10 Highest-Paid NBA Players of the 2024/25 Season

The Highest-Paid NBA Players of the 2024/25 season remind us how much basketball has evolved. Beyond the highlight reels of slam dunks, buzzer-beaters, and MVP-caliber performances, these massive contracts reveal which athletes carry the most value — not only on the court but also in branding, leadership, and cultural impact.

From franchise superstars who dominate the game night after night to global icons shaping the business side of basketball, these players showcase why the NBA is the world’s most lucrative basketball league. Let’s break down the Top 10 Highest-Paid NBA Players this season and see how their salaries match their influence and performance.

The Numbers at a Glance – Top 10 Highest-Paid NBA Players (2024/25)

Rank	Player	Team	Salary (2024/25)
1	Stephen Curry	Warriors	$55.7M
2	Nikola Jokic	Nuggets	$51.4M
3	Joel Embiid	76ers	$51.4M
4	Bradley Beal	Suns	$50.2M
5	Kevin Durant	Suns	$49.8M
6	Devin Booker	Suns	$49.2M
7	Paul George	76ers	$49.2M
8	Kawhi Leonard	Clippers	$49.2M
9	Jaylen Brown	Celtics	$49.2M
10	Karl-Anthony Towns	Knicks	$49.2M

1. Stephen Curry – $55.7M (Golden State Warriors)

When people talk about the Highest-Paid NBA Players, Curry’s name stands out at the very top. At 37, he continues to redefine shooting in basketball. While age may have slowed his pace, his influence on the Warriors and the league makes him worth every dollar. Curry isn’t just a scorer — he’s a living legend who still inspires the next generation of shooters.

At 37, Stephen Curry remains the NBA’s highest-paid player — and still the league’s most influential shooter.

• Impact on Warriors: Even as Golden State ages, Curry’s gravity on the court changes everything. Defenses warp around him, creating opportunities for teammates.
• Highlight: Curry’s clutch shooting still defines games. His salary will peak at $62.6 million in 2026/27, proving the Warriors’ belief in his lasting greatness.
• Future Outlook: As long as Curry is on the floor, the Warriors will never be irrelevant. His legacy as the greatest shooter of all time is untouchable.

2. Nikola Jokic – $51.4M (Denver Nuggets)

Jokic is not only among the Highest-Paid NBA Players, he’s arguably the most valuable pound-for-pound star in the league. The reigning Finals MVP makes triple-doubles look routine, turning Denver into perennial contenders. His mix of size, vision, and skill makes him unique — a player whose paycheck feels small compared to his actual impact.

Nikola Jokic is redefining what it means to be a big man. Averaging a triple-double for the season, he’s the ultimate offensive engine.

• Impact on Nuggets: Denver remains a contender every year simply because of Jokic.
• Highlight: His combination of size, vision, and scoring efficiency makes him arguably the most complete center of all time.
• Future Outlook: At just 30, Jokic could dominate for another half-decade. More MVPs and another title are well within reach.

3. Joel Embiid – $51.4M (Philadelphia 76ers)

The 76ers’ big man is right at the top tier of the Highest-Paid NBA Players, and for good reason. Embiid is a dominant scorer, rim protector, and MVP talent. Yet his challenge remains consistency and health. When he’s locked in and available, Embiid plays like he deserves every cent of his contract.

Joel Embiid remains one of the most dominant big men in basketball when healthy — but that’s the key phrase: when healthy.

• Impact on 76ers: Injuries once again derailed Philadelphia’s season, even after giving Embiid a $300 million extension.
• Highlight: His two knee surgeries in one season have raised red flags about his long-term future.
• Future Outlook: The Sixers remain committed, but unless Embiid finds consistency in his health, Philly may never maximize its championship window.

4. Bradley Beal – $50.2M (Phoenix Suns)

Beal’s contract is one of the richest, placing him firmly on the list of Highest-Paid NBA Players. However, his role in Phoenix is still being defined. Injuries have made his journey rocky, but his smooth scoring and perimeter shooting give the Suns a dangerous edge when he’s at full strength.

Bradley Beal’s huge salary has become one of the league’s biggest talking points. Despite flashes of scoring brilliance, injuries and inconsistency plagued his season.

• Impact on Suns: Played just 53 games, contributing the least among the Suns’ Big 3.
• Highlight: His no-trade clause makes it difficult for Phoenix to restructure its roster.
• Future Outlook: Unless Beal bounces back, his deal could become one of the most criticized contracts in NBA history.

5. Kevin Durant – $49.8M (Phoenix Suns)

Durant remains one of the most feared scorers in basketball. As one of the Highest-Paid NBA Players, he continues to prove his worth with clutch midrange shots and leadership. Even at 36, KD commands attention as defenses scramble to slow him down. His contract reflects both past glory and present dominance.

At 36, Kevin Durant continues to defy age with elite production. Surpassing 30,000 career points this season, he remains one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

• Impact on Suns: Still the Suns’ most efficient scorer and clutch shot-maker.
• Highlight: His offensive brilliance couldn’t prevent Phoenix from missing the playoffs, raising questions about roster balance.
• Future Outlook: Durant’s contract runs through 2026. By then, he could climb even higher on the all-time scoring list — potentially passing Kobe Bryant.

6. Devin Booker – $49.2M (Phoenix Suns)

Booker is the youngest of the Suns’ trio in the list of Highest-Paid NBA Players. At 28, he’s already proven himself as an elite scorer and leader. His ability to create shots, both for himself and teammates, keeps Phoenix’s title hopes alive. Booker’s massive contract ensures he’ll remain the face of the franchise for years to come.

Devin Booker remains the Suns’ franchise cornerstone. Even with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in town, Booker’s consistency as a scorer and playmaker has made him their go-to star.

• Impact on Suns: Despite missing the playoffs, Booker showed resilience by carrying the team through injuries and inconsistency.
• Highlight: Logged 75 games, the most of Phoenix’s Big 3, showcasing his durability.
• Future Outlook: Locked into a $220 million contract, Booker will likely outlast both Durant and Beal in Phoenix, becoming the centerpiece of their rebuild.

7. Paul George – $49.2M (Philadelphia 76ers)

George’s move to Philly keeps him among the Highest-Paid NBA Players in 2024/25. His skillset as a two-way wing remains elite, even as age and injuries take their toll. On his best nights, “PG-13” looks every bit worth the investment, capable of shifting momentum with both scoring and defense.

Paul George’s move to Philadelphia in 2024 was supposed to create a championship contender. Instead, the season unraveled.

• Impact on 76ers: Injuries limited George to just 41 games. Without his perimeter scoring and defense, the Sixers collapsed.
• Highlight: George’s contract has become a hot debate in Philadelphia, as fans question his durability.
• Future Outlook: Entering the final year of his deal, George will need a bounce-back season to silence critics. Otherwise, Philly may look to reset its roster around Joel Embiid.

8. Kawhi Leonard – $49.2M (LA Clippers)

Leonard is another veteran star among the Highest-Paid NBA Players. His quiet demeanor hides his ruthless efficiency, especially in the playoffs. Injuries have limited his availability, but when Kawhi is on the floor, he is one of the few players capable of dominating both ends at a championship level.

Few players are as efficient and methodical as Kawhi Leonard. While injuries have limited him in recent seasons, when he’s on the floor, he remains one of the best two-way players alive.

• Impact on Clippers: Leonard’s calm leadership and elite mid-range game give the Clippers stability in big games.
• Highlight: Pushed the defending champion Nuggets to Game 7 with stellar defense and timely buckets.
• Future Outlook: At 33, his health is the only question. If Kawhi stays fit, he can still swing a playoff series on both ends of the floor.

9. Jaylen Brown – $49.2M (Boston Celtics)

The Celtics shocked the league when they handed Brown the largest contract in NBA history at the time, cementing him among the Highest-Paid NBA Players. His Finals MVP run silenced critics, proving his ability to deliver when it matters. Alongside Jayson Tatum, Brown represents Boston’s present and future.

Jaylen Brown’s $304 million supermax contract was record-breaking, but he continues to prove his worth. As a two-way force, he is one of the most versatile players in the league.

• Impact on Celtics: His athleticism and slashing ability complement Jayson Tatum’s all-around scoring.
• Highlight: Already an NBA Finals MVP, Brown is a proven playoff performer who thrives under pressure.
• Future Outlook: The Celtics are locked into the Tatum-Brown duo for years. If they add more depth, Boston could dominate the Eastern Conference well into the late 2020s.

10. Karl-Anthony Towns – $49.2M (New York Knicks)

Towns completes the list of Highest-Paid NBA Players, now donning a Knicks jersey under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. His ability to score inside and stretch defenses with his shooting makes him a perfect modern big man. The Knicks invested heavily, hoping Towns will bring back championship glory.

When the Knicks traded for Karl-Anthony Towns, they weren’t just getting a talented big man — they were getting hope. Towns has answered with arguably the best rebounding year of his career, anchoring New York’s paint and stretching defenses with his shooting.

• Impact on Knicks: His versatility has given New York its first legitimate inside-out threat since Patrick Ewing.
• Big Picture: Towns’ ability to combine size, rebounding, and perimeter shooting makes him invaluable in the modern NBA.
• Future Outlook: With Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, Towns forms a formidable “Big 3.” Knicks fans believe this core could end the franchise’s title drought dating back to 1973.

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FAQs – Highest-Paid NBA Players 2024/25