Who's Earned the Most Salary in NBA History?

Whether you like it or not, GOAT debates are an inescapable part of the modern sports landscape. If you're sitting at the bar or watching the talking heads on TV, the conversation will eventually land on all-time greatness.

But have you ever wondered who holds the NBA's on-court earnings crown? Let's break that down with a few caveats.

First, the rankings are obviously skewed toward the modern day, which is simply the reality of TV deals and rising revenue. Michael Jordan, after all, only made eight figures during two seasons of his legendary career.

Secondly, this list is limited to on-court earnings. Continuing with the Jordan example, His Airness has become incredibly wealthy from his business ventures, but that's not reflected in these rankings.

And lastly, this list reflects salaries through the 2023-24 season. Since most of the top-10 players are still active, there's room for plenty more revenue.

With that being said, let's get into the numbers.

Who's Earned the Most Money In NBA History?

These days, professional sports have become a big-time business with the top players earning massive salaries. But have you ever wondered how much the highest earners have made over the years? Well, within the NBA world, modern names understandably rule the roost.

10. Shaquille O'Neal: $286,344,668

• Active 1992-2011

• Played for the Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers and Celtics

• Four NBA championships

While he's a bit older than some of the other names on this list, it's tough to overlook O'Neal. The big man proved to be dominant (and incredibly athletic) during his prime, making him a high-priced star. From the 2001-02 season through the 2009-10 campaign, he never took home less than $20 million per season. And even though we're focusing on NBA salary, O'Neal's off-court endeavors will only have added to his bottom line.

9. Paul George: $305,332,086

• Active 2010-present

• Has played for the Pacers, Thunder and Clippers

• Zero NBA championships

While George has yet to earn a championship ring, he has earned a pretty penny during his time in the association. His current contract in Hollywood (worth more than $176 million across four years) pushed him into the league's upper financial bracket, and he should remain there, whether he picks up his player option or tests free agency. Injuries have been a lingering concern, but George is too talented to be overlooked.

8. Kobe Bryant: $323,312,307

• Active 1996-2016

• Played for the Lakers

• Five NBA Championships

Not only did Bryant finish his career with more championship rings than his teammate/rival Shaq, but he also took home a larger salary. Bryant's earning power peaked during the 2013-14 season when he earned more than $30 million and, on the balance of his career, it's hard to argue that he didn't deserve it. Beyond his on-court success, the Lakers star was his generation's Jordan; there's a reason, after all, that kids would shout "Kobe" when throwing garbage into the can.

7. Kevin Garnett: $334,304,240

• Active 1995-2016

• Played for the Timberwolves, Celtics and Nets

• One NBA Championship

Garnett was nicknamed "The Big Ticket," but he also commanded a big salary. That was true during his early days with the Timberwolves, but he stayed in the eight-figure range until the tail end of his career. Even in that return to Minnesota, though, he was still paid handsomely, signing a two-year deal worth $16.5 million.

6. James Harden: $338,570,135

• Active 2009-present

• Has played for the Thunder, Rockets, Nets, 76ers and Clippers

• Zero NBA Championships

While Harden can be a divisive figure in NBA circles—Is he capable of getting a team over the hump? Or is he destined to be a ball-stopper and then ask to leave town?—teams are willing to pay a premium for his offensive abilities. The bearded guard has bounced around the league, but he's still earning more than $35 million during the 2023-24 season, thanks to his player option.

Even if the days of his $171 million mega deal have passed, it's safe to assume he'll keep adding to his bottom line in the years to come. Scoring points is ultimately how you win basketball games, and teams understand that reality.

5. Russell Westbrook: $340,265,800

• Active 2008-present

• Has played for the Thunder, Rockets, Wizards, Lakers and Clippers

• Zero NBA Championships

Westbrook's reputation has slipped a bit in recent years and that's taken a toll on his contract. The guard is in the second year of a two-year, $7.8 million deal, and it doesn't look like he'll ever reach the heights of his $206 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder again.

Can Westbrook squeeze some more money out of his playing career? Sure, but it will remain to be seen what his market looks like moving forward. Will he accept an even smaller deal to try to earn an elusive championship ring?

4. Stephen Curry: $354,721,977

• Active 2009-Present

• Plays for the Golden State Warriors

• Four NBA Championships

Whether you go by his statistical resume or the fact that he's largely responsible for three-point shooting's relevance in modern basketball, Curry has earned his place in the NBA pantheon. And, fittingly, he's sitting near the top of the all-time earnings list, too.

And while retirement is starting to enter the conversation, Steph still has at least two years of big-time salary ($55.8 and $59.6 million) on his current contract.

3. Chris Paul: $389,909,419

• Active 2005-present

• Has played for the Hornets, Clippers, Rockets, Thunder, Suns and Warriors

• Zero NBA Championships

With a nickname like "The Point God," Paul has to be good. And that reality is represented in both his resume and bottom line. The Wake Forest product has 12 All-Star nods and four All-NBA First-Team appearances during his time in the pros, and took home nearly $400 million over that time.

His future is somewhat of a question mark. Paul is going to turn 39 this year and the final year of his contract isn't guaranteed, but he's rightly among the NBA's financial elite.

2. Kevin Durant: $396,705,024

• Active 2007-present

• Has played for the SuperSonics/Thunder, Warriors, Nets and Suns

• Two NBA Championships

Although some fans and pundits take issue with Durant's resume since he only won a championship by joining the Golden State Warriors, the Slim Reaper's blend of size and skill have made him an undeniable NBA star. And, over the years, that's made him a rather rich man.

Despite changing teams, KD has still inked some sizable contracts at his various stops. As of the 2023-24 season, he's earned more than $60 million at each stop in his career (if you count Seattle and Oklahoma City together, since the franchise relocated), and he has at least $100 million more coming his way.

1. LeBron James: $479,466,457

• Active 2003-present

• Has played for the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers

• Four NBA championships

Whether you think he's the NBA's GOAT or not, there's no questioning James when it comes to his place atop the association's earnings ladder.

And while the total will keep rising—James has a $51 million player option in his pocket for the 2024-25 campaign— that doesn't look like the end of his salary. The Lakers star has been open about his desire to play alongside his son, Bronny, and recent scouting reports suggest that could take more time than initially anticipated.

Add a Brian Windhorst report that King James could be eyeing a sizable multi-year contract, and it's fair to assume he'll remain atop the NBA's financial throne.