Jayson Tatum takes the top spot as the highest-paid NBA power forward and the league’s top-paid overall player, set to earn $62.8 million in 2025-26.
Tatum’s record deal, signed in 2024 after he led the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship, is worth $314 million over five years. It includes performance incentives, such as being voted to the All-NBA team.
Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo comes in second. After signing a five-year, $228.2 million max contract with the Bucks in 2020, Antetokounmpo re-upped with a three-year, $175.88 million extension set to begin in the 2025-26 season.
The third-highest-paid NBA power forward is another Eastern Conference star: the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley. Mobley inked a 5-year, $224 million contract in July 2024. But after winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, a clause in his contract bumped its value to $269 million.
NBA legend and four-time MVP LeBron James takes the fourth spot. King James, who will turn 41 during the 2025-26 season, is in the second year of a two-year, $101.35 million maximum veteran contract extension with the Lakers.
Sliding into fifth is Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, who’s entering the first year of a 4-year deal worth nearly $196 million.
The Highest-Paid Power Forwards
Here is the full list of the 25 highest-paid NBA power forwards by average salary. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.
- Updated: August 21, 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | Compensation |
| 1 | Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | $62.79 million |
| 2 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | $58.46 million |
| 3 | Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers | $53.82 million |
| 4 | Lebron James | Los Angeles Lakers | $50.68 million |
| 5 | Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz | $48.97 million |
| 6 | Pascal Siakam | Indiana Pacers | $47.24 million |
| 7 | Domantas Sabonis | Sacramento Kings | $46.5 million |
| 8 | Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors | $44.85 million |
| 9 | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | $39.45 million |
| 10 | Julius Randle | Minnesota Timberwolves | $33.33 million |
| 11 | Jerami Grant | Portland Trail Blazers | $32 million |
| 12 | Kristaps Porzingis | Atlanta Hawks | $30 million |
| 13 | Jaden McDaniels | Minnesota Timberwolves | $26.2 million |
| 14 | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Memphis Grizzlies | $26.18 million |
| 15 | Tobias Harris | Detroit Pistons | $26 million |
| T-16 | Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors | $25 million |
| T-16 | John Collins | Los Angeles Clippers | $25 million |
| 18 | Kyle Kuzma | Milwaukee Bucks | $22.5 million |
| 19 | Aaron Gordon | Denver Nuggets | $21.66 million |
| T-20 | Harrison Barnes | San Antonio Spurs | $18 million |
| T-20 | Patrick Williams | Chicago Bulls | $18 million |
| 22 | Rui Hachimura | Los Angeles Lakers | $17 million |
| 23 | PJ Washington | Dallas Mavericks | $15.5 million |
| 24 | Jonathan Isaac | Orlando Magic | $14.75 million |
| 25 | Bobby Portis | Milwaukee Bucks | $14.52 million |
Related lists:
- The Highest-Paid NBA Players in 2025-26
- The Highest-Paid Small Forwards in the NBA
- Ranking The Most Watched NBA Finals of All Time
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