As one of the NBA’s flagship franchises, the Boston Celtics have employed some of professional basketball’s most iconic point guards. From Bob Cousy and Jo Jo White to Rajon Rondo and Isaiah Thomas, the historical record for Celtics point guards is a laundry list of some of the best to ever do it. But where does Boston sit when ranking point guards by career earnings?
At the time of this writing, Chris Paul has made the most money in NBA salary in point guard history. In fact, he’s the second-highest-paid player of all time behind only LeBron James. Paul has earned just south of $360 million since joining the league in 2005, to say nothing of his numerous endorsement deals.
Buy Celtics TicketsOur friends over at Hoops Hype recently ranked the highest-paid point guards in NBA history. How many former Celtics players made the list?
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving has made $236.7 million in NBA salary heading into the 2023-24 season. That makes him the seventh highest-paid point guard in league history and the No. 1 among Celtics alum. Irving inked a three-year, $126 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks in the summer of 2023.
Irving was traded to Boston in the summer of 2017 before ultimately signing with the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019 offseason a few seasons later. Despite landing All-NBA honors and several All-Star nods as a member of the Celtics, it was a tumultuous stretch, to say the least.
Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker served in the NBA for twelve seasons before signing a deal with AS Monaco in the summer of 2023. During his time in the Association, Walker earned $198.4 million in salary. That includes the four-year, $141 million contract Walker signed as part of a sign-and-trade to land the New York native in Boston in 2019.
Walker was a fan favorite with the Celtics and helped lead the team to several deep postseason runs. He was eventually traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021, however.
Stephon Marbury
At present, Stephon Marbury still ranks among the highest-paid NBA point guards in league history. His $151.1 million in career earnings ranks as 17th among PGs. Keep in mind, these numbers aren’t adjusted for inflation.
For example, when Marbury joined the Celtics in February of 2009, he signed for the veteran minimum of $1.26 million. In 2023, that dollar value is closer to $1.82 million.
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