Devin Vassell’s Contract Extension On Par With Michael Jordan In 1996

San Antonio Spurs’ guard Devin Vassell’s five-year, $146 million contract extension nearly matches Michael Jordan’s salary in 1996

San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell is entering his fourth season in the NBA and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported he agreed to a five-year, $146 million contract extension.

Arguably the greatest player of all-time, Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan only made a fraction more in the 1996 season. Jordan was the highest-earning player in the league that season with a salary of $30.1 million.

Clearly, Vassell is not even close to the same caliber as Jordan but rather an example of inflation in the NBA. Boston Celtics All-Star guard Jaylen Brown received the largest extension in history earlier this summer. Brown received a five-year, $303.7 million extension from Boston.

In the 1996 season, Jordan averaged 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 steals on 49.5 percent shooting. Meanwhile, in the best season of his career, Vassell averaged 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.

Not to mention, Jordan led the Bulls to a 72-10 record, the best in history up to that point. Last year San Antonio earned the No. 1 pick after finishing as the No. 15 seed in the West.

Most are considering this contract an overpay for what Vassell has shown in his three seasons. But only time will tell if the Spurs overpaid for the 23-year-old shooting guard.

Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Inside the Heat.

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