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The 25 Highest-Paid NBA Power Forwards

  • Jayson Tatum is the highest-paid power forward after signing a record extension in 2024.
  • Three other power forwards earn at least $50 million per season.
Dec 25, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Taurean Prince (12) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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
RankPlayerTeamCompensation
1Jayson TatumBoston Celtics$62.79 million
2Giannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee Bucks$58.46 million
3Evan MobleyCleveland Cavaliers$53.82 million
4Lebron JamesLos Angeles Lakers$50.68 million
5Lauri MarkkanenUtah Jazz$48.97 million
6Pascal SiakamIndiana Pacers$47.24 million
7Domantas SabonisSacramento Kings$46.5 million
8Scottie BarnesToronto Raptors$44.85 million
9Zion WilliamsonNew Orleans Pelicans$39.45 million
10Julius RandleMinnesota Timberwolves$33.33 million
11Jerami GrantPortland Trail Blazers$32 million
12Kristaps PorzingisAtlanta Hawks$30 million
13Jaden McDanielsMinnesota Timberwolves$26.2 million
14Jaren Jackson Jr.Memphis Grizzlies$26.18 million
15Tobias HarrisDetroit Pistons$26 million
T-16Draymond GreenGolden State Warriors$25 million
T-16John CollinsLos Angeles Clippers$25 million
18Kyle KuzmaMilwaukee Bucks$22.5 million
19Aaron GordonDenver Nuggets$21.66 million
T-20Harrison BarnesSan Antonio Spurs$18 million
T-20Patrick WilliamsChicago Bulls$18 million
22Rui HachimuraLos Angeles Lakers$17 million
23PJ WashingtonDallas Mavericks$15.5 million
24Jonathan IsaacOrlando Magic$14.75 million
25Bobby PortisMilwaukee Bucks$14.52 million

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