List of 10 NBA top salary players

The NBA is not only a playground for excellent players but also one of the highest-earning leagues for sports athletes around the world. With its global reach and huge commercial value, the NBA provides top stars with the opportunity to not only earn lucrative playing contracts but also expand their income from sponsorships, advertising and personal investments. In addition to their talent on the court, many players have used their fame to build personal brands, generating huge incomes outside of basketball. Below, Premiumsoccertips shares about the NBA top salary players and how they have maintained their wealth throughout their careers.

10 NBA top salary players

Top 10: Bradley Beal – $57.7 million

Bradley Beal, with a salary of $57.7 million, is one of the NBA top paid players. After joining the Phoenix Suns, he and two stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker turned this team into the club with the most expensive payroll in the league. The fact that the Suns own three players in the top 10 of the NBA’s highest earners is a testament to the team’s great ambition in the race to the championship title. Only the Milwaukee Bucks with two superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard can compare in terms of personnel investment.

Despite having many difficulties with injuries in his first season in Phoenix, Beal is still one of the best scoring guards in the NBA. His comprehensive shooting ability, especially from mid-range and the three-point line, makes him an important piece alongside Durant and Booker. If he stays in good shape, Beal could be a key factor in the Suns’ championship ambitions. His presence would not only strengthen the team but also confirm his status as an NBA star with a top-earning salary in the league.

Top 9: Luka Doncic – $58 million

Luka Doncic, with a salary of $58 million, is not only one of the best players in the NBA but also the youngest athlete to be on the list of NBA top salary players. After leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals, Doncic’s reputation has grown, helping him consolidate his position both on and off the court. His natural talent, excellent scoring and passing ability have made him one of the most sought-after players in the NBA, and at the same time brought him lucrative contracts.

Doncic’s success comes not only from his salary but also from many valuable sponsorship deals. According to Forbes’ list in May, he is one of the five highest-paid players under 25 in the world. This is thanks to his cooperation with many big brands such as Jordan Brand, Nerf and the Slovenian Tourism Board. Notably, in April, he signed a contract with Gatorade, expanding his sponsorship portfolio. With global appeal and continuous career growth, Doncic is not only a superstar on the court but also a potential commercial icon of the NBA.

Top 8: Devin Booker – $58.3 million

Devin Booker, one of the NBA’s top stars, is currently earning a salary of $58.3 million. He will turn 28 in October 2024, not only affirming his talent on the court but also expanding his influence in the field of sports fashion. Recently, Booker collaborated with Nike to launch his first signature shoe. This product received many compliments even before its official launch last season, showing his sophistication in design and style.

In addition to developing his personal brand, Booker also shows his solidarity and generosity to the basketball community. When the Phoenix Suns came to Detroit for a pre-season friendly, he gave a special edition of the shoe to the entire Michigan State basketball team and coaching staff. Not only does this show respect for the younger generation, it also solidifies his image as an influential NBA star. With his combination of talent, style, and team spirit, Booker continues to be one of the brightest faces in the modern NBA.

Top 7: Jimmy Butler – $58.8 million

Jimmy Butler is currently earning a salary of $58.8 million, one of the top NBA players salary. Off the court, he also showed his business acumen when he founded the BigFace coffee brand in 2021. After a period of development, Butler’s company opened its first store in Miami, marking an important step forward in his business field. With a strong personality and a relentless competitive spirit, Butler is not only an NBA star but also an ambitious businessman.

However, Butler’s future at the Miami Heat is becoming uncertain. After 5 years with the team, he has the option to extend his contract for next season, but can also become a free agent in 2025. This makes Heat fans worried about the possibility of the team losing an important star. Butler led Miami to two NBA Finals during that time, becoming a symbol of tenacity and determination. Whether he stays or goes, he remains one of the most influential players in the league, both on and off the court.

Top 6: Joel Embiid – $61.4 million

Joel Embiid is one of the highest-paid players in the NBA, earning $61.4 million. The Philadelphia 76ers star continued to solidify his status in September when he signed a three-year contract extension worth $192.9 million, ensuring his commitment to the team through the 2028-2029 season. As the reigning NBA MVP, Embiid has not only maintained his peak performance but also played an important role in the 76ers’ ambitions to conquer the title. With his all-around scoring ability, defensive prowess and game-controlling skills, the center continues to be an irreplaceable factor for the team.

Off the court, Embiid has also asserted his position in the sports business world. He recently signed a new shoe deal with Skechers, joining the list of NBA stars collaborating with major sneaker brands. The deal marks a major step forward in his commercial career, expanding his personal brand internationally. With success both on and off the court, Embiid is not only the leader of the 76ers but also one of the brightest faces in the NBA, continuing to solidify his legacy in the professional basketball world.

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Top 5: Damian Lillard – $64.8 million

Damian Lillard is currently the highest-paid player in the NBA this season, with a salary of $64.8 million. The eight-time All-Star not only earns money from his playing contract but also from many sources outside the court. He owns a Toyota dealership near the city, showing his business acumen. In addition, his long-term partnership with adidas continues to make important marks. In January of this year, he became the first athlete to have a basketball court named after him at the adidas North American headquarters, demonstrating his influence beyond the court in the sports world.

In addition to his basketball talent, Lillard also stands out for his community activities. In September, he was honored to receive the first Bill Walton Community Impact Award from the Maurice Lucas Foundation for his meaningful charitable contributions to the region. Throughout his career, he has not only won fans with his playing skills but also with his dedication to society. With his success on the court, business acumen and sense of community responsibility, Lillard continues to assert himself as one of the most well-rounded icons of the modern NBA.

Top 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo – $93.8 million

Giannis Antetokounmpo is fourth on the list of highest-paid NBA players with $93.8 million. Not only is he a top star for the Milwaukee Bucks, Antetokounmpo has also expanded his career into the media and entertainment industry. In January 2024, he launched the production company Improbable Media, marking a major step forward in the film industry. Just a month later, the company released the documentary Giannis: The Marvelous Journey on Amazon Prime Video, telling his journey from a poor immigrant boy in Greece to the world’s top NBA star.

Not stopping there, Improbable Media continues to develop many new projects, including the digital diary series of football player Jalen Milroe on Instagram and an Ocean’s Eleven-style action film set in Greece. In addition to his success in sports and business, Antetokounmpo also had the great honor of being chosen as the flag bearer for the Greek sports delegation at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming a proud symbol of his country on the international sports stage.

Top 3: Kevin Durant – $99.9 million

Kevin Durant ranks third on the list of highest-paid NBA players with $99.9 million, just $100,000 short of joining the elite nine-figure club – something only 17 active athletes worldwide have ever achieved. However, Durant will soon join that club when he receives a $3.4 million raise next season, the final year of his contract with the Phoenix Suns. Durant’s NBA career is still in its prime, as he continues to be one of the league’s top scorers.

On the international stage, Durant continues to assert his legendary status by becoming the first men’s basketball player to win four Olympic gold medals and breaking the scoring record for Team USA with 518 points. Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, he signed an endorsement deal with sports drink brand Prime, adding to his long-standing commercial partnerships with Nike, FanDuel and 2K Sports. Durant has also expanded his investment activities beyond basketball. He recently bought a stake in Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) football club and, through his investment fund 35V, invested in sportswear brand Homage, further cementing his influence in the global business and sports scene.

Top 2: Stephen Curry – $105.8 million

Stephen Curry ranked second on the list of highest-paid NBA players with $105.8 million over the past year. The Golden State Warriors star just signed a contract extension, ensuring his commitment to the team through the 2026-2027 season. However, this season marks a major change in Curry’s career as he, for the first time in 12 years, has to play without his close teammate Klay Thompson, who has moved to the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson’s departure ends one of the greatest duos in NBA history, but Curry continues to be the centerpiece of the Warriors’ play.

Off the court, Stephen Curry has also built an impressive business career. He starred in and produced the comedy series Mr. Throwback, and invested heavily in the beverage industry. Curry Brand has also continued to expand with new contracts, helping him consolidate his position in the sportswear industry. Not stopping there, Curry also spent $8.5 million to buy a building in San Francisco to serve as the headquarters of Thirty Ink, the company that manages his business activities. In particular, Curry is expanding the Underrated golf tour, a tournament he founded, to the European market, to create opportunities for young talents who have not been noticed in this sport.

Top 1: LeBron James – $128.7 million

LeBron James continues to lead the list of highest-paid NBA players with $128.7 million in the past year. In July 2023, he signed a two-year contract extension worth $104 million with the Los Angeles Lakers, affirming his position as one of the greatest stars in basketball history. In March 2024, LeBron made history when he became the first player to reach the 40,000-point milestone in the NBA. In addition to his personal achievements, he also created a memorable milestone when he became the first parent in NBA history to play with his son – Bronny James. Off the court, LeBron was chosen to be the flag bearer for Team USA at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, an honor reserved for only the best athletes.

Not only successful on the court, LeBron James has also built a massive business empire. In 2022, he became the first NBA player to be recognized by Forbes as a billionaire while still playing. LeBron has continued to expand his portfolio, from partnering with major brands, investing in the PGA Tour, to producing television shows and documentaries. He has also launched a men’s grooming brand and produced a nine-episode podcast, “Mind the Game,” sharing insights on basketball and life. These activities have helped LeBron maintain a wide influence, not only in the sports world but also in business and media.

In Conclusion

NBA top salary players above are not only talented on the field but also have excellent business minds. Their success comes from a combination of sports expertise and smart business strategies. As the NBA continues to grow, the income of its stars will certainly continue to increase, contributing to the league’s position as one of the largest sports industries on the planet.

See more: List of all time top NBA players