Who is the lowest-paid NBA player in the league right now?

Who is the lowest-paid NBA player in the league right now?

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:26 PM

The National Basketball Association has been around since 1946, and we have seen some of the greatest athletes duke it out on those courts. Additionally, it has the best basketball players globally, and they are paid great salaries. However, every athlete receives a different amount creating a wide disparity between the highest and the lowest-paid NBA player.

Who is the lowest-paid NBA player in the league?
Who is the lowest-paid NBA player in the league right now? Photo: Maximilian Neumann (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Clearly, the lowest-paid NBA players' salaries have somewhat not been a topic in many people's discussions as most focus on those with fat bank accounts. Yet, despite the league's popularity globally, the lowest-paid NBA players in history make as little as less than a million dollars.

Who is the lowest-paid NBA player in the league?

Many times, fans get caught up in looking at the contracts of the likes of Stephen Curry, Russel Westbrook, and Shaquille O'Neal, who make what some players make in an entire career just for one season. That can be so hard to fathom.

According to various online sources, Sports Brief has compiled a list detailing some of the lowest-paid NBA players of all time by the team. Dig in to find out.

10. Malik Fitts - $555,217

Lowest-paid NBA player
Malik Fitts of Ontario Clippers shoots a foul shot against Mexico City Capitanes on 27 February 2023 at the Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo: Pablo Lomelin
Source: Getty Images

A legend from Damien High School, Fitts led his team to a CIF Division 111 state title. After spending one season at South Florida, he transferred to Saint Mary's Gaels, where it took him just a season to be among the First-Team All-WCC selection.

After being undrafted, he joined the Clippers, Jazz, and Celtics. Even though he appears among the lowest-paid athletes on the list, it does not deter the fact that he is one skilled NBA players Ontario Clippers has ever seen.

Full name

Malik Jahmal Fitts

Date of birth

4 July 1997

Age

25 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

Lynwood, California, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Current team

Ontario Clippers

9. DJ Augustin - $333,333

Lowest-paid NBA players of all time
DJ Augustin of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball during a game at the Crypto.com Arena on 1 April 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Chris Elise
Source: Getty Images

At 34 years old, Augustin remains relevant in the NBA. He last played 55 games in the 2021/22 season, averaging 5.4 points and 1.2 rebounds for the Houston Rockets. Moreover, he played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns from 2006 to 2008 and got drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2008 NBA draft.

Even though he remains a free agent, Augustin's input in his team, Los Angeles Lakers, still needs to be remembered.

Full name

Darryl Gerard DJ Augustin Jr

Date of birth

10 November 1987

Age

35 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Current team

Los Angeles Lakers (Free agent)

8. Trevelin Queen - $330,000

Lowest-paid NBA players' salaries
Trevelin Queen of the Indiana Pacers looks to pass during a game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on 25 January 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Photo: Mike Ehrmann
Source: Getty Images

At the eighth position sits Trevelin Queen. As of March 2023, he receives a basic salary of $330,000 while playing for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association on a two-way contract with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League.

While in college, he played for three institutions, New Mexico State Aggies, College of Marin, and New Mexico Military Institute. Trevelin has had a decorated career, being named the WAC Tournament MVP in 2019 after scoring 27 points in a title game to send the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament.

Full name

Trevelin Marleto Queen

Date of birth

25 February 1997

Age

26 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

Baltimore, Maryland, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Current team

Indiana Pacers and Fort Wayne Mad Ants

7. Didi Louzada - $268,032

How much does the lowest paid NBA player make?
Didi Louzada poses during the Sydney Kings 2021 NBL season headshots session at the Cairns Pullman International in Cairns, Australia. Photo: Bradley Kanaris
Source: Getty Images

Didi Louzada is another player who appears on the list despite his well-decorated career since debuting. Hailing from Brazil, the renowned basketball player won the 2019 NBA Most Improved Player and Revelation Player Award.

With his stock as high as possible, he declared for the 2019 NBA Draft, where he was the number 35 overall pick by the Hawks. Later that season, his draft rights were traded to the Pelicans, but he made his debut a year later. As of 2023, he plays for Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League.

Full name

Marcos Henrique Louzada Silva

Date of birth

2 July 1999

Age

26 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Brazil

Nationality

Brazilian

Current team

Cleveland Charge

6. DJ Wilson - $250,000

Who is the lowest-paid NBA player in the league?
DJ Wilson shoots a free throw during the game against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants during the 2022-23 G League Winter Showcase on 22 December 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Richard Prepetit
Source: Getty Images

As a former first-round overall pick, DJ Wilson has Oklahoma City to thank for his career longevity even though he has had stints with the Bucks, Rockets, and Raptors, the Oklahoma City Blue team never seem to have gotten enough of him, as they often bring him back.

The professional basketball player played his college career for Michigan and joined the 2017 NBA Draft with his teammate, Moritz Wagner. His career, however, decreased, and he was later traded to the Rockets during the 2020/21 season.

Full name

DeVante Jaylen Wilson

Date of birth

19 February 1996

Age

26 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

Mount Shasta, California, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Current team

Lakeland Magic of the NBA G League

5. Wendell Moore Jr - $230,620

The lowest-paid NBA player right now
Wendell Moore Jr of the Iowa Wolves drives to the basket during the game against the South Bay Lakers on 23 February 2023 at UCLA Heath Training Center in El Segundo, California. Photo: Adam Pantozzi
Source: Getty Images

The fifth lowest-paid NBA player on the list is Wendell Moore Jr, who, as of March 2023, plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association. He is one player who displayed a keen interest in the sport at a tender age and has since pursued it.

Besides, he is among the youngest basketball players in the league right now, having spent his college career with the Duke Blue Devils. Even though his salary is currently at $230,620, he is one promising athlete with so much ahead of him.

Full name

Wendell Horace Moore Jr

Date of birth

18 September 2001

Age

21 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

Richmond, Virginia, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Current team

Minnesota Timberwolves

4. Sam Merrill - $150,000

Lowest-paid NBA players in history
Sam Merrill of the Cleveland Charge drives to the basket against the Windy City Bulls during the 2022/23 G League Winter Showcase on 20 December 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: David Becker
Source: Getty Images

You will be surprised that even though Sam Merrill may not be the highest-paid athlete among all the players on the list, he owns an NBA championship. Following a successful college career at Utah State, which included being named the 2019 Mountain West Player of the Year, he was later selected with the last pick of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Pelicans.

After being traded to the Bucks, he played 30 games for the Bucks in 2020/21, which included two premiers. It was only a matter of time before he signed with the Kings only to join the Cleveland Charge's training roster.

Full name

Samuel Hoskins Merrill

Date of birth

15 May 1996

Age

26 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

Albuquerque, New Mexico, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Current team

Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League

3. Troy Williams - $122,741

The lowest-paid NBA player right now
Troy Williams shoots a free throw against the Grand Rapids Drive during the second half of an NBA G-League game on 15 March 2019 at DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski
Source: Getty Images

The legendary basketball player, Troy Williams, is the lowest-paid player for the Houston Rockets. He makes around $122,741, unlike John Wall, the highest-paid athlete on the team, who makes $44,310,840.

Although he has spent most of his career with the Knicks and Kings, in early 2023, Williams signed with the Blackwater Bossing of the Philippine Basketball Association, PBA to replace Shawn Glover as the team's import for the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup.

Full name

Troy Williams

Date of birth

30 December 1994

Age

28 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

Hampton, Virginia, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Current team

Blackwater Bossing

2. Demetrius Jackson - $92,857

Lowest-paid NBA players in history
Demetrius Jackson of the South Bay Lakers brings the ball up the court during the game against the Sioux Falls Skyforce on 24 November 2019 in El Segundo, California. Photo: Juan Ocampo
Source: Getty Images

Yes! Some make even less than $100,000, and Demetrius Jackson is no exception. He is, in fact, the lowest-paid player for the Boston Celtics, with a salary of $92,857, as opposed to the team's highest-paid athlete, Jayson Tatum, who makes $28,103,550.

Jackson is an American professional basketball player who last played for Joventut Badalona of the Spanish Liga ACB. In college, he played for three seasons at the University of Notre Dame before finally being drafted 45th overall by the Celtics in the 2016 NBA draft.

Full name

Demetrius Montell Jackson Jr

Date of birth

7 September 1994

Age

28 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

South Bend, Indiana, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Current team

Last played for Joventut Badalona of the Spanish Liga ACB

1. Charles Bassey - $74,742

Lowest-paid NBA players' salaries
Charles Bassey stands for a portrait during Philadelphia 76ers Media Day held at Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex on 27 September 2021 in Camden, New Jersey. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu
Source: Getty Images

Whenever a question like, how much does the lowest paid NBA player make? Many times, the one name that often comes to mind is Charles Bassey, who, as of March 2023, makes $74,742. Being a member of the 2018 class, Bassey was viewed as a five-star recruit and a top center.

He then committed to Western Kentucky, where he was the 2021 Conference USA Player of the Year. Additionally, he was a Third-Team All-American, two-time Conference USA Player of the Year, and two-time First-Team Conference USA selection.

Full name

Charles A Bassey

Date of birth

28 October 2000

Age

28 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

Lagos, Nigeria

Nationality

Nigerian

Current team

San Antonio Spurs and Austin Spurs

Who is the highest-paid NBA player of all time?

According to various online sources, the highest-paid basketball player in the league right now is LeBron James, with total career earnings amounting to $387.3 million.

How much does the lowest paid NBA player make?
LeBron James celebrates with his sons after defeating the Atlanta Hawks during Game Four of the EC Finals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs on 26 May 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: Gregory Shamus
Source: Getty Images

Full name

LeBron Raymone James Sr

Date of birth

30 December 1984

Age

38 years of age (as of March 2023)

Place of birth

Akron, Ohio, the United States of America

Nationality

American

Current team

Los Angeles Lakers

Over the years, NBA's salaries have soared to astronomical heights following the increased interest and a collective bargaining agreement. Even though this catapults legends and menial players into mega-millionaires, some of the lowest-paid NBA players are yet to maneuver.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.
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