With all of the massive jumps in player salaries, new league historical records have been set all beginning with the NBA's touted nine-year, $24 billion media rights deal with ESPN and Turner Sports.

Last week Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry signed the league's very first $200 million contract. That deal made headways even causing LeBron James to speak up about players not being paid their full worth.

Saturday's surprise brought James Harden a mega-deal worth more than Curry's, as he signed an extension with the Houston Rockets worth $228 million.

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Harden's next contract alone marks him No. 2 of the Top 5 highest career salary earners amongst all active players including the likes of James, Carmelo Anthony and just below the longest-tenured Dirk Nowitzki.

Even more shocking on the opposite end shows Nowitzki taking massive pay cuts throughout his career for as much as $194 million over his 20-year career, to remain in Dallas and to give the team financial flexibility for roster moves.