Paul George officially took the top spot on HoopsHype’s list of the most overpaid players in NBA history, replacing a former Boston Celtics star at the top. This isn’t just about a bad contract, it’s a staggering indictment of value versus earnings that’s got the league talking.
The “Real Value” Numbers Are Brutal
Seriously, this isn’t some back-of-the-napkin math. HoopsHype uses their “Real Value” metric to estimate a player’s true market worth, and for George, the numbers are absolutely jaw-dropping. He’s been overpaid in 10 of his 16 NBA seasons. His estimated career value? A solid $258.2 million. What he’s actually earned? A mind-boggling $407.9 million. That’s nearly $150 million difference!
Frank Urbina from HoopsHype didn’t pull any punches, noting George leaped “from barely making the Top 30 most overpaid players ever to taking the top overall spot from Gordon Hayward.” The kicker? George has been overpaid by an “unfathomable $85.2 million” over just the last two seasons. It peaked in 2024-25, where he pulled in a $44.4 million overpay. That season, George, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, averaged 16.2 points on 43.0 percent shooting in only 41 appearances while being paid a massive $49.2 million. His “Real Value” for that output? A measly $4.8 million. Ouch. And here’s the kicker: HoopsHype thinks this lead is only going to widen in the coming seasons. George, at 36, is set to make $54.1 million in 2026-27, with a $56.6 million player option looming for the 2027-28 season.
A Hall of Fame Talent, a Notorious Contract
This label is incredibly harsh, especially for a player with a legitimate Hall of Fame resume. George has been one of the NBA’s best forwards for almost two decades. We’re talking nine All-Star selections, six All-NBA nods, and four All-Defense selections. His absolute best season, in 2018-19, saw him dominate for the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. He even finished third in both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year voting that year. That’s elite company.
So, what’s the biggest knock lately? His availability, plain and simple. Since the 2019-20 season, he has played more than 60 games in a regular season only once. That’s why those hefty contracts have become such a tough pill to swallow. Still, the talent is undeniable. Basketball Reference gives George a 97.8 percent chance of being inducted into the Hall of Fame, making him a near-lock. It’s a wild twist for a player with a nearly guaranteed Hall of Fame spot, sitting at 97.8 percent probability by Basketball Reference, to also be named the NBA’s most overpaid player. But with $54.1 million coming next season and a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28, HoopsHype is betting this unenviable lead is only going to grow. Talk about a brutal legacy.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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