25 Most Overpaid NBA Players of 2025
Terry Rozier
Terry Rozier's contract with the Miami Heat, valued at over $26.6 million, lands him on this list. While he provides a scoring punch and playmaking, his production often fluctuates, and his efficiency has been a point of contention. His salary is hefty for a player who, while talented, may not consistently deliver at a star level. This makes his contract a significant financial commitment for a team aiming for a championship.
Jalen Green
Jalen Green’s contract with the Phoenix Suns, worth nearly $33.6 million, is a major investment. Despite being a dynamic scorer with elite athleticism, his overall game has not yet reached the level expected of a player with such a large salary. His defensive struggles and shot selection are often criticized. For a player with his contract, more consistent production and a better all-around impact are expected.
Jerami Grant
Jerami Grant’s contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, valued at $32 million, is a significant financial outlay. While he is a versatile forward who can score and defend, his contract places him among the highest-paid players in the league. For a team that is in a rebuilding phase, his salary is a large financial commitment, and his production does not always justify the high price tag.
Patrick Williams
Patrick Williams’s $18 million contract with the Chicago Bulls places a high expectation on the young forward. While his defensive potential is clear, his offensive production has been inconsistent, and he has struggled with injuries. For a player who has not yet become a consistent double-digit scorer, his salary is a considerable investment. The Bulls are paying for potential that has yet to fully materialize.
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid's colossal $55.2 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers is the largest on this list. As a former MVP, he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world. However, his consistent struggles with injuries and limited playoff success relative to his high salary raise questions about his value. For a player paid to be a franchise savior, his lack of deep playoff runs is a concern.
Paul George
Paul George's $51.6 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers is a major financial commitment. As a multi-time All-Star, he is a star-level talent on both ends of the court. However, his history of injuries and inconsistent playoff performances have led to criticism. His salary puts him in the top tier of NBA earners, and his on-court production and availability have not always matched that elite status.
Dejounte Murray
Dejounte Murray’s contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, at nearly $26.8 million, is a significant deal for a guard. While he is an elite perimeter defender and a solid playmaker, his shooting and decision-making can be inconsistent. His salary places him among the higher-paid players in the league, and his performance has not always justified that compensation, especially in terms of offensive efficiency.
Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine's $47.4 million contract with the Sacramento Kings makes him one of the highest-paid guards in the NBA. LaVine is a dynamic scorer with a silky-smooth jumper and incredible athleticism. However, his defensive liabilities and struggles with injuries have hampered his overall impact. His salary is enormous, but his production and overall contributions have not consistently matched that level of compensation.
Jordan Poole
Jordan Poole's contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, worth nearly $31.8 million, is a major financial commitment. While he has shown flashes of brilliance as a scorer, his lack of defensive effort and high turnover rate have been major issues. His expensive contract was signed after a championship run but has so far not translated into consistent, high-level production for his new team.
Immanuel Quickley
Immanuel Quickley's new contract with the Toronto Raptors, worth $32.5 million, is a substantial deal. While he is a talented scoring guard who can get hot in a hurry, his production and efficiency are not yet at the level of a max-contract player. This deal reflects his potential more than his current production, and time will tell if he can live up to the high expectations set by his salary.
Devin Booker
Devin Booker’s contract with the Phoenix Suns, valued at over $53.1 million, is for a top-tier scorer. Booker is a walking bucket and has been one of the league’s premier offensive players. However, his defensive limitations and struggles to lead a team deep into the playoffs raise questions. A contract of this size is for an elite two-way superstar, and his performance has not always matched that level.
Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray's contract with the Denver Nuggets is a significant one at over $46.3 million. While he is a clutch scorer and a championship-level performer, he has battled with injuries and has not consistently been a top-tier player in the regular season. For a contract of this size, teams expect a consistent All-Star performance, which he has not always provided, making his contract appear slightly overpaid.
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown’s $53.1 million contract with the Boston Celtics is a massive deal, placing him among the NBA’s highest-paid players. With the main man Jayson Tatum hurt, the Celtics need to focus on rebuilding. However, with Brown's salary cap, this could prove to be a difficult task.
Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr.’s $38.3 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets is a substantial one for a player with a significant injury history. While his scoring and three-point shooting are elite, his defensive effort and consistency are often criticized. For a player with this large of a contract, teams expect a top-tier performer without major flaws. Porter’s play has not always lived up to his hefty salary.
Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis’s contract with the Boston Celtics, valued at nearly $30.7 million, is a large commitment for a player with a long history of injuries. While he can be a dominant scorer and rim protector when healthy, his availability has been a major concern. His inability to stay on the court consistently makes his contract a high-risk investment that has not always paid off.
Grant Williams
Grant Williams’s contract with the Charlotte Hornets, worth over $13.6 million, is a substantial sum for a role player. While he is a solid defender and a versatile forward, his offensive game is limited. His contract is a financial risk for a player who is not a primary option on offense. His production has not consistently justified the high salary he is earning.
De'Aaron Fox
De'Aaron Fox’s $37 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs is a major investment. While he is one of the fastest guards in the league and a talented scorer, his lack of a consistent three-point shot and his defensive limitations are major flaws. For a player earning this much, more is expected on both ends of the court. His contract makes him a top-tier earner, but his play has not always matched.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler's $54.1 million contract with the Golden State Warriors is a massive financial commitment. While he is an elite playoff performer and a tenacious defender, his regular-season production and availability have been a concern. For a player earning this much, more consistent production throughout the season is expected. His high salary makes his limited regular-season contributions more noticeable.
Nikola Vucevic
Nikola Vucevic's contract with the Chicago Bulls, worth nearly $21.5 million, is a considerable sum. While he is a solid center who can score and rebound, he has been inconsistent, especially on the defensive end. His production has not always matched his salary. For a player earning this much, more is expected in terms of all-around impact, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Nic Claxton
Nic Claxton's $25.3 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets is a substantial deal for a defensive-minded center. While he is an elite shot-blocker and a strong rebounder, his offensive game is very limited. His lack of a perimeter shot and his struggles at the free-throw line are major concerns. His contract is a high price to pay for a player with such a limited offensive skill set.
Draymond Green
Draymond Green's $25.8 million contract with the Golden State Warriors is a major commitment. While he is a former Defensive Player of the Year and a great passer, his offensive production is limited, and his on-court behavior has been a major issue. For a player with this high of a salary, more is expected in terms of consistent on-court performance and professionalism.
Julius Randle
Julius Randle's contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, at nearly $30.9 million, is a considerable sum. While he is a two-time All-Star, his efficiency has been inconsistent, and he has struggled in the postseason. His lack of defensive effort and high turnover rate are also concerns. For a player earning this much, more is expected in terms of consistent, high-level all-around play.
Jonathan Isaac
Jonathan Isaac's $15 million contract with the Orlando Magic is a substantial deal for a player who has spent most of his career injured. While he is a defensive savant when he is on the court, his inability to stay healthy makes his contract a high-risk investment. His lack of consistent availability has made it nearly impossible for him to live up to his contract.
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving’s contract with the Dallas Mavericks, at over $36.5 million, is a high-risk investment due to his injury proneness. While he is a wizard with the ball and an elite scorer, his frequent injuries and off-court issues have made him unreliable. His lack of availability has made it difficult for him to consistently contribute at the level his salary demands.
Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert's $35 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves places him among the highest-paid players in the league. While he is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, he has consistently proven to be poor in the playoffs. His limited offensive skill set is also a concern. His salary is for an elite, franchise-altering player, but his impact has not always lived up to the hype.
