Ben Simmons headlines NBA's highest-paid players per appearance

The NBA has dozens of players raking in monster multi-million-dollar pay packets, but some of them are costing their club even more than they bargained for.

Some, due to injury or suspension, are costing millions of dollars per appearance on the court more than they should be.

A study, conducted by CSGOluck has run the numbers to evaluate how much money per game the NBA's highest paid players are earning during the 2023/24 season.

As of February 13, with almost 30 games per team still to be played this season, these are the 22 players who have earned the most money per appearance on the court.

Some of the figures are staggering, with Aussie Ben Simmons topping the list.

Scroll on to see the list.

Kicking off the list is the Mavericks superstar, who more than earns his keep but costs the franchise $1.53 million per appearance in the NBA this year.

Doncic is in the midst of a monster five-year contract worth about $330 million over the length of the deal.

A championship winner from last season with the Denver Nuggets, Jokic is one of the league's best players and is earning $1.55 million per match.

Jokic is on a five-year deal with the Nuggets worth an estimated $423 million over the length of the deal.

Another player who comes in at $1.55 million per appearance is the 'Greek Freak', who has been the poster boy for the Milwaukee Bucks in recent years.

Antetokounmpo's current contract is worth approximately $285 million over three seasons with the Bucks.

A fixture of the Golden State franchise throughout their dynasty, Thompson rakes in $1.58 million per match - and he's not the only Warriors star on big bucks.

Thompson is coming towards the end of a five-year deal with the Warriors with an estimated $291 million.

After ending an 11-year tenure with Portland, the NBA veteran is now plying his trade for the Bucks and earning $1.59 million per appearance this season.

'Dame Time' is on a contract worth approximately $331 million over the next four seasons.

One of the more surprising names on this list, Ayton is bringing home $1.6 million per appearance for the Trail Blazers this season.

Ayton is on a four-year deal worth $203 million with Portland, but has struggled to stay on the court this season due to injuries, which has driven how much he's costing his team per game sky high.

The only Boston player on this lists, Porzingis has earned $1.62 million per NBA game throughout the current season.

Porzingis recently extended through until the end of 2026 with the Celtics, but his current deal is worth $242 million over five years. Porzingis has also battled injuries this season.

A veteran of the NBA, George is enjoying his time in Clippers colours, raking in $1.63 million in each appearance for LA.

He is coming towards the end of a four year, $291 million contract with the team.

The greatest of all-time falls outside the top-10 and remains highly-active for the Lakers - but he's still managing to earn $1.66 million for each game he plays.

LeBron is one a two-year contract with Los Angeles worth approximately $152 million in total.

Not a well-known figure among casual fans, McCollum is the Pelicans' highest earner per game, taking home $1.66 million this season for the side.

McCollum's three-year deal with New Orleans is worth $153 million.

Another player from the Clippers, Leonard is on a bumper salary and is earning a tick over $1.7 million per game throughout this NBA campaign.

Leonard's deal is worth $342 million across four seasons after signing a contract extension with the franchise.

One of the best players of the modern era, Durant is still on great coin with the Phoenix Suns and has collected $1.83 million per game this season.

KD is earning $297 million over four years after previously signing a long-term deal with Brooklyn before being traded.

While he's just left Charlotte, Hayward is yet to play a game for his new team the Thunder - but his wallet will remain fat after bringing in $1.93 million per game before being traded away.

His deal with the Hornets was worth $184 million across four seasons.

Another high-profile star, Curry has been making bank with Golden State for a long time and this season, he's been taking home $1.94 million per appearance.

Curry's current deal with the Warriors is worth $330 million across four seasons.

The polarising Melbourne-born star has taken home $2.1 million per game this season with the Dallas Mavericks, entrenching him in the top-10 of this list.

Irving is on a three-year deal worth $193 million with the Mavs after returning to the franchise this season as a free agent.

The long-time Philly superstar has been raking in the cash this season, earning $2.12 million per game for the 76ers.

Embiid is in the middle of a four-year contract with the 76ers worth an estimated total of $327 million. 

A popular NBA veteran, Butler is costing the Miami Heat $2.17 million per appearance this season as he continues to cement his legacy in the league.

Butler recently signed a new contract with Miami that spans three years and will see him earn approximately $224 million.

The face of the Chicago Bulls right now, Lavine has earned a massive $2.46 million in each of the 25 NBA games he's played this year.

He is still in the early stages of a five-year, $330 million contract in Chi-Town.

Cleveland's leading man doesn't come cheap, with Garland collecting a cool $2.6 million per game this NBA season in his 20 appearances for the team.

Garland's current five-year deal sits at $302 million in total but he has not provided great value for that this season due to several injuries which have kept him off the court, including a broken jaw.

Into the top-three and Beal is another Phoenix star on the list, bringing home a bumper $3.12 million per appearance, with the Suns firmly in the mix for the playoffs.

Beal has played 23 games this year for the Suns, with his $385 million contract - which he initially signed at the Washington Wizards - still has a few years to run. Injury, once again, has played its part in his whopping per match pay packet.