Top 5 Highest Paid NBA Players (2024)

The new NBA season is approaching, and like every year, debates over the salaries of the league's superstars are raging. But beyond the staggering numbers, what do these astronomical sums really mean for basketball, for the players, and for the fans? Let's dive into this top 5 of the highest-paid NBA players for the 2024-2025 season, while exploring what this reveals about the current dynamics of the sport.

Stephen Curry: The Payroll King

Golden State Warriors wizard Stephen Curry isn’t just ruling the court with his unmatched three-point shooting. He’s also dominating the NBA salary charts. With a contract extension that nets him a $62.6 million salary for the 2024-25 season, Curry has reached a historic milestone. He becomes the third player in NBA history to surpass the $500 million mark in contracts, joining legends LeBron James and Kevin Durant. While that number may be impressive, it underscores an undeniable truth: The NBA is a business, where on-court performance translates directly into dollars.

But does Curry really deserve such a salary? Some would say yes, that he redefined the modern game with his long-range shooting and is one of the most influential figures of the last decade. Others, however, might wonder if this is a sign that athletes' salaries are becoming unreasonable, disconnected from the economic reality of the rest of the world. But after all, isn't the NBA a reflection of American society, where success is often measured by accumulated wealth?

Joel Embiid: The Giant at the Top

In second place is Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, whose contract is equally colossal. Embiid has not only been a leader on the court, but he also made an impression at the last Olympics, where he won gold with Team USA. However, his journey has not been without its pitfalls. Between injuries and criticism of his fitness, Embiid has often had to prove his worth. His salary reflects as much his physical dominance as his status as a global basketball icon. It could be said that the NBA rewards not only current performance, but also resilience in the face of adversity.

Kevin Durant: The Survivor

Kevin Durant, a veteran player of the Phoenix Suns, comes in fourth. His salary might seem justified for a player who has already proven so much. But in an NBA landscape where youth and novelty are often overvalued, seeing Durant still paid so well shows that experience and consistency still have their place. However, Durant has a controversial reputation, between his team changes and his altercations on social media. Does all of this diminish the value of his on-court performances? Perhaps to some, but to his fans and employers, he remains one of the most valuable talents in modern basketball.

LeBron James: The King in Decline?

And then there’s LeBron James, No. 14 on this year’s list, with a salary of “only” $48.7 million. Yes, it’s still a huge number, but for LeBron, it’s a drop in the rankings, having long been the highest-paid player. Does this reflect the end of LeBron’s reign? Perhaps. But it’s also a sign that even the greatest must eventually give way to the next generation. Still, his impact on the game and the NBA in general can’t be ignored. LeBron remains a living legend, and despite his salary cut, he continues to be a dominant force both on and off the court, where he has a slew of entrepreneurial ventures.

Rudy Gobert: The French Exception

Finally, in 15th place, we find Rudy Gobert, the only Frenchman in the ranking, with a salary of $43.8 million. Gobert has long been underestimated, but today, his status as an elite defensive center is undeniable. His contract proves that even in a league dominated by Americans, a foreign player can impose himself and earn considerable sums. Gobert embodies this rise of international players in the NBA, a league that, while deeply American, is becoming increasingly global. For French fans, seeing Gobert at this level is a source of pride, but it also raises the question: when will another Frenchman be at the top of the NBA, not only on the court, but also in terms of financial recognition?

Looking at this top five, it’s clear that NBA salaries are more than just a measure of athletic performance. They reflect complex dynamics, involving popularity, global influence, longevity, and sometimes even internal franchise politics. And while these numbers may seem outrageous, they also serve as a reminder that in sports, as in life, value is subjective. Every contract, every salary, is the result of a multitude of factors, both visible and invisible.

So the question remains: Are these salaries justified, or are they just another manifestation of the excess in modern professional sports? Everyone will have their own opinion, but one thing is for sure: these numbers will continue to inspire fascination, jealousy, and heated debate. Because, ultimately, the NBA is more than just a game. It’s a spectacle, a business, and for some, an obsession.