• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 29, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

The Highest-Paid NBA Players in 2025-26

  • Boston’s duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown take two of the top five spots.
  • Golden State teammates Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry also land in the top 10.
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

With the NBA salary cap regularly increasing 10% after each season, there’s a lot of movement on the salary charts. Maximum contracts from a few years ago suddenly pale in comparison to the max contracts being signed today. And with a $77 billion, 11-year media rights deal kicking in at the start of 2025–26, expect contracts to keep increasing. 

Despite that, for the second straight year, Boston forward Jayson Tatum takes the top spot as the highest-paid NBA player; he’s set to earn an average of $62.8 million per year. Tatum’s deal, signed after he led the Celtics to an NBA title in 2024, is worth $314 million over five years. The contract includes performance incentives, such as being voted to the All-NBA team.

His Boston teammate Jaylen Brown was second in 2024–25, earning $57 million in AAV, after signing a five-year extension worth $303.7 million.

But the 2024 NBA Finals MVP got bumped into fourth by two big men: Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis, each of whom earns $58.46 million per year. In 2023, Antetokounmpo signed a three-year extension to stay in Milwaukee; that extension begins in 2025–26. Davis signed a nearly identical three-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023 that also kicks in this season…with Dallas, which traded away Luka Doncic to get him.

Another big mover on the list is Jimmy Butler, whom Golden State will pay $55.5 million a year for two seasons to ply his trade alongside Stephen Curry (the highest-paid point guard on this list).

Sixth is 2023 NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic. He’s earning $55.2 million annually after signing a five-year deal in 2022. Jokic is set to earn $62.8 million in the last year of his contract in 2028 to total $276.1 million.

Devin Booker of the Suns and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks both earn $55.1 million a year to tie for seventh. Booker signed his $220.44 million deal in 2022, a year after taking Phoenix to the franchise’s third NBA Finals. Towns signed a four-year deal to stay in Minnesota, but after being traded to New York, he’ll collect the remainder of his $220.44 million as a Knick.

Stephen Curry sits in ninth, earning $53.8 million annually. He signed a max contract extension in 2021 that will see him earn $215.35 million over four years.

Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley tie for 10th. Both players, who went #1 and #3 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, were eligible for max designated rookie extensions after receiving All-NBA honors in 2025. They’ll earn over $53 million annually through the 2029–30 season.

Ranking The NBA’s Highest-Paid Players in 2025

Here is a list of the highest-paid NBA players compiled with data from Spotrac.

  • Updated: July 24th, 2025
RankPlayerTeamAverage Annual Value2025–26 Cap Hit
1Jayson TatumBoston Celtics$62.8 million$54.13 million
T-2Giannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee Bucks$58.46 million$54.13 million
T-2Anthony DavisDallas Mavericks$58.46 million$54.13 million
4Jaylen BrownBoston Celtics$57.07 million$53.14 million
5Jimmy ButlerGolden State Warriors$55.48 million$54.13 million
6Nikola JokicDenver Nuggets$55.22 million$55.22 million
T-7Devin BookerPhoenix Suns$55.11 million$53.14 million
T-7Karl-Anthony TownsNew York Knicks$55.11 million$53.14 million
9Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors$53.84 million$59.61 million
T-10Cade CunninghamDetroit Pistons$53.82 million$46.39 million
T-10Evan MobleyCleveland Cavaliers$53.82 million$46.39 million
12Joel EmbiidPhiladelphia 76ers$53.3 million$55.22 million
13Paul GeorgePhiladelphia 76ers$52.89 million$51.67 million
14Jamal MurrayDenver Nuggets$51.96 million$46.39 million
15LeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers$50.67 million$52.63 million
16Donovan MitchellCleveland Cavaliers$50.1 million$46.39 million
17Kawhi LeonardLos Angeles Clippers$49.8 million$50 million
18Lauri MarkkanenUtah Jazz$48.97 million$46.39 million
T-19Anthony EdwardsMinnesota Timberwolves$48.9 million$45.55 million
T-19Tyrese HaliburtonIndiana Pacers$48.9 million$45.55 million
21Kevin DurantHouston Rockets$48.55 million$54.71 million
22Pascal SiakamIndiana Pacers$47.24 million$45.55 million
23Domantas SabonisSacramento Kings$46.5 million$42.34 million
T-24Scottie BarnesToronto Raptors$44.85 million$38.66 million
T-24Franz WagnerOrlando Magic$44.85 million$38.66 million

Related lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dallas Wings

WNBA Teams Desperate to Expand Rosters Amid ‘Extreme Hardship’ 

The Wings are scrambling to field eight players Friday night.
Candace Parker

Candace Parker Not a WNBA Owner Yet, But Her Business is Booming

Her WNBA peers say she made the blueprint for earning off the court.

Kyle Schwarber’s MVP Candidacy Could Lead to Massive Payday

The Phillies slugger makes history and could do so again this winter.

Who Are the Richest MLB Owners?

MLB owners are among the wealthiest people in the U.S.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.

Cowboys’ Parsons Approach Shows High Cost of Delayed Contracts

Parsons will sign a four-year, $188 million deal with the Packers.
Breanna Stewart
August 28, 2025

Breanna Stewart’s Injury Meant Rare Presence at WNBA CBA Talks

Stewart “makes the league sit up straight,” the union director told FOS.
Cooper Lutkenhaus
August 28, 2025

Running Prodigy Ditches High School and College for Nike at 16

Cooper Lutkenhaus is a contender at next month’s track world championships.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 28, 2025

Micah Parsons Traded to Packers, Set to Sign Record 4-Year, $188M Deal

The Cowboys reportedly offered Parsons $40.5 million per year in March.
Willie Mays
August 28, 2025

Willie Mays’s Son Tries to Block Sale of Some Memorabilia 

Michael Mays disputes that his father wanted certain items sold after he died.
Aug 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) flies out to left field in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.
August 27, 2025

The Biggest Deferred Sports Contracts in Each Major Sports League

Shohei Ohtani will make $680 million after his contract ends.
Sep 29, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) leaves the field following the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium
August 27, 2025

Rashee Rice Suspended Six Games to Start NFL Season in Discipline Twist

Rice will serve his NFL suspension sooner than initially assumed.