NBA salaries: Who are the highest-paid players in the 2023-24 season?
As the 2023 NFL season approached, several young quarterbacks have signed new contract extensions worth over $250 million, breaking the $50 million per year threshold. This underscores the importance of a quarterback position in the NFL and how teams are willing to pay top dollar for a reliable and talented signal-caller.
In the NBA, however, players can secure massive contracts even without an All-Star appearance on their resume. This is due to the “max deal” concept, which guarantees that young, talented basketball players are arguably overpaid. At the same time, the league’s biggest superstars are prevented from earning a salary that reflects their actual value.
For the 2023-24 NBA season, the salary cap has risen to a record $136.021 million, as teams are spending more than ever to lure top talent to their cities. Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, who signed a four-year, $215 million extension in 2021 for the third year in a row, has topped the list of the season’s highest salaries. This is a testament to Curry’s impressive career and continued court dominance.
Reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, four-time MVP LeBron James, and reigning MVP Joel Embiid are all tied in the second spot, with all of their new Supermax extensions kicking in this season. This shows these players’ value to their respective teams and the league.
Bradley Beal rounds out the top five with a five-year, $251 million max deal he signed with the Washington Wizards. It’s worth noting, however, that the Phoenix Suns will pay the balance after trading for the three-time All-Star in June. This highlights how complex NBA contracts can be and how teams can maneuver to acquire top talent.
One notable absence from the list is the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, who signed a five-year, $304 million supermax extension in July, making it the largest contract in NBA History. However, since the deal does not take effect until the 2024-25 season, he will have a prominent place in the list next year. This demonstrates how teams can plan for the future and invest in young talent to secure their success for years to come.
The highest-paid players in the 2023-24 season
| Rank | Team | Player | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden State Warriors | Stephen Curry | $51.9 million |
| 2 | Denver Nuggets | Nikola Jokic | $47.6 million |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | LeBron James | $47.6 million |
| 2 | Philadelphia 76ers | Joel Embiid | $47.6 million |
| 5 | Phoenix Suns | Bradley Beal | $46.7 million |
| 6 | Phoenix Suns | Kevin Durant | $46.4 million |
| 7 | Los Angeles Clippers | Paul George | $45.6 million |
| 8 | Milwaukee Bucks | Giannis Antetokounmpo | $45.6 million |
| 8 | Milwaukee Bucks | Damian Lillard | $45.6 million |
| 8 | Los Angeles Clippers | Kawhi Leonard | $45.6 million |
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