Highest Paid NBA Player in 2025
As of the 2024-25 season, Stephen Curry remains the highest paid NBA player in terms of total earnings, combining his salary with significant off-court income. His current Golden State Warriors contract pays him approximately $55.8 million for the season, according to Forbes. This places him at the top of the NBA earnings list for the season.
Curry's total income for 2025 is expected to exceed $150 million when adding his estimated $100 million in off-court earnings from endorsements and business ventures. This massive gap between his salary and other stars is due to his long-term supermax extension signed in 2021, which pays him a guaranteed average annual value of over $51 million. His on-court production and global brand power continue to justify the massive contract.
Top NBA Earners by Salary and Endorsements
Following Curry, the highest paid NBA players by salary include LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid. LeBron James earns approximately $52.6 million with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2024-25 season, while Kevin Durant makes around $51.2 million with the Dallas Mavericks. Joel Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers contract pays him approximately $51.4 million this season, making him one of the top earners on the roster.
When looking at total earnings including endorsements, LeBron James leads the pack with an estimated $130 million in total income, fueled by his lifetime deal with Nike and numerous business investments. Forbes reports that his off-court earnings are unmatched in the league. Other top earners like Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis also rank high, with Lillard's Milwaukee Bucks contract paying him over $45 million and his Nike deal adding significantly to his total wealth.
NBA Contracts and Earnings Breakdown
The highest paid NBA player contracts are typically multi-year supermax deals that guarantee tens of millions annually. The NBA salary cap for the 2024-25 season is set at $140.6 million, with the luxury tax line at $172 million, allowing top stars to earn a large percentage of the cap space. Curry's Warriors deal, for example, pays him 39% of the salary cap in a single season, illustrating how superstars capture the majority of basketball-related income.
Off-court income for NBA players comes primarily from shoe deals, apparel contracts, and equity stakes in companies. Stephen Curry's Under Armour deal, while smaller than LeBron's Nike contract, still pays him an estimated $20 million annually, plus royalties. SEC filings and public company reports show that top NBA stars often invest in tech startups and consumer brands, diversifying their income streams beyond basketball salaries. Forbes tracks these investments closely, noting that Curry's business portfolio includes stakes in multiple ventures outside of sports.