Many young men who grow up playing basketball dream of one day being able to call the game they love their occupation. Making it to the NBA usually means that all of the early mornings, late nights, and sacrifices paid off. It means that all the friendships and relationships they had to put off were worth it because now they could call basketball their full-time job. Making it to the NBA for many players also means the chance at generational wealth and the ability to help their families in ways they never imagined were possible.
Many years ago, money in the NBA was not the same as it is today. In the 50s and 60s, most players had to have second jobs just to put food on the table for their families back home. In the 80s and 90s, players were handsomely rewarded, but it almost looked like pocket change compared to what players began to make in the 2000s and beyond. Today, we will rank the 20 players in NBA history who made the most total career earnings strictly by their NBA contracts. What they made in one particular season or in endorsements holds no weight here as we honor the 20 men who were rewarded the most handsomely based on their basketball ability.
These are the 20 highest-paid players in NBA history.
20. Tim Duncan – $242,024,800
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Tim Duncan is widely known as the greatest power forward to ever play the game. He spent 19 seasons in the NBA with one franchise, the San Antonio Spurs, and turned them into a 5-time NBA champion. To his name, Duncan was a Rookie of the Year, 2-times MVP, and 3-time Finals MVP. He also earned 15 selections each to the All-Star Game, All-NBA Team, and All-Defensive Team in his career.
In each of his first three seasons in the NBA, Duncan made anywhere from $2.9 million to $3.85 million. In his fourth season, his salary increased to just over $9 million. In the 2008-09 season, Duncan’s salary finally reached the $20 million mark for a season for the first time, and it remained for four seasons through 2011-12. In each of the final three seasons of his career, Duncan earned just a little over $1 million from 2017 thru 2019. A little underwhelming for one of the best players ever, wouldn’t you say?
19. Dwight Howard – $245,142,483
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For a time, Dwight Howard was among the best players in the NBA. He was a staunch interior defender as well as a consistent 20.0 PPG scorer. He won three straight Defensive Player of the Year awards from 2009 thru 2011 and, over that time, averaged 20.5 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 2.7 BPG. He led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009 and won himself five rebounding titles as well as two blocks titles. In 2020, he earned his first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, playing a premier role off the bench.
On his rookie deal, Dwight Howard made just a little over $4 million in each of his first three seasons and just over $6 million in his fourth season. His next deal began at $13 million in 2008-09, and by 2012-13, he was making a little over $19 million per season. He made between $20 million and $24 million from 2013-14 thru 2017-18 with the Lakers, Rockets, Hawks, and Bobcats. In 2020, the year he won the NBA championship with the Lakers, Howard made just over $2.5 million in salary. In his final season in the NBA in 2021-22, Howard made exactly $2,641,691 with the Lakers as well.
18. Kyle Lowry – $245,366,160
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Kyle Lowry was drafted 24th overall to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2006, where he remained for the next two and a half seasons. After being traded to the Rockets in 2008-09, Lowry remained in Houston for the next three and a half seasons but didn’t earn the starting job until 2010-11. In his first few seasons with Memphis, Lowry made just between $1 million and $1.16 million per season. With the Rockets, his salary jumped to $5.75 million from 2011 thru 2013. As Lowry found a home in Toronto and became the Kyle Lowry we all know him as today, that all changed.
In his first season with the Raptors in 2014-15, Lowry earned $12 million, which would also be his annual salary thru 2016-17. As he led the Raptors to an NBA championship in 2019, Lowry began to earn north of $30 million annually which would remain his salary thru 2020-21. In 2021-22, Lowry signed a deal with the Miami Heat that was set to make him $26.98 million that season, $28.33 million in 2022-23, and $29.68 million in 2023-24.
17. Mike Conley – $249,767,986
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Mike Conley has always been an underrated star at the point guard position for the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz during his career. He was drafted 4th overall in 2007, earning him between $3.3 million and $5 million per season on his rookie deal. As he became one of the better two-way point guards in basketball, his salary began to increase up to $8 million in 2013-14 and $9.58 million in 2015-16.
Conley would finally be rewarded for his success with an extension with Memphis that kicked in for the 2016-17 season. That year, he earned $26.54 million with the Grizzlies and $28.53 million in 2017-18. His salary reached $30 million in 2018-19, and by 2020-21, he was making north of $34 million with the Utah Jazz. Conley is under contract with the Jazz for the next two seasons earning $22.68 million in 2022-23 and $24.36 million in 2023-24.
16. Dirk Nowitzki – $251,646,362
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Another one of the greatest players in NBA history and a Top 10 scorer of all time is former Dallas Mavericks superstar Dirk Nowitzki. Over 20 seasons with Dallas, Nowitzki became a fan favorite and the greatest player in franchise history. He was named the 2007 MVP and earned 14 All-Star selections as well as 12 All-NBA Team selections during his career. In 2011, Nowitzki led the Mavericks to their only NBA championship in franchise history in one of the greatest individual playoff runs you will ever see. With his signature fadeaway and professional attitude, Nowitzki earned his cash.
As a rookie with the Mavericks in 1998-99, Nowitzki made just $1.4 million, which is where his salary hovered until 2002-03. His salary would steadily increase from there until, in his 2011 championship season, he was making $17.27 million. Dirk would reach the $20 million mark in 2012-13 for the first time and just over $ 22 million the following season. He made $25 million in 2016-17 as well, but just $5 million in each of his final two seasons in the NBA.
15. Blake Griffin – $258,670,680
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Although he is not lumped in with the all-time great power forwards, Blake Griffin was one of the most exciting players in basketball at his peak. He was the inspiration for the Lob City Clippers and one of the best scorers of the early 2010s after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. He became an All-Star with the team averaging 21.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 4.0 APG over his first five seasons with the team. He earned five All-NBA Team selections in his career to go with his six All-Star appearances and has played for the Clippers, Pistons, Nets, and Celtics over the last 13 years.
As a former No. 1 overall pick, Griffin earned $5 million or better in each of his first four seasons, which included a bit over $7 million in his fourth season. By the time 2016-17 came around, Griffin was earning 20.14 million annually, which increased steadily as his contract extension continued. Griffin’s contract peaked in 2019-20 when he made $34.23 million with the Detroit Pistons, his second of three seasons making over $30 million. Currently, Griffin is signed with the Boston Celtics on a one-year deal worth $1,836,00 for 2022-23.
14. Paul George – $259,692,078
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One of the best all-around talents of the last 15 seasons is Paul George. Drafted by the Pacers 10th overall in 2010, George immediately made an impact on the team as soon as he stepped on the court. By just his third season, George was going toe-to-toe with the likes of LeBron James in the Conference Finals, taking his teams to seven games against the best player in basketball. Over this time, George earned six All-NBA Team selections, seven All-Star appearances, and four All-Defensive Team honors.
As a rookie, George earned $2.23 million with the Pacers, which steadily increased until he got an extension that kicked in for 2014-15. At that point, George was earning just over b$15 million annually, which reached just north of $19.5 million in 2017-18. George’s big payday occurred for the 2018-19 season when he reached the $30 million mark per season with the Thunder. He would earn $33 million, $35 million, and $39 million in the next three seasons with the Clippers. In 2022-23, George’s contract is among the biggest in basketball. He will earn over $42 million this season, over $45 million next season, and over $48 million in 2024-25, all with the Clippers.
13. Carmelo Anthony – $262,523,093
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Coming out of one year of college for the 2003 NBA draft, Carmelo Anthony was set to be one of the next superstars in the NBA, next to Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. He may have not earned the number of individual accolades they did, but he would go on to become one of the most talented scorers in NBA history between his time with the Nuggets and Knicks during the prime of his career. Anthony earned 10 All-Star appearances and six All-NBA Team selections in his career, as well as a scoring title in 2013.
On his rookie deal with the Nuggets, Anthony earned between $3.2 million and $4.7 million in each of his first four seasons. He signed an extension with the Nuggets that kicked in during the 2007-08 season, as he made up to $19 million per season over the next six years. In 2013-14 with the Knicks, Carmelo made over $22 million in a season for the first time in his career, and by 2017-18, he was making $26.245 million with the Thunder. After making just over $25 million with the Hawks in 2018-19, Anthony signed a series of one-year deals with the Trail Blazers and Lakers that saw him earn between $1,6 million and $2.6 million annually.
12. Kevin Love – $264,204,264
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Over the course of his career, Kevin Love has been a symbol of the stretch power forward movement in the NBA. Early on in his career with Minnesota, Love was a double-double machine with a slew of 20-point, 20-rebound games. Later on with the Cavaliers, he focused more on his outside game, which led to clutch performances and, ultimately, an NBA title with the Cavaliers in 2016. He was the 2011 Most Improved Player as well as a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Team selection.
On his rookie deal with the Timberwolves, Love earned between $3.1 million and $4.61 million annually in his first four seasons. Y the time he reached the Cavaliers in 2014, he was making $15.7 million per season, which reached over $21 million in 2016-17. In 2020-21 and 2021-22, Love earned over $31 million per season with the Cavaliers. He is under contract with Cleveland for just this season for $28,942,830.
11. Al Horford – $265,636,768
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Over the last 15 seasons, Al Horford has been one of the most impactful interior defenders and solid offensive players in the NBA. By his third season in the NBA with the Hawks, Horford was an All-Star and All-NBA Team selection who was guaranteed to give his team at least 15.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, and 1.0 BPG. Horford has earned five All-Star selections in his career, as well as one All-NBA Team selection in 2011.
On his rookie deal with the Hawks, Horford earned $3.75 million as a rookie and was making $5.44 million by his fourth season. He earned exactly $12 million each season from 2012 thru 2016 until his monster contract kicked in during the 2016-17 season. By 2019-20, he was making $28 million with the 76ers, and in 2021-22 with the Celtics, he made $27 million. He is set to make $26.5 million in 2022-23, $10 million in 2023-24, and $9.5 million in 2024-25.
10. John Wall – $276,483,708
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John Wall broke into the NBA as one of the more exciting players in basketball. Even as a rookie, his skill and talent were prevalent in his play which led to an All-Rookie selection. He was consistently among the league leaders in steals and assists, as well as an 18.0 to 19.0 PPG scorer. Wall earned one All-NBA Team selection in 2018 to go with one All-Defensive team selection in 2015, and five All-Star selections total in his career.
In each of his first three seasons with the Wizards, Wall earned between $5 million and $6 million. By 2017-18 with Washington, he was earning $18 million annually, which would reach $19.16 million the following season. In 2019-20, Wall’s monster extension kicked in, which saw him earn $38.2 million for the 2019-20 season. He would soon be with the Rockets and earn over $41 million in 2021 as well as over $44.31 million in 2022. He is currently with the Clippers for the 2022-23 season, which is the final year of his contract, and is earning $40,866,760.
9. Shaquille O’Neal – $286,344,668
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Shaquille O’Neal is one of, if not the most dominant player in NBA history. O’Neal broke into the NBA during the 1992-93 season, which saw him run away with Rookie of the Year honors as one of the best players in basketball from day one. O’Neal would go on to lead the Lakers to three straight NBA championships from 2000 thru 2003 claiming all three Finals MVP awards as well as an MVP award in 2000. In 2006, Shaq added another NBA title with the Miami Heat alongside young star Dwyane Wade. In total, O’Neal earned 15 All-Star selections, 14 All-NBA Team selections, and 3 All-Defensive Team selections in his career.
As a rookie, O’Neal was immediately making $3 million as a member of the Magic. His rookie deal reached $5.7 million during his fourth season with Orlando, and he earned just over $10 million when his extension kicked in for the 1996-97 season with the Lakers. During his dominant early 2000s runs, Shaq earned over $20 million annually. He made over $27.69 million in his first season with the Miami Heat and at least $20 million every year with the team after that. In his final NBA season with the Celtics, Shaq would earn just $1.35 million.
8. James Harden – $301,660,574
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When James Harden entered the NBA in 2009, nobody could foresee the offensive powerhouse he would turn into. Harden spent his first three seasons with the Thunder, where he won a Sixth Man of the Year award and went to an NBA Finals in 2012. Once he was traded to Houston, Harden became an all-time great scorer that, culminated with an MVP award in 2018. In his career, Harden has been a 10-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA Team selection with three scoring titles to his name and one assists title.
On his rookie deal with the Thunder, Harden earned $4.05 million in his first season and 5.82 million in his fourth season. Over the next three seasons, Harden earned between 13.70 million and $15.75 million with Houston until a major extension kicked in for the 2016-17 season. By 2018, Harden was earning $30 million annually and over $38 million the following season. In 2020-21, Harden had his first season earning over $40 million, which continued in 2021-22 as well. Harden is currently under contract with the 76ers for $33 million in 2022-23 and $35.64 million in 2023-24.
7. Stephen Curry – $302,806,362
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Coming out of Davidson, Stephen Curry was known as an electric scorer and shooter, but no one could foresee he would become the best shooter in NBA history over the course of the next decade. Curry won two MVP awards in 2015 and 2016, including the only unanimous one in NBA history. He has led the Warriors to four NBA championships over the last eight seasons and claimed his first Finals MVP award in 2022.
During his first four seasons, Curry earned between $2.7 million and $3.95 million on his rookie deal. In 2014-15, the year of his first MVP and NBA title, Curry earned just over $10 million. In 2017-18, Curry finally began to earn superstar money as he has his first season of over $34 million in salary. In 2019-20, he would have his first $40 million season, which has continued to this day. He is under contract with the Warriors through 2025-26 and is set to make over $50 million annually in each of the final three seasons of the deal.
6. Kobe Bryant – $323,312,307
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Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in NBA history. He spent the entirety of his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers and helped them win a total of five NBA championships during that run. He would claim two of those five Finals MVPs as well as one MVP in his career. As one of the greatest players ever, Kobe became a global icon for generations all over the world. He earned 18 All-Star appearances,15 All-NBA Team selections, and 12 All-Defensive Team selections during his career.
As a rookie out of high school, Bryant didn’t see much playing time and earned just over $1.0 million in each of his first three seasons. By 2000-01, he was worth just over $10 million per season. By 2008-09, he was earning over $21 million per year, which increased every season until he reached $30 million in 2013-14. In each of his last two seasons, Kobe earned $23.5 million in 2014-15 and $25 million in 2015-16.
5. Kevin Garnett – $334,304,240
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Another star straight out of high school during the 1990s was Kevin Garnett. During his career, Garnett would become one of the best power forwards to ever play the game, with immense impact on both sides of the ball. He was named an MVP in 2004 with the Timberwolves as well as the Defensive Player of the Year and an NBA champion in 2008 with the Boston Celtics. He was named an All-Star 15 times as well as an All-NBA Team selection nine times, and an All-Defensive Team selection 12 times.
In each of his first three seasons on his rookie deal, garnett made between $1.62 million and $2.1 million annually. In his fourth season, he made $14 million, which began to increase until he made $22.4 million in 2001-02. He peaked at $28 million in 2003-04, which was his MVP season with the Timberwolves. He would be a $20 million player for most of his career from that point forward. In his final two seasons with Minnesota in 2016 and 2017, Garnett made $8.5 million annually each season.
4. Russell Westbrook – $335,645,148
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Over the past decade, no point guard in the NBA other than Curry has been more explosive or awarded than Russell Westbrook. He became an icon for the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2000s, becoming the first player to average a triple-double for a season since Oscar Robertson in the 60s. He won an MVP award in 2017 and shattered the all-time triple-double record set by Robertson as well. He has been named an All-Star nine times as well as an All-NBA Team selection nine times in his career. He has won three assists titles to go with two scoring titles and is considered a Top 10 point guard to ever play the game.
As a rookie, he made between $3.49 million and $5 million annually over the course of his first four seasons. Between 2013 and 2016, he made between $13 million and $16.5 million annually, all with the Thunder. In 2017, Westbrook began to make over $26 million until it increased to over $35 million in the 2019 season. Westbrook made over $41 million in each of the past two seasons with the Wizards and Lakers and is under contract with the Lakers for $47.06 million in 2022-23.
3. Kevin Durant – $349,142,591
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Kevin Durant is one of the most offensively talented players we have ever seen on an NBA court. As a 7-footer with handles and the scoring ability of a wing, Durant has made scoring look easy over the past decade with the Thunder, Warriors, and Nets. He has won four scoring titles and won an MVP award in 2014. With the Warriors from 2017 thru 2019, Durant won two NBA championships and two Finals MVP awards which cemented his legacy as an all-time great. Altogether, he has 12 All-Star selections and 10 All-NBA team selections to his name.
As a rookie with the Thunder, Durant’s contract started at $4.17 million and reached $6.05 million in his fourth year. When his extension kicked in during the 2012 season, he made between $15 million and $18.9 million between then and the 2014-15 season. In 2016, he earned his first $29 million contract, which reached $30 million by 2018-19. In each of his three seasons with the Nets from 2020 on, he has made over $37 million and reached $40 million in 2021-22. Under contract with the Nets through 2025-26, he is set to earn over $50 million annually beginning in the 2024-25 season.
2. Chris Paul – $359,109,419
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Over the past 15 years, there may not have been a better leader at the point guard position than Chris Paul. The self-proclaimed Point God has been one of the best two-way players in basketball, as he has led different franchises to some of their best seasons ever. Paul has won five assist titles as well as six steals titles in his career, as well as the 2006 Rookie of the Year. Along with those accolades, Paul is a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA Team selection, and a nine-time All-Defensive Team selection.
With 17 years in the NBA, Paul has made himself a fortune on the court. His rookie deal was between $3.14 million and $4.57 million over the first four years of his career. From 2010 thru 2014, Paul made between $14.9 million and $18.66 million annually as well. He earned his first $20 million contract in 2015 with the Clippers, and by 2019, his annual salary had reached over $35 million. In 2021, he had his first $40 million year with the Suns and in 2022, earned just over $37 million with them also. Paul will earn $28.4 million in 2022-23 and $30 million in each of the final two seasons of his contract in Phoenix, which ends in 2025.
1. LeBron James – $431,859,107
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LeBron James is the only player in NBA history to earn over $400 million in his career on the court in strictly basketball contracts. He has earned every right to that money as one of the most impactful players to ever grace the court. He is a 4-time NBA champion, winning with three different franchises during his career. He was also the Rookie of the Year and a four-time MVP award winner. As he steadily approaches Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record, Lebron’s mark on the game is nearly unmatched across the board.
LeBron was set to make major money from the moment he made his NBA debut in 2003. He earned between $4 million and $5.82 million annually over his first four seasons, as well as between $13 million and $19.06 million annually over the next seven seasons. When he returned to the Cavaliers in 2015, he earned his first $20 million contract, which has increased every year since. His first $30 million contract came in 2017 with Cleveland, and his first $40 million contract came in 2022 with the Lakers. He will make $44.47 million in 2022-23 and over $50 million in each of the final two seasons of his current deal.
Credit the source: SportTrac
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