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List of highest-paid NBA players by season

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of highest-paid NBA players by season

The highest-paid NBA players by season has recently eclipsed $40 million. Wilt Chamberlain has the most seasons leading the league with 8. Michael Jordan holds the largest 1-year contract in NBA history, LeBron James is the highest career earner, and Stephen Curry is the highest season earner as well as the largest multi-year contract holder in NBA history. During the 1946–47 NBA season Joe Fulks was the highest paid player ($8,000) in the Basketball Association of America and Bob Davies was the highest paid player ($12,500) of the National Basketball League. George Mikan became the first player to earn $15,000 per season in the 1948–49 NBA season. Wilt Chamberlain was the first player to receive $100,000 in the 1965–66 NBA season. That same season, Bill Russell became just the second player to receive over $100,000. Moses Malone & Bill Walton were the first players to earn $1 million in a season, they were paid exactly $1,000,000 in the 1979–80 NBA season. Larry Bird became the first player to earn $5 million or more with a salary of $7,070,000 in the 1991–92 NBA season. Magic Johnson became the first player to earn $10 million or more in the 1994–95 NBA season with a salary of $14,660,000. Patrick Ewing became the first player to earn $15 million or more in the 1995–96 NBA season with a salary of $18,724,000. Michael Jordan became the first NBA player to sign a contract worth over $20 million and $30 million in a season (1996–97) and earned $33,140,000 in the 1997–98 NBA season, setting the record for the largest 1-year contract in NBA history, and held the overall record for over 20 years. Kobe Bryant became just the second player to eclipse $30 million when the 2013–14 NBA season began. LeBron James became the third in the 2016–17 NBA season. Stephen Curry signed a record 5-year contract worth $201 million in 2017 with a starting payout of $34,682,550 in the 2017–18 NBA season, setting a new single-season record in earnings. He became the first player to eclipse $40 million in the 2019–20 NBA season. After signing a 4-year contract extension worth $215 million in 2021, Curry went on to become the first player to eclipse $50 million in the 2023–24 NBA season and is expected to be the first NBA player to eclipse $60 million in the 2026–27 NBA season, having signed a contract worth $62,587,158. Starting from the 1984–85 NBA season, the NBA's first salary cap was introduced. The NBA salary cap is the maximum dollar amount each NBA team can spend on its players for the season. However, the NBA uses a "soft" salary cap, which allow NBA teams to exceed their allotted amount in order to sign players through significant "salary exceptions". The salary cap is determined during the offseason, but is liable to change. An exception is necessary to sign a player for a contract that would exceed the salary cap threshold of the "soft cap". The Larry Bird exception, more commonly known as Bird Rights, allows teams to re-sign a current player only if he has played for that particular team for a minimum of three years. Another exception, known as the mid-level exception, allows for teams that are over the salary cap to sign one or more players as long as they do not exceed the total amount of the average NBA salary. Next, the bi-annual exception can be used by teams every other year to sign a free agent(s) for up to two years at an amount set by the NBA. Finally, the rookie player exception allows any NBA team to sign their first-round draft pick to a contract based upon a scale previously set forth by the NBA. Another option for teams would be to assign players to a league-assigned minimum salary contract for a maximum of two years.

Tables

· Highest-paid player by season
1946–47
1946–47
Year
1946–47
Player
Joe Fulks
Team
Philadelphia Warriors
Salary
$8,000
1947–48
1947–48
Year
1947–48
Player
George Mikan
Team
Minneapolis Lakers
Salary
$12,500
1948–49
1948–49
Year
1948–49
Player
George Mikan
Team
Minneapolis Lakers
Salary
$15,000
1949–50
1949–50
Year
1949–50
Player
$15,000
1950–51
1950–51
Year
1950–51
Player
George Mikan Harry Boykoff
Team
Minneapolis Lakers Tri-Cities Blackhawks
Salary
$15,000
1951–52
1951–52
Year
1951–52
Player
George Mikan
Team
Minneapolis Lakers
Salary
$15,000
1952–53
1952–53
Year
1952–53
Player
George Mikan
Team
Minneapolis Lakers
Salary
$20,000
1953–54
1953–54
Year
1953–54
Player
$20,000
1955–56
1955–56
Year
1955–56
Player
Bob Cousy
Team
Boston Celtics
Salary
$25,000
1956–57
1956–57
Year
1956–57
Player
$25,000
1957–58
1957–58
Year
1957–58
Player
$25,000
1958–59
1958–59
Year
1958–59
Player
$25,000
1959–60
1959–60
Year
1959–60
Player
Wilt Chamberlain
Team
Philadelphia 76ers
Salary
$30,000
1960–61
1960–61
Year
1960–61
Player
Wilt Chamberlain
Team
Philadelphia 76ers
Salary
$65,000
1961–62
1961–62
Year
1961–62
Player
$65,000
1962–63
1962–63
Year
1962–63
Player
$65,000
1963–64
1963–64
Year
1963–64
Player
$65,000
1964–65
1964–65
Year
1964–65
Player
$65,000
1965–66*
1965–66*
Year
1965–66*
Player
Bill Russell
Team
Boston Celtics
Salary
$100,001
1966–67
1966–67
Year
1966–67
Player
$100,001
1967–68
1967–68
Year
1967–68
Player
Bill Bradley
Team
New York Knicks
Salary
$125,000
1968–69
1968–69
Year
1968–69
Player
Wilt Chamberlain
Team
Los Angeles Lakers
Salary
$250,000
1969–70
1969–70
Year
1969–70
Player
Wilt Chamberlain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor)
Team
Los Angeles Lakers Milwaukee Bucks
Salary
$250,000
1970–71
1970–71
Year
1970–71
Player
Pete Maravich
Team
Atlanta Hawks
Salary
$380,000
1971–72
1971–72
Year
1971–72
Player
$380,000
1972–73
1972–73
Year
1972–73
Player
$380,000
1973–74
1973–74
Year
1973–74
Player
Ernie DiGregorio
Team
Buffalo Braves
Salary
$500,000
1974–75
1974–75
Year
1974–75
Player
Ernie DiGregorio Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Team
Buffalo Braves Milwaukee Bucks
Salary
$500,000
1975–76
1975–76
Year
1975–76
Player
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Team
Los Angeles Lakers
Salary
$650,000
1976–77
1976–77
Year
1976–77
Player
$650,000
1977–78
1977–78
Year
1977–78
Player
$650,000
1978–79
1978–79
Year
1978–79
Player
David Thompson
Team
Denver Nuggets
Salary
$800,000
1979–80
1979–80
Year
1979–80
Player
Moses Malone Bill Walton
Team
Philadelphia 76ers San Diego Clippers
Salary
$1,000,000
1980–81
1980–81
Year
1980–81
Player
Julius Erving Moses Malone Bill Walton Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Team
Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers San Diego Clippers Los Angeles Lakers
Salary
$1,000,000
1981–82
1981–82
Year
1981–82
Player
Otis Birdsong Julius Erving Moses Malone Bill Walton Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Team
New Jersey Nets Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers San Diego Clippers Los Angeles Lakers
Salary
$1,000,000
1982–83
1982–83
Year
1982–83
Player
Moses Malone
Team
Philadelphia 76ers
Salary
$2,200,000
1983–84
1983–84
Year
1983–84
Player
$2,200,000
1984–85
1984–85
Year
1984–85
Player
Magic Johnson
Team
Los Angeles Lakers
Salary
$2,500,000
1985–86
1985–86
Year
1985–86
Player
$2,500,000
1986–87
1986–87
Year
1986–87
Player
$2,500,000
1987–88
1987–88
Year
1987–88
Player
Patrick Ewing
Team
New York Knicks
Salary
$2,750,000
1988–89
1988–89
Year
1988–89
Player
$3,250,000
1989–90
1989–90
Year
1989–90
Player
$3,750,000
1990–91
1990–91
Year
1990–91
Player
$4,250,000
1991–92
1991–92
Year
1991–92
Player
Larry Bird
Team
Boston Celtics
Salary
$7,070,000
1992–93
1992–93
Year
1992–93
Player
David Robinson
Team
San Antonio Spurs
Salary
$5,720,000
1993–94
1993–94
Year
1993–94
Player
$5,740,000
1994–95
1994–95
Year
1994–95
Player
Magic Johnson
Team
Los Angeles Lakers
Salary
$14,660,000
1995–96
1995–96
Year
1995–96
Player
Patrick Ewing
Team
New York Knicks
Salary
$18,724,000
1996–97
1996–97
Year
1996–97
Player
Michael Jordan
Team
Chicago Bulls
Salary
$30,140,000
1997–98
1997–98
Year
1997–98
Player
$33,140,000
1998–99
1998–99
Year
1998–99
Player
Patrick Ewing
Team
New York Knicks
Salary
$18,500,000
1999–00
1999–00
Year
1999–00
Player
Shaquille O'Neal
Team
Los Angeles Lakers
Salary
$17,142,000
2000–01
2000–01
Year
2000–01
Player
Kevin Garnett
Team
Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary
$19,600,000
2001–02
2001–02
Year
2001–02
Player
$22,400,000
2002–03
2002–03
Year
2002–03
Player
$25,200,000
2003–04
2003–04
Year
2003–04
Player
$28,000,000
2004–05
2004–05
Year
2004–05
Player
Shaquille O'Neal
Team
Miami Heat
Salary
$27,696,430
2005–06
2005–06
Year
2005–06
Player
$20,000,000
2006–07
2006–07
Year
2006–07
Player
Kevin Garnett
Team
Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary
$21,000,000
2007–08
2007–08
Year
2007–08
Player
Boston Celtics
Team
$23,751,934
2008–09
2008–09
Year
2008–09
Player
$24,751,934
2009–10
2009–10
Year
2009–10
Player
Kobe Bryant
Team
Los Angeles Lakers
Salary
$23,034,375
2010–11
2010–11
Year
2010–11
Player
$24,806,250
2011–12
2011–12
Year
2011–12
Player
$25,244,493
2012–13
2012–13
Year
2012–13
Player
$30,453,805
2013–14
2013–14
Year
2013–14
Player
$30,453,805
2014–15
2014–15
Year
2014–15
Player
$23,500,000
2015–16
2015–16
Year
2015–16
Player
$25,000,000
2016–17
2016–17
Year
2016–17
Player
LeBron James
Team
Cleveland Cavaliers
Salary
$30,963,450
2017–18
2017–18
Year
2017–18
Player
Stephen Curry
Team
Golden State Warriors
Salary
$34,682,550
2018–19
2018–19
Year
2018–19
Player
$37,457,154
2019–20
2019–20
Year
2019–20
Player
$40,231,758
2020–21
2020–21
Year
2020–21
Player
$43,006,362
2021–22
2021–22
Year
2021–22
Player
$45,780,966
2022–23
2022–23
Year
2022–23
Player
$48,070,014
2023–24
2023–24
Year
2023–24
Player
$51,915,615
2024–25
2024–25
Year
2024–25
Player
$55,761,216
2025–26
2025–26
Year
2025–26
Player
$59,606,817
Year
Player
Team
Salary
1946–47
Joe Fulks
Philadelphia Warriors
$8,000
1947–48
George Mikan
Minneapolis Lakers
$12,500
1948–49
George Mikan
Minneapolis Lakers
$15,000
1949–50
$15,000
1950–51
George Mikan Harry Boykoff
Minneapolis Lakers Tri-Cities Blackhawks
$15,000
1951–52
George Mikan
Minneapolis Lakers
$15,000
1952–53
George Mikan
Minneapolis Lakers
$20,000
1953–54
$20,000
1955–56
Bob Cousy
Boston Celtics
$25,000
1956–57
$25,000
1957–58
$25,000
1958–59
$25,000
1959–60
Wilt Chamberlain
Philadelphia 76ers
$30,000
1960–61
Wilt Chamberlain
Philadelphia 76ers
$65,000
1961–62
$65,000
1962–63
$65,000
1963–64
$65,000
1964–65
$65,000
1965–66*
Bill Russell
Boston Celtics
$100,001
1966–67
$100,001
1967–68
Bill Bradley
New York Knicks
$125,000
1968–69
Wilt Chamberlain
Los Angeles Lakers
$250,000
1969–70
Wilt Chamberlain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor)
Los Angeles Lakers Milwaukee Bucks
$250,000
1970–71
Pete Maravich
Atlanta Hawks
$380,000
1971–72
$380,000
1972–73
$380,000
1973–74
Ernie DiGregorio
Buffalo Braves
$500,000
1974–75
Ernie DiGregorio Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Buffalo Braves Milwaukee Bucks
$500,000
1975–76
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Los Angeles Lakers
$650,000
1976–77
$650,000
1977–78
$650,000
1978–79
David Thompson
Denver Nuggets
$800,000
1979–80
Moses Malone Bill Walton
Philadelphia 76ers San Diego Clippers
$1,000,000
1980–81
Julius Erving Moses Malone Bill Walton Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers San Diego Clippers Los Angeles Lakers
$1,000,000
1981–82
Otis Birdsong Julius Erving Moses Malone Bill Walton Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
New Jersey Nets Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers San Diego Clippers Los Angeles Lakers
$1,000,000
1982–83
Moses Malone
Philadelphia 76ers
$2,200,000
1983–84
$2,200,000
1984–85
Magic Johnson
Los Angeles Lakers
$2,500,000
1985–86
$2,500,000
1986–87
$2,500,000
1987–88
Patrick Ewing
New York Knicks
$2,750,000
1988–89
$3,250,000
1989–90
$3,750,000
1990–91
$4,250,000
1991–92
Larry Bird
Boston Celtics
$7,070,000
1992–93
David Robinson
San Antonio Spurs
$5,720,000
1993–94
$5,740,000
1994–95
Magic Johnson
Los Angeles Lakers
$14,660,000
1995–96
Patrick Ewing
New York Knicks
$18,724,000
· Highest career earners
1
1
Rank
1
Player
LeBron James
Start
2003–04
End
Present
Salary
$581,375,548
2
2
Rank
2
Player
Kevin Durant
Start
2007–08
End
Present
Salary
$501,135,653
3
3
Rank
3
Player
Stephen Curry
Start
2009–10
End
Present
Salary
$470,141,507
4
4
Rank
4
Player
James Harden
Start
2009–10
End
Present
Salary
$411,406,674
5
5
Rank
5
Player
Paul George
Start
2010–11
End
Present
Salary
$406,203,976
6
6
Rank
6
Player
Chris Paul
Start
2005–06
End
Present
Salary
$404,526,572
7
7
Rank
7
Player
Kawhi Leonard
Start
2011–12
End
Present
Salary
$375,772,011
8
8
Rank
8
Player
Jimmy Butler
Start
2011–12
End
Present
Salary
$366,174,318
9
9
Rank
9
Player
Damian Lillard
Start
2012–13
End
Present
Salary
$365,371,691
10
10
Rank
10
Player
Anthony Davis
Start
2012–13
End
Present
Salary
$364,454,284
Updated through the 2025–26 NBA season
Updated through the 2025–26 NBA season
Rank
Updated through the 2025–26 NBA season
Rank
Player
Start
End
Salary
1
LeBron James
2003–04
Present
$581,375,548
2
Kevin Durant
2007–08
Present
$501,135,653
3
Stephen Curry
2009–10
Present
$470,141,507
4
James Harden
2009–10
Present
$411,406,674
5
Paul George
2010–11
Present
$406,203,976
6
Chris Paul
2005–06
Present
$404,526,572
7
Kawhi Leonard
2011–12
Present
$375,772,011
8
Jimmy Butler
2011–12
Present
$366,174,318
9
Damian Lillard
2012–13
Present
$365,371,691
10
Anthony Davis
2012–13
Present
$364,454,284
Updated through the 2025–26 NBA season
· Highest career earners
1
1
Rank
1
Player
Kevin Durant
Start
2007–08
End
Present
Salary
$591,135,653
2
2
Rank
2
Player
LeBron James
Start
2003–04
End
Present
Salary
$581,375,548
3
3
Rank
3
Player
Stephen Curry
Start
2009–10
End
Present
Salary
$532,728,665
4
4
Rank
4
Player
Devin Booker
Start
2015–16
End
Present
Salary
$520,335,108
5
5
Rank
5
Player
Paul George
Start
2010–11
End
Present
Salary
$516,917,026
6
6
Rank
6
Player
Joel Embiid
Start
2014–15
End
Present
Salary
$509,313,851
7
7
Rank
7
Player
Anthony Davis
Start
2012–13
End
Present
Salary
$485,697,532
8
8
Rank
8
Player
Damian Lillard
Start
2012–13
End
Present
Salary
$482,940,103
9
9
Rank
9
Player
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Start
2018–19
End
Present
Salary
$469,632,400
10
10
Rank
10
Player
Jayson Tatum
Start
2017–18
End
Present
Salary
$469,471,035
Updated through end of All Current Contracts, as of 2025–26 NBA season
Updated through end of All Current Contracts, as of 2025–26 NBA season
Rank
Updated through end of All Current Contracts, as of 2025–26 NBA season
Rank
Player
Start
End
Salary
1
Kevin Durant
2007–08
Present
$591,135,653
2
LeBron James
2003–04
Present
$581,375,548
3
Stephen Curry
2009–10
Present
$532,728,665
4
Devin Booker
2015–16
Present
$520,335,108
5
Paul George
2010–11
Present
$516,917,026
6
Joel Embiid
2014–15
Present
$509,313,851
7
Anthony Davis
2012–13
Present
$485,697,532
8
Damian Lillard
2012–13
Present
$482,940,103
9
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2018–19
Present
$469,632,400
10
Jayson Tatum
2017–18
Present
$469,471,035
Updated through end of All Current Contracts, as of 2025–26 NBA season
· 2020s › 2025–2026
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry
Player
Stephen Curry
Salary
$59,606,817
Team
Golden State Warriors
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid
Player
Joel Embiid
Salary
$55,224,526
Team
Philadelphia 76ers
Nikola Jokić
Nikola Jokić
Player
Nikola Jokić
Salary
Denver Nuggets
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant
Player
Kevin Durant
Salary
$54,708,609
Team
Houston Rockets
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Player
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Salary
$54,126,450
Team
Milwaukee Bucks
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler
Player
Jimmy Butler
Salary
Golden State Warriors
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis
Player
Anthony Davis
Salary
Dallas Mavericks/Washington Wizards
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum
Player
Jayson Tatum
Salary
Boston Celtics
Devin Booker
Devin Booker
Player
Devin Booker
Salary
$53,142,264
Team
Phoenix Suns
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown
Player
Jaylen Brown
Salary
Boston Celtics
Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns
Player
Karl-Anthony Towns
Salary
New York Knicks
Player
Salary
Team
Stephen Curry
$59,606,817
Golden State Warriors
Joel Embiid
$55,224,526
Philadelphia 76ers
Nikola Jokić
Denver Nuggets
Kevin Durant
$54,708,609
Houston Rockets
Giannis Antetokounmpo
$54,126,450
Milwaukee Bucks
Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors
Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks/Washington Wizards
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics
Devin Booker
$53,142,264
Phoenix Suns
Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics
Karl-Anthony Towns
New York Knicks
· 2020s › 2024–2025
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry
Player
Stephen Curry
Salary
$55,761,216
Team
Golden State Warriors
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid
Player
Joel Embiid
Salary
$51,415,938
Team
Philadelphia 76ers
Nikola Jokić
Nikola Jokić
Player
Nikola Jokić
Salary
Denver Nuggets
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant
Player
Kevin Durant
Salary
$51,179,021
Team
Phoenix Suns
Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal
Player
Bradley Beal
Salary
$50,203,930
Team
Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker
Devin Booker
Player
Devin Booker
Salary
$49,205,800
Team
Phoenix Suns
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown
Player
Jaylen Brown
Salary
Boston Celtics
Paul George
Paul George
Player
Paul George
Salary
Philadelphia 76ers
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard
Player
Kawhi Leonard
Salary
Los Angeles Clippers
Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns
Player
Karl-Anthony Towns
Salary
New York Knicks
Player
Salary
Team
Stephen Curry
$55,761,216
Golden State Warriors
Joel Embiid
$51,415,938
Philadelphia 76ers
Nikola Jokić
Denver Nuggets
Kevin Durant
$51,179,021
Phoenix Suns
Bradley Beal
$50,203,930
Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker
$49,205,800
Phoenix Suns
Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics
Paul George
Philadelphia 76ers
Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers
Karl-Anthony Towns
New York Knicks

References

  1. "Kobe Bryant to Become NBA's Second Ever $30-Million Player"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110919065833/http://www.aolnews.com/2010/04/02/kobe-bryant-to-become-nbas-second-ever-30-million-player/
  2. Self Naija
    https://self.name.ng/net-worth/top-20-richest-nba-players-2026-updated/#10_Stephen_Curry_Estimated_Net_Worth_240_Million
  3. "NBA Salary Cap History"
    http://www.insidehoops.com/nba-salary-cap.shtml
  4. "NBA Salary Cap Explained"
    http://basketball.about.com/od/collegebasketballglossary/g/bird-rights.htm
  5. "Mid Level Exception"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111105025124/http://www.sportscity.com/NBA/Salary-Cap
  6. "Bi-annual Exception"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111105025124/http://www.sportscity.com/NBA/Salary-Cap
  7. "2025/26 NBA Salary Rankings"
    https://www.spotrac.com/nba/rankings/player/_/year/2025/sort/cap_base
  8. "2024/25 NBA Salary Rankings"
    https://www.spotrac.com/nba/rankings/player/_/year/2024/sort/cap_base
  9. "2023/24 NBA Salary Rankings"
    https://www.spotrac.com/nba/rankings/player/_/year/2023/sort/cap_base
  10. "2022/23 NBA Salary Rankings"
    https://www.spotrac.com/nba/rankings/2022-23/base/
  11. "2021/22 NBA Salary Rankings"
    https://www.spotrac.com/nba/rankings/2021-22/base/
  12. "2020/21 NBA Salary Rankings"
    https://www.spotrac.com/nba/rankings/2020-21/base/
  13. "2019/20 NBA Salary Rankings"
    https://www.spotrac.com/nba/rankings/2019/base/
  14. "2018/19 NBA Player Salaries"
    https://hoopshype.com/salaries/players/2018-2019/
  15. "2017/18 NBA Player Salaries"
    https://hoopshype.com/salaries/players/2017-2018/
  16. Foxsports
    http://www.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/the-nbas-25-highest-paid-players-for-the-2017-season-022817
  17. "NBA Player Salaries - 2015-2016"
    https://www.espn.com/nba/salaries/_/year/2016
  18. "NBA Player Salaries - 2014-2015"
    https://www.espn.com/nba/salaries/_/year/2015
  19. "NBA Player Salaries - 2013-2014"
    https://www.espn.com/nba/salaries/_/year/2014
  20. "NBA Player Salaries - 2012-2013"
    https://www.espn.com/nba/salaries/_/year/2013
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