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via Imago

via Imago

Amid high-profile signings and sponsorships, some players earn the least. The underdogs remain under the shadow of players like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant of the Warriors and Suns.

 The Suns and Warriors gaining massive earnings while stacking their rosters may have left some behind. Let’s find out who they are. 

It’s a tie!

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Even after having major differences in the team payrolls, both teams include the lowest-earning players tying with equal paychecks of $559,782. Even though they rank at No. 1 on the team payrolls, the Warriors continue to have more players with lower paychecks than the Suns.

USA Today via Reuters

The Warriors’ lowest-paid players include Usman Garuba, Lester Quinones, and Jerome Robinson. All of these players have a two-way contract of $559,782. The Warriors have also been lagging at the big buyouts for a few years. With the ongoing limitations, the cut in paychecks may be because of the huge luxury tax bills to be paid by the Warriors next season. Another reason might be because of making space for a rookie on the team. 

It’s two of the players in The Phoenix have the same payouts. Udoka Azubuike and Saben Lee are ranked the lowest, with paychecks of $559,782 in two-way contracts. The Suns are also speculated to have already exceeded the luxury tax bills and have huge current tax bills lined up. 

However, with the Warriors vs. Suns lined up for October 24, both teams can grab the NBA Championship title, making it all worth it.

What’s ahead for the teams 

The teams have the highest-earning stars like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, with paychecks of $51,915,615 and $47,649,433, respectively, besides having million-dollar deals and sponsorships. To see the players of the teams still being underpaid is thus disheartening.  

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The NBA is known for its flexible and pragmatic payrolls, but underpaying its athletes paints a different picture in this case. It shows the existence of a complex issue regarding player paychecks, team plans, and financial conditions of the teams. 

Read More: With Combined $203,907,250 in NBA Earnings, Can USA Stars Create History at FIBA World Cup?

The NBA remains to be one of the highest-grossing leagues in the world. With rookies getting million-dollar contracts to the game becoming more glamorous, there is a long road ahead. 

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What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below. 

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