NBA players who were paid like stars (but were not)
Throughout league history, there are always players who are not at that top tier who get paid in the upper echelon.
We delved into instances where mere role players or high-quality starters received star-like paychecks, landing in the Top 20 in salaries for at least one season. Such situations might arise due to the market dynamics of the time or simply miscalculations by their front offices.
Here is a list that includes 22 players, including Chandler Parsons, Sam Bowie, and media personality Jalen Rose.
Harrison Barnes
Highest rank: No. 15 in 2016-17
Salary that season: $22,116,750
Benoit Benjamin
Highest rank: No. 11 in 1993-94
Salary that season: $3,575,000
Sam Bowie
Highest rank: No. 15 in 1995-96
Salary that season: $4,800,000
Elden Campbell
Highest rank: No. 13 in 1996-97
Salary that season: $7,000,000
Pervis Ellison
Highest rank: No. 13 in 1990-91
Salary that season: $2,300,000
Danny Ferry
Highest rank: No. 7 in 1990-91
Salary that season: $2,640,000
Rudy Gay
Highest rank: No. 11 in 2014-15
Salary that season: $19,317,326
Brian Grant
Highest rank: No. 10 in 2005-06
Salary that season: $16,006,220
Chandler Parsons
Highest rank: No. 15 in 2016-17
Salary that season: $22,116,750
Sam Perkins
Highest rank: No. 10 in 1993-94
Salary that season: $3,587,000
Chuck Person
Highest rank: No. 19 in 1990-91
Salary that season: $2,150,000
Otto Porter
Highest rank: No. 17 in 2017-18
Salary that season: $24,773,250
Bryant Reeves
Highest rank: No. 12 in 2002-03
Salary that season: $12,999,998
Jalen Rose
Highest rank: No. 14 in 2005-06
Salary that season: $15,694,250
Arvydas Sabonis
Highest rank: No. 16 in 1998-99
Salary that season: $9,000,000
Damon Stoudamire
Highest rank: No. 14 in 2001-02
Salary that season: $12,375,000
Tim Thomas
Highest rank: No. 19 in 2005-06
Salary that season: $13,975,000
Wayman Tisdale
Highest rank: No. 12 in 1990-91
Salary that season: $2,330,000
Keith Van Horn
Highest rank: No. 14 in 2005-06
Salary that season: $15,694,250
Clarence Weatherspoon
Highest rank: No. 15 in 1994-95
Salary that season: $4,000,000
Hassan Whiteside
Highest rank: No. 15 in 2016-17
Salary that season: $22,116,750
Hot Rod Williams
Highest rank: No. 2 in 1990-91
Salary that season: $3,785,000
