The NBA operates under a salary cap, with the CBA dictating maximum salaries for players depending on their experience and individual accolades. As a result, many of the highest NBA salaries in 2023-24 are identical.
With the salary cap continuing to soar, NBA player salaries are growing each season.
Biggest NBA Salaries In 2023:
- Steph Curry - $51,915,615
- Joel Embiid - $47,607,350
- Nikola Jokic - $47,607,350
- LeBron James - $47,607,350
- Bradley Beal - $46,741,590
- Kevin Durant - $46,407,433
- Paul George - $45,640,165
- Damian Lillard - $45,640,084
- Kawhi Leonard - $45,640,084
- Giannis Antetokounmpo - $45,640,084
The biggest names in NBA odds were earning less than $40 million per year not so long ago – in the middle of the 2020s, numerous players will be in the $60 million range.
Here are the 10 highest NBA salaries in the 2023-24 campaign…
Giannis Antetokounmpo
It seems weird to say Giannis Antetokounmpo has something to prove.
He’s a champion, a Defensive Player of the Year and two-time MVP. He’s unquestionably one of the three best players on the planet.
Still, the Bucks’ window looks to be closing and they were just on the wrong end of a first-round upset.
Giannis’ future is up in the air after a run-it-back offseason. Will Milwaukee prove to be true title contenders once again?
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard’s place among the greatest NBA players is up for debate.
The peak performance ranks alongside the best ever, but Leonard’s counting stats are broadly disappointing due to his injuries and load management.
The Clippers went as all-in as possible when they paired The Klaw with Paul George. It has yet to bring any meaningful postseason success, with injuries derailing most of their seasons together.
Damian Lillard
Despite an offseason trade request, Damian Lillard remains a Portland Trail Blazer (for now, at least).
Lillard’s mega extension is part of the reason the trade market has been limited – he’s owed over $150 million across the next three seasons, which is followed by a $63,228,828 player option that he’s all but guaranteed to take.
Injuries have been a factor for Lillard over the last few seasons, plus he’s entering his age-33 campaign. Will the Blazers ever get a deal they feel they can accept?
Paul George
Earning marginally more than his Clippers co-star, Paul George has been subject to some trade rumours during the offseason amid uncertainty over Los Angeles’ commitment to their core.
George, like Kawhi Leonard, has struggled to stay healthy since being traded to the Clippers in 2019.
In general, George’s production has been at an All-NBA level when he’s actually been on the court for the Clips.
Staying on the court is always going to be a concern, though, even if he’s healthy for the start of training camp as has been reported.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant being among the highest-paid NBA players is no surprise. Durant is still a top-10 player in the league, even as he enters his twilight years.
Phoenix leapt to become a real title contender when they acquired Durant from the Brooklyn Nets last season, and they are once again among the betting favourites to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Their roster construction will ask a lot of Durant physically. He’s going to have to carry a heavy burden defensively, and could find himself playing smallball five at times.
Bradley Beal
Remarkably, neither Durant nor Devin Booker are the highest-paid player on Phoenix’s mega-expensive roster.
New luxury tax penalties did not deter the Suns from constructing the NBA’s latest superteam by trading for Bradley Beal.
Beal’s supermax, complete with a curious no-trade clause, lowered his trade value considerably. The All-Star guard has battled injuries over the last few years, and has been in the NBA wilderness with the Wizards.
Phoenix will desperately hope Beal can slot into being a third option after a super-high usage in the capital.
LeBron James
He might be one of the oldest NBA players, but LeBron James remains incredibly impactful.
The Lakers just reached the Conference Finals on the back of some exceptional performances from James, and they look set to contend in the Western Conference once again if their stars can stay healthy.
The four-time MVP has battled injuries over the last few seasons, and he’s not capable of maintaining the same high intensity for a long Playoff run any more.
In short bursts, though, he’s still got it to dominate when required.
Nikola Jokic
Basketball odds tab the Denver Nuggets among the title favourites once again this season after winning their first championship in franchise history in 2023.
Nikola Jokic is the consensus best player in the league heading into the 2023-24 campaign, and he’s tied for the second-highest salary.
Jokic’s on-court game might be laden with flashy passes, but off the court, he’s an understated character and reluctant celebrity.
The Serbian disappears to ride horses in his homeland during the offseason before returning to torment NBA defences with his once-in-a-lifetime offensive skillset.
Joel Embiid
Tipped by many to be the next superstar to demand a trade, Joel Embiid is the defending MVP after back-to-back runner-up finishes.
Embiid is a two-way force, a mid-range shooting, foul-drawing machine on offence and one of the most impactful paint deterrents on defence.
Playoff and durability questions remain. Embiid is yet to play in the Conference Finals. Entering his age-29 season, we are nearing now or never time for the Cameroonian.
Steph Curry
Already seventh in career earnings (all six above him have played more seasons), Steph Curry is set to earn the largest NBA salary in 2023-24 by a comfortable margin.
In fact, Curry has three more seasons to run on this deal, concluding with a base salary of $59,606,817 in 2025-26.
Golden State reshaped their roster in the offseason, swapping Jordan Poole for former foe Chris Paul.
The Dubs have been saying all the right things in the offseason, but a lot needs to be figured out around Curry if they are to win a fifth ring of this modern NBA dynasty.
