Highest Paid NBA Player in 2025
The NBA player with the highest salary in 2025 is Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, whose latest contract extension places his average annual salary above 55 million dollars, making him the top earner in the league. His deal with the Warriors is one of the largest player contracts in NBA history, and his salary continues to rise under the terms of the extension signed with Golden State, according to reports from Forbes.
Curry's total earnings from his NBA contract are supplemented by extensive business ventures, endorsements, and equity investments, which push his overall income far beyond his base salary. His partnership with Under Armour, ownership stakes in multiple companies, and media rights deals contribute to his position as the NBA player with the highest total compensation when salary and off-court income are combined.
NBA Salary Structure and Contract Details
NBA salaries are governed by the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the National Basketball Players Association, which sets salary caps, luxury tax thresholds, and rules for maximum player contracts. The salary cap for the 2025 season is projected to exceed 140 million dollars per team, allowing elite players like Curry to command a large share of their team's payroll under the designated veteran max rules.
Curry's current contract structure includes a player option for the final year, annual salary escalators, and a no-trade clause, giving him significant control over his earnings and career timeline. The financial terms of his deal have redefined the market for veteran stars and set a benchmark for future supermax extensions across the league.
Top NBA Earners and Salary Rankings
Behind Curry, the highest paid NBA players in 2025 include LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Damian Lillard, each earning salaries in the mid to high forties of millions of dollars on average per year. Their contracts reflect their on-court impact, marketability, and the competitive bidding among teams to secure franchise-caliber talent under the current salary cap rules.
Salary rankings shift each season based on new signings, trades, and extensions, but the top earners consistently include players who have secured long-term max contracts with their respective teams. For a detailed breakdown of NBA salary figures and contract terms, the official salary cap tables published by the league and analysis from Spotrac provide up-to-date data on every NBA roster.