While Team USA must navigate the 2024 Paris Olympics first, the NBA season is now only a couple of months away from starting, with the draft completed and some big name trades already underway.
Sports superstars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards will all be in the French capital this summer but will hope to return to the court and ensure they can knock Boston Celtics off their perch come the end of the NBA season in 24/25.
But which NBA aces will have the most responsibly on their shoulders due to their enormous pay packets? Here are the NBA’s 20 highest paid players ahead of the new season.
13. Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
The Greek Freak is one of the games all-timer greats, but is slightly lower down on the list than his popularity would suggest. The Bucks pay him $48,787,676 annually. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
14. Damian Lillard - Milwaukee Bucks
Another NBA favourite and another with a Nike range of his own and another Bucks player. Lillard earns a reported $48,787,676 per year - the same as Bucks team mate Giannis. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
15. Rudy Gobert - Minnesota Timberwolves
The giant Timberwolves centre Gobert will hope for Olympics success with France this summer before returning to his $43,827,587 salary in Minnesota for 24/25. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
16. Anthony Davis - LA Lakers
The Lakers and USA Basketball PF is one of the highest earners on the team with a reported yearly wage of $43,219,440. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images