Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) – $59.6 million

Curry remains the highest-paid player entering the 2025 season, earning nearly $60 million on his contract’s first year of a mega-extension. His contract reportedly guarantees over $122 million spanning two seasons, underscoring his status as arguably the greatest shooter ever and a franchise centerpiece.

Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) – $55.2 million

The reigning MVP for multiple seasons, Embiid is locked into an enormous deal with Philadelphia, paying over $55 million in 2025 and totaling nearly $176 million guaranteed over the life of his contract.

Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets) – $55.2 million

Jokić matches Embiid’s top-tier salary as a two-time NBA MVP. His contract stretches through 2029 with guaranteed salaries surpassing $114 million, maintaining his role as one of the league’s most dominant players on a historic salary scale.

Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets) – $54.7 million

Durant, still an elite scorer and key veteran leader, earns over $54 million for the 2025 campaign. His contract extension signifies Houston’s commitment to building around him with championship aspirations.

Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics) – $54.1 million

Tatum starts a new phase with a huge multi-year extension worth upwards of $240 million guaranteed. One of the league’s best two-way forwards, he is critical to Boston’s sustained success plans.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) – $54.1 million

The two-time MVP continues to be handsomely compensated, anchoring Milwaukee’s championship window with one of the NBA’s highest salaries and multi-season guarantees exceeding $112 million.

Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks) – $54.1 million

Freshly acquired by Dallas, Davis commands a massive salary as a cornerstone of the team's ambitions. His big contract reflects his elite status when healthy.

Jimmy Butler (Golden State Warriors) – $54.1 million

Following his move to Golden State, Butler remains among the league’s top earners with a deal that secures his services through multiple seasons, valuing him at nearly $111 million guaranteed.

Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks) – $54.1 million

Lillard’s salary aligns with other superstar contracts, positioning him as a key veteran presence alongside Giannis in Milwaukee’s quest for an NBA title.

Bradley Beal (Phoenix Suns) – $53.7 million

Beal rounds out the top 10, ensuring a substantial payday as the Suns’ leading scorer and a vital piece of their team.

Notable Mention: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s recent supermax extension guarantees he’ll soon shatter NBA salary records, but for the 2025-26 season, his paycheck—around $38 million—still trails top earners like Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid, who are set to make nearly $60 million.

SGA’s historic four-year, $285 million deal doesn’t kick in until 2027-28, when his annual salary will skyrocket, making him the league’s highest-paid player at over $70 million a year. So while his total contract is the biggest in NBA history, established stars like Curry remain the highest-paid for the upcoming season, with SGA’s record-setting paydays just on the horizon.

Market Trends and Contract Implications

The new salaries underscore the rapid inflation in NBA contracts following TV deals, global expansion, and lucrative endorsements.

Players at the top now command salaries near $60 million a year, with multi-year guarantees approaching a quarter-billion dollars or more for franchise cornerstones. This summer’s major contract extensions, including Gilgeous-Alexander’s deal, have further pushed the ceiling, highlighting the NBA’s financial growth and intense competition for superstar talent.