NBA players with a minimum salary are still getting millions of bucks, how much more if a superstar gets a max contract or even a supermax extension? There are a handful of names today that have managed to secure the bag, all hundreds of millions of them. Let’s take a look at who are top five of the highest-paid NBA players in 2023 and where your favorite franchise player is on our list. Take note that these are solely based on their current NBA annual salary, which excludes other forms of monetary income like paid promotions, endorsements, NIL, and others. Also, Jaylen Brown, despite getting that 5-year/$304 million supermax contract, won’t be here because he will receive his yearly pay after the 2023-2024 season.
5. Bradley Beal (Phoenix Suns)
In 2022, All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal signed a 5-year $251 Million supermax contract as the Washington Wizards’ sole superstar. Beal may have gotten the bag, but the Wizards did not reach the playoffs last season. Beal only played 50 games but averaged 23.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game.
His deal with Washington in 2022 was very rare because he was the only player with a “no-trade clause”. An NBA player becomes untouchable if he signs a contract with a no-trade clause mainly because he will always have a say on any move/trade that involves him. In line with that, the player has the right to veto a trade if it does not satisfy his requirement.
2023-2024 Salary: $46,741,590
4. Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
Reigning MVP Joel Embiid is among one of the first players to sign a supermax contract in the NBA. In 2021, the Sixers gave the Cameroon native $196 million as a supermax extension, that would span until the 2026-2027 season.
Embiid is playing again like an MVP as he averaged 33.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in the 2023-2024 season. Truly, paying him almost $200 million is very worth it for the Sixers organization.
2023-2024 Salary: $46,900,000
T-3. Nikola Jokic and LeBron James
LeBron James and reigning champion, Nikola Jokic, both share the same amount of guaranteed annual salary of $47.6 million. LBJ signed a 2-year/$99,023,288 contract with the Lakers this summer, while Jokic received a supermax extension right before winning the 2023 championship title.
However, if we count LeBron’s investments, businesses, endorsements, and other forms of moneymaking machines, his yearly pay would actually total north of $100 million. The King also happens to be the richest active NBA player this year, and even until he retires.
2023-2024 Salary: $47,607,350
2. Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
Even at 35 years old, Kevin Durant is still getting paid and is one of the highest-paid players in 2023. The Phoenix Suns are really out there paying their three stars with every money they’ve got. Bradley Beal, who is 5th on this list, is actually getting more money than All-NBA shooting guard Devin Booker. According to spotrac.com, Booker, however, will be paid $36 million after the 2023-2024 season, as he just signed a $224 million supermax contract in 2022.
The Suns are, statistically, one of the best offensive teams in the league right now. But, with three superstars eating $130 million each year away from the team’s salary cap, can they get more pieces to help them win the 2024 championship?
2023-2024 Salary: $47,649,433
1. Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)
Since 2018, Steph Curry has always been the highest-paid NBA player. Since becoming the first-ever unanimous MVP, there’s no question why the Warriors are giving him that kind of money. Well, the Golden State Warriors are actually the richest NBA team in terms of revenue, so there’s that.
With Curry’s current contract, he will still be the top earner until 2026. Just imagine how much the greatest shooter of all time can receive every year! That would only change if a team finally hands out the first $400 million supermax contract. Who do you think will be the first to get that kind of money?
2023-2024 Salary: $51,915,615
