Ahead of the 1997-98 season, Michael Jordan signed a one-year, $33.1 million contract with the Bulls, which set the record for the highest single-season salary in NBA history. It wasn’t until 2017-18 that Jordan’s record was broken by Stephen Curry.
Salaries have only skyrocketed since. While it took two decades for someone to best Jordan’s salary, a total of 27 players will earn more than $33.1 million in the 2022-23 season according to Spotrac. That list includes future Hall of Famers like Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well as a couple of players who haven’t yet made an All-Star team in Tobias Harris and CJ McCollum.
Curry has been the NBA’s highest-paid player each season since surpassing Jordan in 2017-18. He will reach another milestone in 2023-24 when he becomes the first player ever to make over $50 million in a single season.
MORE: LeBron James passes Kevin Durant to become NBA’s top all-time earner
Who are the highest paid NBA players in 2022-23 season?
Warriors star Stephen Curry is on the books for $48.1 million in the 2022-23 season, making him the league’s highest earner for the sixth straight season.
Rounding out the top five are the Lakers’ Russell Westbrook ($47.1 million) and LeBron James ($44.5 million), Wizards guard Bradley Beal ($43.3 million) and Nets star Kevin Durant ($43.0 million).
Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic ranks 30th but signed a historic five-year, $264 million extension during the 2022 offseason. Curry, Beal and James are the only players estimated to make more than the Nuggets star in the 2023-24 season.
Curry is projected to be the NBA’s highest-paid player each season until his contract expires following the 2025-26 season. Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard is currently set to take over the top spot with a salary of $63.2 million in 2026-27.
