Cavaliers Go All In, Lead NBA With Record $392M Payroll

The 2025–26 NBA season is a week away. While teams could still make some roster changes, most of the key moves have been decided—meaning the upcoming payroll for each team is fairly clear.

The Cavaliers are by far the league’s biggest spender.

Cleveland has the NBA’s highest payroll at $228.6 million, about $23 million more than the next highest team, according to data from Spotrac. The Cavaliers saw a salary spike compared to last season as the extensions of Donovan Mitchell (three years, $150.3 million) and Evan Mobley (five years, $269.1 million) hit the books. 

The Cavaliers are the only second-apron violator entering next season and have a $163.8 million tax penalty for a total bill of $392.4 million, per Spotrac. That number is $118 million more than any other team. 

However, their investment may pay off as it is expected to be one of the top teams in a depleted Eastern Conference. The Pacers, last year’s Eastern Conference champion, will be without star Tyrese Haliburton all season due to an Achilles tear, while Celtics star Jayson Tatum may face the same fate.

Boston was projected to pay $500 million in payroll and tax penalties, but it made significant changes to its roster to cut its bill by more than half. It is still No. 6 in payroll at about $200 million, but its total bill after tax will be under $240 million.

Big Markets, Big Spenders

The league’s big-market teams comprise most of the top 10, including the Warriors (No. 2), Knicks (No. 3), and Lakers (No. 7). 

A few other notable teams in the top 10 include the Clippers at No. 9 and the Sixers at No. 10. Los Angeles has been under the microscope since reporter and podcaster Pablo Torre alleged it circumvented the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard last month. If found guilty, a potential penalty from the NBA could be voiding the remaining two years and $100.3 million on Leonard’s contract.

The Sixers are coming off a nightmare season where they finished with a 24–58 record as their trio of stars—Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey—dealt with injuries. They are the highest-paid trio in the entire NBA entering the 2025–26 season. 

The defending champion Thunder are No. 14 in the league in payroll ($186.88 million), but they are already projected to lead the league in salary next year once the max extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren kick in.