Ex-Players Still Making Big Bucks

Questions: Who is the highestpaid player in the NBA this season? Who ranks third? Who has the highest payroll?

Answers: Magic Johnson ($14.6 million), James Worthy ($7.2 million), the Lakers ($42 million). That’s proof that the Lakers are still paying for the don’t-worry-behappy ‘80s. Together, Magic and Worthy are making more than 13 teams.

Based on figures obtained recently by the Dallas Morning News, here are some salary oddities and tidbits:

There are 14 members of the $4-million club, compared to six last year, and 44 players make more than $3 million now, up from 27.

The Houston Rockets have the best money management. The defending champs’ payroll of $17.5 million ranks 24th, ahead of only the Washington Bullets, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Detroit Pistons.

Balloon payments are due next year for Patrick Ewing ($18.75 million), Clyde Drexler ($9.75 million), Joe Dumars ($6.98 million) and Worthy ($5.1 million). Charles Oakley gets $10 million in ‘98-99 and Shawn Kemp $14.6 million in 2002-03.

More Barkley

Phoenix Suns forward Charles Barkley, on his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers: “Ex-teams are like ex-wives. Deep down inside, you know you really hate their guts.”