Basketball in the NBA (National Basketball Association) is not just about points and championships. It is also one of the richest sports leagues in the world. Every year, the league publishes player salaries and contracts. Fans often want to know who earns the most money in the NBA. This article answers that clearly with current and accurate information.
Highest Paid NBA Player in 2025-26
The highest-paid NBA player right now is Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
He is earning the largest salary in the league for the 2025-26 season with about $59.6 million. This amount makes him the top-paid NBA player based only on his contract salary.
Stephen Curry is one of the all-time great shooters in NBA history. He has won multiple championships and MVP awards and remains highly valuable to his team, both on and off the court.
Stephen Curry Net Worth
Apart from his NBA salary, Stephen Curry earns money from endorsements, business deals, and investments. According to financial estimates, Curry’s total income in 2025-26 — including his salary and off-court earnings — could reach over $100 million. This includes deals with major brands and his own business ventures.
Curry’s overall net worth is estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars, making him one of the wealthiest basketball players in the world.
NBA Teams and Their Highest Paid Players (2025-26)
Below is a table showing each NBA team and its highest-paid player for the 2025-26 season, along with the approximate salary figure for that player:
| NBA Team | Player | 2025-26 Salary (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | Trae Young | (Highest on team not in top list) |
| Boston Celtics | Jayson Tatum | (Star salary) |
| Brooklyn Nets | (No data in top pay list) | – |
| Charlotte Hornets | (No data) | – |
| Chicago Bulls | (No data) | – |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | (No data) | – |
| Dallas Mavericks | Kyrie Irving / (Highest) | (Not top league) |
| Denver Nuggets | Nikola Jokić | $55,224,526 |
| Detroit Pistons | Cade Cunningham | $46,394,100 |
| Golden State Warriors | Stephen Curry | $59,606,817 |
| Houston Rockets | Kevin Durant | $53,282,608 |
| Indiana Pacers | Tyrese Haliburton / Pascal Siakam | $45,550,512 |
| LA Clippers | Kawhi Leonard | $50,000,000 |
| LA Lakers | LeBron James | $52,627,153 |
| Miami Heat | Bam Adebayo | $37,096,620 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | Giannis Antetokounmpo | $54,126,450 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Anthony Edwards | $45,550,512 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Zion Williamson | $39,446,090 |
| New York Knicks | Karl-Anthony Towns | $53,142,264 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | $38,333,050 |
| Orlando Magic | Franz Wagner | $38,661,750 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Joel Embiid | $55,224,526 |
| Phoenix Suns | Devin Booker | $53,124,264 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Jrue Holiday | $32,400,000 |
| Sacramento Kings | Zach LaVine | $47,499,660 |
| San Antonio Spurs | De’Aaron Fox | $37,096,620 |
| Toronto Raptors | Scottie Barnes | $38,661,750 |
| Utah Jazz | Lauri Markkanen | $46,394,100 |
Note: Some teams do not have players in the publicly available top salary rankings but still have a highest paid player on their roster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who makes the most money in the NBA this season?
A: Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is the highest paid NBA player with a salary of about $59.6 million for the 2025-26 season.
Q: Does this salary include endorsements?
A: No. The salary refers to NBA contract earnings only. Endorsements and other income make a player’s total earnings much higher.
Q: Who earns the most off the court?
A: Stephen Curry also earns a lot from endorsements, making his total income much higher than his salary. Many top NBA stars earn big money off the court too.
Q: Is this the highest salary in NBA history?
A: Not always. Some players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now have contracts with higher average values, but Curry’s current season salary remains the highest on record for 2025-26.
Q: Who is the richest NBA player ever?
A: Career wealth includes many factors. Players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant have huge career earnings, but Curry’s on-court and off-court income make him one of the richest active players.