The NBA has always rewarded greatness, but this era has taken player earnings to a completely different level. Careers are no longer judged only by rings and highlights, but by how well stars play the long game with contracts, extensions, and leverage. Some legends built their fortune brick by brick over two decades, while others exploded into record territory before turning 30. This is not just about being talented.It is about staying relevant, staying healthy, and knowing exactly when to push for more. From dynasty builders to franchise cornerstones, these players have mastered both basketball and business. Their stories reveal how the league’s rising salary cap changed everything. Stick around, because once you see who tops the list and how they got there, the modern NBA looks very different.
LeBron James at $581 million
LeBron James has become the NBA player with the highest career earnings record. His total income of $581,322,455 over 22 seasons is primarily from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. His path to this record started with his 4-year rookie contract worth $18.8 million in 2003, but really blossomed with max contracts when he moved to Miami in 2010.By 2016, when he returned to Cleveland, he signed a two-year extension for $209 million, making him the highest-paid player in NBA history at that point.ESPN reported in August 2016, that “In the first year of James’ contract, he will earn $31 million, making him the highest-paid player in the NBA for the 2016-17 season,”. This deal was directly negotiated between James and the Cavaliers’ management, coinciding with his quest for a championship in his hometown, which he achieved in the 2016 Finals.LeBron James had earned approximately $297.49 million in salary during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers thanks to a four-year contract worth $153.3 million signed in 2018, which was extended in 2020 for an additional two years at $85.6 million.
Stephen Curry at $532 million
Stephen Curry is in second place with $532,728,665, all accumulated over 17 seasons with the Golden State Warriors. Early on, he signed a team-friendly four-year, $44 million extension in 2012 due to ankle injury worries, which turned out to be a steal after his MVP season in 2015 and the 73-win record.This low-key deal, worked out between Curry’s agent Jeff Bzdelik and Myers while Curry was recovering, enabled Golden State to create a dynasty around him without straining their salary cap. It paid off big time; by 2017, Curry signed a five-year, $201 million extension, followed by a four-year, $215 million supermax in 2021, which was the richest eight-year deal at the time of signing.Spotrac ranks Curry third overall but expects him to rise with his 2025-26 salary of $59,606,817. “Spotrac released its updated list of the NBA’s highest career earners, and Curry currently sits third, behind Kevin Durant and LeBron James,” Curry’s shooting revolution made the back-loaded pay worthwhile, transforming a potential injury risk into a $500 million-plus asset.
Devin Booker at $520 million
Tied for third place with $520,282,015, Devin Booker’s earnings boost comes from his 10-year stint with the Suns, especially after a groundbreaking extension in 2025. At just 28, he inked a two-year, $145 million addition to his existing four-year, $220 million contract, raising his yearly average to a record-setting $72.5 million per season until 2030.“Booker, 28, will receive the highest annual salary in an extension in league history,” ESPN reported on July 9, 2025, referencing sources involved in the talks between Suns owner Mat Ishbia and Booker’s team. The backdrop: Phoenix’s 2021 Finals journey, where Booker was the key player, gave him leverage after the 2024 playoffs, during which he averaged 28.7 points.This contract, which became available after Booker’s 2024 All-NBA selection, features a player option for the 2030-31 season, setting him up to possibly exceed $600 million by the time he retires. His swift rise from a 2015 lottery pick to a maximum salary player showcases the NBA’s focus on youth in this era of increasing salary caps.
Paul George at $516 million
Tied for third place with $516,917,026, Paul George’s earnings cover 15 seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers. His highest earnings came in 2018 when he signed a four-year, $137 million max deal with OKC, which was later renegotiated to a four-year, $190 million extension with the Clippers in 2020 as they aimed for a championship run.This was followed by his 2023 trade to Philadelphia 76ers where he secured a four-year, $211 million contract that added $52.9 million per year, all negotiated during the free agency excitement.The backdrop of his moves: Injuries in 2019 limited his playtime, but his All-Defensive accolades kept the max offers coming. By 2025, at the age of 35, George’s experience continues to keep him in the top five, with $51.7 million expected for the 2025-26 season.
Anthony Davis at $511 million
Angthny Davis is sitting at $511,281,453 rounds out the top five in earnings, showing a mix of dominance and durability challenges during his time with the New Orleans Pelicans and the Lakers. His five-year, $190 million extension with New Orleans in 2017 was outshined by a five-year, $190 million max deal with the Lakers in 2019, after the trade demand.In December 2025, ESPN’s trade guide stated “with AD trade discussions heating up, our experts suggest five trades that could change the league’s balance of power,” quoting insiders on Dallas’ investment in Davis’ health alongside Doncic. The context: the Lakers’ 2020 championship masked injury issues; the 2024-25 trade, as per league sources, had Davis waiving a no-trade clause for a fresh start, locking in his $54.1 million salary for the 2025-26 season.According to Spotrac, Davis has earned $198.17 million from the Lakers, with the Mavericks extension adding two years at rising rates. His Defensive Player of the Year honors (2018, 2020) back up the pay, even as trades highlight health risks.Also Read: LeBron James and Kevin Durant renew a two-decade rivalry as the Los Angeles Lakers face the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day
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