This chart shows the ranking of the top 300 highest-paid NBA players in 2025. Stephen Curry tops the list with a salary of $59.6 million, followed by Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid at $55.2 million each. Star players from teams like the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks dominate the upper ranks. The chart reflects how elite talent commands exceptional earnings in today's NBA.
Top 300 NBA Salaries in 2025
This chart shows the ranking of the top 300 highest-paid NBA players in 2025.
A salary is the total amount of money a player earns from their team during a single season. In the NBA, a player's salary reflects their skill level, marketability, and the team's financial priorities.
The 2025 NBA salary rankings reflect both individual player performance and their market value within the league. According to the latest data, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry leads all players with a salary of approximately $59.6 million — one of the highest single-season earnings in NBA history.
Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers follow closely behind, each earning about $55.2 million.
One notable trend is the clustering of high earners on a few elite teams. The Phoenix Suns, for example, have three players — Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker — in the top 13. Similarly, the Warriors feature both Curry and Jimmy Butler among the top-paid athletes. This suggests a trend toward salary concentration on powerhouse rosters.
Another significant observation is the increasing number of players with annual salaries exceeding $50 million. At least 15 players now fall into this category, a sign of the NBA’s growing revenue base, lucrative broadcasting deals, and a strengthened collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between players and the league. Superstar players not only drive on-court performance but also contribute to local economies and global brand growth, making these investments worthwhile for franchises.
Also worth noting is the narrowing salary gap between positions. Historically, guards and forwards commanded higher salaries, but now big men and versatile wing players are equally valued. Players like Jokić and Embiid — both centers — ranking among the highest earners is a clear indicator of this shift.
In summary, the 2025 salary rankings offer a window into the financial ecosystem of the modern NBA. They highlight not just the monetary value of talent, but also the strategic investments teams are making to remain competitive in a global entertainment market.
| Rank | Name | Indicator |
|---|---|---|
1 | Stephen Curry | $ 59M 606K |
2 | Nikola Jokić | $ 55M 224K |
2 | Joel Embiid | $ 55M 224K |
4 | Jayson Tatum | $ 54M 126K |
4 | Jimmy Butler | $ 54M 126K |
6 | Damian Lillard | $ 54M 126K |
6 | Anthony Davis | $ 54M 126K |
6 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | $ 54M 126K |
9 | Bradley Beal | $ 53M 666K |
10 | Kevin Durant | $ 53M 282K |
11 | Karl-Anthony Towns | $ 53M 142K |
11 | Jaylen Brown | $ 53M 142K |
11 | Devin Booker | $ 53M 142K |
14 | LeBron James | $ 52M 627K |
15 | Paul George | $ 51M 666K |
16 | Kawhi Leonard | $ 50M |
17 | Jamal Murray | $ 46M 394K |
17 | Donovan Mitchell | $ 46M 394K |
17 | Lauri Markkanen | $ 46M 394K |
20 | Trae Young | $ 45M 999K |