All-time top 5 highest-paid NBA GMs featuring Pat Riley, Bob Myers, and more
Being a general manager in the NBA means you're in charge of making significant improvements to an organization. May the changes be within the roster, the coaching staff or the team's budget, the GM is basically the caretaker.
The general manager of an NBA team should be knowledgeable about both on-court matters and behind-the-scenes departments. The main responsibility is to negotiate terms and contracts with the players, staff and top executives while keeping the salary cap in mind.
The front office of a team performs best when the general manager chooses carefully when assembling a team. GMs are mainly in charge of budgeting, staff, fan contentment and general viability.
Only very few GMs have successfully completed their tasks at an efficient level. As a result, these individuals have either stuck around in a team for a long time or at least built a positive reputation for themselves as general managers in the league. With that said, let's take a look at five of the best and highest-paid GMs in the NBA.
Top 5 highest-paid GMs in the NBA this season
#1. Pat Riley ($11 million)
The Miami Heat's general manager and president is Pat Riley. He's been in the NBA since 1967 when he started out as a player. Riley is regarded as the league's most illustrious and prosperous coach in history. The legendary GM makes more than $11 million each year in the NBA and has a net worth of over $80 million.
#2. RC Buford ($10 million)
The San Antonio Spurs general manager is RC Bufford. Bufford's salary as general manager this year is $10 million. He's been with the organization since 1988. RC used to help Larry Brown as an assistant coach in San Antonio. He then climbed his way into becoming the Spurs' GM in 2002. Since then, Bufford has helped shape San Antonio into the team it has become known for today.
#3. Bob Myers ($8 million)
Robert Michael Myers, better known as Bob Myers, is the current general manager of the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He makes about $8 million a year as a GM. Myers first started out as an assistant GM for the Warriors back in 2011. Thanks to his knowledge and efficiency, he was quickly promoted to the organization's GM 12 months later.
#4. Neil Olshey ($6.5 million)
The Portland Trail Blazers' former general manager was Neil Olshey. His salary as a GM, including incentives and commissions, was around $450,000 during his time with the Blazers. Olshey has a net worth of well over $50 million. More or less, the former Portland GM made roughly $6.5 million a year.
#5. David Griffin ($5.8 million)
The Cleveland Cavaliers general manager was David Griffin. He spent his first 17 seasons as an intern with the Phoenix Suns. Griffin then joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 after being named the team's Vice President of Basketball Operations. He succeeded Chris Grant as general manager, earning an estimated $5.8 million a year.
These days, he works as the executive vice president of basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans.