Today, the NBA generates almost as many headlines about financials as it does about basketball. The sheer number of accounting tricks, loopholes and creative solutions available to NBA front offices has teams threading budgetary needles that would make even Wall Street blush.
Massive consideration is given to a team’s highest-paid players. In today’s NBA, there’s a direct correlation between the amount of money a player earns and the expectations they carry for their team’s success. These players are paid a premium to carry entire cities on their shoulders.
A new season means a reshuffling of the top earners in the league.
So, who’s the highest-paid player in the NBA right now? Let’s take a look.
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Who is the Highest-Paid NBA Player Right Now?
Steph Curry is once again the highest-paid player in the NBA at $62.59 million. Curry made the All-Star team and averaged 26.6 points per game but was limited to just 43 games with a knee injury. Curry is hoping to stay healthy to make another playoff run in pursuit of his fifth ring.
Top 50 Highest-Paid NBA Players – 2026-27 Season
Here’s a look at the 50 highest-paid NBA players for the 2026-27 season, ranked by annual salary:
| Rank | Player | Team | Position | Salary |
| 1 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | PG | $62,587,158 |
| 2 | Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets | C | $59,033,114 |
| 3 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Miami Heat | PF | $58,456,566 |
| 3 | Anthony Davis | Washington Wizards | C | $58,456,566 |
| 3 | Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | PF | $58,456,566 |
| 6 | Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers | C | $57,985,752 |
| 7 | Jaylen Brown | Philadelphia 76ers | SF | $57,736,350 |
| 8 | Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns | SG | $57,078,728 |
| 8 | Karl-Anthony Towns | New York Knicks | C | $57,078,728 |
| 10 | Jimmy Butler | Golden State Warriors | SF | $56,832,773 |
| 11 | Paul George | Boston Celtics | SG | $54,126,380 |
| 12 | Kawhi Leonard | Toronto Raptors | SF | $50,300,000 |
| 13 | Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons | PG | $50,105,628 |
| 13 | Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers | SG | $50,105,628 |
| 13 | Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers | PF | $50,105,628 |
| 13 | Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets | PG | $50,105,628 |
| 17 | Bam Adebayo | Miami Heat | C | $49,488,300 |
| 17 | Luka Doncic | Los Angeles Lakers | PG | $49,488,300 |
| 17 | De’Aaron Fox | San Antonio Spurs | PG | $49,488,300 |
| 17 | Trae Young | Washington Wizards | PG | $49,488,300 |
| 21 | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Utah Jazz | PF | $49,000,000 |
| 22 | Zach LaVine | Sacramento Kings | SG | $48,967,380 |
| 23 | Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves | SG | $48,924,624 |
| 23 | Tyrese Haliburton | Indiana Pacers | PG | $48,924,624 |
| 23 | Pascal Siakam | Indiana Pacers | PF | $48,924,624 |
| 26 | Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz | PF | $46,113,154 |
| 27 | Domantas Sabonis | Sacramento Kings | C | $45,472,000 |
| 28 | Kevin Durant | Houston Rockets | SF | $43,902,439 |
| 29 | OG Anunoby | New York Knicks | SF | $42,500,000 |
| 30 | Darius Garland | LA Clippers | PG | $42,166,510 |
| 30 | Ja Morant | Portland Trail Blazers | PG | $42,166,510 |
| 30 | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | PF | $42,166,510 |
| 33 | Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors | PF | $41,754,690 |
| 33 | Franz Wagner | Orlando Magic | SF | $41,754,690 |
| 35 | Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic | PF | $41,240,250 |
| 35 | Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder | C | $41,240,250 |
| 35 | Austin Reaves | Los Angeles Lakers | SG | $41,240,250 |
| 35 | Jalen Williams | Oklahoma City Thunder | SF | $41,240,250 |
| 39 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder | PG | $40,806,150 |
| 39 | Michael Porter Jr. | Brooklyn Nets | SF | $40,806,150 |
| 41 | LaMelo Ball | Minnesota Timberwolves | PG | $40,770,520 |
| 41 | Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers | PG | $40,770,520 |
| 43 | Jalen Duren | Detroit Pistons | C | $40,160,643 |
| 44 | Brandon Ingram | LA Clippers | SF | $40,000,000 |
| 45 | Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks | PG | $39,491,282 |
| 46 | Desmond Bane | Orlando Magic | SG | $39,446,090 |
| 47 | Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks | PG | $37,739,521 |
| 48 | Rudy Gobert | Minnesota Timberwolves | C | $36,500,000 |
| 49 | Jalen Green | Phoenix Suns | SG | $36,251,166 |
| 50 | Alperen Sengun | Houston Rockets | C | $35,642,202 |
Salary figures reflect 2026–27 rankings from Spotrac as of October 16, 2026, and exclude endorsements.
Want to know which teams are spending the most this season? Check out our NBA Team Payrolls Guide for a closer look at team spending across the league.
Which Teams Have the Highest Number of Top-Paid Players in the NBA in 2026-27?
Five NBA teams have three players ranked among the league’s 50 highest-paid for the 2026-27 season, highlighting just how much they’re investing in their top talent.
- New York Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson
- Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and Rudy Gobert
- Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane
What’s the Average NBA Salary?
The average NBA salary in the 2026-27 season is approximately $12.3 million.
What is the NBA’s Minimum Wage?
The NBA’s minimum salary in the 2026-27 season is $1.3 million for rookies or players with zero years of service. That number increases with experience, reaching approximately $3.88 million for veterans with 10 or more years in the league.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the highest paid NBA player?
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