Highest-Paid NBA Players in 2026
The NBA remains one of the most lucrative sports leagues in the world, and the salaries earned by its biggest stars show just how valuable elite basketball talent has become.
For the 2026–27 NBA season, several superstars are set to earn more than $50 million in salary alone. Stephen Curry leads the league, while Nikola Jokić, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and other established stars are also near the top of the list.
It is important to note that an NBA player's annual salary is different from total career earnings or endorsement income. The figures discussed here refer to their NBA salary for the 2026–27 season.
Table of Contents
Stephen Curry
Nikola Jokić
Jayson Tatum
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Anthony Davis
Joel Embiid
Jaylen Brown
Devin Booker
Karl-Anthony Towns
Jimmy Butler
Why NBA Salaries Have Become So High
NBA Salary vs. Endorsement Income
Final Thoughts
1. Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry sits at the top of the 2026–27 NBA salary list with approximately $62.59 million in salary.
The Golden State Warriors superstar has spent much of his career among the league's highest-paid players, reflecting both his basketball achievements and his importance to the Warriors franchise.
Curry's contract is particularly notable because his 2026–27 salary is a single-season figure of more than $62 million. Current contract data lists him as the highest-paid NBA player for the season.
Even after years in the league, Curry remains one of the biggest names in professional basketball.
2. Nikola Jokić – Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is second on the list with a 2026–27 salary of approximately $59.03 million.
The Serbian superstar has established himself as one of the NBA's most accomplished players of his generation. His contract reflects the enormous value placed on a franchise player capable of influencing games as a scorer, passer and rebounder.
Jokić's contract also includes a player option for the following season, according to current contract data.
3. Jayson Tatum – Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is scheduled to earn approximately $58.46 million during the 2026–27 season.
Tatum's contract is particularly significant because of its enormous overall value. His five-year extension is listed at approximately $313.9 million, making it one of the largest contracts in NBA history.
At his age, Tatum also represents the younger generation of NBA superstars receiving extremely large contracts.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo is another player earning approximately $58.46 million during the 2026–27 season.
The two-time MVP's move to Miami makes his salary particularly interesting for basketball fans following the league's changing landscape.
His 2026–27 salary places him among the NBA's highest-paid players, alongside several other established superstars.
5. Anthony Davis – Washington Wizards
Anthony Davis is also scheduled to earn approximately $58.46 million in 2026–27.
The veteran big man has been one of the NBA's most recognizable players for more than a decade. His combination of scoring, rebounding and defense has helped make him one of the league's highest-value players.
His current contract places him alongside Tatum and Giannis among the players earning more than $58 million for the season.
6. Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is another player earning more than $58 million in the 2026–27 season.
Current contract data places his salary at approximately $58.1 million.
Embiid has been a central figure in Philadelphia's plans for years, and his contract reflects his status as one of the league's highest-profile stars.
7. Jaylen Brown – Philadelphia 76ers
Jaylen Brown is listed among the NBA's highest-paid players for 2026–27, with a salary of roughly $57 million.
Brown's long-term contract is also notable. His five-year deal was worth approximately $285.4 million, according to current contract information.
His earnings demonstrate how quickly the financial value of elite NBA players has grown.
8. Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is scheduled to earn approximately $57.08 million in 2026–27.
Booker has spent his entire NBA career becoming one of the league's best-known scoring guards. His contract puts him firmly among the highest-paid players in the league.
His existing deal is listed at more than $220 million in total value.
9. Karl-Anthony Towns – New York Knicks
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns is also set to earn approximately $57.08 million during the 2026–27 season.
Towns has developed into a highly productive offensive big man during his NBA career, and his contract reflects the value of experienced All-Star-level talent.
He is part of a group of players whose 2026–27 salaries are above $57 million.
10. Jimmy Butler – Golden State Warriors
Jimmy Butler completes this list with a 2026–27 salary of approximately $56.83 million.
The veteran forward has built a reputation as an important postseason performer and one of the league's experienced stars. His salary remains among the highest in the NBA.
Current contract data lists Butler's 2026–27 salary at $56.83 million.
Why NBA Salaries Have Become So High
NBA salaries have grown significantly over the years as the league's television, streaming, sponsorship and commercial revenues have expanded.
The 2026–27 NBA salary cap is set at $164.961 million, while the tax level is $200.428 million. The league also has first- and second-apron thresholds that affect how teams construct their rosters.
The salary cap helps determine how much teams can spend on player contracts and plays an important role in negotiations between players and franchises.
NBA Salary vs. Endorsement Income
A player's NBA salary is only one part of the money a superstar can earn.
Major NBA players can also make substantial income through:
Shoe and clothing partnerships
Sports endorsements
Advertising campaigns
Social media partnerships
Business investments
Media appearances
Personal brands and merchandise
This means a player's total income can be significantly different from the salary paid by their NBA team.
A New Era of NBA Contracts
One interesting feature of the current NBA landscape is the increasing size of long-term contracts.
Jayson Tatum's approximately $313.9 million deal, for example, demonstrates how quickly contract values have increased. Jaylen Brown's deal is also listed at more than $285 million.
Meanwhile, some veteran players continue to command enormous single-season salaries even when they are on shorter contracts.
This creates an interesting contrast between annual salary and total contract value.
Conclusion
The highest-paid NBA players in 2026–27 include some of the biggest names in modern basketball.
Stephen Curry leads the current salary table at approximately $62.59 million, followed by Nikola Jokić at about $59.03 million. Several other stars, including Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid, are also earning more than $58 million for the season.
These numbers highlight how valuable elite basketball talent has become and how dramatically NBA contracts have grown over time.
As the league continues to expand commercially, the financial side of professional basketball will remain an important part of the NBA story.
Note: NBA salaries can be updated when trades, contract restructures, options or other transactions occur. The figures above are based on available 2026–27 contract data checked in September 2026.
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