Current Largest NBA Contract in the League
The largest NBA contract by total value is held by Stephen Curry, who signed a supermax extension with the Golden State Warriors in 2021. His deal is worth up to $215 million over five years through the 2025-26 season, making it the richest contract in NBA history by total dollars guaranteed. The Curry contract structure includes a player option for the final year and annual raises tied to the projected salary cap, which is why it remains the benchmark for the largest NBA contract ever signed.
Curry's average annual salary under this deal exceeds $43 million, placing him at the top of the highest-paid NBA player list. The contract is fully guaranteed and includes standard NBA incentive clauses tied to All-NBA selections and championship bonuses. Because Curry is a multiple-time NBA champion and MVP, the deal reflects both his on-court impact and the Warriors' willingness to pay a supermax premium to retain their franchise cornerstone. Details on the structure are covered by ESPN and NBA salary analysts.
How Supermax Rules Create the Largest NBA Contract
The NBA's collective bargaining agreement allows designated veteran players to receive supermax contracts worth up to 35% of the salary cap. This rule is the primary reason the largest NBA contract belongs to players like Curry, who qualified as a designated veteran after winning multiple MVP awards. The supermax is the highest salary a team can offer a player who meets the criteria, and it is the main driver behind the current record-setting NBA player deal totals.
Supermax Eligibility and Criteria
To qualify for the largest NBA contract under the supermax, a player must have been named to the All-NBA team at least three times, or win MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. Once eligible, the player can receive an annual salary of up to 35% of the projected salary cap, which is why Curry's deal is structured as a five-year, $215 million supermax. The NBA salary cap and luxury tax system then determine the exact dollar figures each season, with the cap projected to rise in future years.
Comparison of the Largest NBA Contracts by Total Value
When ranked by total contract value, the largest NBA contracts belong to Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic, with Curry's supermax extension leading the list. Embiid signed a five-year, $305 million extension with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023, which is the largest NBA contract by total guaranteed money when including the full term. Jokic signed a five-year, $276 million supermax extension with the Denver Nuggets in 2022, making him one of the highest-paid NBA players in the league.
The difference between the largest NBA contract and other top deals comes down to timing, team cap space, and player classification. Curry's deal is the largest in terms of average annual value, while Embiid's extension is the largest in total dollars due to the higher projected salary cap in later years. These contracts are fully guaranteed and include standard NBA incentive structures, with the exact salary figures reported annually by the NBA and verified by sources such as Spotrac and ESPN.