9 Feb 1997: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls takes off his jacket during the NBA All-Star Game at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.The East defeated the West 132-120 .
The salaries of the 1990s are nowhere near what players enjoy today, even after adjusting for inflation. Still, in that decade there were some absolute outliers relative to what most players were making.
The most outstanding example is the year Michael Jordan won his fifth NBA title. In that 1996-97 season, he earned more than $30 million. That amount represented 3.75 percent of the total NBA salary expenditure that year. If Air Jordan played under those same conditions today, he would have earned almost 200 million dollars in the 2024-25 season!
Below, take a look at the most outlier NBA salaries since 1990, which is as far as our data goes back.
1. 1996-97 Michael Jordan
LANDOVER, MD - FEBRUARY 21: Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan (L) slams into Washington Bullets Gheorghe Muresan (R) after making a basket in the fourth quarter in Landover, MD, 21 February. Chicago won, 103-99. (Photo credit should read TED MATHIAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $30,140,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 3.75 percent
That 3.75 percent would amount to a salary of $196.6 million in $2024-25
2. 1997-98 Michael Jordan
ORLANDO, UNITED STATES: Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan drives past Orlando Magic forward Charles Outlaw for two points during the first period of the game at the Arena in Orlando, 25 March. AFP PHOTO TONY RANZE (Photo credit should read TONY RANZE/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $33,140,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 3.49 percent
That 3.49 percent would amount to a salary of $183.2 million in $2024-25
3. 1995-96 Patrick Ewing
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 9: New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing (front) drives to the basket against the Boston Celtics Eric Montross in the 2nd quarter in New York 09 Jan. Ewing returned to the lineup after being sidelined for three games with a sprained right ankle as the Knicks beat Boston 98-93. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read BOB STRONG/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $18,724,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 2.59 percent
That 2.59 percent would amount to a salary of $135.5 million in $2024-25
4. 1994-95 Magic Johnson
Unknown date 1996; Orlando, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakes guard Magic Johnson prior to the game against the Orlando Magic during the 1996 seasonat the Orlando Arena. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
Actual salary: $14,660,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 2.45 percent
That 2.45 percent would amount to a salary of $128.4 million in $2024-25
5. 1997-98 Patrick Ewing
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 19: New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing (R) blocks the shot of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Shawn Kemp (L) in the first half of their game 19 December at Gund Arena in Cleveland, OH. Ewing was charged with a foul on the play. (Photo credit should read KIMBERLY BARTH/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $20,500,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 2.16 percent
That 2.16 percent would amount to a salary of $113.3 million in $2024-25
6. 1991-92 Larry Bird
Mar 10, 1991; Portland, OR, USA: FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird (33) is defended by Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerome Kersey (25) at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Actual salary: $7,070,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.91 percent
That 1.91 percent would amount to a salary of $100.3 million in $2024-25
7. 1996-97 Horace Grant
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 6: Horace Grant of the Orlando Magic (R) passes the ball as rookie Travis Knight of the Los Angeles Lakers tries to defend Grant during their 06 December game in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers held on to defeat the Magic 92-81, as Shaquille O'Neal scored 25 points against his former team. AFP PHOTO Vince BUCCI (Photo credit should read VINCE BUCCI/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $14,857,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.85 percent
That 1.85 percent would amount to a salary of $96.9 million in $2024-25
8. 1998-99 Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks (R) loses control of the ball while Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat (C) and P.J. Brown (L) defend in the third quarter of their game 07 February at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Heat won, 83-79. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo by STAN HONDA / AFP) (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $18,500,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.73 percent
That 1.73 percent would amount to a salary of $90.7 million in $2024-25
9. 2003-04 Kevin Garnett
Minnesota Timberwolves' forward Kevin Garnett shoots over Toronto Raptors' guard Lindsey Hunter (R) during first-half NBA play in Toronto on 12 January, 2003. Toronto defeated Minnesota 105-91, despite Garnett's team leading 26 points. AFP PHOTO/J.P. Moczulski (Photo by J.P. MOCZULSKI / AFP) (Photo credit should read J.P. MOCZULSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $28,000,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.67 percent
That 1.67 percent would amount to a salary of $87.8 million in $2024-25
10. 2004-05 Shaquille O'Neal
LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 25: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Miami Heat dunks the ball over Chris Mihm #31 and Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter on December 25, 2004 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Actual salary: $27,696,430
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.56 percent
That 1.56 percent would amount to a salary of $81.9 million in $2024-25
11. 2002-03 Kevin Garnett
MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES: Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett (L) drives past Atlanta Hawks' Shareef Abdur-Rahim (R) during the in the fourth quarter 12 December 2002 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Garnett scored 21 points as Minnesota won 113-95. AFP PHOTO/CRAIG LASSIG (Photo credit should read CRAIG LASSIG/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $25,200,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.51 percent
That 1.51 percent would amount to a salary of $79.1 million in $2024-25
12. 1997-98 Horace Grant
1 Apr 1998: Forward Horace Grant of the Orlando Magic in action against the Boston Celtics during a game at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Celtics defeated the Magic 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
Actual salary: $14,285,714
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.51 percent
That 1.51 percent would amount to a salary of $79.0 million in $2024-25
13. 2003-04 Shaquille O'Neal
LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 7: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers slams home a basket over Greg Ostertag #00 of the Utah Jazz on December 7, 2003 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Actual salary: $24,749,999
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.48 percent
That 1.48 percent would amount to a salary of $77.6 million in $2024-25
14. 1990-91 Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing #33, Center and Power Forward for the New York Knicks looks on with hands on hips during the NBA Midwest Division basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on 24th January 1991 at the McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, United States. The Nuggets won the game 120 - 117. (Photo by Tim DeFrisco/Allsport/Getty Images)
Actual salary: $4,250,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.45 percent
That 1.45 percent would amount to a salary of $75.9 million in $2024-25
15. 2013-14 Kobe Bryant
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 16: Western Conference (L-R) Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers, Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets sit on the bench during 2014 NBA All-Star game against the Eastern Conference at the Smoothie King Center on February 16, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The East defeated the West 163-155. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Actual salary: $30,453,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.44 percent
That 1.44 percent would amount to a salary of $75.4 million in $2024-25
16. 2001-02 Kevin Garnett
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) goes up for two against Washington Wizards Jahidi White (L), Popeye Jones (C back) and Michael Jordan (R). Garnett led the Timberwolves to a 108-100 victory with 31 points at the MCI Center in Washington, DC, 12 January 2002. AFP PHOTO/Preston KERES (Photo by PRESTON KERES / AFP) (Photo by PRESTON KERES/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $22,400,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.44 percent
That 1.44 percent would amount to a salary of $75.3 million in $2024-25
17. 2002-03 Shaquille O'Neal
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal (R) drives past Toronto Raptors' Voshon Lenard (C) and Nate Huffman in the second quarter in Los Angeles 29 December 2002. AFP PHOTO/Lucy Nicholson (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $23,571,429
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.41 percent
That 1.41 percent would amount to a salary of $74.0 million in $2024-25
18. 1998-99 Shaquille O'Neal
Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal looks to pass under pressure from Clipers' No. 15 Darrick Martin and No. 55 Lorenzen Wright after a rebound in first quarter action at the Great Western Forum, 29 January in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers went on to win the game 107-76. AFP PHOTO Gerard Burkhart (Photo by GERARD BURKHART / AFP) (Photo credit should read GERARD BURKHART/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $15,000,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.40 percent
That 1.40 percent would amount to a salary of $73.5 million in $2024-25
19. 1996-97 Reggie Miller
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 5: Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller (R) drives for the basket despite pressure from Bobby Sura of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of their game 05 March at Gund Arena in Cleveland, OH. Miller scored 25 points, but it wasn't enough as the Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 85-78. AFP PHOTO/Kimberly BARTH (Photo credit should read KIMBERLY BARTH/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $11,250,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.40 percent
That 1.40 percent would amount to a salary of $73.4 million in $2024-25
20. 1998-99 David Robinson
Seattle Supersonic Detlef Schrempf (R) tries to tie up San Antonio Spurs David Robinson (L) during first quarter action of their game in Seattle, WA on 26 February. AFP PHOTO/Dan Levine (Photo by DAN LEVINE / AFP) (Photo by DAN LEVINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $14,841,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.39 percent
That 1.39 percent would amount to a salary of $72.7 million in $2024-25
21. 2001-02 Shaquille O'Neal
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal (R) loses the ball to the Sacramento Kings' Doug Christie during the third quarter in Los Angeles, 18 November 2001. The Lakers won 93-85. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $21,428,572
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.37 percent
That 1.37 percent would amount to a salary of $72.1 million in $2024-25
22. 1997-98 Shaquille O'Neal
Unknown date; San Antonio, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal (34) dunks the ball against the San Antonio Spurs at the Alamo Dome. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Actual salary: $12,857,143
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.36 percent
That 1.36 percent would amount to a salary of $71.1 million in $2024-25
23. 1995-96 Clyde Drexler
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Clyde Drexler of the Houston Rockets (R) works against Los Angeles Laker Eddie Jones during first quarter action at The Summit in Houston, Texas 02 May. (Photo credit should read PAUL K. BUCK/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $9,810,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.35 percent
That 1.35 percent would amount to a salary of $71.0 million in $2024-25
24. 1992-93 David Robinson
David Robinson #50, Center for the San Antonio Spurs wearing eye protecting spectacles looks on during the NBA Midwest Division basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on 5th November 1992 at the McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, United States. The Nuggets won the game 197 - 96. (Photo by Tim DeFrisco/Allsport/Getty Images)
Actual salary: $5,720,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.33 percent
That 1.33 percent would amount to a salary of $69.9 million in $2024-25
25. 1996-97 Shaquille O'Neal
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers (R) drives to the basket past Arvydas Sabonis of the Portland Trail Blazers during their 13 December game in Los Angeles. O'Neal scored 34 points to guide the Lakers to their fifth straight win, 120-119, in overtime. AFP PHOTO Vince BUCCI (Photo credit should read Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images)
Actual salary: $10,714,000
Percentage of NBA salary expenditure: 1.33 percent
That 1.33 percent would amount to a salary of $69.9 million in $2024-25
