The NBA's 25 highest-paid players in 2023-24: Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic headline list

Scott Rafferty

The NBA's 25 highest-paid players in 2023-24: Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic headline list image

Player salaries in the NBA sure aren't what they used to be.

During the 1999-2000 season, Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal was the league's highest-paid player with a salary of $17.1 million. Fast forward to the 2022-23 season, and a total of 80 players made more than O'Neal did that year. That list includes a number of all-time greats, as well as role players.

Salaries should continue to rise as well. Nikola Jokic recently signed the richest contract in NBA history. With a new TV deal on the horizon that is expected to increase the salary cap, which would further impact player salaries, it's only a matter of time until someone surpasses Denver's superstar in the record books.

While Jokic currently has the biggest contract in the NBA, he won't actually be the highest-paid player in the league next season. That honor goes to a Baby Faced Assassin in the Bay Area.

The NBA's 25 highest-paid players in 2023-24

Stephen Curry will make $51.9 million in the 2023-24 season, making him the highest-paid player in the NBA.

Close behind the Warriors star is Kevin Durant, who will earn $47.6 million next season. Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and LeBron James are then tied for third place with a salary of $46.9 million.

According to Spotrac, Curry, Durant, Jokic, Embiid and James are five of 17 players who will earn at least $40 million next season. That list includes Phoenix's Bradley Beal, Golden State's Klay Thompson, Minnesota's Rudy Gobert and Chicago's Zach LaVine.

Rank Player Team Salary
1 Stephen Curry Warriors $51,915,615
2 Kevin Durant Suns $47,649,433
3 Nikola Jokic Nuggets $46,900,000
  Joel Embiid 76ers $46,900,000
  LeBron James Lakers $46,900,000
6 Bradley Beal Suns $46,741,590
7 Paul George Clippers $45,640,165
8 Damian Lillard Trail Blazers $45,640,084
  Kawhi Leonard Clippers $45,640,084
  Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks $45,640,084
11 Jimmy Butler Heat $45,183,960
12 Klay Thompson Warriors $43,219,440
13 Rudy Gobert Timberwolves $41,000,000
14 Anthony Davis Lakers $40,600,080
15 Trae Young Hawks $40,064,220
  Zach LaVine Bulls $40,064,220
  Luka Doncic Mavericks $40,064,220
18 Tobias Harris 76ers $39,270,150
19 Ben Simmons Nets $37,893,408
  Pascal Siakam Raptors $37,893,408
21 Jrue Holiday Bucks $36,861,707
23 Devin Booker Suns $36,016,200
  Kristaps Porzingis Celtics $36,016,200
  Karl-Anthony Towns Timberwolves $36,016,200
25 C.J. McCollum Pelicans $35,802,469

Boston's Kristaps Porzingis exercised a player option in his contract for the 2023-24 season, while Khris Middleton did not, making him an unrestricted free agent. Middleton was set to place in the top 25 but his placement could change depending on his new contract.

The richest contracts in the NBA

Nikola Jokic currently has the biggest contract in the NBA at $272.0 million dollars. Bradley Beal is the only other player on a contract that exceeds $250 million.

Rank Player Team Contract
1 Nikola Jokic Nuggets $272,020,000
2 Bradley Beal Suns $251,019,650
3 Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks $228,200,420
4 Devin Booker Suns $224,224,000
  Karl-Anthony Towns Timberwolves $224,224,000
6 Stephen Curry Warriors $215,353,664
7 Trae Young Hawks $215,159,700
  Zach LaVine Bulls $215,159,700
  Luka Doncic Mavericks $215,159,700
10 Joel Embiid 76ers $210,112,000

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.