The NBA is the world’s top basketball league, home to stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The league generated $10 billion in revenue in 2024 and features some of the highest-paid athletes in sports.
Ranking NBA Players With $100 million Earnings
Here’s the exclusive list of high-profile NBA players who cash out a monumental $100 million in earnings per year.
1. Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors ($156 M)
Stephen Curry tops the list of highest-paid NBA players in 2025, earning $100 million this year and $156 million overall, according to Forbes.
The 37-year-old Warriors guard remains the league’s top earner, with $56 million coming from his Golden State contract and the rest from endorsements and brand deals. Curry continues to rank among the most marketable athletes in global sports.
2. LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers ($133.8 M)
LeBron James ranks second among NBA earners in 2025, with an estimated annual income of $133.8 million. The Lakers forward earns $48.8 million in salary and collects another $85 million off the court from endorsements with Nike, PepsiCo, and other brands. Despite four championship rings and a career worth more than $1.2 billion, James trails Stephen Curry in total earnings. He remains one of the league’s highest-paid players and has invested in several business ventures.
3. Kevin Durant – Phoenix Suns ($101.4M)
The former Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant is only the third NBA star to cross $100 million in revenue in 2025. Durant is presently earning nearly $51.4 M at the Suns, following a four-year, $194.2 million contract ahead of his trade to Phoenix. He is one of the high-profile names when it comes to a whopping salary.
The 2x time NBA champion has been active in off-court business with their firm named 35V and over 80 companies, including media productions. In addition, Durant acquired stakes in Major League Soccer team Philadelphia Union and NWSL’s Gotham FC, respectively.
| Rank | Name | Team | Age | Country | Total Earnings | On-Field Earnings | Off-Field Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | 37 | United States | $156 M | $56 M | $100 M |
| 2 | LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers | 40 | United States | $133.8 M | $48.8 M | $85 M |
| 3 | Kevin Durant | Phoenix Suns | 36 | United States | $101.4 M | $51.4 M | $50 M |
| 4 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | 30 | Greece | $94.4 M | $49.4 M | $45 M |
| 5 | Damian Lillard | Milwaukee Bucks | 34 | United States | $67.5 M | $49.5 M | $18 M |
READ: What Makes an NBA Team a True Underdog?
A Journalism and Media Studies graduate and a passionate sports writer, he turned his love for sports into a fulfilling career. His admiration for the Golden State Warriors grew, inspired by Stephen Curry’s exceptional shooting.
