The Highest Paid Players in NBA

Salaries That’ll Make Your Jaw Drop!

These Ballers Are Banking!

NBA players don’t just get paid to hoop anymore—they’re brand builders, moguls, and walking empires with sneakers to sell and fanbases to feed. The league’s salary cap has ballooned, TV deals are printing money, and superstars are cashing in like never before. 

Let’s break down the highest-paid players in NBA history, which are the players right now. NBA contracts are constantly breaking records year after year right now because the numbers are wild. However, the richest NBA players are the ones who invested their money and used their image to make millions.

Who Are the Top 5 Highest-Paid NBA Players Right Now?

When it comes to elite talent in the NBA, the numbers on the paycheck often speak just as loudly as those on the stat sheet. Here are the highest-paid players in the NBA heading into 2025—and let’s just say the bank accounts are as stacked as the highlight reels.

1. Stephen Curry – $59,606,817
   Still the face of the Warriors. Still one of the most electric players on the planet. And, yes—still the top earner in the league. Curry’s deal is peaking this season at just under $60 million, which feels right for a guy who changed how basketball is played.
2. Nikola Jokic – $55,224,526
   The two-time MVP from Denver isn’t just redefining what a big man can do—he’s doing it while making over $55 million this season. His vision, touch, and unselfish dominance make him one of the NBA’s richest athletes, and there’s more to come as his contract escalates.
3. Joel Embiid – $55,224,526
   Same paycheck same level of impact. The reigning MVP has Philly on his shoulders—and the Sixers are paying him like it.
4. Jayson Tatum – $54,126,450
   Fresh off signing the largest multi-year contract in NBA history, Tatum is now one of the top-earning NBA players: a Boston cornerstone and a bank-breaker.
5. Jimmy Butler – $54,126,450
   In a surprise twist, Butler joins Golden State and the top five earners. It’s the same grit and fire—just with a GSW jersey and a massive paycheck to match.

Honorable Mentions in the NBA Money Game

Not in the top 5, but worth watching (and banking on):

• Luka Doncic: His supermax is looming, and it’s expected to shatter records.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo: Giannis signed a team-friendly deal in the first few years of his super max but will be among the highest-paid players next season.
• Anthony Davis: Anthony Davis signed a three-year, $175,369,471 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers before being traded to Dallas.

Who Holds the Record for the Largest Multi-Year Contract in NBA History?

In July 2024, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum secured a five-year, $314 million supermax contract extension, setting a new benchmark for NBA player earnings, according to the NBA. This deal surpassed the previous record held by Tatum’s teammate, Jaylen Brown, who signed a five-year, $304 million supermax extension in 2023.

That said, NBA player salaries are inflating like crazy, so don’t be shocked if someone (probably Luka Doncic) resets the market again very soon. In fact, with the new media rights deal on the horizon, we could be looking at $70 million annual contracts in the next few years. Wild.

How NBA Player Salaries Have Exploded

Want some perspective? Michael Jordan earned $93 million in total NBA salary throughout his career. That’s less than what most modern stars earn in two seasons. It’s not a knock—it’s just a reminder of how far the league has come.

Thanks to international growth, massive TV contracts, streaming rights, and collective bargaining wins, the players are finally getting their slice of the pie. The max contract isn’t just a perk anymore—it’s an expectation for superstars.

NBA’s Richest Athletes: It’s Bigger Than Just Salary

The numbers above? That’s just what they make from the league. The real money for the NBA’s richest athletes often comes from everything off the court.

Michael Jordan

 Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player, Michael Jordan’s financial success mirrors his athletic prowess. With a net worth of $3.5 billion according to Wikipedia, Jordan’s wealth is bolstered by:

• Endorsements and Brand Partnerships: His collaboration with Nike led to the creation of the Jordan Brand, generating $7 billion in revenue in 2024.​
• Luxury Assets: Jordan’s 9,100-square-foot estate in Jupiter, Florida, features a private golf course and basketball court. His car collection, valued at over $8 million, includes rare models like the Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir.​
• Business Ventures: His ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets and other investments highlight his business acumen.

Other NBA Superstars that are worth more than a billion dollars:

Magic Johnson

With a net worth of $1.2 billion, Magic turned his Showtime legacy into a business empire. From Starbucks franchises to ownership stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Magic’s moves off the court have been as smooth as his no-look passes. 

LeBron James

King James isn’t just a basketball icon—he’s a business mogul. Worth $1 billion, LeBron has stakes in Fenway Sports Group and co-founded SpringHill Entertainment. 

Final Thoughts: Big Bucks, Big Game

The highest-paid players in NBA history aren’t just cashing checks—they’re shaping the culture, shifting the business, and rewriting what it means to be a modern athlete. Whether breaking scoring records or building tech empires, these guys are turning buckets into billions.

And with each new contract signed, each record broken, one thing becomes more apparent: the NBA isn’t just a game anymore—it’s a booming business.

Last Updated: April 24, 2025