They make less, but Pop doesn't play rookies. The only rookie that Pop has ever played was Tony. And after winning a le the Spurs wanted to bring back the entire team so paying 3 million isn't that much. How much is the league minimum 1 million or so? And if it around that much what could have the Spurs done with that extra 2 million sign Mahinmi or Splitter who Pop wouldn't have played anyways?

BTW, the only reason I brought up Mahinmi and Splitter is because someone posed the question and so I thought I'd give a couple examples of current Spurs players who's potential value exceeds what they're being paid.

I could've gone with Parker, Ginobili, Bowen, or even Udoka....