The salaries of professional athletes in North American sports have been increasing quickly in the 21st century, especially in the NBA. The league’s biggest stars make massive salaries, and even role players make impressive salaries. However, what really sets the stars apart is how much they can make in endorsements.
On Thursday, Sportico published an article showing the 20 highest-paid players in the NBA, combining salary and endorsements. This was reposted on X by NBA Central.
The 20 Highest-Paid NBA Players, Combining Salary and Endorsements:
1. LeBron James: $132.6 million
Salary: $52.6M | Endorsements: $80M2. Stephen Curry: $109.6 million
Salary: $59.6M | Endorsements: $50M3. Kevin Durant: $103.3 million
Salary: $53.3M | Endorsements: $50M… pic.twitter.com/y9myzodm8k— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 6, 2025
Top 20 Highest-Paid Players in the NBA in 2025
1. LeBron James – $132.6 Million
Unsurprisingly, LeBron James has the highest annual salary when combining salary and endorsements. While he is no longer the highest-paid player in the league, he still makes $52.6 million on his current contract. He also makes by far the most in endorsements at $80 million.
2. Stephen Curry – $109.6 Million
Steph Curry makes $59.6 million in salary and $50 million in endorsements.
3. Kevin Durant – $103.3 Million
Durant makes a little less than Curry on his salary at $53.3 million, but also makes $50 million from endorsements.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo – $99.1 Million
Antetokounmpo ends a top tier of four players before a big drop in overall annual salary. He gets paid $54.1 million by the Bucks and $45 million from endorsements.
5. Jayson Tatum – $72.1 Million
There is an over $20 million drop from Antetokounmp to Taytum. That is because the four players listed above make far more in endorsements than any other player. Tatum has a comparable $54.1 million salary, but only makes $18 million in endorsements.
6. Anthony Edwards – $65.6 Million
Edwards has a lower $45.6 million salary, but makes $20 million in endorsements.
7. Joel Embiid – $65.2 Million
Emiid makes a $55.2 million salary but only $10 million in endorsements.
8. Jimmy Butler – $65.1 Million
Butler makes $54.1 million annually and $11 million in endorsements.
9. Nikola Jokic – $64.2 Million
Jokic makes $55.2 million in salary and $9 million in endorsements.
10. Devin Booker – $63.1 Million
Rounding out the top 10 is Devin Booker, who makes $53.1 million in salary and $10 million in endorsements.
11. Luka Doncic – 61 Million
12. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 58.3 Million
13. Karl-Anthony Towns – $58.1 Million
14. Anthony Davis – $57.6 Million
15. Donovan Mitchell – $56.9 Million
16. Paul George – $56.7 Million
17. Tyrese Haliburton – $56.6 Million
18. Kawhi Leonard – $56.5 Million
19. Cade Cunningham – $56.4 Million
20. James Harden – $55.2 Million
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