Highest-paid NBA Players of 2023-24: LeBron, Steph, Jokić & More

From supermax stars to ascendant phenoms, check out our definitive ranking of the highest-paid players in the NBA.

Ahead of the 2023 NFL season, several young quarterbacks broke the $50 million per year threshold with spiffy new contract extensions worth upwards of $250 million. Yeah, that’s nice — but when it comes to showstopping bags, an NBA player doesn’t even need a single All-Star appearance on his resume to secure that sort of package.

Such is life in the Association, where the concept of the “max deal” as determined by the league’s collective bargaining agreement all but guarantees that young phenoms get arguably overpaid while basketball’s foremost superstars are prevented from earning a sum commensurate with their true value.

As it relates to the 2023-24 campaign, there’s obviously a lot to talk about. But let’s start with a question: Across the wide NBA world, who’s the No. 1 earner here and now?

Check out Boardroom’s definitive list of the highest-paid NBA players for the 2023-24 season by both single-year salary and average annual contract value — and stick around at the end for the biggest active contracts on the books around the league.

Highest-paid NBA Players of 2023-24 by Total Compensation

Reflects total cash compensation for the 2023-24 NBA season as noted by Spotrac. Click a player’s name to see their full contract details.

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	2023 $
1	PG Stephen Curry	Warriors	$51.91M
t-2	C Nikola Jokić	Nuggets	$47.6M
t-2	SF LeBron James	Lakers	$47.6M
t-2	C Joel Embiid	76ers	$47.6M
5	SG Bradley Beal	Suns	$46.74M
6	SF Kevin Durant	Suns	$46.41M
7	SG/SF Paul George	Clippers	$45.64M
t-8	PF Giannis Antetokounmpo	Bucks	$45.64M
t-8	PG Damian Lillard	Trail Blazers	$45.64M
t-8	SF Kawhi Leonard	Clippers	$45.64M
11	SG/SF Jimmy Butler	Heat	$45.18M
12	SG Klay Thompson	Warriors	$43.22M
13	C Rudy Gobert	Timberwolves	$41M
14	PG/SG Fred VanVleet	Rockets	$40.8M
15	PF Anthony Davis	Lakers	$40.6M
t-16	PG/SG Luka Dončić	Mavericks	$40.06M
t-16	PG Trae Young	Hawks	$40.06M
t-16	PG/SG Zach LaVine	Bulls	$40.06M
19	SF Tobias Harris	76ers	$39.27M
t-20	PF Pascal Siakam	Raptors	$37.89M
t-20	PF/C Karl-Anthony Towns	Timberwolves	$37.89M

NBA’s Highest-paid Players by Average Annual Salary

This list includes active contracts only, so signed extensions that have yet to begin — including Jaylen Brown’s record-setting $304 million deal — are not included.

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	AAV
1	Nikola Jokić	DEN	$55.22M
2	Steph Curry	GSW	$53.84M
3	Joel Embiid	PHI	$53.32M
4	Bradley Beal	PHX	$50.2M
5	LeBron James	LAL	$49.51M
6	Jimmy Butler	MIA	$48.8M
7	Kevin Durant	PHX	$48.55M
8	Giannis Antetokounmpo	MIL	$45.64M
9	Paul George	LAC	$44.06M
t-10	Damian Lillard	POR	$44.06M
t-10	Kawhi Leonard	LAC	$44.06M

Highest-paid NBA Players by Active Contract Value

RANK	PLAYER	TEAM	TOTAL $
1	Nikola Jokić	DEN	$276.12M
2	Bradley Beal	PHX	$251.02M
3	Giannis Antetokounmpo	MIL	$228.2M
4	Stephen Curry	GSW	$215.35M
t-5	Luka Dončić	DAL	$215.16M
t-5	Trae Young	ATL	$215.16M
t-5	Zach LaVine	CHI	$215.16M
8	Joel Embiid	PHI	$213.28M
9	Rudy Gobert	MIN	$205M
t-10	Ja Morant	NOP	$197.23M
t-10	Zion Williamson	LAR	$197.23M
t-10	Darius Garland	CLE	$197.23M