The richest players in the NBA have built financial empires for themselves off the court because of how impressive their careers have been on the court.
It’s no surprise that global superstar LeBron James tops the list of richest players in NBA history and richest players in the NBA today.
"Off the court, James has many investments and entrepreneurial ventures that further add to his wealth like SpringHill Company, Fenway Sports Group, Blaze Pizza, Ladder, Beats by Dre and more..."
Up there with James in career earnings are the likes of Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry while big guys Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic sit just below Curry in current salary.
We’ll take a look at the top 10 richest players in NBA history based on career earnings, as well as the top 10 richest players in the NBA today based on current salary.
Here are the richest players in the NBA:
| Rank | Player | Career earnings | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  LeBron James |
$528.7 million | 2003-Present |
| 2 |  Kevin Durant |
$447.8 million | 2007-Present |
| 3 |  Stephen Curry |
$410.5 million | 2009-Present |
| 4 |  Chris Paul |
$400.4 million | 2005-Present |
| 5 |  James Harden |
$372.2 million | 2009-Present |
| 6 |  Paul George |
$354.5 million | 2010-Present |
| 7 |  Russell Westbrook |
$345.9 million | 2008-Present |
| 8 |  Damian Lillard |
$329.0 million | 2012-Present |
| 9 |  Anthony Davis |
$327.2 million | 2012-Present |
| 10 | Kyrie Irving |
$304.7 million | 2011-Present |
LeBron James | $528.7 million | 2003-PresentTopping the list of richest players in NBA history is LeBron James at $528.7 million. James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time as he’s won four NBA Championships and four NBA MVP awards.
Off the court, James has many investments and entrepreneurial ventures that further add to his wealth like SpringHill Company, Fenway Sports Group, Blaze Pizza, Ladder, Beats by Dre and more.
James is also the oldest player in the NBA today at 40 years old.
Kevin Durant | $447.8 million | 2007-PresentKevin Durant is behind LeBron James in the list of richest players in NBA history. He has career NBA earnings of $447.8 million.
Durant burst onto the scene in 2007 as he won the Rookie of the Year award. He also won four scoring titles with the Oklahoma City Thunder and two NBA titles and NBA Finals MVP awards with the Golden State Warriors.
Stephen Curry | $410.5 million | 2009-PresentWarriors legend Stephen Curry is recognized as the greatest shooter in NBA history and the wealth has followed him as he is one of the richest players in NBA history.
He was the face of the Warriors dynasty that won four NBA Championships between 2015 and 2022. Outside the NBA, Curry also benefits financially from his deal with Under Armour.
Chris Paul | $400.4 million | 2005-PresentOne of the greatest point guards in the NBA, Chris Paul is also one of the richest players in NBA history with $400.4 million in career earnings.
The 12-time All-Star has endorsement deals with Nike’s Jordan Brand and State Farm Insurance to go on top of his boatload of wealth from basketball.
James Harden | $372.2 million | 2009-PresentNext up on our list of richest players in NBA history is James Harden at $372.2 million. Harden is one of the best scorers in NBA history.
He’s played for several teams including the Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers. Harden is also involved in another sport – soccer. He is a minority owner of the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and Houston Dash (NWSL).
Paul George | $354.5 million | 2010-PresentPaul George is not too far behind the top 5 richest players in NBA history as he has career earnings of $354.5 million.
George’s most notable years were with the Indiana Pacers, but he’s also played for the Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers. George is one of the NBA’s best two-way players.
Russell Westbrook | $345.9 million | 2008-PresentFormer NBA MVP and the all-time leader in career triple-doubles Russell Westbrook has amassed $345.9 million in career earnings, landing him on the list of top 10 richest players in NBA history.
Westbrook played 11 years with the Thunder before bouncing around to several teams including the Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and now the Clippers.
Damian Lillard | $329.0 million | 2012-PresentNine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is next up on the list of richest players in NBA history. ‘Dame Time’ has earned $329 million in his illustrious NBA career for the Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks.
Off the court, Lillard is a co-founder of Move Insoles and he co-owns a Toyota dealership.
Anthony Davis | $327.2 million | 2012-PresentAnthony Davis is not far behind Lillard in the richest players in NBA history list at $327.2 million of career earnings.
Davis is one of the best two-way big men in the NBA today. He’s played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Lakers and now the Dallas Mavericks. Davis further enhances his financial portfolio through endorsements with brands like Nike and Ruffles.
Kyrie Irving | $304.7 million | 2011-PresentRounding out our list of richest players in NBA history is Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving at $304.7 million. He’s also spent time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Nets and now the Mavericks.
Irving played a big role in helping the Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA title, alongside LeBron James, as he hit the game winning 3-pointer in Game 7.
| Rank | Player | Annual salary | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Curry |
$55.8 million | 2009-Present |
| 2 | Joel Embiid |
$51.4 million | 2016-Present |
| 3 | Nikola Jokic |
$51.4 million | 2015-Present |
| 4 | Bradley Beal |
$50.2 million | 2012-Present |
| 5 | Kevin Durant |
$49.9 million | 2007-Present |
| 6 | Devin Booker |
$49.2 million | 2015-Present |
| 7 |  Jaylen Brown |
$49.2 million | 2016-Present |
| 8 |  Karl-Anthony Towns |
$49.2 million | 2015-Present |
| 9 | Kawhi Leonard |
$49.2 million | 2011-Present |
| 10 | Paul George |
$49.2 million | 2010-Present |
Stephen Curry | $55.8 million | 2009-Present
Stephen Curry is the richest player in the NBA today as he makes $55.8 million per year playing for the Warriors.
Curry is known for his elite shooting ability as he helped lead the Warriors to four NBA Championships in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022. Curry and the Warriors made five straight appearances in the NBA Finals from 2015 to 2019.
Joel Embiid | $51.4 million | 2016-PresentJoel Embiid, one of the best big men in the league, is the second richest player in the NBA today as he earns $51.4 million per year.
Originally from Cameroon, Embiid really became a star in the late 2010s and he won the NBA MVP Award in 2023 with the 76ers, while playing alongside Kyle Lowry, one of the shortest players in the NBA today
Nikola Jokic | $51.4 million | 2015-PresentAlso earning $51.4 million per year is Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, making him one of the richest players in the NBA today.
Jokic, who is from Serbia, is one of the most dominant and versatile centers in the NBA. He was only a second round NBA Draft pick in 2014. He was such an under the radar prospect that his draft pick was announced during a Taco Bell commercial.
Bradley Beal | $50.2 million | 2012-PresentWe have a trio of Suns players up next on our list of richest players in the NBA today. Guard Bradley Beal earns $50.2 million per year, which puts him fourth on this list.
Beal was once one of the league’s best scorers. He finished second in the NBA in scoring in 2020 and 2021 when he was with the Wizards.
Beal plays alongside one of the tallest players in the NBA today, Bol Bol, for the Suns.
Kevin Durant | $49.9 million | 2007-PresentThe second Suns player on our list of richest players in the NBA today is Kevin Durant as he rakes in $49.9 million per year.
Durant is a two-time NBA Champion and a former Rookie of the Year and he is second on the list of richest players in NBA history, only trailing LeBron James.
Devin Booker | $49.2 million | 2015-PresentThe last representative of the Suns on the richest players in the NBA today list is guard Devin Booker. He earns $49.2 million per year with the Suns.
Following a tremendous season of college basketball at Kentucky, Booker became an immediate contributor in the league. He developed into one of the best scorers in the NBA as he led the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021.
Jaylen Brown | $49.2 million | 2016-PresentJaylen Brown signed a contract extension with the Boston Celtics in 2023, placing him on the list of top 10 richest players in the NBA today.
Brown made the NBA Finals with the Celtics in 2022 and won an NBA title in 2024. He is one of the better two-way players in the league.
Karl-Anthony Towns | $49.2 million | 2015-PresentA former first overall draft pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns is on the list of top 10 richest players in the NBA today.
Towns won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award unanimously in 2015 as he became a star. Towns was an All-Star in his first year with the New York Knicks in 2025.
Towns plays with one of the fastest players in the NBA today and one of the youngest players in the NBA today on the Knicks.
Kawhi Leonard | $49.2 million | 2011-PresentKnown for his defensive prowess, Kawhi Leonard is just inside the top 10 richest players in the NBA today.
Leonard began his career with the San Antonio Spurs before winning the NBA Finals and being named NBA Finals MVP with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. Now with the Clippers, Leonard remains a force on both ends of the court.
Paul George | $49.2 million | 2010-PresentPaul George rounds out the list of top 10 richest players in the NBA today. He is also sixth on the list of richest players in NBA history.
George’s best season was in 2019 when he finished third in MVP voting with the Thunder as he played alongside Russell Westbrook.
The richest player in the NBA right now is Stephen Curry. The Warriors guard and four time NBA champion makes $55.8 million per year. Curry, who is recognized as the greatest shooter of all time, is also one of the richest players in NBA history as he’s amassed over $410 million in his NBA career, which doesn’t even include endorsements.
The average salary of NBA players as of the 2024-25 NBA season is about $11.9 million. The highest earners, such as Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Bradley Beal, who all make over $50 million per year, skew the average salary of NBA players. The median salary of NBA players is only $6.7 million.
The average salary for NBA players has gone up significantly over the years. In the 1970s, the average NBA salary was only $35,000. Salaries started to rise a lot in the 1980s as many superstars entered the league, like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. Larger television and media meals and further global expansion are two big reasons why NBA salaries continue to increase.
LeBron James is the richest player in NBA history as he has totaled $528.7 million in career earnings. James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He has won four NBA titles, at least one with each team he’s played for (Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers).
Michael Jordan has career earnings of $93.8 million from his time in the NBA. While that’s not enough to be on the top 10 richest players in NBA history list, his net worth is about $3.5 billion. He has made most of his money through his partnership with Nike, the sale of the Charlotte Hornets and several other business ventures.
Place your first bet with the token applied. If your first bet loses, you'll get up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets. Add’l terms apply. Must be 21+ and located in U.S. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. BetMGM Sportsbook available in AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, NY, NC, PA, PR, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY only.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. Bets restrictions and T&C's apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ, CO, IN, KY, LA, MD, NC, NJ, OH, VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ only(18+ in KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IN/KY/LA (select parishes)/NC/NJ/OH/VA.
To make sure you get the most value on your NBA odds, go to the best NBA betting sites prior to placing your wagers throughout the postseason.
| Sportsbook bonus | Sportsbook promo code | Sportsbook review |
|---|---|---|
| Stake Promo Code | ODDSMAX | Stake Review |
| bet365 Bonus Code | ODDSPEDIA | bet365 Review |
| Betway Promo Code | N/A | Betway Review |
Take a look at other Oddspedia Insights articles that give you everything you need in order to become a successful bettor.
NBA Cup odds 2026 highlight the teams expected to contend for the title, plus potential sleepers worth watching as the tournament approaches.
Follow the 2026 NBA Cup with a printable bracket featuring the group-stage schedule, upcoming games, past winners, betting information and tournament details.
Defined by late-game shot-making and composure, the NBA Clutch Player of the Year odds often leans toward guards and wings with the ball in their hands.
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award recognizes the league’s most dominant force on the defensive end, celebrating players who disrupt offenses and anchor their teams...
NBA MVP odds are live for the 2026-27 season, with Victor Wembanyama opening as the favorite and chasing what could be the first of many MVP trophies in his remarkable career.
The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA Finals, but bookmakers are hedging the San Antonio Spurs to breakthrough in 2026-27. What other teams are near the top of the NBA championship odds?
Get the Boston Celtics printable schedule for 2026-27, including the full regular-season calendar, home and away games, key matchups, TV information, and instructions for downloading or printing the schedule as a PDF.
Get the Philadelphia 76ers printable schedule for 2026-27, including the full regular-season calendar, home and away games, key matchups, TV information, and instructions for downloading or printing the schedule as a PDF.
Download the Chicago Bulls printable schedule for the 2026-27 NBA season. See the full calendar, home and away games, key matchups, NBA Cup dates, and the biggest games to circle on your calendar.
Follow the Toronto Raptors with our 2026-27 printable schedule, featuring the full NBA calendar, home and away games, key matchups, Kyle Lowry’s jersey retirement, and tips for saving the schedule as a PDF.
Download or print the New York Knicks 2026-27 schedule. Find regular-season dates, opponents, home and away games, key matchups, Christmas Day action and the biggest games to watch throughout the NBA season.
Download the Brooklyn Nets printable schedule for 2026-27, including every game date, opponent and location. See the Nets' 10 biggest matchups, national TV games and how to save or print the schedule PDF.
