Unearth The Voyage
NBA salaries have reached jaw-dropping heights in 2026-27, with the league’s biggest stars earning more money in a single season than most people will see in a lifetime. From two-time MVPs to championship-winning veterans, the players on this list represent the best of the best in professional basketball.
Their massive contracts reflect not just their talent on the court, but their value to their franchises, fan bases, and the league as a whole. Here is a look at the 15 highest-paid NBA players this season, ranked by their salaries.
1. Stephen Curry – $62,587,158
Nobody in NBA history has changed the game quite like Stephen Curry. The Golden State Warriors point guard earns the biggest paycheck in the league this season at $62,587,158, and every penny reflects his legendary status.
Curry revolutionized basketball by making the three-point shot the most powerful weapon in the sport. His shooting range and quick release forced defenses to rethink everything they knew about guarding a player.
Even at 38 years old, he remains one of the most dangerous offensive players on any given night.
With four NBA championships and two MVP awards, Curry’s resume speaks for itself. He is the all-time leader in three-pointers made and shows no signs of slowing down.
Golden State continues to build its identity around him, making his massive salary one of the most justified in sports today.
2. Nikola Jokic – $59,033,114
Nikola Jokic is widely considered the best player in the world right now, and his salary of $59,033,114 reflects that status. The Denver Nuggets center has redefined what it means to play his position with his extraordinary passing and scoring ability.
Jokic has won three MVP awards, making him one of the most decorated players of his generation. His ability to control a game without dominating the ball is something no center in NBA history has done at his level.
He sees the court like a point guard, yet can score at will near the basket.
Off the court, Jokic keeps a famously low profile, preferring horses and quiet evenings to the celebrity spotlight. That humility makes his dominance even more impressive.
Denver built a championship around him in 2023, and he remains the heart of everything the Nuggets do.
3. Jayson Tatum – $58,456,566
Jayson Tatum grew up dreaming of wearing a Boston Celtics jersey, and now he is one of the highest-paid players in the entire league at $58,456,566. The 28-year-old forward has become the cornerstone of one of the NBA’s most successful franchises.
Tatum helped lead Boston to an NBA championship in 2024, cementing his place among the game’s elite players. His scoring ability, defensive versatility, and clutch performances in big moments have made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for opposing teams.
He can score from anywhere on the floor.
What makes Tatum special is his constant drive to improve. Each season, he has added new dimensions to his game, whether it is his mid-range shooting, playmaking, or shot creation off the dribble.
Boston invested heavily in him for exactly this reason, and he continues to deliver on that investment.
4. Anthony Davis – $58,456,566
When Anthony Davis is healthy and locked in, there may not be a more dominant big man in basketball. The Los Angeles Lakers star earns $58,456,566 this season, tied for the third-highest salary in the league, and his two-way ability justifies the number.
Davis stands out because of his rare combination of size, agility, and skill. He can protect the rim on defense while scoring in every possible way on offense.
That combination is nearly impossible to find, and NBA teams know it. The Lakers have long counted on him to be their anchor on both ends of the floor.
Injuries have been a frustrating part of Davis’s career, but when he plays full seasons, the results are hard to argue with. He was a key part of the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship run.
At 33, he still has the talent to take over games and carry a team through the playoffs.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo – $58,456,566
From Athens, Greece, to the top of the NBA pay scale, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s story is one of the most remarkable in sports history. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar earns $58,456,566 this season, a number that matches his incredible impact on the game.
Giannis has won two MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and an NBA championship in 2021. His combination of size, speed, and strength makes him nearly impossible to guard one-on-one.
At 6 feet 11 inches and built like a freight train, he plays with an intensity that lifts his entire team.
What is easy to overlook is how hard Giannis has worked to improve his shooting and playmaking over the years. He came into the league as a raw teenager with almost nothing and turned himself into the best player on the planet for a stretch.
Milwaukee bet big on him, and that bet has paid off beautifully.
6. Joel Embiid – $58,100,000
Joel Embiid’s $58,100,000 salary this season makes him one of the highest-paid centers in NBA history. The Philadelphia 76ers star earned his payday the hard way, becoming the league’s most unstoppable scoring big man over years of hard work and recovery from serious injuries.
Embiid won his first MVP award in 2023 and has been a consistent All-Star since fully establishing himself in the league. His post game, mid-range shooting, and ability to draw fouls make him a matchup problem that no defense has fully solved.
He can score 30 points on any given night without breaking a sweat.
Managing his health has been the biggest challenge of Embiid’s career. When he plays, Philadelphia is a legitimate contender.
His size, skill, and competitive fire give the 76ers a player capable of carrying them deep into the postseason, which is exactly what a $58 million salary demands.
7. Jaylen Brown – $57,078,728
Jaylen Brown proved his worth on the biggest stage when he won the 2024 NBA Finals MVP award alongside teammate Jayson Tatum. Now earning $57,078,728 this season, he stands as one of the most well-compensated two-way players in the game.
Brown brings a physical, aggressive style of play that gives the Celtics a different dimension from Tatum’s more fluid approach. He attacks the basket fearlessly and has developed into a reliable shooter from the outside.
His defensive intensity is equally impressive, capable of guarding multiple positions on any given night.
Off the court, Brown is known as one of the most thoughtful and outspoken players in the league. He speaks openly about social issues and takes his platform seriously.
Boston signed him to a historic contract extension before the 2024 championship run, and that investment has already paid enormous dividends for the franchise and its fans.
8. Devin Booker – $57,078,728
Devin Booker has the kind of scoring ability that makes coaches nervous and fans reach for their popcorn. The Phoenix Suns star earns $57,078,728 this season, a reflection of his status as one of the most gifted offensive players in the league today.
Booker became the youngest player in NBA history to score 70 points in a single game back in 2017, and he has never stopped impressing since then. His footwork, shot-making, and ability to get buckets in clutch situations are elite by any standard.
He has represented Team USA on the international stage and delivered every time.
Phoenix has gone through roster changes and coaching shifts over the years, but Booker has remained the constant. He leads by example and has matured into a true franchise cornerstone.
At 29, he is entering what should be the peak years of his career, making his salary look like a smart long-term investment.
9. Karl-Anthony Towns – $57,078,728
Karl-Anthony Towns brings something rare to the center position: the ability to stretch defenses all the way out to the three-point line while still being a force inside the paint. Earning $57,078,728 this season with the New York Knicks, he is being paid to do exactly that.
Towns made the move from Minnesota to New York before the 2024-25 season, and the change of scenery seemed to energize him. Playing in the biggest market in basketball, he has embraced the spotlight and responded with some of the best basketball of his career.
The Knicks needed a skilled big man, and he delivered.
His outside shooting sets him apart from most traditional centers in the league. Teams cannot simply drop back in the paint when Towns is on the floor because he will make them pay from deep.
At 30 years old, he is right in the middle of his prime and showing no signs of slowing down.
10. Jimmy Butler – $56,832,773
Jimmy Butler has built his entire career on proving people wrong, and at $56,832,773 this season, he has the paycheck to show for it. After a dramatic split with the Miami Heat, Butler landed with the Golden State Warriors and brought his winning mentality to a new city.
Butler is not the flashiest player on any roster, but he might be the toughest. He elevates his game when the stakes are highest, which is exactly the kind of player championship contenders pay top dollar to have.
His 2023 Finals performance against Denver is still talked about as one of the great individual playoff runs in recent memory.
At 36, some questioned whether Butler still had the fire. But his relentless work ethic and competitive drive have never wavered.
He continues to be a nightmare matchup for opposing forwards and a vocal leader in the locker room, making him worth every dollar of that salary.
11. Paul George – $54,126,380
Paul George has been one of the most consistent two-way stars in the NBA for over a decade, and his $54,126,380 salary this season with the Philadelphia 76ers reflects that sustained excellence. Teaming up with Joel Embiid, George gives Philadelphia a dangerous second scoring option.
Throughout his career, George has earned All-Star selections and All-Defensive team honors at multiple stops, including Indiana, Oklahoma City, and Los Angeles. His versatility as a wing player who can guard multiple positions while scoring from anywhere on the floor makes him exactly the kind of player contenders chase.
There have been ups and downs along the way, including a gruesome leg injury early in his career that many feared would end his time at the top level. George came back stronger and never looked back.
At 35, he is no longer the explosive athlete he once was, but his skill and basketball IQ more than make up for it.
12. Kawhi Leonard – $50,300,000
Kawhi Leonard lets his game do all the talking, and at $50,300,000 this season, the Los Angeles Clippers are paying for one of the quietest assassins the NBA has ever seen. Leonard rarely gives long interviews or seeks attention, but when the ball is in his hands in crunch time, everyone in the building notices.
His resume includes two NBA championships with two different teams, two Finals MVP awards, and a reputation as one of the best defenders of his generation. The famous “Kawhi laugh” went viral years ago, but his basketball brilliance is no joke.
His massive hands and elite footwork make him a matchup problem at both ends.
Managing his workload has been the central story of Leonard’s recent seasons. The Clippers have learned to pace him carefully to keep him fresh for the playoffs.
When healthy and engaged, he remains one of the most impactful players in the entire league at 34 years old.
13. Donovan Mitchell – $50,105,628
Donovan Mitchell arrived in Cleveland and immediately transformed the Cavaliers into a legitimate Eastern Conference threat. Earning $50,105,628 this season, he has proven that the trade from Utah was one of the best moves Cleveland has made in years.
Mitchell is one of the most explosive scorers in the league from the guard position. He attacks the basket fearlessly, has a reliable pull-up jumper, and has the ability to take over a game completely in the fourth quarter.
His nickname “Spida” fits perfectly because he has a knack for spinning webs that trap defenders.
The Cavaliers built a young and talented roster around Mitchell, giving him plenty of support to make a deep playoff run. At just 29 years old, he is entering his prime and getting better each season.
Cleveland fans have embraced him fully, and his salary reflects what a true franchise cornerstone commands in today’s NBA market.
14. Cade Cunningham – $50,105,628
Cade Cunningham is the youngest player on this list, and the fact that he is already earning $50,105,628 at just 24 years old tells you everything about how highly the basketball world thinks of him. The Detroit Pistons made him the first overall pick in the 2021 draft, and he has been building toward this moment ever since.
Cunningham plays with a maturity that goes well beyond his age. He controls the pace of a game, makes smart decisions with the ball, and has the scoring ability to take over when needed.
Detroit has been rebuilding for years, and he is the centerpiece of everything they are trying to create.
The Pistons have added talent around Cunningham to help him compete, and the franchise is trending upward. He is the kind of generational point guard that can anchor a team for the next decade.
At $50 million per season, Detroit is betting that he becomes one of the best players in the world, and the early returns are very encouraging.
15. Evan Mobley – $50,105,628
Evan Mobley might be the most exciting young big man in the NBA, and at $50,105,628 this season, Cleveland made sure to lock him up before anyone else could. The 24-year-old center earned his massive contract by developing into one of the most complete two-way big men in the league.
Mobley’s length and athleticism make him a nightmare on defense. He can protect the rim, switch onto guards on the perimeter, and contest shots all over the court.
On offense, he has steadily grown into a reliable scorer who can finish at the rim, hit mid-range jumpers, and even step out to the three-point line.
Pairing Mobley with Donovan Mitchell gives Cleveland one of the most exciting young cores in the Eastern Conference. He was a runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year and continues to raise his game each season.
The Cavaliers are building something special around him, and his salary signals just how central he is to their future plans.
