The 10 highest-paid players in the NBA

The NBA is going through a period of economic prosperity. New television agreements, the international expansion of the competition, and the increase in the salary cap have skyrocketed contracts. Stephen Curry leads the ranking for the 2026-27 season with 62.6 million dollars, ahead of Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum. Meanwhile, several Spanish players also rank among the highest-paid in the league.

Curry, the only one over 60 million

1. Stephen Curry — 62,587,158 dollars

At 38 years old, Stephen Curry tops the NBA salary ranking for the second consecutive season. The point guard is a key player for the Golden State Warriors, both on the court and economically. Considered by many to be the best shooter of all time, he transformed modern basketball with his accuracy from long range. His four championship rings and two MVP awards uphold a legacy that has helped turn Golden State into one of the most valuable franchises in professional sports.

2. Nikola Jokic — 59,033,114 dollars

The Serbian center has revolutionized his position thanks to exceptional court vision and his ability to score, create opportunities, and elevate his teammates. With three MVP awards and one championship ring, Jokic is already among the standout players of the 21st century. His earnings continue to grow as it seems he will remain with the Denver Nuggets for many years to come.

3. Jayson Tatum — 58,456,566 dollars

Tatum is the main reference for the Boston Celtics, one of the most storied franchises in American sports. An NBA champion and frequent MVP candidate, the forward justifies his high salary with his consistency, scoring ability, and leadership. After recovering from a serious injury, he faces a new season where he is expected to compete for major individual awards again. Boston continues to trust him and invests in a contract that could keep increasing in the coming years.

Davis and Antetokounmpo complete the top five

4. Anthony Davis — 58,456,566 dollars

Anthony Davis stands out for his ability to combine defense and offense. His presence near the basket intimidates opponents, allowing him to grab rebounds and score easily. Although he has passed through various franchises and suffered recurring physical issues that have affected his continuity, he maintains his superstar status and one of the highest salaries in the competition.

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo — 58,456,566 dollars

An NBA champion and two-time MVP, the Greek player remains among the highest-paid and most recognized players in the league. His constant evolution, work ethic, and impact on both ends of the court explain his position among the highest contracts. His arrival in Miami has generated huge excitement, as the franchise hopes to build a new winning project around him.

6. Joel Embiid — 58,100,000 dollars

The 2023 MVP continues to be one of the great forces in the NBA thanks to his combination of size, technique, and scoring ability. Injuries have affected his recent seasons, but when healthy, the Cameroonian center continues to earn a salary in line with his superstar status. Philadelphia holds great hopes in him to conquer a title that has eluded them for decades.

Brown, Booker, and Towns exceed 57 million

7. Jaylen Brown — 57,078,728 dollars

The 2024 Finals MVP continues to benefit from one of the most lucrative contracts in NBA history. After his surprising exit from Boston, where he formed one of the most feared duos in the league with Jayson Tatum, Brown embarks on a new chapter with the Philadelphia 76ers. His offensive and defensive evolution in recent seasons is one of the reasons the franchise trusts him to lead the quest for the championship.

8. Devin Booker — 57,078,728 dollars

At 29 years old, Booker is the main offensive reference for the Phoenix Suns and one of the most complete shooting guards in the NBA. His ability to score from outside and mid-range positions makes him one of the most reliable stars in the competition. Moreover, his contracts for the upcoming seasons will allow him to climb the ranks among the highest-paid players.

9. Karl-Anthony Towns — 57,078,728 dollars

The American center with Dominican nationality holds one of the highest contracts in the NBA and is negotiating his future with the New York Knicks. Everything indicates that he will sign a new multimillion-dollar agreement to maintain his position among the highest earners. His ability to score from any position, especially his threat from three-point range, makes him a key piece in modern basketball.

10. Jimmy Butler — 56,832,773 dollars

At 37 years old, Butler rounds out the top 10 after signing a significant contract extension that keeps him among the highest-paid players. His arrival at the Golden State Warriors bolstered the team's aspirations and added experience to a roster accustomed to fighting for the championship. Before suffering a serious knee injury, the forward was posting good numbers and remained an important figure on both ends of the court.

Image

Santi Aldama leads the Spaniards by salary

Spain also has several representatives in the NBA. Santi Aldama, currently with the Dallas Mavericks, is the best positioned in the salary ranking, with 17,007,043 dollars placing him at 112 in the league.

Following him are Aday Mara of the Oklahoma City Thunder, with 5,791,680 dollars; Sergio de Larrea, also with the Dallas Mavericks, with 3,182,280; Hugo González of the Boston Celtics, with 2,923,560; and Baba Miller of the Los Angeles Clippers, with 1,705,630 dollars.

Steve Kerr, the highest-paid coach

The economic growth of the NBA is also reflected in coaches' contracts. Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors, leads this ranking with 17.5 million dollars annually.

He is followed by Erik Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue, both earning 15 million per season. The next group includes Doc Rivers, Ime Udoka, Joe Mazzulla, and Rick Carlisle, each earning around 11 million annually. Completing the top 10 are Mike Brown with 10 million; JJ Redick with 9 million; and Nick Nurse with 8.5 million.

The NBA extends its economic advantage

The figures reflect the economic gap that the NBA continues to maintain over other basketball competitions worldwide. Salaries break records year after year, driven by the league's revenue growth, and it appears that this trend will continue in the coming seasons.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los 10 jugadores mejor pagados de la NBA