A few NBA players may be practicing their free kicks rather than their free throws this offseason.
With French soccer star Kylian Mbappe making it clear that he doesn't intend to sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain, clubs around the world have joined a bidding war to acquire the 24-year-old forward.
On Monday, Al Hilal set an extremely high bar. The Saudi Arabian club offered a record fee of $332 million for Mbappe. Al Hilal is "prepared to offer Mbappe a salary package of [$776 million] over one year," according to CBS Sports.
However, ESPN reported that Mbappe is not interested in signing that deal. He plans to leave PSG as a free agent and is "widely expected to join Real Madrid."
While Mbappe has been quiet about his future plans so far, NBA players couldn't stop posting on social media about the massive offer from Al Hilal.
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NBA players react to Kylian Mbappe contract offer
LeBron James
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Damian Lillard
Draymond Green
Andre Drummond
Gary Payton II
NBA's highest-paid players in 2023-24
If Mbappe did sign with Al Hilal, no one in the NBA would come close to matching his salary.
Warriors star Stephen Curry will be the highest-paid player in the NBA next season in terms of base salary at $51.9 million, according to Spotrac. LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic aren't far behind Curry at $47.6 million.
Rank | Player | Team | Base salary |
1 | Stephen Curry | Warriors | $51,915,615 |
2 | LeBron James | Lakers | $47,607,350 |
Joel Embiid | 76ers | $47,607,350 | |
Nikola Jokic | Nuggets | $47,607,350 | |
5 | Bradley Beal | Suns | $46,741,590 |
6 | Kevin Durant | Suns | $46,407,433 |
7 | Paul George | Clippers | $45,640,165 |
8 | Kawhi Leonard | Clippers | $45,640,084 |
Damian Lillard | Trail Blazers | $45,640,084 | |
Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks | $45,640,084 |