Erick Dampier, Jason Richardson, Mike Bibby and Jason Terry have two things in common:
First, none of them have ever made an NBA All-Star team.
Second, each of them will earn $100 million playing professional basketball.
As a Los Angeles Lakers fan I am fine with NBA players earning well over $100 million to put a ball through a hoop. Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Antawn Jamison are all in the $100 million club, and Andrew Bynum will be when he signs his extension.
However, Kobe and Nash will be Hall-of-Famers, Bynum is an All-Star and the second best big man in the league while Jamison is a two-time All-Star.
But the first four guys I mentioned will all be in the $100 million club while never being voted to an All-Star team, making them among the most undeserving big earners in the NBA.
Erick Dampier - $98M Earned
Over his 16-year NBA career Erick Dampier has earned an estimated $98 million in salary and with other basketball-related income is likely in the $100 million club. As a free agent he may also sign another contract. So what has he done to earn his haul of cash? Dampier has averaged just 7.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks throughout his career, making him the most undeserving non-All Star in the $100 million club.
Jason Richardson - $87M Earned + $18.5M Contract
Once Jason Richardson plays out his current contract he will be at $106 million. Richardson has been a consistently solid player, averaging 17.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, but he has never been an All-Star. His best days are clearly behind him after scoring just 11.6 points on 41% shooting in 2012 with the Orlando Magic.
Mike Bibby - $107M Earned
At his best Mike Bibby was a solid point guard, including averaging over 20 points and six assists during his last two years in Sacramento (2005 and 206), but he has never been an All-Star or won an NBA title. Bibby, a free agent, has finished among the NBA's Top-10 in assists three times and among the Top-10 in 3-point percentage twice, but $107 million is a lot to pay for an above-average point guard.
Jason Terry - $87M Earned + 15.6M Contract
After signing a 3-year, $15.7 million contract with the Boston Celtics this offseason, Jason Terry will be at $102.6 million in career salary in 2015. Though never an All-Star, Terry was the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year in 2009 and instrumental in the Dallas Mavericks' 2011 NBA title. The 6'2" gunner has averaged 16.1 points and 4.7 assists per game in his 13-year career.
Andrew Sweat is a die-hard Lakers fan. For more from this author, visit Andrew's archive or check these out articles:
Why the Lakers Should Not Give Andrew Bynum $100 Million
