One of the highest-paying leagues in the world at the moment, the NBA has gone from a poverty-stricken organisation to now paying its top stars in upwards of $50 million a year. Starting with players transcending to global fame such as Michael Jordan, the television deals have skyrocketed, and so has the asking price for the players.
With most players having secured their massive paydays for the 2025-26 season, let’s look at the top 10 highest-paid players in the league.
Yes, such is the growth of the NBA that the 15th highest-paid player in the NBA is also earning $50 million a year.
Leonard has been with the Los Angeles Clippers since 2019 and signed a three-year extension worth $153 million in January 2024. He missed significant time due to injuries in the 2024-25 season, averaging 21.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in 37 appearances.
A nine-time NBA All-Star, George signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, but miserably failed to deliver. The Sixers are patient for now, and he will hope to bounce back next season to live up to the hefty price tag of $51.66 million.
In 41 appearances last season, he averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game.
James continued to produce at an elite level in his age-40 season, and despite rumors surrounding a potential exit from the Los Angeles Lakers this season, he opted in for the $52.62 player option.
LEBRON JAMES CHASEDOWN BLOCK!! OMG!! pic.twitter.com/hn1NpvRCLJ
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) April 20, 2025
The four-time NBA champion averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game last season, and will be chasing his fifth ring in his potential final NBA season in 2025-26.
While the Pheonix Suns parted ways with Kevin Durant this offseason, Devin Booker will continue to be the centerpiece in the Valley. He is entering the second year of a four-year, $220 million contract, and will earn $53.14 million next season.
Booker averaged a career high 37.3 minutes per game last season, and scored 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.
Towns led the New York Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals in his first season with the franchise. He is on a four-year, $224 million contract and will earn $53.14 million next season.
Towns was traded to the Knicks as part of a three-team trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 1 steal per game, the last two being his career highs.
Brown’s name has been involved in trade rumors but the Boston Celtics star is likley to stay for now. He is on his five-year deal worth up to $304 million, the second-richest deal in NBA history, and will earn $53.12 million next season.
Brown’s season was cut short due to an injury in the latter part of the last season, but he still averaged an impressive 22.2 points, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game, the last two being career highs.
While Durant continued to produce at an elite level last season, the chemistry was missing with the Suns, and they ultimately failed to reach the playoffs. He will now suit up for the Houston Rockets, and is entering the final year of his four-year, $198 million, which will pay him $53.2 million.
No introduction necessary.
🏆 2x NBA Champion
🥇 NBA MVP
💫 15x NBA All-Star
🏅 2x NBA Finals MVP
🏅 4x Olympic Gold MedalistWelcome to Houston, Kevin Durant! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/BSiZIXOXf7
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 6, 2025
Through 62 appearances last season, Durant averaged 26.6 points, six rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
Beal is another name circulating highly in the trade rumors, and could be playing for a team other than the Suns next season. His salary won’t have much effect though, and will earn $53.66 million in 2025-26.
Beal was limited to just 53 games last season, and posted the lowest scoring average of his career since his rookie season.
Buttler arrived in Golden State in a blockbuster trade from the Miami Heat earlier this year, and will earn $54.12 million next season from the two-year, $121 million extension he signed in Bay Area. In his 30 games for the Warriors, he averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.
Tatum continued to be elite for the Celtics last season, but Boston fell short of another championship in the playoffs. At the start of the season, he had signed a record breaking five-year contract extension worth up to $314 million and will earn $54.12 million next season.
Through 72 appearances, he averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and a career high six assists per game.
Davis was shockingly shipped to the Dallas Mavericks earlier this year for Luka Doncic by the Lakers, and but he is still on his three-year, $186 million deal and will earn $54.12 million next season.
He was limited to just nine games in Dallas due to a season-ending injury, and in 42 appearances for the Lakers, he averaged 25.7 and 11.9 rebounds per game.
Antetokounmpo trade rumors were perhaps at an all-time high this offseason after the Milwuackee Bucks suffered another playoff heartbreak, but it looks like he is staying. He is on his three-year, $186 million extension with the Bucks, and will earn $54.12 million next season.
Across 67 appaearances last season, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and a career high 6.5 assists per game.
Jokić will continue to be the centerpiece of the Denver Nuggets next season. He is entering the fourth year of his five-year, $264 million supermax contract extension and will earn $55.2 million in 2025-26.
Jokić continued to set new career highs last season, and averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.
Embiid signed a a three-year, $193 million extension last seasona after notching up career highs in scoring in 2023-24 season. However, he was limited to just 19 games last season due to injuries, and averaged just 23.8 points, and 8.2 rebounds.
However, Embiid continues to remain the Sixers centerpiece and will earn $55.22 Million next season, making him the joint second highest paid player in the NBA.
Curry continues to be at the top of his game, and had it not been for an injury in the playoffs, the Warriors might have won another championship. He averaged 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game across 70 games last season.
The 37-yearold is playing on the final year of his four year, $215 million deal in 2025-26 season and will earn a whopping $59.60 million. He signed a one-year extension worth $62.5 million in August last year, which will keep him in Bay Area through the 2026-27 season as well as likely maintain his spot as the highest-paid NBA player.
03Jun
08Jul
11Jul
15Jul
17Jul
18Jul
by