash
Three players sit in the seventh-place spot, and they understandably have different bodies of work.
LaVine has shown great potential and put together some strong performances (his back-to-back All-Star campaigns during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons stand tall), but he hasn’t transcended to the next level. And, with his 2023-24 season curtailed by foot surgery, it’s fair to wonder what his future holds. Will he remain a Bull for the long term? Or will future editions of this list feature him on another team?
Young and Doncic will be forever linked by their draft-day trade, and they’ve both developed into stars. Do they play the game differently? Yes, and in previous generations, the Mavs man wouldn’t even have been a guard. But that doesn’t change the fact that they’re game-changers who are well worth the money.
6. Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets
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$40,806,300 Cap Hit and Total Cash
Although VanVleet might not have garnered league-wide attention during his time in Toronto—even though he was an integral part of the team that won a championship in 2019—he declined his player option during the 2023 offseason to test free agency. The guard chose the Rockets and landed a three-year $128.5 million deal.
Time will tell if that deal works out or not. In the interim, though, he’s taking home a pretty sweet salary.
5. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors:
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$43,219,440 Cap Hit and Total Cash
As the cliche says, all good things must come to an end. It seems like the Warriors dynasty has reached that point, and, through that lens, Thompson may be reaching the end of his big-time financial rope. During the 2023-24 campaign, his stats have declined, and he’s even slipped out of the starting lineup.
His cap hit and total cash, however, reflect the days when he and Steph Curry were running the league. And, given the success they had, the Warriors won’t mind overpaying at this point in Thompson’s career.
Tied 3. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks; Paul George, LA Clippers:
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$45,640,084 Cap Hit and Total Cash
Again, we’ve got a tie between two legitimately talented players.
Lillard hasn’t been the most natural fit with the Bucks and his numbers have understandably slipped since he’s been playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, but no one can question his offensive talent.
George has struggled to stay healthy since teaming up with Kawhi Leonard in Los Angeles. Will that affect his future financials? With a player option on the cards for next season, we might not learn that immediately, but the question is looming in the background.
2. Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns:
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$46,741,590 Cap Hit and Total Cash
Beal inked his current contract while he was still with the Washington Wizards. And while his $46 million cap hit is already impressive, it will only get higher in the coming years. As things stand, the Suns guard could earn upwards of $57 million if he picks up a 2026-27 player option
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors:
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$51,915,615 Cap Hit and Total Cash
When it comes to modern guards, there’s only one player who could sit at the top of the list. Curry, who not only made the Warriors a force to be reckoned with but changed the game of basketball as we know it, is worth every penny.
Will he be worth nearly $60 million toward the cap in a few years? Maybe not, but you can’t say he didn’t earn his current deal.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.