With all NBA teams wheeling and dealing this summer to place them in the best position possible in terms of their payrolls, a video was recently made where it shows the highest paid players of each franchise. While it’s easy to assume that a majority of them will be for next season, as the increase in the salary cap would be the biggest reason for it, there are some surprises on the list as well.

There are 21 players slated to become the highest paid in their franchise’s history, which speaks volumes about their ability to commit on huge contracts because of the revenue they are expected to make in return. However, the nine others that were paid the most by their teams are also surprising because of the amounts given as the cap has not blown up yet then.

Michael Jordan is the only one in the list that was from the 1990s, and the Chicago Bulls never came close to offering a player close to what they paid His Airness back then. It’s also hard  to question the decision of the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and even the Phoenix Suns to pay Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal to pay those figures, as they are all time greats.

It is also worth noting that majority of the deals for next season were only signed either last year or this summer, as a record number of max contracts were inked this offseason. What’s more interesting is that the reigning MVP, Russell Westbrook, could sign an even bigger deal if he will opt to remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is called the super max.

While money may be the main reason why players put in a lot of work and sacrifice their bodies during games, a team’s culture and the best chance of winning also factors in to their decision on where to sign. Kevin Durant is a prime example that it’s not about maximizing his earnings, as he left around $10 million on the table this summer, in order to help the Golden State Warriors keep their core intact. It does not occur often, but it has been done and could happen again in the future.