Highest Paid NBA Player in 2025
Stephen Curry remains the highest paid NBA player in 2025, with a salary of about $55.8 million for the season, according to Forbes. His contract with the Golden State Warriors includes a supermax extension that pays him more than any other player in league history for a single season.
Curry's total earnings combine his salary with off-court income from endorsements and business ventures, placing his estimated annual income above $150 million. He leads the NBA in both on-court pay and overall brand revenue, backed by major deals with Under Armour, Rakuten, and other partners.
NBA Salary Structure and Max Contracts
NBA salary caps and max contracts determine how much a player can earn, with supermax deals reserved for veterans who meet specific criteria. The 2025 cap sits near $140 million, and the highest paid NBA player uses a combination of years of service, All-NBA selections, and maximum salary raises to reach top earnings.
Curry's pay is structured through a mix of guaranteed salary, likely incentives, and player options that keep him under the cap while maximizing his take-home pay. His contract also benefits from the Warriors' revenue streams, including media deals and luxury-tax payments enabled by strong ticket and merchandise sales.
Comparison With Other Top Earners
Other high earners in 2025 include LeBron James, Damian Lillard, and Joel Embiid, but none surpass Curry's current salary. Lillard and Embiid signed large extensions, yet Curry's longer supermax window and earlier max deals keep him at the top of the earnings list.
Endorsements and Business Income
Curry's endorsement portfolio is among the largest in sports, with Under Armour serving as his primary apparel partner since 2013. His Curry Brand shoes and apparel line generate hundreds of millions in annual sales, and his stake in the Golden State Warriors adds equity value beyond his salary.
He also earns from media and investment ventures, including ownership in multiple businesses and content platforms. Forbes reports that his total income from basketball and business activities makes him one of the highest paid athletes across all sports, not just the NBA.
How NBA Pay Compares to Other Leagues
The NBA's salary structure allows the highest paid NBA player to earn more per season than most top athletes in baseball, football, and soccer, due to guaranteed contracts and revenue sharing. The league's media deals and global branding help distribute large salaries while maintaining competitive balance.
Forbes and other sources note that NBA superstars like Curry benefit from both on-court performance and off-court brand power, making their total compensation packages larger than their base salary alone. This combination of salary, endorsements, and equity keeps Curry at the top of the earnings rankings in 2025.