Teams invest tons of money in the best All-Star duos because star power helps win NBA championships. Some duos can eat up a large chunk of a team's budget, and you'll find out about the most expensive duos in NBA history from our list.
10. Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry ($ 33.3 million) and Mark Gasol ($ 25.6 million) for the 2019/20 season
The duo, playing for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association, played at both ends of the court throughout the playoffs. Both Gasol and Lowry became NBA Champions in 2019.
The fact that these basketball players appeared on the NBA's highest-paid duo list was anticipated as Lowry signed a one-year contract renewal earlier in the year to stay with the Toronto Raptors for at least one more season.
9. Philadelphia 76ers
Tobias Harris ($ 32.7 million) and Al Horford ($ 27.4 million)
Philadelphia 76ers have already tried to create a super team. But neither Ben Simmons nor Joel Embiid became the highest paid players. This title belongs to forward Tobias Harris and center Al Horford.
On paper, this does not look very good for Philadelphia, as Harris averages 19.4 points per game, while Horford is even less than 12 points per game.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder
Chris Paul ($ 38.5 million) and Stephen Adams ($ 25.8 million)
"Thunder" point guard Chris Paul has one of the biggest contracts in the league, and his teamed up with Stephen Adams places OKC as the 8th richest team in the NBA.
Last year, 35-year-old Paul moved to Oklahoma from Houston. According to unofficial information, the exchange was initiated due to a conflict with the leader of the Rockets, James Harden. And although Paul is not getting younger, in 2020 he again competed in the All-Star Game.
Adams does not yet have the impressive track record of Paul, but he was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2011 and the NBL Champion that same year. Also in 2014, he entered the second NBA rookie team, and most recently, at the end of August 2020, he completed a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. However, Oklahoma still lost to Houston in the fifth quarterfinal match of the NBA Western Conference.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James ($ 37.4 million) and Anthony Davis ($ 27.1 million)
LeBron James is one of highest paid celebrities of 2020 and Anthony Davis may be the most talented duo in the NBA, and the most prolific at that.
James is now in his 17th season of his career, and in a recent interview, 27-year-old Davis jokingly "pricked" his team-mate, saying that in the 25 years that LeBron has been in the league, he has "seen it all."
“Fuck you,” answered James, who was sitting next to him.
6. Washington Wizards
John Wall ($ 38.2 million) and Bradley Beale ($ 27.1 million)
John Wall is known to have the worst contract in the NBA since retiring due to injury. When Wall was healthy and one of the top 5 point guards in the league, the deal was worth it. But at this moment, "Washington" because of him suffers losses.
The fact that the club has re-signed with Beal for $ 27 million is beneficial for both sides, as he is one of the top scorers in the league with an average of 30.5 points per game.But Bradley Beale is likely to leave the Washington Wizards soon, so the duo will probably not last long.
5. Boston Celtics
Kemba Walker ($ 32.7 million) and Gordon Hayward ($ 32.7 million)
Gordon Hayward is no longer in the All-Star game like he was in 2017, but this is not his fault as he suffered a terrible injury in his first season with the Boston Celtics. Because of her, he missed the 2017/18 season and the subsequent playoffs.
If Hayward manages to become a star again, this duo could become one of the best in the NBA. But right now, Kemba and Hayward are not playing well enough to justify such impressive fees.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard ($ 32.7 million) and Paul George ($ 33.0 million)
Leonard and George are some of the best duos in the NBA. They managed to move the Clippers out of the minor teams to the top 2 teams in the Western Conference.
To the delight of fans, the Clippers advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs, while Kawhi Leonard scored a double-double with 33 points and 14 rebounds. So the duo's huge salary is justified.
3. Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durant ($ 37.2 million) and Kyrie Irving ($ 31.7 million)
The duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving made Brooklyn a real challenge for other East Conference teams. And Golden State coach Steve Kerr even called Durant the most talented player he has ever seen.
However, so far Durant has not returned to his MVP form (Most Valuable Player is the most valuable player) after an Achilles tendon injury, and it is difficult to talk about the prospects of the Brooklyn Nets.
2. Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry ($ 40.2 million) and Clay Thompson ($ 32.7 million)
Unsurprisingly, Stephen Curry makes a whopping $ 40 million while Clay comes in second with nearly $ 33 million. Formed by some of the most successful defense players in NBA history, this duo has become the foundation of the Golden State Warriors' success.
Stephen Curry and Clay Thompson have both played in the NBA All-Star Game and are three-time NBA champions.
1. Houston Rockets
James Harden ($ 38.2 million) and Russell Westbrook ($ 38.5 million)
In the first place on the list of the most expensive duos in the NBA are the Houston Rockets. They make a total of $ 76.7 million, which is to be expected because each of them is the star of their team.
However, even the stars can bring defeat to their team. As happened with the Houston Rockets in the sixth match of the quarter-finals of the NBA Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The NBA Hall of Fame member Allen Iverson blamed Westbrook for the loss, with seven losses during the meeting. But Harden, on the contrary, showed the best performance, on account of his 32 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.