Who is the highest-paid NBA player? Highest NBA salaries, biggest wages by team

With the NBA establishing itself as one of the most lucrative sports leagues, players continue to be offered mammoth contracts year after year that see some of them rank among the world's highest-earning athletes.

The NBA's salary cap for the 2025-26 campaign is set at an eye-watering $154.647 million, with several players now commanding over $50m per year, more than double the $23.5m allocated to the legendary Kobe Bryant, who was the league's top earner in the 2014-15 season.

While the highest-paid players in the NBA are usually the top superstars, their earnings reflect not only their performance on the court but also their marketability and influence beyond it.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the players that currently top the earnings chart in the NBA below.

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WHO IS THE HIGHEST-PAID NBA PLAYER?

Leading the list of the highest-paid players for the 2025-26 NBA season is none other than the greatest three-point shooter in history, Stephen Curry.

Curry boasts an incredible resume, which includes four NBA championships, two Most Valuable Player awards, an Olympic gold medal, as well as being named Finals MVP and making the All-Star team on 11 separate occasions.

Curry's leadership has been a key factor in Golden State's multiple championships, and his record-breaking salary, which is reportedly in the region of $59.6m, highlights his immense value to the franchise.

In August 2021, Curry signed a four-year, $215m contract extension with the Warriors, just before securing his fourth NBA championship, which was a milestone that made him the first player in league history to sign two contracts exceeding $200m.

The future Hall of Famer recently extended his deal by a further year, ensuring his iconic tenure in the Bay Area continues through at least the 2026-27 season.

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WHO ARE THE TOP 10 HIGHEST-PAID PLAYERS IN THE NBA?

Just after Curry, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are currently tied for the second-highest salary in the NBA.

Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo are tied for fourth, while Kevin Durant takes up the seventh spot after his recent deal with the Houston Rockets that will see him record more contract earnings than any other NBA player in history.

Devin Booker, Jaylen Brown and Karl-Anthony Towns round off the top 10.

 

Top 10 highest-earners in the NBA for 2025-26

1. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) - $59,606,817

2. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) - $55,224,526

= Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) - $55,224,526

4. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) - $54,126,450

= Jimmy Butler (Golden State Warriors) - $54,126,450

= Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks) - $54,126,450

= Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) - $54,126,450

8. Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets) - $53,282,608

9. Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) - $53,142,264

= Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics) -  $53,142,264

= Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks) -  $53,142,264

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WHO ARE THE HIGHEST-PAID NBA PLAYERS BY TEAM?

Among all the highest earners in each team for the 2025-26 campaign, the Chicago Bulls' Josh Giddey will pocket the least amount after his recent four-year, $100 million deal with the franchise.

Alongside Giddey, Michael Porter Jr., LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, Bam Adebayo, Zion Williamson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Franz Wagner, Jrue Holiday, De'Aaron Fox, Scottie Barnes and Khris Middleton will also earn less than $40 million.

However, it is worth noting that Gilgeous-Alexander's deal with the Thunder is set to see him earn $365,456,000 over the next six years, which is the largest contract in NBA history.

Highest-paid NBA players by team

Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young - $45,999,660 Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum - $54,126,450 Brooklyn Nets: Michael Porter Jr. - $38,333,050 Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball - $37,958,760 Chicago Bulls: Josh Giddey - $25,000,000 Cleveland Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell / Evan Mobley - $46,394,100 Dallas Mavericks: Anthony Davis - $54,126,450 Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic - $55,224,526 Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham - $46,394,100 Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry - $59,606,817 Houston Rockets: Kevin Durant - $53,282,608 Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton / Pascal Siakam - $45,550,512 Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard - $50,000,000 Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James - $52,627,153 Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant - $39,446,090 Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo - $37,096,620 Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo - $54,126,450 Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards - $45,550,512 New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson - $39,446,090 New York Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns - $53,142,264 Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - $38,833,050 Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner - $38,661,750 Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid - $55,224,526 Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker - $53,142,264 Portland Trail Blazers: Jrue Holiday - $32,400,000 Sacramento Kings: Zach LaVine - $47,499,660 San Antonio Spurs: De'Aaron Fox - $37,096,620 Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes - $38,661,750 Utah Jazz: Lauri Markkanen - $46,394,100 Washington Wizards: Khris Middleton - $33,296,296