NBA’s 50 Highest-Paid Players for the 2025/26 Season
nba-top-50-salaries-2025-26
For the first time in league history, a base salary north of $30 million is required to crack the NBA’s top-50 earnings list. The league’s salary hierarchy for 2025/26 is led by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, whose $59,606,817 payout tops the chart and lands nearly $22 million ahead of Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, despite both being on maximum-salary contracts.
The size of each “max” payout depends on when the contract was signed and the player’s years of service. Curry signed his current deal earlier than many peers, allowing his annual 8 percent raises to outpace recent annual salary-cap increases. By contrast, younger stars on newer max agreements—such as Ball—will collect lower sums in 2025/26 even though they occupy the same contract tier.
Top Four Salaries
1. Stephen Curry, Warriors: $59,606,817
2. Joel Embiid, 76ers: $55,224,526
3. Nikola Jokić, Nuggets: $55,224,526
4. Kevin Durant, Rockets: $53,282,608 (plus up to $1,426,001 in likely incentives)
Other Players Earning at Least $50 Million
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: $54,126,450
• Jimmy Butler, Warriors: $54,126,450
• Anthony Davis, Mavericks: $54,126,450
• Jayson Tatum, Celtics: $54,126,450
• Devin Booker, Suns: $53,142,264 (10% trade kicker)
• Jaylen Brown, Celtics: $53,142,264
• Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: $53,142,264
• LeBron James, Lakers: $52,627,153 (15% trade kicker)
• Paul George, 76ers: $51,666,090 (15% trade kicker)
• Kawhi Leonard, Clippers: $50,000,000 (15% trade kicker)
Mid-40s to High-40s Bracket
Zach LaVine (Kings) leads this tier at $47,499,660, followed by a group clustered at $46,394,100 that includes Cade Cunningham, Lauri Markkanen, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jamal Murray. Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young each sit at $45,999,660, with Young carrying a 15 percent trade bonus. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and teammate Pascal Siakam each draw $45,550,512.
Salaries in the Low-40s
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis earns $42,336,000 and can add up to $2.6 million through unlikely incentives.
$30 Million-Plus Makes the Cut
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby headlines the high-30s at $39,568,966, while Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley closes the top-50 list at $32,500,000, with a chance to collect another $2.5 million via incentives.
Two Portland Trail Blazers veterans—Jrue Holiday ($32.4 million) and Jerami Grant ($32 million)—are the highest-paid players who fall just outside the top 50. A few players below Quickley’s base figure could surpass him if they reach performance bonuses, including Jordan Poole of the Pelicans, Tyler Herro of the Heat and Dejounte Murray, also of the Pelicans.
Below is the complete list of the 50 highest base salaries for 2025/26:
Stephen Curry — $59,606,817
Joel Embiid — $55,224,526
Nikola Jokić — $55,224,526
Kevin Durant — $53,282,608 (+$1,426,001 incentives)
Giannis Antetokounmpo — $54,126,450
Jimmy Butler — $54,126,450
Anthony Davis — $54,126,450
Jayson Tatum — $54,126,450
Devin Booker — $53,142,264 (10% trade kicker)
Jaylen Brown — $53,142,264
Karl-Anthony Towns — $53,142,264
LeBron James — $52,627,153 (15% trade kicker)
Paul George — $51,666,090 (15% trade kicker)
Kawhi Leonard — $50,000,000 (15% trade kicker)
Zach LaVine — $47,499,660
Cade Cunningham — $46,394,100
Lauri Markkanen — $46,394,100
Donovan Mitchell — $46,394,100
Evan Mobley — $46,394,100
Jamal Murray — $46,394,100
Luka Dončić — $45,999,660
Trae Young — $45,999,660 (15% trade kicker)
Anthony Edwards — $45,550,512
Tyrese Haliburton — $45,550,512
Pascal Siakam — $45,550,512
Domantas Sabonis — $42,336,000 (+$2,600,000 incentives)
OG Anunoby — $39,568,966 (15% trade kicker)
Darius Garland — $39,446,090 (15% trade kicker)
Ja Morant — $39,446,090 (15% trade kicker)
Zion Williamson — $39,446,090
James Harden — $39,182,693 (15% trade kicker)
Scottie Barnes — $38,661,750
Franz Wagner — $38,661,750
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — $38,333,050 (15% trade kicker)
Michael Porter Jr. — $38,333,050
Brandon Ingram — $38,095,238
LaMelo Ball — $37,958,760 (15% trade kicker)
Tyrese Maxey — $37,958,760
Bam Adebayo — $37,096,620
De’Aaron Fox — $37,096,620
Desmond Bane — $36,725,670 (+$1,233,090 incentives)
Kyrie Irving — $36,566,002 (15% trade kicker)
Rudy Gobert — $35,000,000 (7.5% trade kicker)
Jaren Jackson Jr. — $35,000,000
Jalen Suggs — $35,000,000
Jalen Brunson — $34,944,001 (15% trade kicker)
Alperen Şengün — $33,944,954
Jalen Green — $33,584,499
Khris Middleton — $33,296,296 (+$3,222,221 incentives)
Immanuel Quickley — $32,500,000 (+$2,500,000 incentives)
The figures reflect base salaries only; incentive clauses and trade bonuses can raise the final totals for several players.
Source: Hoops Rumors
