LeBron Boosts NBA Players to Record Earnings

The NBA’s 10 highest-paid players will make $751 million before taxes and agents’ fees this year, per Forbes — a record for the league.

It’s no surprise that LeBron James — the first active athlete to be certified a billionaire by Forbes — sits atop the outlet’s Highest-Paid NBA Players list as the highest-paid NBA player ever, his ninth straight year at No. 1. His pretax earnings will total $124.5 million, with $80 million of that earned off the court. 

James is one of 10 athletes who have surpassed $100 million in pretax earnings in a single year. Some of his off-court endeavors, including the SpringHill company, aren’t included in Forbes’ estimates.

Steph Curry, the second-highest-paid NBA player, will make the most on the court — $48.1 million. Add that to off-court income, and Curry’s earnings will total $95.1 million.

The top five is rounded out by Kevin Durant ($88 million), Giannis Antetokounmpo ($86.5 million), and Russell Westbrook ($82.1 million). Earnings then drop by more than $20 million.

• No. 6: Klay Thompson ($60.6 million)
• No. 7: Damian Lillard ($60.5 million)
• No. 8: James Harden ($53 million)
• No. 9: Paul George ($51 million)
• No. 10: Jimmy Butler ($49.7 million)

Ball Breakdown

Collectively, the highest-paid players are making 5% more than last year and 122% more than a decade ago. The players’ off-court earnings, which is anticipated to total $330 million, is estimated as the highest for any sports league.