Top 5 Highest-Paid NBA Stars for the 2026/27 Season

The 2026/27 NBA season is underway, bringing back the perfect blend of elite basketball and astronomical financial figures. In recent years, the salary cap has reached unprecedented heights, turning the league's superstars into some of the highest-paid athletes in global sports with annual salaries easily crossing the 50 and 60 million dollar thresholds. Ahead of this exciting season, we examine the five highest-paid players.

Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors ($62,587,158)

The legendary 38-year-old guard, who many argue revolutionized the game of basketball, has led the Warriors to four NBA championships. Curry holds the highest contract in the league with an annual salary of approximately $62.5 million. Alongside an extensive endorsement empire led by his personal Curry Brand under Under Armour, the economic impact of the superstar on his franchise is immense. When Curry arrived, the Warriors were valued at around $450 million. Today, the club's value is estimated at roughly $9 billion – the highest in the NBA.

Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets ($59,033,114)

Widely considered the best player in the world today, Serbian center Nikola Jokic translates his magic on the hardwood into massive figures in his bank account. The Denver Nuggets center holds one of the most lucrative contracts in league history, worth over $59 million per season. In recent years, he significantly upgraded his endorsement portfolio, including a strategic shift from Nike to Chinese apparel brand 361 Degrees on a multi-million-dollar deal, alongside global brand partnerships.

Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics ($58,456,566)

Jayson Tatum, the forward who led the Boston Celtics to a championship, represents the pinnacle of the modern NBA salary cap with the most expensive contract in history – a five-year supermax extension worth roughly $314 million. By the 2029/30 season, Tatum is projected to earn about $71.5 million. Off the court, Tatum has become one of the league's prominent commercial faces with a successful Jordan Brand signature shoe line and lucrative deals with Gatorade and SoFi.

Anthony Davis – Washington Wizards ($58,456,566)

Anthony Davis, 33, from Chicago, is one of the premier frontcourt players in the NBA. Drafted first overall in 2012, he won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and is a ten-time All-Star. In February 2026, he moved from the Dallas Mavericks to the Washington Wizards. Alongside his athletic career, Davis is projected to earn roughly $58.5 million in the 2026/27 season, with a player option worth approximately $62.8 million for the following year.

Giannis Antetokounmpo – Miami Heat ($58,456,566)

Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and NBA champion, presents an incredible life story from a poor childhood in Athens to a global economic powerhouse. He will earn about $58.5 million this season and nearly $63 million in the 2027/28 season. The star moved this past summer to the Miami Heat in pursuit of another championship. Off the court, Giannis earns tens of millions annually through a strategic partnership with Nike featuring his Freak signature line, alongside his family investment firm Ante Inc and major sponsorships.