The 25 Highest-Paid Bench Players in the NBA Today

Image via Complex Original

Seasons Played: 5
Stats: 2.9 PPG 2.8 RPG 1 APG
Salary: $6 million
After returning from Greece, Josh Childress signed a 5-year/$34 million deal with the Suns. Before leaving, he was having a good NBA career with the Hawks, putting up 12 points and 5 rebounds a game. Something must've went wrong overseas because Josh hasn't averaged more than 5 PPG in his two years in Phoenix. He still has 3-years and around $21 million left on his deal. SMH, Josh should feel obligated to give some of that bread back.

Seasons Played: 14
Stats: 14.2 PPG 6.1 RPG
Salary: $6.2 million
Al Harrington signed a nice 5-year/$34 million deal in 2010 with Denver after the Knicks wanted no parts of him because they were chasing LeBron James. He's a versatile forward that can post up as well as hit the three; perfect for providing scoring off the bench. At 32, Harrington still has some game left and can help Denver make some noise next year if the entire team is in tact. He has four years and about $22 million left on his contract. #oldrichdudeswag

Seasons Played: 4
Stats: 11.5 PPG 4.4 RPG 1 APG
Salary: $6.2 million
Michael Beasley is an enigma. He has tons of talent, but can't seem to stay away from Mary Jane's trifling ass. He's been caught several times with herb. Once in a hotel room in rookie camp, again when he tweeted a picture with a bag of weed in the background and a third time while driving. The Heat drafted him No. 2 overall in 2008 to be Wade's sidekick, but all his off the court troubles made him expendable. Miami traded Beas to the T'Wolves in order to make cap space for James and Bosh. With his skills, Michael should be a max player. We hope he gets his shit together.

Seasons Played: 5
Stats: 9.3 PPG 5.4 RPG
Salary: $6.3 million
For some reason the Magic traded Brandon Bass for Glen Davis and signed Big Baby to a 4-year/$26 million deal. They're really trying hard not to keep Dwight Howard or maybe Bass requested the move to be made? Who knows? What we do know is that clogging your salary cap with Davis isn't going to get you anywhere. Davis' jumper has gotten better and he always plays hard but he's not worth that kind of dough.

Seasons Played: 7
Stats: 8.5 PPG 5.8 RPG 1.1 APG
Salary: $6.4 million
Andray Blatche is a talented player, but his lack of passion for the game holds him back. A season after signing a 5-year/$35 million extension in 2010-2011, Andray started the lockout-shortened season of 2011-2012 out of shape. He's lucky he's still making money after all the trouble he's gotten into. Homie has been caught with prostitutes and reckless driving the last couple of years. The Wizards need to get their heads examined after giving him that deal. He still has three years and about $24 million left on his contract.

Seasons Played: 6
Stats: 11.6 PPG 2.5 APG 2.3 RPG
Salary: $6.75 million
J.J. Redick is an important piece in Stan Van Gundy's system. With a big man like Dwight Howard, it's always smart to surround him with shooters. Redick isn't the player he was at Duke, but he can still shoot it. The Magic like him so much that they matched a 3-year/$19 million offer sheet given by the Bulls. J.J answered by shooting a career high 42% from behind the arch and dropping 11 PPG on fools.

Seasons Played: 11
Stats: 6.3 PPG 6.3 RPG
Salary: $6.75 million
Kwame played in only nine games this season, but make no mistake, he would've been coming off the bench. When the lockout ended, folks the world over were shocked that the Warriors gave him $7 million dollars just because. After all that fuss about being broke, owners and GMs were still making dumb decisions. The former No. 1 overall pick tore his pectoral muscle in January and was sent packing to the Bucks for an injured Andrew Bogut. He'll be a free agent this summer, let's see who's crazy enough to add him to their roster. Trust us, someone will.

Seasons Played: 8
Stats: 10.8 PPG 5.2 RPG 3.3 APG 1.7 SPG
Salary: $6.7 million
Trevor Ariza made some noise during his first two years in the L with the Knicks. So, Isiah Thomas traded him, along with Penny Hardaway, to Orlando for Steve Francis in 2006. The Magic then turned around and traded him to the Lakers the very next year. Ariza made a name for himself in L.A., helping them win a championship in '09 after he went ape hitting 40% of his threes and averaging 11 PPG off the bench in the playoffs.

He turned that success into a 5-year/$33 million contract with the Rockets after Metta World Peace left for the Lakers. Houston had to get rid of his contract and traded him to the Hornets. Ariza has been playing OK since joining them, but nothing to write home about. He has two years and about $15 million left on his deal.

Seasons Played: 8
Stats: 5.9 PPG 3.8 APG 1.7 RPG
Salary: $6.9 Million
This two-time NBA champion signed on with the Kings due to lack of minutes as Tony Parker's backup with San Antonio. He had four decent years with the Kings after signing a 5-year/$33 million deal, but was traded to the Bucks in a three-team deal last year. Now he's stuck behind Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. Beno is almost certainly going to pick up his $7 million option next season, unless being a starting point guard for another subpar team is really that important to him.

Seasons Played: 11
Stats: 1.1 PPG 3.1 RPG
Salary: $6.9 million
Dubbed "Baby Shaq" when he first stepped on the scene, Diop's career has clearly been a disappointment. He hasn't averaged more than three points and six rebounds per in his 11-year career. To be fair, he's been injured plenty of times and can play some defense, so it's not all his fault. It's the Dallas Mavs' fault for giving him a 5-year/$31 million dollar contract just because he's a 7-footer. Cuban immediately smartened up and traded him to the Bobcats during the same year in which they signed him. Now Diop is on a squad where failing is part of the team culture.

Seasons Played: 6
Stats: 5.6 PPG 3.7 RPG 1.1 BPG
Salary: $7.3 Million
Tyrus Thomas is one of many players that could've benefited from another year or two in college. He's had a decent career so far, but hasn't made the impact folks were looking for. The Bulls were so high on him that they traded LaMarcus Aldridge for the LSU standout on draft night.

Obviously, that move didn't work out well and they dealt him to the Bobcats for Acie Law, Flip Murray and a first-round pick. When he got to Charlotte, Tyrus put up 10 PPG, 6 RPG and 1.5  BPG, so, naturally they gave him a 5-year/$40 million deal. That move isn't looking like a good one. He got into a physical altercation with Paul Silas last month and still has 3-years/$25 million left on his deal.

Seasons Played: 5
Stats: 12.8 PPG 5.2 RPG 1.2 APG 1 SPG
Salary: $7.4 Million
The Sixers signed Thaddeus Young to a 5-year/$42 million contract extension once the lockout was over. They had to offer him that much because his athleticism and skill were in high demand. He's young, can play multiple positions and can score on a regular basis. Thaddeus has been perfect for Philly off the bench the last couple seasons, playing a big role in the squad's success this year. Look for Young to enter the starting lineup once Elton Brand's ridiculous contract ends.

Seasons Played: 7
Stats: 7.0 PPG 3.7 RPG
Salary: $7.5 million
What was Joe Dumars thinking giving this boy all that money? Charlie had a career year in 2009 dropping 16 PPG and he took advantage of it. Along with his New York brethren, Ben Gordon, the two signed with the Pistons as some sort of packaged deal (the two were teammates at UConn).

Neither of them have lived up to their deals, ultimately putting up bench numbers on a starter's salary. Charlie has yet to even come close to the year he had in '09 making enemies with Pistons fans everywhere. He has two years and around $17 million left on his deal making it tough for him to be moved, especially in today's financial climate.

Seasons Played: 9
Stats: 11.1 PPG 2 RPG 1.5 APG
Salary: $7.6 million
In the summer of 2006 the Phoenix Suns signed Leandro Barbosa to a 5-year/$32 million contract extension. He lived up to the contract providing quality minutes as their sixth man and always seemed to turn it up during the playoffs. That was before Steve Kerr came through and crushed the buildings. Leandro's game didn't fit into what Kerr was trying to do and was traded to Toronto for Hedo Turkoglu. The 2007 Sixth Man of the Year is now in Indiana doing what he does best; creating havoc off the bench.

Seasons Played: 9
Stats: 6.6 PPG 2.8 RPG 2.1 APG
Salary: $8 Million
Kirk has always been a good player, but he has been stuck in the combo-guard quagmire. He's not a one and not quite a two. Two things are for sure, he can score and he can defend. The Bulls were hoping he would turn into a star along with Ben Gordon and signed Hinrich to a five-year deal worth $47.5 million. When his production didn't match his price tag, the Bulls shipped him to the Wizards and Washington quickly dealt him to Atlanta in exchange for Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford and Mo Evans. Kirk will have many suitors looking to add some veteran experience to bolster their bench.

Seasons Played: 9
Stats: 13.2 PPG 3.1 APG 1.9 RPG 1 SPG
Salary: $8.5 Million
After posting career numbers across the board as the point guard for Milwaukee in 2007, Mo Williams signed a 6-year/$52 million deal with a player option in the sixth year. After the Bucks were going nowhere, he was traded to Cleveland in hopes of being the second scorer LeBron James needed to get them over the hump.

He was then traded to the Clippers for B. Diddy's expiring contract last year. These days, Mo backs up CP3 and is a key role player on a squad that has been given the incredible task of bringing the Clippers to some sort of respectability. We hope he stacked because he won't be seeing that type of money ever again. Well, maybe if does more begging.

Seasons Played: 10
Stats: 7.5 PPG 2.9 RPG 2 APG
Salary: $8.5 Million
John Salmons definitely has the skills to help a contender. But the Bucks and the Kings are far from that. After having a good year in 2010 with the Bulls, and then the Bucks, Salmons opted out of the final year of his contract. Milwaukee then signed him to a 5-year/$39 million deal after he helped them to a playoff berth. The very next year the Bucks stunk up the joint and they traded him to the Kings in a three-team trade involving the Bobcats that landed them Stephen Jackson. He's now exiled in Sac-Town waiting to be traded again because of that ugly contract. #nbaplayerproblems

Seasons Played: 5
Stats: 12.5 PPG 5.2 RPG
Salary: $8.5 million
Carl Landry's contract really isn't that bad. He signed a 1-year/$9 million deal with New Orleans once the lockout was over. He's a good player and he plays bigger than his 6'9" frame, often playing center. Although, with that kind of money and playing for the lowly Hornets, Landry should be starting. Carl will be a hot commodity once the off-season begins and if he doesn't reach for the money, he'll be able to contribute to an elite team.

Seasons Played: 8
Stats: 1.7 PPG 3.7 RPG 1 BPG
Salary: $9 million
Andris Biedrins was good once upon a time. Fortunately for him, he was able to cash in. He came into the league as an athletic 18-year old that could rebound and defend. It took him a couple years to gain his stride and in his fourth year at the age of 21, he nearly averaged a double-double along with a block a game for the year; quickly becoming one of the best big men in a league depleted of them. So, the Warriors signed him to a 6-year/$54 million deal during the summer of 2008. A back injury here and groin surgery there, Biedrins hasn't been the same since. He still has 2-years/$18 million left on his deal with a player option for the second. Everyone with a pulse knows he's picking that option up.

Seasons Played: 12
Stats: 9.8 PPG 3.5 RPG 2.5 APG 1.1 SPG
Salary: $9.2 million
Captain Jack has been a starter for most of his career, but he has been a role player during both stints with the Spurs. He's been a problem for other teams in terms of behavior and contracts. For example, after getting traded from the Bucks to the Warriors, Jackson asked for a contract extension two days after the trade went down. That doesn't work under Pop, though. A lot of that has to do with him winning a title with the Spurs his second year with the team in which he played a key role dropping 12 points a night during the 2003 playoffs off the bench. This year he's reprising his bench role for the Spurs in hopes of winning another championship.

Seasons Played: 13
Stats: 15.1 PPG 3.6 APG 2.4 RPG 1.2 SPG
Salary: $11.1 million
Your favorite sixth man's favorite sixth man, the JET (by name, not by game) has made a career coming off the bench. Jason Terry was the Hawks' starting PG during his first five years in the L until Dallas traded for him when Steve Nash bolted for the desert.

The 2009 Sixth Man of the Year started and came off the bench in many games with the Mavs, but it was when he was moved to the two that his career took off. He and Devin Harris proved to be a tough match-up for any backcourt they faced and those problems translated into a Finals appearance JT's second year there (2005-2006). When Dallas won the 2011 NBA title, Terry came off the bench and made clutch play after clutch play during that run, including this three in LeBron's face during the Finals.

Seasons Played: 8
Stats: 12.5 PPG 2.4 APG 2.3 RPG
Salary: $11.6 million
Joe Dumars is untouchable in the city of Detroit. He helped win back-to-back championships in '89 and '90 and he was the GM of the Pistons when they beat the Lakers in 2004. But Joe D also passed on Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for Darko Milicic, traded Chauncey Billups for a disgruntled Allen Iverson, and gave Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva a boat load of cash. Fresh off a good year in which he averaged 20.7 PPG, Gordon was looking to cash in and Dumars bit. The 2005 Sixth Man of the Year hasn't lived up to his end of the bargain and with the new CBA, no team would touch that contract.

Seasons Played: 8
Stats: 9.9 PPG 7.9 RPG 1 BPG
Salary: $12.6 million
The Bobcats traded Emeka the first year (2008-2009) after signing him to a 6-year/$72 million contract. The former No. 1 overall pick could never recapture the magic of his first few years in the league. Okafor was a double-double machine during that time, but injuries have hampered him a bit. He's still productive and can help plenty of teams. The thing is, his contract is untradeable. He has two years and about $19 million left on his deal. With that kind of money, Emeka should be getting the Hornets to the playoffs on the reg.

Seasons Played: 10
Stats: 12.9 PPG 4.4 APG 3.4 RPG
Salary: $12.9 million
Ginobili! Manu is Jason Terry's favorite sixth man. Over the course of his career, Ginobili has averaged 27.9 MPG with most of those minutes being clocked during winning time. The 2008 Sixth Man of the Year has been a key part in coach Popovich's system for a decade and could care less if he's starting or coming off the bench like a true champion. He was rewarded with a hefty 3-year/$39 million contract extension in 2010. Although, Manu has been battling injuries the last few seasons, the three-time champion is one of the few on this list that truly deserve all that money.

Seasons Played: 14
Stats: 7.8 PPG 3.9 RPG 1.0 APG
Salary: $21.1 Million
When you look up highway robbery a photo of Rashard smiling ear to ear is directly underneath it. By no means are we blaming him, though—he even said so himself. The blame goes to Orlando's front office for that horrible contract. You know? The same folks that bumbled the handling of Dwight Howard this season and put themselves in a position to go through another media circus next year. Orlando signed Lewis based on his years in Seattle where he played Robin to Ray Allen's Batman. They then traded him for another bad contract in the form of Gilbert Arenas in 2010. Since signing that 6-year/$118 million monster deal, Rashard's production has gone down every season.