As the biggest basketball league in the world, the NBA is a financial juggernaut, generating revenues from various sources that surpass any other basketball league on the planet. This economic prosperity directly impacts the earning potential of NBA players.
Due to the NBA's financial prowess, teams are able to offer players some of the most lucrative contracts across all sports. The league's ability to generate immense revenues has led to a steady and significant increase in the salaries of top NBA players.
Over the years, a select few legendary superstars in the NBA have consistently been the highest-paid players. Teams have been offering unparalleled compensation to these superstars, reflecting the financial success of the sport.
This article delves into the list of highest-paid NBA players by season. Let's explore the iconic players who landed the best lucrative contract deals in NBA history, and left an indelible mark on the NBA's financial landscape.
List of Highest-paid NBA players by season
| NBA Season | Highest Paid Player | Team | Salary |
| 1946–47 | Joe Fulks | Philadelphia Warriors | $8,000 |
| 1947–48 | George Mikan | Minneapolis Lakers | $12,500 |
| 1948–49 | George Mikan | Minneapolis Lakers | $15,000 |
| 1949–50 | George Mikan | Minneapolis Lakers | $15,000 |
| 1950–51 | George MikanHarry Boykoff | Minneapolis LakersTri-Cities Blackhawks | $15,000 |
| 1951–52 | George Mikan | Minneapolis Lakers | $15,000 |
| 1952–53 | George Mikan | Minneapolis Lakers | $20,000 |
| 1953–54 | George Mikan | Minneapolis Lakers | $20,000 |
| 1955–56 | Bob Cousy | Boston Celtics | $25,000 |
| 1956–57 | Bob Cousy | Boston Celtics | $25,000 |
| 1957–58 | Bob Cousy | Boston Celtics | $25,000 |
| 1958–59 | Bob Cousy | Boston Celtics | $25,000 |
| 1959–60 | Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers | $30,000 |
| 1960–61 | Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers | $65,000 |
| 1961–62 | Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers | $65,000 |
| 1962–63 | Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers | $65,000 |
| 1963–64 | Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers | $65,000 |
| 1964–65 | Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers | $65,000 |
| 1965–66* | Bill Russell | Boston Celtics | $100,001 |
| 1966–67 | Bill Russell | Boston Celtics | $100,001 |
| 1967–68 | Bill Bradley | New York Knicks | $125,000 |
| 1968–69 | Wilt Chamberlain | Los Angeles Lakers | $250,000 |
| 1969–70 | Wilt Chamberlain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Los Angeles Lakers Milwaukee Bucks | $250,000 |
| 1970–71 | Pete Maravich | Atlanta Hawks | $380,000 |
| 1971–72 | Pete Maravich | Atlanta Hawks | $380,000 |
| 1972–73 | Pete Maravich | Atlanta Hawks | $380,000 |
| 1973–74 | Ernie DiGregorio | Buffalo Braves | $500,000 |
| 1974–75 | Ernie DiGregorio Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Buffalo Braves Milwaukee Bucks | $500,000 |
| 1975–76 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Los Angeles Lakers | $650,000 |
| 1976–77 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Los Angeles Lakers | $650,000 |
| 1977–78 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Los Angeles Lakers | $650,000 |
| 1978–79 | David Thompson | Denver Nuggets | $800,000 |
| 1979–80 | Moses Malone Bill Walton | Philadelphia 76ers San Diego Clippers | $1,000,000 |
| 1980–81 | Julius Erving Moses MaloneBill WaltonKareem Abdul-Jabbar | Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ersSan Diego ClippersLos Angeles Lakers | $1,000,000 |
| 1981–82 | Otis Birdsong Julius ErvingMoses MaloneBill WaltonKareem Abdul-Jabbar | New Jersey Nets Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersSan Diego ClippersLos Angeles Lakers | $1,000,000 |
| 1982–83 | Moses Malone | Philadelphia 76ers | $2,200,000 |
| 1983–84 | Moses Malone | Philadelphia 76ers | $2,200,000 |
| 1984–85 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | $2,500,000 |
| 1985–86 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | $2,500,000 |
| 1986–87 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | $2,500,000 |
| 1987–88 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $2,750,000 |
| 1988–89 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $3,250,000 |
| 1989–90 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $3,750,000 |
| 1990–91 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $4,250,000 |
| 1991–92 | Larry Bird | Boston Celtics | $7,070,000 |
| 1992–93 | David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs | $5,720,000 |
| 1993–94 | David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs | $5,740,000 |
| 1994–95 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | $14,660,000 |
| 1995–96 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $18,724,000 |
| 1996–97 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | $30,140,000 |
| 1997–98 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | $33,140,000 |
| 1998–99 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $18,500,000 |
| 1999–2000 | Shaquille O'Neal | Los Angeles Lakers | $17,142,000 |
| 2000–01 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | $19,600,000 |
| 2001–02 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | $22,400,000 |
| 2002–03 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | $25,200,000 |
| 2003–04 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | $28,000,000 |
| 2004–05 | Shaquille O'Neal | Miami Heat | $27,696,430 |
| 2005–06 | Shaquille O'Neal | Miami Heat | $20,000,000 |
| 2006–07 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | $21,000,000 |
| 2007–08 | Kevin Garnett | Boston Celtics | $23,751,934 |
| 2008–09 | Kevin Garnett | Boston Celtics | $24,751,934 |
| 2009–10 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $23,034,375 |
| 2010–11 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $24,806,250 |
| 2011–12 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $25,244,493 |
| 2012–13 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $30,453,805 |
| 2013–14 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $30,453,805 |
| 2014–15 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $23,500,000 |
| 2015–16 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $25,000,000 |
| 2016–17 | LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers | $30,963,450 |
| 2017–18 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $34,682,550 |
| 2018–19 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $37,457,154 |
| 2019–20 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $40,231,758 |
| 2020–21 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $43,006,362 |
| 2021–22 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $45,780,966 |
| 2022–23 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $48,070,014 |
| 2023–24 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $51,915,615 |
| 2024–25 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $55,761,216 |
| 2025–26 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $59,606,817 |
| 2026–27 | Damian Lillard | Milwaukee Bucks | $63,228,828 |
| 2027–28 | Giannis Antetokounmpo Anthony Davis | Milwaukee Bucks Los Angeles Lakers | $63,417,200 |
| 2028–29 | Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | $65,604,000 |
As we can see in the above table, the landscape of NBA player salaries has undergone a staggering transformation over the years, evolving from modest figures to astronomical sums. From Joe Fulks earning $8,000 in the 1946-47 season to the projected $65 million contract for Jaylen Brown in the 2028-29 season, the trajectory of NBA contracts has seen unprecedented growth.
Players’ salary evolution is a testament to the league's global success. As best of the best basketball players continue to redefine financial benchmarks in the NBA, the NBA's trajectory remains of growth, player empowerment, and overall popularity of basketball as a sport on a global scale.
FAQ's on highest paid NBA players
A. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors, earned $51,915,615 in 2023.
A. 42 NBA players are expected to earn at least $30 million in salary this season before incentives as of January 2024.
A. Jaylen Brown's $303.7 million extension with the Celtics is the largest contract in NBA history as of January 2024.
A. LeBron James is the highest-paid NBA player in history with total earnings of approximately $479.47 million.
A. Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs is the highest-paid NBA coach, earning $16 million per year.
