There is no secret that the very best NBA players make a ton of money, possibly more than they can afford to spend. Due to the fact that less than 400 players in the world have a shot at making the league per season, the athletes are at the top of their games and get paid accordingly. The fact that 50 players or fewer are actually considered stars, the elite of the league get paid like the elite of the population.
While NBA stars have shown off their wealth through clothes and luxurious vacations, the biggest source of their spending has to be in vehicles. Spending money on cars is not something that most financial planners will recommend, mainly because they are depreciating assets, but making millions of dollars ultimately means that expensive vehicles can be purchased without too much of a hit. In other words, NBA stars can afford to splurge on expensive vehicles, especially when making maximum money.
Here are the most expensive cars owned by NBA players, starting at a minimum of $400,000 and ending with vehicles that cost millions of dollars. NBA fans, it is time to imagine what it would be like to be an NBA star where fame, wealth, and luxurious vehicles come as a result of brilliance on the basketball court. This list is not for the faint of heart because the amount of money NBA superstars have is certainly amazing to consider.
Russell Westbrook – Lamborghini Aventador ($400,000)
The flashy Lamborghini Aventador on this list belongs to none other than Russell Westbrook, former MVP, and current triple-double king. The 2017 NBA MVP and nine-time All-Star reportedly spent close to $400,000 on one of the most beloved and luxurious supercars known to man. How many multi-millionaire athletes are known to own a Lamborghini Aventador?
Westbrook’s Aventador can reach a top speed of over 210 miles per hour and can go from zero to sixty in less than 3.0 seconds. Russ has gone through a few maximum contracts while in the NBA, so spending $400k on a vehicle will hardly make a dent to a man who has a ton of other off-court interests, including giving back to the community and also engaging in his own fashion.
Kobe Bryant – Lamborghini Aventador ($400,000)
The late and great Kobe Bryant was a flashy player on the court but was also a flashy celebrity when he attended events or got in the front seat of his Lamborghini Aventador. Kobe’s vehicle cost a “mere” $400,000, a figure that pales in comparison to the hundreds of millions the former Lakers great was worth. No doubt about it, the Italian vehicle was a powerful toy for the Black Mamba to enjoy.
Kobe’s Lamborghini model can reach 62 miles per hour in less than three seconds and exceeds 220 miles per hour with ease. The sound of an Aventador engine is simply beautiful and head-turning to say the least. Imagine seeing a 5-time NBA champion step out of the vehicle because that was what Kobe used to do when he was alive and well on planet Earth. We miss Kobe Bryant, and he certainly lived a full life, to say the least.
Dwight Howard – Bentley Mulsanne ($405,000)
Dwight Howard is no longer a superstar center on an NBA floor. Still, he has accumulated enough money to be able to afford an assortment of high-cost vehicles that the regular working population can only dream of. Dwight’s $400,000 Bentley Mulsanne truck fits the bill for a 3-time Defensive Player of the Year and 8-time All-Star.
Even if Dwight wasn’t always the tallest center on the court, he is an anomaly when compared to the masses. That is why a truck is perfect for Dwight because he can stay relaxed and also commute in style. Spending $400k on a truck isn’t easy, but Dwight sure made it look normal when he splashed nearly half a million dollars on a car that people can only dream of driving.
Lamar Odom – Rolls Royce Phantom ($405,000)
Lamar Odom had everything going for him not too long ago. The versatile forward won the 2010 NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers and received one of the best gifts a man can get in the form of a $400,000 Rolls Royce Phantom from none other than his former girlfriend, Khloe Kardashian.
The Kardashians were a very sought-after group of ladies at the time, so Odom dating one of them was certainly big news. But receiving a gift of this magnitude from a man’s girlfriend is extremely rare, to say the least, especially when the ride comes with 450 horsepower thanks to its 6.8-liter engine. Time will tell if Khloe will want this vehicle back as they separated a few years ago.
LeBron James – Maybach 57S ($415,000)
One of the highest-paid athletes in NBA history, LeBron James, has enough money to realistically purchase a new vehicle anytime he wants. The King’s Mayback 57S is a vehicle built on luxury because it was created with quality and power in mind. The Mayback 57S cost $415,000, a number that is not for the faint of heart (or wallet).
But for James, that is a number he can afford to deal with if it means getting in the driver’s seat of a 6.0-L version of the V12 engine manufactured by Mercedes-AMG. LeBron’s car is packed with an extremely powerful engine that produces 612 horsepower, meaning The King can hit top speeds of over 180 mph. The King will appear on this list once again, but he makes a nice entry onto the list of the most valuable vehicles owned by the NBA’s top stars.
LeBron James – Rolls Royce Phantom ($450,000)
The second time that LeBron James appears on the list, The King checks in with a Rolls Royce Phantom worth just $50k shy of half a million dollars. We have seen a multitude of NBA superstars own Phantoms before, and James is yet another big name on the list of top athletes riding around in luxury and style.
The King’s vehicle is customized for his ultimate comfort, which is why it costs a little more than usual. The Phantom is equipped with a powerful V12 engine that produces speeds capable of easily exceeding 160 mph, which means the 4-time NBA champion can dominate the streets whenever he wants to match his dominance on the NBA court.
Dwyane Wade – Mercedes SLR McLaren ($500,000)
One of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, Dwyane Wade was a 13-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion as a member of the Miami Heat. Thanks to his elite slashing ability and all-around presence as a defender, Wade accomplished everything in the NBA as an individual and team player. Of course, the future Hall of Famer also made a ton of money over his career.
A superstar of Wade’s caliber deserves the very best a motor vehicle can provide, and he might have found one in the Mercedes SLR McLaren that is rare to a special talent. Wade’s SLR is packed with a V8 engine, which means it can reach 60 miles per hour in under four seconds. If that isn’t enough, the Mercedes can realistically reach a max of 210 miles per hour, essentially meaning the shooting guard known as “Flash” can blaze through the streets anytime he wants.
Magic Johnson – Rolls Royce Phantom ($500,000)
The greatest point guard of all time and the man who helped take the NBA to greater heights, Magic Johnson is a one-of-a-kind player as he is a one-of-a-kind celebrity. With his wide beaming smile and broad shoulders, Magic is recognizable almost anywhere around the globe. A 5-time champion and 3-time MVP, very few players, dominated the court as the great point guard did.
For a player as famous as Magic, it is only expected that he drives a Rolls Royce Phantom that costs at least half a million dollars. The legendary NBA star most likely does not own a vehicle with a higher price tag than this one, and with a net worth of around $600 million, his Phantom tops his own charts.
James Harden – Rolls Royce Wraith ($500,000)
James Harden has been the premier shooting guard in the league for at least the past 7 years, and getting through a few max contracts means The Beard can afford just about any vehicle he wants. An elite scorer and playmaker on the court, Harden undeniably deserves the money he is earning as a former member of the Houston Rockets and a current player for the 76ers.
James’ most iconic vehicle has to be his custom-painted Rolls Royce Wraith. Truly a one-of-a-kind piece of driveable art, Harden will certainly stand out on the streets as he does on the court. Of course, a vehicle that costs half a million dollars must be able to reach top speeds, and the Wraith can hit those thanks to an engine packed with 600 horsepower.
Shaquille O’Neal – Rolls Royce Phantom ($500,000)
With an estimated net worth of $500 million and a clear path to becoming a billionaire one day, 3-time Finals MVP Shaquille O’Neal can pretty much buy as many vehicles as he wants. This $500,000 Rolls Royce Phantom is no exception, and it might be the most impressive car that The Diesel owns in terms of price tag and luxury.
This particular Rolls Royce Phantom was purchased by Shaq during an NBA All-Star Weekend event, a chance for the superstar center to continue his moment in the public eye with a gift all for himself. Obviously, as a man who stands over 7 feet tall, Shaq’s Rolls Royce has been customized to fit the big man comfortably while also adding in customized parts and paint jobs the former Lakers star asked for.
Dwight Howard – Knight XV Truck ($600,000)
Dwight Howard once again appears on the list, this time courtesy of a $600,000 Knight XV Truck. Dwight is a noticeable player when he walks on the street as a 6’10” behemoth, but he is even more noticeable when he is driving a truck built for a multiple-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer.
It is widely known that Dwight Howard reportedly pulls up to games in his $600,000 Knight XV Truck that packs a V10, 6.8-liter engine capable of 300 horsepower. The 265 lb powerhouse of a center also makes sure his ride fits the bill of a giant, as the Knight Truck weighs 13 tons itself! A big man deserves a big car, and Dwight Howard has one of the most unique vehicles in NBA history.
LeBron James – Lamborghini Aventador ($670,000)
Whether you love it or hate it, LeBron James is one of the flashiest athletes in the history of American sports. King James is now officially a billionaire, and he has the financial capabilities to purchase any car of his choosing, including a Lamborghini Aventador costing over $650,000.
King James’ Lamborghini has a custom wrap that was a multi-artist collaboration, a reason why it is extremely distinctive and flashy to the naked eye. With its unique paint job and incredible customized layout, LeBron’s Lamborghini slightly sacrificed power to make it unique to The King. LeBron easily has a few other top vehicles that are beautiful to the eye, but this one might be his best yet.
Derrick Rose – Bugatti Veyron ($1.7 Million)
The youngest MVP of all time, Derrick Rose, hit superstardom as soon as he started making headlines with his exceptional play on the court. Following the footsteps of former Chicago Bulls athletic phenom Michael Jordan, Rose began captivating fans with his amazing play. Fitting for the youngest MVP ever, Rose spent $1.7 million on a Bugatti Veyron.
The elite vehicle comes with a W16 engine and four turbochargers, making it capable of reaching 1,000 horsepower at least. Also packed with 10 radiators, this Bugatti is built with safety and comfort in mind because it will never overheat and also fits a 6’2” guard extremely comfortably. Even if Rose has plenty of “what-if” thoughts about his NBA career, it could be possible that the Bugatti Veyron uplifts him whenever he gets inside.
Michael Jordan – Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir ($2,000,000)
In typical GOAT fashion, 6-time NBA champion Michael Jordan might be an owner of a $2 million Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir that is one of the flashiest cars ever created. A rocket on the streets and extremely flashy when parked, Jordan deserves a car of this magnitude considering his dominance on an NBA court and the brilliance of his off-court ventures.
The Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir was most likely purchased by Michael once he finished playing basketball, which could explain why news outlets are not following this vehicle around with Mike in it. A Bugatti is a car that only a select few of the population will ever get to drive on a consistent basis, and Jordan is a man who certainly has that blessing.
Michael Jordan – Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722 Edition ($3,000,000)
It is widely believed that Michael is an owner of this $3 million vehicle but never drove it enough to make use of it. It is believed that Michael ended up getting rid of the vehicle not long after purchasing it, possibly because the price tag might be too unjustifiable. Even for a billionaire, $3 million on a car is quite a hit to take.
It is speculated that Jordan’s McLaren, at a reported $3 million, is the most expensive car that the former Bulls superstar has owned over his legendary career. In fact, it is likely the most expensive vehicle that any NBA player might have owned because no star made as much money as The GOAT did. Fittingly, the 6-time NBA champion tops the list with the most spectacular vehicle, and it is hard to dispute that considering the ultimate rarity the McLaren SLR 722 Edition brings.
