Average NBA Player Pay Per Game in 2024
Using the newest available public salary data, the average NBA player earns roughly $10 million per year, which translates to about $123,000 per regular-season game based on an 82-game schedule Forbes NBA salary cap overview. The median salary is much lower, with many two-way and minimum contracts earning under $3 million per year, or roughly $36,000 per game. These figures come from the league's officially reported team salary data and public contract filings.
Per-game earnings depend heavily on contract type, guaranteed money, and playoff bonuses. Players on standard guaranteed deals receive their full salary divided across games played, while two-way players split time between the NBA and G League, earning a pro-rated NBA salary only for days on the active roster. The NBA's salary cap for the 2024-25 season is projected at around $140 million, with the luxury tax threshold set higher, which shapes the top-end pay scales NBA official salary cap and luxury tax information.
Highest-Paid NBA Players and Per-Game Earnings
The highest-paid NBA players in the 2024-25 season earn more than $50 million per year, which equates to over $600,000 per regular-season game Spotrac NBA player salary rankings. Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid are among the top earners, with supermax and long-term max contracts driving their per-game totals into the six-figure range. These contracts often include incentives tied to All-NBA selections, championships, and All-Star appearances, which can add several hundred thousand dollars per season.
Per-game earnings for elite stars also reflect playoff bonuses and marketing revenue sharing, though base salary is the primary driver. Teams with large payrolls, such as the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics, carry multiple high-salary players, which inflates the league's average per-game figure NBA official team salary listings. In contrast, role players on veteran minimum deals earn around $3.3 million per year, or roughly $40,000 per game, highlighting the wide pay gap across the roster.
How NBA Pay Per Game Compares Across Leagues and Roles
NBA per-game pay far exceeds most other professional leagues, with the average NBA salary roughly 10 times higher than the average MLS salary and significantly above European basketball leagues Forbes NBA salary comparison. Minimum salary players in the NBA still earn more per game than many top domestic league stars, thanks to the league's massive media rights deals and revenue sharing model. The NBA's collective bargaining agreement ensures a fixed percentage of basketball-related income goes to players, which supports these high per-game payouts.
Within the NBA, pay per game varies by role, with starters and high-usage stars earning multiples of bench contributors. Two-way contract players earn a smaller per-game amount tied to NBA days, while 10-day contract players receive a pro-rated share of the minimum salary for the duration of the deal. G League players, by contrast, earn a base salary well below the NBA minimum, often around $40,000 for the entire season, which translates to a few hundred