As a seasoned NBA journalist covering the league’s financial landscape for years, I’ve seen how player salaries define team strategies and fan excitement. During the 2025-26 season, NBA contracts experienced a significant surge, with maximum salaries exceeding the limits of the increasing salary cap. This article dives deep into the highest NBA salaries, spotlighting the elite earners shaping the NBA wage hierarchy.
Who Is the Highest paid NBA Player?
Stephen Curry is the highest-paid NBA player for the 2025-26 season. The Golden State Warriors star commands a massive $59,606,817 in base salary, a testament to his sharpshooting legacy and marketability.
Curry’s deal, part of a long-term extension, underscores how NBA superstar salaries blend on-court dominance with off-court value. No other athlete matches this figure, highlighting the NBA’s highest salary milestone in league history.
Behind Curry, centers like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic follow closely at $55,224,526 each, reflecting the premium on big men in today’s game.
Highest NBA Salaries Overview
The 2025-26 NBA salaries reflect aggressive extensions and supermax deals amid a booming salary cap projected near $154 million. Biggest NBA wages now routinely exceed $50 million annually for top talents.
These figures exclude lucrative endorsements, which can double or triple earnings for stars like Curry or LeBron James. NBA player compensation has evolved, prioritizing long-term security over short-term risks.
Teams navigate luxury tax implications, but owners invest heavily in proven winners. This season’s payrolls reveal a clear divide between contenders and rebuilders.
Top 10 Highest-Paid Players in the NBA
Here’s the elite tier of NBA highest-paid players for 2025-26, based on base salaries:
| Rank | Player | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $59,606,817 |
| 2 | Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers | $55,224,526 |
| 3 | Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets | $55,224,526 |
| 4 | Kevin Durant | Houston Rockets | $54,708,609 |
| 5 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | $54,126,450 |
| 6 | Luka Doncic | Los Angeles Lakers | $54,126,450 |
| 7 | Jimmy Butler III | Golden State Warriors | $54,126,450 |
| 8 | Anthony Davis | Dallas Mavericks | $54,126,450 |
| 9 | Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | $54,126,450 |
| 10 | Bradley Beal | LA Clippers | $53,666,270 |
This group alone accounts for over $546 million in payroll, dominating NBA salary rankings.
Curry’s lead stems from his unprecedented four-year, $276 million extension signed earlier. Veterans like Durant and Davis leverage experience for these supermax NBA salaries.
Breakdown of the Top 10
Stephen Curry‘s payday cements his status as a generational earner, blending championships with global appeal. Joel Embiid and Jokic, both MVPs, justify their hauls through elite production.
Kevin Durant‘s move to Houston nets him top-four money at age 37, a nod to his scoring prowess. Giannis and Doncic represent the next wave, with extensions locking in future dominance.
Jimmy Butler‘s warrior spirit commands equal pay to Tatum, despite playoff heroics defining his value. Beal rounds out the top 10, his contract a reminder of guard premiums in the league.
Highest-Paid NBA Players by Team
Every franchise boasts a top earner, influencing cap sheets and roster builds. Below is a comprehensive list of the highest-paid player by NBA team for 2025-26, drawn from official cap figures:
| Team | Highest-Paid Player | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | Trae Young | $45,997,800 |
| 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 | TBD (est. $25M+) |
| 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 | $54,708,609 |
| Indiana Pacers | Tyrese Haliburton / Pascal Siakam | $45,550,512 |
| LA Clippers | Bradley Beal | $53,666,270 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Luka Doncic | $54,126,450 |
| 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 | $38,333,050 |
| 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 |
Note: Salaries are base figures; incentives can add more. Teams like the Warriors and 76ers lead with $50M+ earners.
Team-by-Team Insights
Contenders like the Celtics and Nuggets anchor around Tatum and Jokic, balancing stars with depth. Rebuilding squads such as the Spurs invest in youth like Fox.
Western powerhouses dominate, with the Lakers’ Doncic and the Mavericks’ Davis signaling blockbuster trades. Eastern teams like the Knicks prioritize Towns for playoff pushes.
Long-term deals, like SGA‘s projected $365M extension, highlight NBA contract trends favoring loyalty.
Factors Driving NBA Salaries
Supermax eligibility, All-NBA nods, and championships inflate player wages. The CBA salary cap escalates 10% annually, fueling this boom.
Agent negotiations and no-trade clauses empower stars. Luxury tax penalties force tough choices, yet big markets splurge.
Endorsement synergies—think Curry’s Under Armour empire—elevate total wealth beyond NBA paychecks.
Future of NBA Wages
Looking to 2026-27, Curry eyes $62M+, per projections. Emerging stars like Edwards climb salary ladders.
Media rights deals will supercharge the cap, promising even bigger NBA salaries. Fans benefit from star-studded rosters. As NBA economics evolve, these highest-paid players embody the league’s global allure. Stay tuned for trade deadlines reshaping this list.
