Highest Paid NBA Player: Kevin Garnett, Russell Westbrook, and More

The NBA has evolved in terms of contracts since its inception, which has ensured big salaries like $313.9 million for Jayson Tatum. Currently, the average annual salary for an NBA player in the 2024-2025 season is $11,910,649, which is much more handsome in comparison to the previous year’s average of $9.7 million. Collective Bargaining Agreements also have a major role to play in that sense. The latest NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in the NBA was implemented on July 1, 2023. The agreement was signed by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) in April 2023. It is exercisable till the 2029–2030 season.

Today we are going to answer the question, who is the highest paid NBA player​? We have listed the top 10 highest paid NBA players of all time who have earned large amounts in their career under various CBAs and based on their stat performance in the league.

Top 10 Highest Paid NBA Players

Here is a breakdown of the Top 10 highest paid NBA players who are at the forefront of the NBA career earnings according to Spotrac data:

10. Damian Lillard – $328.7 Million

Damian Lillard stands tenth on the list of highest paid in NBA history, with his career earnings of $328.7 million. The Bucks point guard earned this amount while only playing for these teams in the NBA, $233.7 million is from the Portland Trail Blazers, while $95.04 million of his earnings is from the Milwaukee Bucks. Apart from the league earnings, he has also been associated with brands like Adidas, Gatorade, Bose and Oakley. Through his Dame signature line and other endorsements, he earns about $17 million, according to Forbes.

9. Kevin Garnett – $334.3 Million

Kevin Garnett has retired from the league in 2016. However, in terms of career earnings, he still stands high on the list of the highest paid NBA players. He has a total career earnings of $334 million, out of which he earned $217.87 million from the Minnesota Timberwolves, $104 million from the Boston Celtics, and $12.43 million from the Brooklyn Nets. Apart from franchise contracts, he also had deals with brands like Nike and Anta and was a spokesperson for Adidas, Gatorade, and American Express.

8. Anthony Davis – $335.9 Million

Anthony Davis’ total $335.9 million career earnings comprises $198.17 million from the Los Angeles Lakers, $94.52 million from the New Orleans Pelicans, and $43.22 million from the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks center also gained sponsorship deals from Nike, Beats Electronics, ExxonMobil, and Red Bull among other popular brands.

7. Russell Westbrook– $345.9 Million

The triple-double god of the league, Russell Westbrook, is one of the most elite athletes in the NBA. His $345.9 million of career earnings include $166.92 million from Oklahoma City Thunder, 75.32 from the Los Angeles Lakers, $40.16 million from the Washington Wizards, $37.30 million from the Houston Rockets, rest of the amount from Utah Jazz($18.29 million), Los Angeles Clippers($4.62 million), and Denver Nuggets($3.30 million).

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6. Paul George – $354.5 Million

The elite shooting guard from the Philadelphia 76ers has been a veteran, and that’s why he has earned $354.5 million in career earnings. He got a major part of his income from the Los Angeles Clippers($193.87 million). The rest of his career monetary gain came from franchises like the Indiana Pacers($61.39M), Oklahoma City Thunder($50.07M), and Philadelphia 76ers($49.21M). He also has an association with brands like Nike, Gatorade, NBA 2K, Footlocker, and New Era. He earns about $8.5 million from his endorsements.

5. James Harden – $372.2 Million

James Harden ranks fifth on the list of the top 10 highest paid NBA player list, with career earnings of $372.2 Million. He played for teams like the Rockets, Clippers, Nets, the Sixers, and the Thunder. However, a major part of his career earnings came from the Houston Rockets and was worth $178.14 million. Apart from the franchise income, he had signed endorsement deals with brands like Adidas, Amazon, Art of Sport, Autograph, Gopuff, Panini, Pura, Saks Fifth Avenue, Therabody, and Vanguard Education, accumulating about $20 million.

4. Chris Paul – $400.3 Million

The point guard from the San Antonio Spurs has a career earnings of about $400.3 million. He played for many teams, but the Los Angeles Clippers($118.32M) and the Phoenix Suns($100.56M) covered the most chunk of his NBA earnings. Paul also garnered $8 million in endorsements due to his deals with brands like Nike, Jordan Brand, State Farm, and other companies.

3. Stephen Curry – $410.5 Million

Stephen Curry is one of the best shooters in NBA history. His accuracy was something that increased his demand as a player. He was the first player to sign back-to-back $200 million contracts with the Golden State Warriors. His present contract, which is worth $215 million over four years, was signed in 2021. He also holds hotshot endorsement deals with Under Armour, Chase, Infiniti, Rakuten, Subway, and JP Morgan, which added about $40 to $55 million annually as endorsement rewards. The Golden Boy is set to earn $55.76 million from the Warriors this season.

2. Kevin Durant – $447.8 Million

The veteran shooter Kevin Durant is one of the top earners in the league, standing second in the top 10 highest paid NBA player list. His max extensions with teams like the Brooklyn Nets($147.39M), Golden State Warriors($81.54M), Phoenix Suns($113.28M), and Oklahoma City Thunder($105.64M) garnered him such a big wealth. He also holds endorsement bonds with companies and brands like Nike, Gatorade, Fanatics, Coinbase, and 2K Sports, among others.

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1. LeBron James – $528.7 Million

LeBron James has not played for many teams in his career. However, he has amassed riches by milking earnings $294.80M, $169.88M, and $64.01M from the teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Miami Heat. He has big names under his belt as endorsements like Nike, PepsiCo, Beats, Walmart, Fanatics, DraftKings, Taco Bell and Beats by Dre. He is set to earn $48.7 million this season. Durant will earn $49.85M in the present 2024-25 season.

Conclusion

The NBA salaries are expected to surge like this and might go beyond the earning milestones from players like LeBron James. It is not easy to navigate the performance every year and keep the salary amount high and lucrative in the league. That’s why players getting big contracts from other teams are increasing gradually, and even players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are penning multi-year humongous deals.

Also Read: Most Triple Doubles in NBA History: Wilt Chamberlain, James Harden, and More