2 Lakers Rank Among Top 5 Best-Paid Small Forwards Ever

It's no surprise that the NBA's growing market has boosted contract values by substantial amounts since the days when Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson were the biggest stars of the league.

In a new list of the highest paid small forwards in NBA history compiled by Dionysis Aravantinos of HoopsHype, two names that Purple and Gold fans will know quite well numbered among the five highest-earning players ever at the position.

1) LeBron James

All-time earnings rank:

No. 1

Total earnings:

$434,986,078

Highest rank:

No. 1 in 2016-17

Salary that season:

$30,963,450

Money per game:

$255,423

4) Carmelo Anthony

All-time earnings rank:

No. 21

Total earnings:

$240,843,702

Highest rank:

No. 3 in 2014-15

Salary that season:

$22,458,401

Money per game:

$179,3324

via

Dionysis Aravantinos, HoopsHype

James is hardly finished earning, as he is set to make a projected $99 million over the next two seasons.

Both Anthony and James came into the league at the same time, in the 2003 NBA draft.

James was the obvious number 1 overall pick as the sport's most anticipated prospect of all time and eventual successor to Jordan as the face of the league.

Saving a Cleveland franchise that had no direction, James led the team to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2007 and built many contenders almost by himself until departing in 2010 for the Miami Heat in an infamous free agent decision. After stints in Miami and Cleveland (for a second go-round from 2014-18), James joined the Lakers. He won his fourth NBA title overall, and his first with LA, in 2020.

Anthony was picked third by the Denver Nuggets out of Syracuse and brought them to within two games of the NBA Finals before bowing out to Kobe Bryant and co. in 2009. After a dispute over a contract extension, Anthony was dealt in 2010 to the New York Knicks where he would continue his legacy as one of the league's best scorers. Anthony suited up for his final pro season in 2021-22 with James' Lakers as a reserve forward.

The success on the court with many All-Star and All-NBA mentions for both men led to pricey contracts wherever the pair have gone and have proven to be worthy investments for their contributions as two of the 75 greatest players of all time.

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