2025 NBA Salaries: Who Leads the League in Earnings?

The financial landscape of the National Basketball Association has reached stratospheric new heights, transforming player contracts into eye-watering figures that captivate fans and analysts alike. As the league’s revenue soars, a new generation of superstars is signing deals that will soon shatter the current salary records, signaling a bold new era in professional sports economics.

Who Are the Highest-Paid NBA Players for the 2024-25 Season?

For the upcoming season, the familiar face of Stephen Curry remains atop the earnings list. The Golden State Warriors maestro will earn a staggering $55.76 million, cementing his status as the league’s top earner, according to ESPN salary data. This comes after Curry himself made headlines by suggesting that NBA players are often “underpaid” relative to the immense value they generate for their franchises.

Hot on his heels are two of the league’s most dominant centers, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets, who are tied for second place with identical salaries of $51.41 million. The list underscores the financial power of elite talent, with the Phoenix Suns featuring heavily by having three players—Kevin Durant ($51.17M), Bradley Beal ($50.20M), and Devin Booker ($49.20M)—in the top ten, a testament to their all-in strategy for championship contention.

The complete top 10 salary list for the 2024-25 NBA season is:

• 1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: $55,761,216
• T2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers: $51,415,938
• T2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets: $51,415,938
• 4. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns: $51,179,021
• 5. Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns: $50,203,930
• 6. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers: $49,350,000
• 7. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns: $49,205,800
• T8. Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers: $49,205,800
• T8. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks: $49,205,800
• T8. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics: $49,205,800

The Future of NBA Supermax Contracts is Already Here

While the current season’s salaries are record-breaking, they are merely a prelude to what’s coming. The recent contract extension signed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the Oklahoma City Thunder has set a new benchmark for the entire sports world. As reported by USA Today, the reigning MVP’s four-year, $285 million extension will see his average annual salary rocket to approximately $71.3 million when it begins in the 2027-28 season.

This deal instantly makes Gilgeous-Alexander the future highest-paid player in the league and paves the way for his peers. Other superstars are following suit with monumental extensions. Joel Embiid’s new deal will see him earn an average of $64.3 million per year, while Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is set to average $62.8 million. This rapid inflation of supermax contracts is directly tied to the league’s rising salary cap, fueled by massive new media rights deals.

The landscape of athlete compensation is being redrawn before our eyes, with the $70 million-per-season player now a reality. As teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder lock in their homegrown talent for historic sums, the financial arms race in the NBA is guaranteed to intensify, ensuring the league’s best players are compensated at a level once thought impossible.

Must Know

Who is the highest-paid NBA player right now?
For the 2024-25 season, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is the highest-paid player, earning $55.76 million. He has held this top position for multiple seasons, a reflection of his immense value to the franchise and his status as a transformative player in the league.

How much is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s new contract worth?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder worth $285 million. This massive deal will have an average annual value of $71.3 million, making it the richest contract in NBA history by average yearly salary when it kicks in.

What is a supermax contract in the NBA?
A supermax contract is a designated veteran player extension offered to eligible stars who have achieved certain league honors early in their careers, such as making an All-NBA team. It allows a team to offer a player a higher maximum salary than any other team could, helping them retain their homegrown superstars.

Why are NBA salaries increasing so quickly?
NBA salaries are tied directly to the league’s Basketball Related Income (BRI). As the NBA secures increasingly lucrative television and media rights deals, the salary cap rises, which in turn allows for larger maximum contracts. The upcoming new media rights package is a primary driver of the record-breaking deals being signed now.

When does the 2025-26 NBA season start?
The next NBA season is scheduled to tip off on October 21, 2025. The opening night will feature a marquee matchup between the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets, followed by a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors.