Walking into the 2020 NBA season, I remember thinking how the financial landscape of the league felt like a completely different sport compared to just a few years prior. As someone who’s spent years analyzing both player performance and salary structures, I’ve always been fascinated by how earnings reflect not just talent, but timing, team strategy, and even playing style. This year’s list of highest-paid players is a perfect example—it’s not just about who scores the most points, but who fits a system, who elevates their team in unique ways, and who capitalizes on the league’s evolving financial rules.
Take Stephen Curry, for instance. He topped the salary rankings that year, pulling in a staggering $43 million from the Golden State Warriors alone. Now, I’ve watched Curry since his Davidson days, and what stands out to me isn’t just his three-point shooting—it’s how his style reshaped the game. Think about it: his off-ball movement, the way he creates space, it’s almost like a different sport compared to traditional point guards. This reminds me of a quote I once heard from a volleyball coach: “It’s just probably the style of volleyball. It’s very different. Different hitters, everybody hits really different, everybody has a different skillset.” In the NBA, that rings so true. Curry isn’t just a scorer; he’s a system player whose unique skillset forced the league to adapt on the fly, much like how teams adjust to unconventional hitters in volleyball. That adaptability, in my opinion, is why he’s worth every penny—even if some critics argue his injury-plagued 2020 season didn’t justify the paycheck.
Right behind Curry, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook each earned around $41 million, two players with contrasting approaches that highlight this “different skillset” idea. Paul, the floor general, orchestrates plays with surgical precision, while Westbrook’s explosive athleticism is like a power hitter in volleyball—unpredictable and relentless. I’ve always leaned toward Paul’s style; his ability to control the game’s tempo feels more sustainable, especially in high-stakes playoffs. But Westbrook? Love him or hate him, his triple-double seasons with the Houston Rockets that year showed how a unique skillset can drive value, even if it doesn’t always translate to deep postseason runs. It’s this diversity that makes salary discussions so intriguing—fans often focus on stats, but as an analyst, I see earnings as a blend of market demand, positional scarcity, and sheer individuality.
Then there’s LeBron James, earning $39.2 million with the Lakers. Now, I’ll admit my bias: I think LeBron is arguably the best investment in NBA history, not just for his on-court dominance but his leadership. In 2020, he led the Lakers to a championship, proving that his “different hitter” approach—blending scoring, playmaking, and defense—is what separates good players from legends. Compare that to John Wall, who earned $38.2 million despite not playing a single game due to injury. Here’s where it gets messy: Wall’s contract, signed before his Achilles tear, reflects the risk teams take on potential. Personally, I find it frustrating when salaries don’t align with current production, but that’s the NBA—sometimes you pay for past glory or hoped-for comebacks.
Diving deeper, Kevin Durant’s $37 million with the Brooklyn Nets is another case study. Coming off an Achilles injury, he was a wild card, but his scoring versatility is so rare that Brooklyn bet big. It’s like that volleyball analogy again—everyone hits different, and Durant’s smooth, mid-range game is a dying art in today’s three-point era. I’ve always admired players who buck trends, and Durant’s earnings show that uniqueness pays off, even with uncertainty. Meanwhile, James Harden at $38.2 million exemplified volume scoring, but his defensive lapses sometimes left me questioning if his paycheck was fully justified. See, that’s the thing with salaries—they’re not just rewards; they’re statements about what a team values most.
Looking at the broader picture, the 2020 salary rankings totaled over $300 million for the top 10 players alone, a number that might seem inflated but makes sense when you consider TV deals and global branding. From my perspective, this era is all about specialization. In volleyball, adapting to different hitters on the fly is a challenge; in the NBA, it’s building rosters around stars with irreplaceable skills. Curry’s shooting, LeBron’s IQ, Durant’s scoring—they’re not interchangeable parts, and that’s why their earnings soar. Sure, some contracts age poorly, like Blake Griffin’s $34.5 million with the Pistons, where injuries hampered his earlier explosiveness. But overall, I believe the 2020 list got it mostly right, rewarding those who redefine the game.
In conclusion, the highest-paid NBA players of 2020 weren’t just the top scorers; they were the innovators, the system-changers who forced the league to adapt. As I reflect on it now, that volleyball quote sums it up perfectly—different skillsets create exciting challenges, and in basketball, those challenges come with hefty price tags. Whether it’s Curry’s shooting revolution or LeBron’s all-around mastery, these salaries remind us that in sports, as in life, uniqueness is the ultimate currency. And for fans and analysts like me, that’s what keeps the conversation alive and thrilling.