The Highest-Paid NBA Players This Year

Quick Links

• Paul George

• Jimmi Butler

• James Harden

• Joel Embiid

• Klay Thompson

• Damian Lillard

• Giannis Antetokounmpo

• Kevin Durant

• Stephen Curry

• LeBron James

Highlights

• Paul George, Jimmi Butler, and James Harden are among the highest-paid NBA players, earning millions from their on-court performance and endorsements.
• Joel Embiid, Klay Thompson, and Damian Lillard are also top earners, securing lucrative contracts and endorsement deals.
• These players have achieved success in their careers, with numerous accolades and recognition for their skills on the basketball court.

There were two rival basketball associations in America in the late 1940s: the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America.

In 1949, they sidelined their differences, and agreed to join hands to form the NBA we know today.

In the 74 years of the NBA's existence, many great players have come and gone.

But some have owned their era of basketball, such as George Mikan, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan.

They were all the greatest of their time, and among the highest-paid NBA players in their respective eras.

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Now it's time to see which players are in demand and deemed as the greatest in the modern era, how much wealth they have gathered, and who are the highest-paid players in the NBA today.

10 Paul George

Yearly Income: $54.6 Million

This all started two days before the 2010 NBA Draft, when one eastern scout predicted that in five years Paul George would become the greatest player from that draft.

And he was right.

In 2010, the new kid (also known as PG-13) signed a two-year contract for $3.9 million with the Indiana Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers liked him so much they extended his contract for $6.6 million.

From 2014 to 2018, Paul George was paid $91.5 million for 5 years and his average salary was $18.3 million.

In 2021, Paul George was among the highest-paid players in NBA, earning $39.3 million.

In 2022 he was paid $42.2 million for his skills on the basketball court.

Now 33 years old, George is earning $45.6 million in the NBA, and $9 million through endorsements and his podcast.

9 Jimmi Butler

Yearly Income: $55.2 Million

Jimmi Butler burst onto the NBA scene in 2011 when he left college and decided to pursue a full-time NBA career due to his impressive performance in college.

The Chicago Bulls were impressed with Butler's skills, and as an entry-level Texas-based NBA star, he earned $5.2 million from 2011 to 2014.

In 2015, the Miami Bulls couldn't let their star player go, so they offered "the point machine" a massive sum of $95 million for five years.

The relationship between Jimmi Butler and the Chicago Bulls ended abruptly, and he got traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

After one year, he got traded again to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Jimmi Butler's career was shaking, but the Miami Heat came to the rescue, and offered him $140.7 million for four years.

Now, the 34-year-old Butler is getting a deserved $45.2 million yearly salary – and also earns $10 million through endorsements and his e-commerce coffee brand.

8 James Harden

Yearly Income: $57.6 Million

James Harden, regarded as one of the greatest basketball guards ever, earned a massive $17.3 million from his entry-level career – starting from 2009 to 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"The Beard" (James Harden), with his distinctive facial hair, spent ten years (and created a glorious legacy) with the Houston Rockets, earning around $173.5 million.

James Harden teamed up with Crazy Brother Yang, a popular Chinese YouTuber, to promote his J-Harden wines.

Crazy Brother Yang demonstrated his influential power and managed to sell 10,000 bottles of wine in just 5 seconds.

For the past six years, James Harden has been earning a salary of $30 million dollars or more, thanks to his exceptional skill in guarding opponents on the basketball court.

In addition to his lucrative salary, 34-year-old James Harden has invested in various businesses and established his own wine brand.

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7 Joel Embiid

Yearly Income: $57.6 Million

The Cameroonian basketball player with prodigious ability has been conquering the court since 2014.

Although his initial two years were injury-prone, when he recovered he started to score, and he went far. But 2023 has been a glorious year for Joel Embiid.

He was included in the All-NBA first team for the first time, and Embiid was also declared the Most Valuable Player in 2023 for his staggering performance.

Nikola Jokić, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid are tied as the second-highest salary earners in 2023, each receiving a substantial sum of $47.6 million.

At the age of 29, Joel Embiid is securing lucrative endorsement deals, yet he is dissatisfied because he aspires to transition from being rich to becoming wealthy.

Embiid discussed the difference between being "rich" and being "wealthy" in early 2023.

Forbes quoted Embiid, who explained his view on endorsements, income, and smart money management:

The business model of endorsements is great, but that’s not how you become wealthy.

I’m at a period of my life where I’m learning a lot because I’m still trying to find what I’m interested in, what I want to do, so this summer was big as far as meeting a bunch of people that helped me a lot, teaching me about what’s the best model to go from rich to wealthy.

For this, he partnered with LeBron James and launched the production studio Miniature Geant.

Additionally, Embiid invested in Mitchell & Ness-Fanatic Inc., a colossal sports apparel company operated by his close friend Michael Rubin.

6 Klay Thompson

Yearly Income: $61.2 Million

Basketball runs in Klay Thompson's blood, as he is the son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson, and Klay is regarded as one of the best three-point shooters of all time.

Thompson is famous for playing Game 6 of the playoffs significantly well, earning the nickname "Game 6 Klay."

The Golden State Warriors picked him in the 2011 draft at $9.7 million for his first four-year contract.

Throughout his entire NBA career, Thompson played for the Golden State Warriors.

The legendary Golden State Warriors guard, earning an average salary for the last five years of $37.9 million, is set to receive a salary of $43.2 million this year for his impeccable three-point shooting and efficient gameplay.

Now 33, Klay Thompson has secured eleven long-term endorsement partnerships from major companies, including the watchmaker Tissot, the healthcare network Kaise Pemernante, and the Chinese shoe brand Anta.

5 Damian Lillard

Yearly Income: $63.6 Million

Damian Lillard’s debut in the NBA was outstanding, as he scored 23 points and assisted eleven times in his opening game.

Lillard became the third player ever to record 20 points and 11 assists in a debut game, alongside Oscar Robertson and Allen Iverson.

In 2021, Lillard was picked by the Portland Trail Blazers, and performed so well he became Rookie Of The Year.

In his initial four years, he earned $13.8 million dollars, and in the next five years, from 2016 to 2020, he accumulated $139.9 million dollars.

Damian Lillard, who turned 33 in July, received a salary of $45.6 million and made $18 million dollars off-court, thanks to his Adidas Signature Shoe line, Dame 8.

He collaborated with various sponsors, including Adidas, AT&T, Gatorade, Moda Health, Oakley, Spalding, Tissot, and Toyota.

In fact, he is the co-owner of the Damian Lillard Toyota dealership in McMinnville.

4 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Yearly Income: $85.6 Million

Nigerian Greek basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo took part in the NBA draft in 2013 and was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks, earning $8.6 million during his four-year rookie contract career.

His rookie career was a mixed bag for the Greek basketball player, with some impressive performances and some average or poor showings.

However, when he picked up the pace, he became unstoppable.

The Milwaukee Bucks invested $100 million from 2017 to 2020 to retain him on their squad.

Giannis Antetokounmpo's speed, power, and ball-handling ability have astonished basketball fans. They nicknamed him the Greek Freak.

His previous salary was $42.2 million, and this year he earned $45.6 million on the basketball court.

Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has endorsed many brands, including Google Pixel, Nike, Degree deodorant, JBL, and T-Mobile.

The 28-year-old star earns $40 million through endorsements and several ventures.

Antetokounmpo owns Avli Greek restaurant, a clothing brand bearing his surname (Antetokounmpo), and has invested in many profitable ventures.

3 Kevin Durant

Yearly Income: $91.4 Million

One of the greatest players in the NBA, Kevin Durant, received the second overall pick by the Seattle Supersonics in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Across his four-year rookie career, he earned a massive $19.5 million.

The legendary Kevin Durant, for more than one and a half decades, has been proving his exceptional skill on the hardwood, and rightfully earning millions.

From 2019 to 2022, he earned $164.2 million dollars, averaging $41 million a year.

In 2023, he acquired $46.4 million from the Phoenix Suns. His off-court earnings are a massive $45 million.

Kevin Durant, now 35, is a frequent investor in profitable businesses through his company, Thirty-Five Ventures.

2 Stephen Curry

Yearly Income: $101.9 Million

Stephen Curry is often the subject of debates pertaining to whether he is the greatest shooter of all time or not.

In the seven decades of the NBA championship, many legendary shooters and guards have passed through, but Stephen Curry is the greatest of the contemporary era, surpassing every record.

One of the greatest players in the NBA, Steph Curry was acquired as the second overall pick by the Seattle Supersonics for the 2007 NBA Draft, and for his rookie four-year career, he earned a massive $19.5 million.

Stephen Curry is the highest earner on the court, receiving $51.9 million for his impeccable skills.

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Also known as the "Baby Faced Assassin," from 2017 to 2021, Curry earned $201.1 million dollars over five years, averaging $40 million dollars per annum.

At 35 years old, Steph Curry owns $75 million worth of shares in the well-known sportswear brand Under Armor.

He also owns a production company by the name Unanimous Media, Curry Brand, specializing in athletic apparel and sneakers, and Game Changer Distillery, his bourbon company.

1 LeBron James

Yearly Income: $117.6 Million

There is a constant debate among NBA enthusiasts about which NBA star is truly the best, LeBron James or Michael Jordan.

Some side with Lebron and some lend their support towards Michael Jordan, but no one can deny that Lebron is one of the brightest stars in the NBA's sky.

The greatest NBA player of the 21st century, LeBron James received $18.7 million for his four rookie years with his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

LeBron James signed a $97.1 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and became the highest-paid NBA player ever, earning $589.5 million dollars and surpassing the record previously held by Kevin Durant.

At 38, LeBron James is not the highest-paid on-court player, but he is by far the highest-paid player off the court, surpassing everyone in yearly earnings thanks to endorsement deals and businesses he owns.

James co-owns Fanway Sports Group, Springhill Entertainment, Uninterrupted Media, Blaze Pizza chain, and Ladder sports nutrient company.

King James , the highest scorer ever in the NBA, surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 points. Now he has scored 39,060 points.

These basketball legends are all earning millions as the highest-paid NBA players, the result of having dedicated their entire lives to sports.

After years of practice, perseverance, and several heartbreaks, they have reached the top positions in the basketball world.

LeBron James is leading the net worth chart and off-court earnings, whereas Stephen Curry is the highest-paid player in the NBA in terms of player salaries.

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