Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan were officially selected for enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, along with five others. The trio won a combined four NBA MVP Awards to go with 48 All-Star Game appearances and 11 NBA titles. They represent the most star-studded Hall of Fame class ever.
In addition to being Hall of Famers on the court, Bryant, Garnett and Duncan reached the top of their sport off the court. Garnett and Bryant rank as the NBA’s top earners ever in terms of playing salary, with $334 million and $323 million, respectively. Starting with the 2000-01 season, either Garnett or Bryant had the NBA’s highest salary for all but three of the next 16 years.
Duncan was not far behind Garnett and Bryant, with $242 million in career playing salary, eighth in history. Duncan would have ranked higher if not for taking below-market deals at the end of his 19-year playing career with the San Antonio Spurs. When you factor in endorsements and memorabilia earnings since they turned pro, Bryant, Garnett and Duncan earned a combined $1.