When it comes to NBA contracts, the numbers have officially gone through the roof. The 2025-26 season is setting a new standard for how much teams are willing to pay their stars, and the top earners at each position are cashing checks that would make almost any other sports star in America question their life decisions.
But here’s the thing: not every player on this list feels like a no-brainer max guy. Some have already proven they’re worth every penny with championships and MVP-caliber play, while others are getting paid like legends even if they can't deliver like them. That’s the reality of today’s NBA economy, so let's name the five highest-paid players per position.
Point Guards
1. Stephen Curry - $59,606,817
2T. Cade Cunningham - $46,394,100
2T. Jamal Murray - $46,394,100
3T. Luka Doncic - $45,999,660
3T. Trae Young - $45,999,660
4. Tyrese Haliburton - $45,550,512
5. Ja Morant - $39,446,090
At nearly $60 million, Stephen Curry is the highest-paid player in the NBA, and honestly, it’s hard to argue against him still being worth it. The greatest shooter in basketball history is still a major impact player. Even as he approaches 38 years old, Curry’s value goes beyond the box score since he remains the engine of Golden State’s offense, the face of the franchise, and the superstar whose mere presence keeps the Warriors relevant on and off the court.
Cade Cunningham’s max extension is paying him like a franchise cornerstone, and Detroit is banking on him being exactly that. The former No. 1 pick has steadily grown into a perfect point guard with elite playmaking and a calm, poised scoring presence. Still, $46 million per year demands winning basketball, and Cunningham hasn’t proven he can elevate the Pistons to playoff relevance yet, although we see it coming soon.
Jamal Murray’s salary number mirrors Cade Cunningham’s, but his resume already holds the receipts: multiple deep playoff runs and a championship alongside Nikola Jokic. The question now is whether he can stay healthy enough to justify the long-term investment. When available, Murray is absolutely a $40+ million talent, but his durability remains the swing factor.
Luka Doncic is somehow fourth on this list despite being one of the three most valuable players in basketball. That’s the beauty of how a blockbuster trade works and how it affects a player's money. Still just 26, Luka is both the present and future of the Lakers, carrying MVP expectations every single season. If anything, his $45 million price tag almost feels under market for a player, although Doncic can sign a five-year, $417 million contract extension in 2028.
Trae Young’s contract mirrors Luka’s in dollars, but the gap in impact couldn’t be clearer. Young has been one of the league’s most polarizing stars. His offensive brilliance is undeniable, but his defensive shortcomings and Atlanta’s inconsistency make his $45 million look like a gamble. The Hawks continue to search for a winning formula around him, but if Trae doesn’t prove he can lead a contender, this salary could age poorly.
Tyrese Haliburton’s extension makes him one of the youngest players on this list, and the Indiana Pacers are thrilled to pay the price for the man who took them to the NBA Finals in 2024-25. At under $46 million, Indiana may have secured the steal of the position. Haliburton’s ceiling as a lead guard is still climbing, and he is the undisputed face of a small-market franchise.
In 5th place is Ja Morant, a superstar point guard with elite athleticism and offensive skills. Morant's deal will be a bargain as long as he can stay healthy and focused on basketball, but so far, that hasn't been the case. If Morant can click into gear and help the Grizzlies reach their potential, he could become one of the options to be the face of the NBA moving forward.
Shooting Guards
1. Devin Booker - $53,142,264
2. Zach LaVine - $47,499,660
3. Donovan Mitchell - $46,394,100
4. Anthony Edwards - $45,550,512
5. OG Anunoby - $39,568,966
Devin Booker’s salary cements him as the highest-paid shooting guard in the league, and it’s deserved. Booker is in the sweet spot of his prime, a three-level scorer with the ability to carry Phoenix’s offense while also sharing star duties. He’s proven himself on the Finals stage, and while the Suns’ future is murky, Booker himself is the kind of superstar who can justify a $50+ million tag.
Zach LaVine’s contract has long been viewed as one of the league’s riskiest, and sitting at nearly $47.5 million, it’s easy to see why. LaVine is a gifted scorer with elite athleticism, but he hasn’t been able to translate that into winning basketball in Chicago and now in Sacramento. LaVine can put up 25 on any night, but when you’re making superstar money, you have to deliver superstar results, something he hasn’t consistently done.
Donovan Mitchell is one of the rare guards who truly elevates his team’s playoff ceiling, and Cleveland is paying him accordingly. At over $46 million, Mitchell is expected to keep the Cavaliers in contention in the East, serving as their go-to scorer in crunch time. His track record in big games is strong, but the franchise is sincerely hoping he can guide them to even bigger goals someday.
Anthony Edwards is the NBA’s next face, whether he wants that title or not, and his new contract reflects that. At just 24, Edwards has already established himself as a fearless scorer and fiery competitor who thrives in the postseason spotlight. At this price, Edwards has the chance to be one of the best values in basketball by the end of the decade.
OG Anunoby’s salary might raise some eyebrows compared to the offensive stars above him, but his impact is undeniable. A defensive ace who can guard every position, Anunoby has become one of the league’s most coveted two-way wings and an invaluable member of the New York Knicks. Nearly $40 million per year is steep for a player who isn’t a primary scorer, but the Knicks clearly valued his versatility and fit alongside their stars.
Small Forwards
1. Kevin Durant - $54,708,608
2. Jimmy Butler - $54,126,450
3. Jaylen Brown - $53,142,264
4. LeBron James - $52,627,153
5. Paul George - $51,666,090
Kevin Durant continues to rake in superstar money as he enters his late 30s, and for good reason, he’s still one of the most unguardable scorers alive. At nearly $55 million, Houston is betting Durant can remain elite deep into his career, even as the championship window around him narrows. Health will always be the concern, but when KD is on the floor, no one questions his ability to produce at an MVP level.
Jimmy Butler’s “Playoff Jimmy” reputation is what makes this number sting a little less for Golden State. During the regular season, Butler often coasts, but when the lights are brightest, he’s proven capable of carrying a team to Finals runs. At $54 million, the Warriors are paying for a postseason assassin more than an 82-game star, but the question is how much longer Butler’s body can handle that style.
Jaylen Brown’s record-breaking extension raised plenty of debate, but the Celtics clearly believe in him as the co-star next to Jayson Tatum. At over $53 million, Brown is expected to be more than just a No. 2 option; he has to consistently deliver like a top-tier superstar. Boston paid for security, but they’ll expect growth, especially in a season where Tatum is out with an Achilles injury.
At 40 years old, LeBron James is still cashing checks north of $52 million, and he’s still worth it off the court as much as on it. The King continues to produce at an All-NBA level, defying every timeline of decline and making his salary feel more like an investment than a risk. For the Lakers, LeBron is the culture, the brand, and the competitive fire that keeps them in the conversation. Paying him this much at this stage is historic, but so is LeBron.
Paul George rounds out the top five small forwards, still commanding superstar money despite being out of his prime. His silky scoring and defensive versatility remain valuable, but his inconsistent playoff resume has made his contracts a frequent talking point. At $51 million, the 76ers might feel swindled by the contract they offered George before last season, and they have to take the full blame.
Power Forwards
1T. Anthony Davis - $54,126,450
1T. Jayson Tatum - $54,126,450
1T. Giannis Antetokounmpo - $54,126,450
2. Lauri Markkanen - $46,394,100
3. Evan Mobley - $46,394,100
4. Pascal Siakam - $45,550,512
5. Zion Williamson - $39,446,090
Anthony Davis’ deal ties him for the top-paid power forward in the league, and it reflects his duality: utterly dominant when healthy, frustrating when not. The Mavericks know he’s a defensive anchor like no other, capable of controlling games without scoring a point. The problem, of course, is availability. At $54 million, Davis has to be more than dominant in spurts; he has to be dependable in May and June.
Jayson Tatum’s extension was a no-brainer for Boston since he’s their franchise player, a perennial MVP candidate, and the face of the next Celtics era. At $54 million, the expectation is clear: Tatum has to bring a second championship to Boston one day. His scoring and all-around game justify the tag, but what the Celtics really need is for him to come back strong from an Achilles injury.
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the league’s most dominant forces, and his price tag reflects that. A two-time MVP and champion, Giannis is worth every penny as the cornerstone of Milwaukee’s identity. At $54 million, the Bucks are paying not just for stats but for a player who gives them a chance to contend every single year. In an era of inflated contracts, Giannis is one of the few guys who makes his deal look cheap, and we hope the Bucks can build a contender around him as soon as possible.
Lauri Markkanen turned himself into one of the NBA’s best scoring forwards, and Utah rewarded him accordingly, but he followed that up with a relatively average campaign last season. At over $46 million, the Jazz are banking on Markkanen being their offensive centerpiece for the foreseeable future, but it doesn't seem like the player can live up to that. We have to wait and see what happens with Markkanen in terms of trade rumors.
Evan Mobley’s max extension locks him in as Cleveland’s frontcourt cornerstone, and it comes with heavy expectations. His defensive versatility is already elite as a Defensive Player of the Year winner, but his offensive game still needs polish to justify a near-$50 million salary. The Cavs believe he can become a two-way superstar, and if Mobley makes the leap, this deal looks smart.
Pascal Siakam’s deal reflects his proven ability to produce as a No. 2 or 3 option on a championship team. At $45 million, the Pacers don’t need him to be a franchise superstar; they just need him to complement Haliburton and raise the ceiling of the roster. For a win-now team, Siakam is the right kind of expensive because the team made the Finals last season.
Zion Williamson remains the biggest gamble in the NBA contract landscape. Nearly $40 million is a lot for a player who’s struggled to stay on the floor, but when healthy, Zion is a walking paint attack. We know the player can be a superstar, but no doubt, Zion is the ultimate risk (and bad) contract in basketball.
Centers
1T. Nikola Jokic - $55,224,526
1T. Joel Embiid - $55,224,526
2. Karl-Anthony Towns - $53,142,264
3. Domantas Sabonis - $42,336,000
4. Bam Adebayo - $37,096,620
5. Rudy Gobert - $35,000,000
Nikola Jokic is tied as the highest-paid center in the NBA, and it feels like he could be underpaid. The reigning best player in basketball is a walking triple-double and the kind of offensive hub that redefines how the game is played. At $55 million, Denver is essentially buying annual MVP production and title contention. No contract is safer in the league.
Joel Embiid shares the top salary slot with Jokic, and while his dominance is unquestioned, his health makes the investment a bit shakier. When Embiid is rolling, he’s an unstoppable two-way force who can win you games on both ends. The Sixers will gladly pay the price for a player who keeps them in contention, but as of last season, they will feel frustrated by the fact that Embiid only played 19 games.
Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the most skilled big men the league has ever seen, but at $53 million, New York needs him to be more than just a stretch-five shooter. Towns’ offensive versatility is elite, but his defense and playoff consistency have been under fire for years. Still, the Knicks have hope that Towns can be Brunson's No. 2 to one day bring a championship back to New York.
Domantas Sabonis’ salary looks like a bargain compared to the megadeals above him. Sacramento is paying just over $42 million for a big man who runs their offense, rebounds at an elite level, and consistently produces double-doubles. He’s not the flashiest star, but his fit in Sacramento makes him one of the most valuable contracts among top centers.
Bam Adebayo is the defensive anchor Miami has built around, and at under $40 million, he feels like a relative steal in today’s market. His offensive game isn’t as dominant as others on this list, but his switchability, leadership, and effort on defense make him irreplaceable. For a team built on toughness and culture, Bam’s deal feels perfectly aligned.
Rudy Gobert may be the last on this list, but $35 million still isn’t cheap for a rim protector. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year continues to anchor Minnesota’s defense, and his impact in the paint remains massive. Critics will argue his offensive limitations don’t justify the cost, but the Timberwolves don't have a choice at center, considering they let Karl-Anthony Towns go before last season.
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