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Highest-paid NBA Players of All Time: LeBron, Shaq, Kobe & More

Last Updated: November 1, 2023
From LeBron vs. KG to Steph vs. CP3, who are the highest-paid NBA players in history? You have questions about salary and earnings, Boardroom has answers.

For 2023-24, the highest-paid NBA player by total contract value is Stephen Curry, while fellow two-time MVP Nikola Jokić boasts the highest average annual value. But that got us thinking — who tops the list of the NBA’s highest-paid players of all time?

So, who does round out the rest of the list of the biggest earners in the history of the Association? You have questions, Boardroom has answers — check out the master list of highest-paid NBA players of all time.

The 30 Highest-paid NBA Players Ever

All dollar figures via Spotrac through 2023.

1. Lakers SF LeBron James: $479,466,457

  • Career: 2003-present
  • NBA seasons: 21

2. Nets SF Kevin Durant: $396,705,024

  • Career: 2007-present
  • NBA seasons: 17

3. Suns PG Chris Paul: $389,909,419

  • Career: 2005-present
  • NBA seasons: 19

4. Warriors PG Stephen Curry: $354,721,977

  • Career: 2009-present
  • NBA seasons: 15

5. Clippers PG Russell Westbrook: $340,265,800

  • Career: 16
  • NBA seasons: 2008-present

6. Clippers PG James Harden: $338,529,540

  • Career: 2009-present
  • NBA seasons: 13

7. PF Kevin Garnett: $334,304,240

  • Career: 1995-2016
  • NBA seasons: 22

8. Lakers SG Kobe Bryant: $323,312,307

  • Career: 1996-2016
  • NBA seasons: 20

9. Clippers SG/SF Paul George: $305,332,086

  • Career: 2010-present
  • NBA Seasons: 14

10. C Shaquille O’Neal: $286,344,668

  • Career: 1992-2011
  • NBA seasons: 19
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11. Blazers PG Damian Lillard: $191,215,866

  • Career: 2012-present
  • NBA seasons: 12

12. Clippers SF Kawhi Leonard: $188,433,635

  • Career: 2011-present
  • NBA seasons: 13

13. PG John Wall: $276,483,708

  • Career: 2010-present
  • NBA seasons: 12

14. Celtics PF/C Al Horford: $275,636,768

  • Career: 2007-present
  • NBA seasons: 15

15. Heat PG Kyle Lowry: $275,048,700

  • Career: 18
  • NBA Seasons: 2006-present

16. Timberwolves PG Mike Conley Jr.: $274,127,986

  • Career: 2007-present
  • NBA seasons: 17

17. Nets PG Kyrie Irving: $270,083,674

  • Career: 2011-present
  • NBA Seasons: 13

18. Heat PF Kevin Love: $269,654,140

  • Career: 2008-present
  • NBA seasons: 16

19. Hornets SF Gordon Hayward: $268,384,749

  • Career: 2010-present
  • NBA Seasons: 14

20. Suns SG Bradley Beal: $267,875,552

  • Career: 2012-present
  • NBA Seasons: 12

21. Lakers PF/C Anthony Davis: $266,608,394

  • Career: 2012-present
  • NBA Seasons: 12

22. Warriors SG Klay Thompson: $266,164,224

  • Career: 2011-present
  • NBA Seasons: 13

23. Heat SG Jimmy Butler: $263,249,191

  • Career: 2011-present
  • NBA Seasons: 13

24. PF Carmelo Anthony: $262,523,093

  • Career: 2003-2022
  • NBA Seasons: 19

25. PF Blake Griffin: $258,670,680

  • Career: 2009-2023
  • NBA Seasons: 14

26. Bulls SG DeMar DeRozan: $257,609,827

  • Career: 2009-present
  • NBA Seasons: 15

27. Celtics PG Jrue Holiday: $254,083,552

  • Career: 2009-present
  • NBA Seasons: 15

28. PF/C Dirk Nowitzki: $251,646,362

  • Career: 1998-2019
  • NBA Seasons: 21

29. 76ers SF/PF Tobias Harris: $248,503,505

  • Career: 2011-present
  • NBA Seasons: 13

30. C Dwight Howard: $245,142,483

  • Career: 2004-present
  • NBA Seasons: 18

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Sam Dunn

Sam Dunn is the Managing Editor of Boardroom. Before joining the team, he was an editor and multimedia talent for several sports and culture verticals at Minute Media and an editor, reporter, and site manager at SB Nation. A specialist in content strategy, copywriting, and SEO, he has additionally worked as a digital consultant in the corporate services, retail, and tech industries. He cannot be expected to be impartial on any matter regarding the Florida Gators or Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter @RealFakeSamDunn.