In a significant portion of professional sports, players/athletes are compensated very well for their talent and skill. Among the litany of examples, one that stands out the most is that of the N.B.A. With salaries ranging from a couple of hundreds of thousands a year to several million, NBA players are some of the most well-paid athletes in the business.
Naturally, there's a lot you can do when you're a multi-millionaire, like buying flashy sports cars and hypercars, for example. Clearly, a lot of NBA players seem to share this sentiment, as evidenced by those with expensive, high-end, cars. However, there are a few that break the mold; sticking to boring, regular cars instead of living lavishly. To showcase both instances, here are fifteen NBA players who drive the sickest cars (and two that still drive junkers)...
16 Awesome: Kyle Kuzma
First off on the list is Kyle Kuzma, a young entry into the NBA who joined only a few years ago. He currently plays for the Lakers, who have obviously paid him graciously. In many photos, Kuzma can be seen getting in lavish sports cars, including a brand new Porsche Panamera with red rims (pictured above), he got for his birthday.
15 Awesome: John Wall
Being a five-time NBA Allstar Champion doesn't come easy, but it does come with a lot of benefits. And there's no better way to spend that hard-earned cash than on some delectable supercars. In John Wall's garage, you'll find a Rolls Royce, a Ferrari 458 Spider, a Bentley Continental GT, and much more.
14 Awesome: Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard, another Lakers player, is similar to Kuzma in his desire for expensive cars. However, there's one difference between the two; yes, they may both have Porsche Panameras, but Howard is the only one with a street-legal tank. The car's name is the "Knight XV," and it's absolutely massive, at 240 inches in length.
13 Awesome: Stephen Curry
The small yet quick, Warriors player Stephen Curry is no fool; on or off the court. Want proof? Look at his stats, or simply his collection of sports cars. From new Range Rovers to foreign supercars, Curry has it all (and we're super jealous)!
12 Awesome: Dirk Nowitzki
Compared to a vast portion of the athletes in this article, Dirk Nowitzki is a more reclusive individual. There are very few photos (of acceptable quality) showing Nowitzki and his first-generation Audi R8 V10 Plus, as he rarely flaunts his wealth or status. Since that's the case, very few would believe he even had such a unique car in the first place.
11 Awesome: Carmelo Anthony
It's one thing to be into supercars and race cars, but a whole other when you're interests lie in the luxury category. Obviously, Carmelo Anthony is one of those "luxury-lovers," indicated by his many Maseratis and Mercedes-Benz's.
10 Awesome: Blake Griffin
Like Carmelo Anthony (and thousands of other one-percenters), Blake Griffin appears to prefer luxury over outright performance. Most of the time, the Detroit Pistons player can be spotted in a Rolls Royce - either the grand touring Wraith or the brand's super SUV, the Cullinan. Why settle for less when you've got so much cash to blow?
9 Awesome: Tony Parker
With a million-dollar-plus annual salary, you've got the 'pick of the lot' in the automotive industry. Supercars, hypercars, and luxury vehicles aren't beyond your reach. However, there's another option: cult classics, such as the Back to the Future DMC DeLorean. Clearly, Tony Parker went with the latter.
8 Awesome: Russell Westbrook
In between high-stakes basketball games and work with important charity groups, Houston Rockets player Russell Westbrook likes to spend his fortune on the greatest hobby - cars. A Lamborghini Aventador, Huracan, and a Dodge Viper are just some of the newer additions to Westbrook's registry.
7 Awesome: James Harden
Houston Rockets' James Harden loves his Chevy Camaros. This yellow Transformers'-inspired convertible Camaro is quite simple for a man of Harden's stature. Other cars in his collection include the Rolls Royce Wraith, Range Rover Autobiography, and Bentley Bentayga. Clearly, the NBA player loves his muscle cars, too!
6 Awesome: Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan changed the world in many ways. He was the world's greatest NBA player, built a successful clothing line, and set the precedent for the next generation to follow. With that much fame and funds, Mr. Jordan has had an expansive car collection for decades (see the photo above), including the coveted Ferrari Testarossa.
5 Awesome: Derrick Rose
It seems there are some unspoken rules every NBA player has to follow when buying cars. The cars on most NBA players' lists are regularly luxury supercars like Rolls Royces and Lamborghinis. The same is the case with Derrick Rose, who's beautiful 2013 Wraith could make anyone go green with envy. But, we're sure his garage is filled with a few more supercars as well.
4 Awesome: Dwayne Wade
Based on their taste in supercars, we think Tyler the Creator and Dwyane Wade would be great friends through their shared love for McLarens. Dwyane Wade can be seen in many types of McLaren models throughout the years, such as the MP4-12C, 570S, and more. However, that's not to say Wade doesn't enjoy a nice Ferrari, too. Here's Wade in his brand-new McLaren MP4-12C.
3 Awesome: LeBron James
Next to Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant, LeBron James is one of the most recognizable and successful NBA players in the history of the sport, yielding astounding athletic statistics and boasting a lavish lifestyle. As far as James' garage goes, he's got an array of different vehicles, spanning across several categories and levels of rarity.
A popular example (at least through social media) is LeBron James' wrapped Lamborghini Aventador Roadster from Miami, Florida. As if a Lamborghini didn't attract enough attention as is...
2 Beater: Brandon Jennings
Finally, we've reached a minority of NBA players. That is, those who don't flaunt their wealth with expensive vehicles. Our first offender is Brandon Jennings, a once-great NBA Spurs player. His primary mode of transportation? A base-line Ford Edge. Guess he would rather spend his dough somewhere else...
1 Beater: Kawhi Leonard
Last, but certainly not least, is Kawhi Leonard: a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers. With a net worth anywhere between $30 and $40 million, the last thing you'd Leonard would drive is a late-'90s Chevrolet Tahoe. But then again, as the saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."