Top NBA Earners by Career Salary
The highest paid NBA players of all time are defined by cumulative career salary, including guaranteed contracts, extensions, and maximum deals. LeBron James leads with over $580 million in career earnings, followed by Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Kobe Bryant. These figures reflect base salary only and do not include off-court income, endorsements, or investment revenue Forbes NBA earnings data.
Career salary rankings shift as new supermax contracts are signed and veteran deals are extended. Current active players such as Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, and Damian Lillard are projected to add tens of millions in the coming seasons, moving them higher on the all time list. The NBA salary cap and max contract rules directly influence how quickly players accumulate earnings.
Highest Paid NBA Players by Single Season Salary
Stephen Curry holds the record for the largest single season salary in NBA history, earning over $55 million in the 2024-25 season under his supermax extension with the Golden State Warriors. Other top single season earners include LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Damian Lillard, all of whom have signed contracts exceeding $50 million per year Spotrac NBA salary tracker.
Supermax contracts, introduced in the 2017 CBA, allow players who meet specific criteria to earn up to 35% of the salary cap. This rule has enabled stars like Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant to command record annual salaries and push the top paid NBA players of all time list higher each season.
Team Breakdown of the Highest Paid NBA Players
The Golden State Warriors have the most players among the top paid NBA players of all time, with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green combined earnings exceeding $100 million over their careers. The Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers also feature prominently, with LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid anchoring their respective salary tables Hoops Rumors salary cap data.
Team payroll strategy affects how long players remain among the highest paid NBA players of all time. Warriors, Lakers, and 76ers have used max contracts and long term extensions to retain their top earners, while other teams prioritize shorter deals and flexibility. Salary cap rules, luxury tax thresholds, and Bird rights determine which teams can offer the largest contracts.