The Top 5 most paid Celtics players in history

5. Kemba Walker -- $65,064,725 · 4. Al Horford -- $83,203,214 · 3. Gordon Hayward -- $91,599,092 · 2. Kevin Garnett -- $104,002,671 · 1. Paul Pierce ... $166,493,698

The Boston Celtics have long been considered one of the most successful franchises in the history of the NBA. With a total of 17 championships, including 8 consecutive titles from 1959-1966, the team has a long history of success on the court.

To maintain competitiveness and attract top talent, the Celtics have paid some of their players' top salaries of over $150 million throughout their history. That's why we'll be exploring the top five highest-paid Celtics players of all time in this post. From more recent players like Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward to Celtics legends like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, we'll be analyzing their contracts and earnings, as well as their impact on the team's overall budget and success.

Whether you like to keep on top of the latest NBA odds or simply enjoy watching a game now and then, you’re sure to be blown away by these mammoth salaries!

1. Kemba Walker

Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-gathering-in-the-stadium-12316533/ Kemba Walker joined the Celtics in 2019, signing a four-year contract worth $141 million, and his salary for the 2020-2021 season (his last with the Celtics) was around $34.4 million.

Despite his hefty salary, Walker's time with the Celtics was not as successful as hoped due to injuries and inconsistency. During his time with the team, he averaged 19.9 points, 4.9 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. Despite his struggles, Walker's salary did not hinder the Celtics' ability to make moves in the offseason, as they were still able to acquire notable players like Evan Fournier.

However, with the team looking to make changes, Walker was traded to the New York Knicks in the 2021 offseason. While his time in Boston may have been short-lived, Kemba Walker will go down as one of the highest-paid Celtics players in history.

2. Al Horford

Al Horford spent three seasons with the Celtics from 2016 to 2019, during which his four-year contract was worth $113 million - an average of $28.3 million per season.

In his time with the Celtics, Horford played an integral role in the team's success, serving as a reliable scorer and a key player on defense. He helped the team make two trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and contributed to their success in the regular season as well.

3. Gordon Hayward

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/XYTPw76kNsM Gordon Hayward signed with the Celtics in 2017 after spending the first seven years of his professional career with the Utah Jazz. He signed a four-year contract worth $128 million, ranking him among the highest-paid players in Celtics history.

Unfortunately, Hayward's time with the Celtics was plagued by injuries, as he suffered a gruesome ankle injury in his first game with the team that sidelined him for the entire 2017-2018 season.

Despite his struggles with injuries, Hayward was a productive player for the Celtics when healthy, averaging 14.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game over his two full seasons with the team.

4. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett is one of the most beloved players in Celtics history and also one of the highest-paid. Garnett was traded to the Celtics from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2007 and immediately signed a three-year contract extension worth $60 million. He later signed a three-year, $34 million contract extension in 2012. In total, Garnett earned $104 million during his time with the Celtics.

Garnett's impact on the Celtics was immeasurable, as he helped lead the team to their 17th championship in 2008 and was a key player during their run to the NBA Finals in 2010. He was a dominant force on both ends of the court, and his leadership and intensity helped elevate the play of his teammates.

5. Paul Pierce

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/TcNyK8ly1jE

Last but not least, Paul Pierce is not only the highest-paid player in Celtics history but also one of the greatest players to ever wear the green and white. Pierce spent 15 of his 19 professional seasons with the Celtics, during which he earned a staggering $166.5 million in salary - although it’s not quite as much as the likes of LeBron James.

Pierce was a 10-time All-Star during his time with the Celtics, and he helped lead the team to their 17th championship in 2008, along with Kevin Garnett. He is also the team's second-leading scorer of all time, with 24,021 points.

Pierce's high salary was a reflection of his value to the team, as he was the face of the franchise for many years and one of the best players in the league during his prime. His impact on the Celtics cannot be overstated, and his place as the highest-paid player in team history is well-deserved!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Celtics have had some of the highest-paid players in NBA history on their roster, most notably Paul Pierce, who earned over $166 million during his 15 seasons with the team.

While some of these high salaries were well-deserved, others were a reflection of the team's willingness to spend money to compete for championships. Regardless of the reason, the Celtics have a rich history of paying their star players top dollar, and this trend is likely to continue in the future. Fans can only hope that the team's high salaries translate into on-court success, as they have in the past.