Highest paid NBA players right now: Running down the 20 best paid in 2024-25, including Stephen Curry

By Jason Burgos

·Updated: October 7, 2024

Who are the highest-paid NBA players right now? It is a question many basketball fans around the world are asking with the 2024-25 NBA schedule set to begin. Well, look no further as we run down the stars banking the most greenbacks this season.

20. Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets

Fred VanVleet is a borderline All-Star but it’s his winning intangibles that make him a worthwhile player. The Rockets felt that way and gave him a massive multi-year deal two summers ago and he will see a boost in pay this season.

Fred VanVleet contract 2024-25: $42.8 million

19. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls

Just a few years ago Zach LaVine seemed like budding superstar. However, injuries and a schism with the Chicago Bulls brass has led to a steep decline in his game. Unfortunately for Chi-town he is being paid like a superstar and it’s why they are having big trouble trying to move him in a trade this year.

Zach LaVine contract 2024-25: $43 million

18. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks understand that Trae Young is their best player and the face of their franchise. That is why they will be paying him huge money this season in the hopes that he can lead a new-look Hawks team to the playoffs next spring.

Trae Young contract 2024-25: $43 million

17. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

At this point, it’s safe to assume that Doncic is one of the best NBA players of the modern era. He’s pretty much been dominant since making his debut in the Association back in 2018. Last season saw him take it to a whole new level. The five-time All-Star led the NBA with 34.2 points per game and also chipped in 8.8 rebounds and 9.5 assists on 49% shooting. Offensively, he is, arguably, the best player in the game. But his defense and fitness keep him out of the top two on our list.

Luka Doncic contract 2024-25: $43 million

16. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Maybe Anthony Davis did not turn into the best player in the game like some foresaw when he was the top overall pick in 2012. But he has always been among the best when he is healthy. He is a talented scorer in the front court, a demon on the boards, but most importantly he is a serious impact player on the defensive side. As we saw in the Lakers West Finals run two seasons ago Davis can be one of the game’s biggest forces when he is on.

Anthony Davis contract 2024-25: $43.2 million

15. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert is one of the very best rim protectors and rebounders in the NBA today. And that ability to dominant a game in certain areas landed him a massive contract a few years back. While some may feel he isn’t worth it, Gobert will bank some big money this season.

Rudy Gobert contract 2024-25: $43.8 million

14. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Sure, Lebron James is not the player he once was. But what he can still do at 39 years old is absolutely mind-blowing. For the amount of games he’s played during an iconic career, he should be a shell of himself. But the Lakers star remains an All-Star level talent and he is still a top-15 player because he knows what it takes to win. The big difference from his prime years is he can’t carry a team to the Finals by himself anymore.

Lebron James contract 2024-25: $48.7 million

13. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

How good has Giannis Antetokounmpo been throughout his stellar career? Since the start of the 2017-18 season, he is averaging 29.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists on 56% shooting. He put up a 64-point performance in a record-breaking game last season as he continues to evolve an already strong offense game. Yet what makes him truly special is he can affect the game on multiple levels and is the NBA’s version of what a five-tool player is in baseball. He can pretty much do nearly everything.

Giannis Antetokounmpo contract 2024-25: $48.8 million

12. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks

It’s no surprise that Damian Lillard saw his scoring decline in his first season playing with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. But that did not stop him from being just as impactful and put up All-Star numbers again last season. Most importantly, he played in 70 games, which was his most since the 2018-2019. At 34 Lillard is still a top-shelf talent.

Damian Lillard contract 2024-25: $48.8 million

11. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

At 35 years old, injuries are having an obvious effect on Jimmy Butler. But that still doesn’t stop him from being an impactful player whenever he is on the court. This could be his final season with the Miami Heat. And he is likely to be very good again as he seeks out one last big payday because Butler is one of the NBA’s most consistent players and winners even in the final years of his career.

Jimmy Butler contract 2024-25: $48.8 million

10. Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers

Paul George is still one of the best two-way players in the NBA despite injuries and father time curtailing his prime. The six-time All-Star deserves immense respect from his foes and kept the Clippers competitive when injuries sidelined teammate Kawhi Leonard the last few years. While it is debatable if he is the second-best player on the Philadelphia 76ers, he is paid like the No. 2.

Paul George contract 2024-25: $49.2 million

9. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard is far removed from the player he was with the Spurs and Raptors. That man was among the top 10 in the game. Nevertheless, when he is on the court he is still one of the most versatile players in the game. Unfortunately, his health can’t be trusted, but that doesn’t matter with contracts and he will be paid like a top-10 player this season.

Kawhi Leonard contract 2024-25: $49.2 million

8. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Karl-Anthony Towns has been a pretty good player in the league for nearly a decade. However, injuries and not delivering in big games have been the biggest knocks against him. Nevertheless, he is being paid like an elite superstar due to his abilities at his size and many more prime years ahead of him.

Karl-Anthony Towns contract 2024-25: $49.2 million

7. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

There is little doubt that Brown can be a No. 1 option on a contending team. He’s just not that with Jayson Tatum being the current face of the franchise. Nevertheless, during the playoffs, he showed his big-game talents and came up huge in some of their biggest series. The Celtics don’t win a title in 2023-24 and that is why he landed a huge contract extension from the team last year.

Jaylen Brown contract 2024-25: $49.2 million

6. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker is a very good player and was the leader of a Phoenix Suns team that did reach the NBA Finals a few years ago. He is an elite scorer and is a good ball-handler as well. But outside of that Finals run it has always seemed like he is missing that final winning element that would make him one of the elites. Nevertheless, he is the first of three Phoenix players making superstar money this season.

Devin Booker contract 2024-25: $49.2 million

5. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

As with others on this list, getting a bit longer in the tooth has impacted Durant’s ability to stay healthy. Nonetheless, he showed he is still a top-10 player despite being in the back half of his 30s after having one of the best seasons of his career defensively in 2023-24. Despite suffering a torn Achillies five years ago, Durant continues to age like the finest of wines.

Kevin Durant contract 2024-25: $49.9 million

4. Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns

There was a time when Bradley Beal was one of the elite scorers in the game as he brought some legitimacy to the Wizards. However, injuries have taken a lot out of his game. While he is still a player that deserves respect, he is being paid like a superstar by the Suns.

Bradley Beal contract 2024-25: $50.2 million

Also Read: Ranking the 50 best players entering the 2024-25 NBA season

3. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic has redefined what it is to be an NBA center and player today. In an era where athletes are as shredded as ever, the “Dad Bod God” has absolutely dominated the highest levels of the game despite looking like a seven-foot accountant. Sure, his defense could be better, but the impact he has on so many facets of the game, and at his size, is awe-inspiring.

Nikola Jokic contract 2024-25: $51.4 million

2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

When talking about legitimate forces in the NBA right now, there are no better examples than 76ers superstar Joel Embiid. The one-time MVP is that perfect mix of new school big man shooting with a heavy dash of classic post-play. The biggest issue is always his health. When healthy, he can be the best player in the game. Unfortunately, his body does not allow that to be a consistent trend. Nevertheless, Philadelphia will again be a title contender because of Embiid.

Joel Embiid contract 2024-25: $51.4 million

1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

The 2024 Summer Olympics showed that Stephen Curry still remains one of the most dangerous players in the sport of basketball and he is paid like it. At 36, his best years are behind him but when you are the greatest shooter in the history of the NBA, father-time still has a lot of ground to make him before having enough of an effect to remove the Warriors icon from among the best players in the NBA today.

Stephen Curry contract 2024-25: $55.8 million