Highest Paid NBA Players Ranked!
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What will you be when you grow up? That’s the question many children are faced with from a young age, and for some lucky individuals, it is an opportunity to become a very rich grown-up. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the highest paid professional sports leagues in the world, with its players earning an average annual salary of $3.6 million in the 2020-21 season. However, there are some NBA stars who make much more than that.
Stephen Curry - $34 million
The Golden State Warriors’ two-time MVP Stephen Curry has been the NBA’s most accurate shooter since he joined the league, so it is no surprise that he has been one of the highest paid players since he signed his first contract in 2012. Curry’s biggest salary comes from his contract with Under Armour, and Adidas, who signed him to a 13-year, $10 million contract in 2017. The contract is one of the most lucrative endorsement deals in the NBA, and it has made Curry the league’s highest paid player.
James Harden - $28 million
Houston Rockets star James Harden is one of the most recognizable faces in the NBA, and for good reason. He has been one of the league’s most prolific scorers over the past few years, helping the Rockets to a number of playoff appearances. He was the regular season MVP in 2017. Harden’s salary comes from a variety of sources, including his endorsement deals with companies such as Nike, Toyota, Foot Locker, and Netflix.
LeBron James - $26.5 million
James’ $26.5 million annual salary is very high in the NBA, and it is not surprising given his career achievements. He has been selected to the NBA All-Star team 15 times, has won three regular season MVP awards, and has won four league titles. James earns a ton of money through endorsement deals with companies such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Samsung, and Sprite. The three-time league champion has also made a significant amount of money through the production of documentaries, movies, and books.
Kyle Lowry - $26.2 million
The All-Star has been selected to the NBA All-Star team five times since he joined the league, and he helped the Raptors reach the finals in 2019. Lowry earns a significant salary from a variety of sources, including endorsement deals with Red Bull, New Era, Samsung, and State Farm. The Toronto Raptors star is set to continue earning big money in the coming years, with his net worth predicted to increase considerably.
John Wall - $25.9 million
Washington Wizards’ point guard John Wall has been one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers since he joined the league in 2010, and he has consistently been one of the league’s highest paid players. He has also made a significant amount of money from book deals, with his autobiography making The New York Times Best Sellers list.
Damian Lillard - $25.6 Million
Lillard helped the Trail Blazers reach the playoffs for the sixth season in a row. Lillard’s large paycheck is due to his affiliation with firms like Adidas, Pepsi, and Verizon. The Portland Trail Blazers star has also made a significant amount of money from his ownership of the eSports team Rogue.
Russell Westbrook - $25.6 million
Russell was crucial to the Thunder's success in the Western Conference in 2016. He made a big salary from a variety of sources, including his endorsement deals with Nike, Gatorade, HTC, and Verizon. In addition to his ownership of eSports team Gen.G, he has also made a large amount of money.
Blake Griffin - $23.3 million
Detroit Pistons’ power forward Blake Griffin has been one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers since he joined the league in 2010, and he has consistently been one of the league’s highest paid players. The Detroit Pistons forward is set to continue earning big money in the coming years, with his net worth projected to increase.