Who is the Most Paid NBA Player?

The answer may surprise you. The most paid NBA player is actually LeBron James, who makes an annual salary of $33.4 million.

Introduction

In the National Basketball Association (NBA), there is a designated player who is paid the most by their team. This title is usually reserved for the best player on the team, as they are typically given the largest contract. The title of highest-paid NBA player changes frequently, as players sign new contracts and receive raises.

The most recent highest-paid NBA player is small forward LeBron James, who signed a four-year, $154 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. This made him the first player in NBA history to make over $100 million with one team. As of 2019, James is still the highest-paid NBA player, followed by small forward Kevin Durant and shooting guard Stephen Curry.

LeBron James

With a salary of $35.65 million this season, LeBron James is the most paid NBA player. He is also the only player in the league to make more than $30 million this season. In addition to his salary, James will also receive $23 million from endorsements, making him the highest-paid NBA player.

Contract

In July 2018, James signed a four-year, $153.3 million contract with the Lakers. The deal includes a player option for the fourth year. The contract makes James the highest-paid player in NBA history, surpassing the $30 million annual salary that Michael Jordan earned with the Chicago Bulls during the 1997-98 season.

Salary

As of 2019, LeBron James is the NBA’s highest-paid player with a salary of $37.4 million. He is followed by Kevin Durant at $30.7 million, Russell Westbrook at $28.5 million, and James Harden at $27.9 million. Kobe Bryant was the NBA’s highest-paid player from 2014 to 2016, earning an annual salary of $25 million during his last season before retiring.

Endorsements

LeBron James is one of the most popular and highest-paid NBA players. He is also one of the most heavily marketed athletes in the world. In 2003, James signed a seven-year deal with Nike that could be worth as much as $90 million. He has since signed multiple other endorsement deals with companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Beats by Dre.

Additionally, James has his own production company called Springhill Entertainment. The company has produced a number of documentaries and TV shows, including the highly successful ESPN series More Than a Game.

All told, LeBron James’s endorsements and business ventures have made him one of the richest athletes in the world. Forbes estimates that he is worth $450 million.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has won two NBA championships, an NBA Most Valuable Player Award, the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award, four NBA scoring titles, the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, and two Olympic gold medals. Durant has also been selected to eight All-NBA teams and eight NBA All-Star teams.

Contract

In July 2016, Durant signed a two-year, $54.3 million contract with the Warriors, keeping him with the team through the 2018–19 season. The contract includes a player option for the second year, which Durant is expected to decline to become a free agent in 2019. Durant’s decision to sign a two-year deal instead of a longer one was shaped by several factors. First, it cleared enough salary cap space for the Warriors to retain key players such as Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, while also allowing them to sign free agent center DeMarcus Cousins. Second, it put Durant in position to take advantage of the NBA’s new television contract, which is expected to lead to a significant increase in the salary cap starting in 2019–20. And third, it gave Durant more flexibility in his own future plans; if he decides he wants to play elsewhere after next season, he can simply opt out of his contract and become a free agent again.

Salary

As of the 2019-2020 season, Kevin Durant is the highest paid player in the NBA, with an annual salary of $38.2 million. He is followed by Russell Westbrook, who makes $35.7 million per year. LeBron James, Steph Curry and Chris Paul round out the top five, with salaries of $33.4 million, $32.7 million and $32.6 million, respectively.

Endorsements

KD has many endorsement deals, the most notable being with Nike. He also has endorsements with 2K Sports, Beats by Dre, BBVA Compass, Skullcandy, Foot Locker and Panini. In 2014, he signed a 10-year extension with Nike that could be worth up to $300 million. He also has an investment portfolio that includes Beats Electronics and Thirty Five Ventures, his own business company.

Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is considered by some to be the greatest shooter in NBA history. Curry is a six-time NBA All-Star and has been named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice. He has also been selected to six All-NBA Teams and five All-Defensive Teams.

Contract

Stephen Curry signed a five-year, $201 million contract extension with the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2017. The deal made him the first player in NBA history to be paid $201 million by one team. It also broke the previous record for the richest contract in league history, which was set by Kevin Durant when he signed a two-year, $54 million deal with the Warriors in 2016.

Curry’s annual salary of $40.2 million is the highest in NBA history, topping the $33.6 million that Michael Jordan made with the Chicago Bulls in 1997-98. Curry’s deal also includes a player option for the 2021-22 season, which would allow him to become a free agent again at age 34.

Salary

Stephen Curry is the most paid NBA player. He is currently playing for the Golden State Warriors and has a salary of $34.68 million. In addition to his salary, Curry also receives endorsements from companies like Under Armour and Nissan.

Endorsements

In 2016, Curry signed the most lucrative endorsement deal in NBA history, a $12 million a year deal with Under Armour. He also has deals with Nissan, Nestlé (Musashi), VSCO, British Airways and several others. His most notable deal is with Degree Men’s deodorant, in which he raps about shooting three-pointers.

Curry has been described as the NBA’s first “unsellable” player because of his small market team and dull personality. In 2014, he was ranked as the NBA’s least marketable player. In spite of this, he has been one of the league’s most popular players since his breakout season in 2009–10 and is credited with helping to expand the NBA’s audience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is clear that Steph Curry is the highest paid player in the NBA, with a salary of $34.6 million. This is followed by LeBron James, who earns $33.3 million.However, when considering other sources of income, such as endorsements and bonuses, it is likely that LeBron James is actually the highest paid player in the NBA.