Golden salaries in the NBA break records and highlight contrast among stars

Big names in the NBA, like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and others, form the elite of basketball. They are among the richest athletes on the planet, commanding jaw-dropping salaries. According to some estimates, the average salary of an NBA player hovers around $10.5 million. These stars shine brightly as some of the best-paid athletes in sports. However, it hasn’t always been this way, and it doesn’t apply to every player in the league.

NBA’s salary cap

As reported by outlets like First Sportz, ahead of the 24-25 NBA season, league franchises operated with a salary cap of $140.588 million. Teams strive to stay below this cap to avoid penalties that could affect future seasons.

Although the NBA’s cap may seem high at first glance, it can actually be limiting. Each team has a roster of 15 players to pay. While the stars boast hefty averages, stark salary disparities exist. Notably, the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement benefits the top players. This is why they earn some of the highest salaries and dominate professional sports leagues.

The highest earners

In the NBA, performance is everything. Players who make it to the All-Star Game lineup, earn Player of the Week or Month titles, or snag awards see their earnings soar. Every season, there’s a new name claiming the title of the NBA’s top earner.

Take Jayson Tatum, for instance—he’s expected to surpass $60 million per season soon. Hot on his heels, Curry is another player likely to reach this milestone. Currently, Jaylen Brown tops the NBA’s earning chart with $57 million. He is followed by Nikola Jokic at $55,224,526 and LeBron James at $50,677,999. Devin Booker trails close behind with $55,110,496, and Stephen Curry rounds out the top five with a base salary of $53,838,416. Together, these NBA players form the league’s top earners.

 

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Unlike other sports, an NBA player’s salary isn’t tied to their position on the court. To land a supermax contract, they simply need to be elite.

The lowest earners

While the NBA’s top stars command astronomical salaries, some players are less fortunate. Take Kevin Knox, a forward for the Golden State Warriors, for example. While Knox isn’t poorly paid by everyday standards, his earnings pale in comparison to the league’s biggest stars. In fact, Knox’s net worth, after seven seasons in the NBA, is estimated at $27 million—still higher than many NFL or MLB players.

Others on the NBA’s lowest-paid list include Orlando Robinson at $491,887, Keshad Johnson at $1,340,130, Ryan Rollins at $491,887, and Pat Spencer at $438,810.

Endorsement deals

Beyond their NBA salaries, another significant factor in players’ colossal earnings is sponsorships and commercial agreements. These deals often include partnerships with sports brands, sneaker launches, apparel lines, and more tied to the players’ names.

Such endorsements are highly common in basketball, making NBA players’ overall earnings even more enticing compared to other sports. This extraordinary wealth has catapulted players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James into billionaire status. In fact, LeBron is the wealthiest player in the league—and many others may soon join his ranks.