Let’s ballpark it. A typical Big 3 player—someone like Alan Anderson or Willie Reed—probably takes home $50,000 to $100,000 for the season. That covers travel, a nice dinner, and maybe a used Honda Civic.
Compare that to an NBA role player who makes $4 million a year. See the gap? The Big 3 is not about getting rich; it’s about staying in the game.
The Exception: Joe Johnson’s Golden Year
You can’t talk Big 3 money without mentioning Iso Joe. In 2019, he signed a massive deal reportedly worth $1.5 million—and then became MVP. Dude averaged 21 points and won the championship. He literally carried the league on his back.
That payout was a flex. It sent a message: “If you can still ball, we will pay you.” But most guys aren’t Joe Johnson. Most are former lottery picks who lost their NBA step.
