In a league known for its sky-high contracts, sneaker endorsements, and billion-dollar franchises, one question always captures fans’ attention: Who is the highest paid NBA player right now?
For the 2024–25 NBA season, the answer is both straightforward and nuanced. While one player leads in base salary, others are breaking records with average annual values (AAV) through new extensions. Let’s dive deep into who’s earning the most, how they got there, and why these salaries keep climbing.
Stephen Curry — The Highest Paid NBA Player (Base Salary)
At the top of the list for 2024–25 is none other than Stephen Curry, the legendary point guard for the Golden State Warriors. He is earning an eye-watering $55.76 million this season, making him the highest-paid NBA player by single-season salary.
This is not new territory for Curry. In fact, he has topped the NBA salary rankings for multiple years now, thanks to a massive four-year, $215 million contract extension he signed in 2021. His leadership, clutch shooting, and four NBA championships have made him one of the most bankable stars in league history.
Curry’s 2024–25 Salary Breakdown:
- Base salary: $55,761,216
- 2024–25 NBA rank: #1
- Contract: Final years of his 4-year/$215M deal
Who Else Is Close? The Salary Race Heats Up
While Curry holds the crown for now, other NBA superstars are not far behind in terms of both base salaries and total contract value. Here are a few notable names in the top salary rankings:
| Player | 2024–25 Salary | Team |
| Stephen Curry | $55.76 million | Golden State Warriors |
| Nikola Jokić | $51.42 million | Denver Nuggets |
| Joel Embiid | $51.42 million | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Kevin Durant | $51.18 million | Phoenix Suns |
| Bradley Beal | $50.20 million | Phoenix Suns |
These players are all former MVPs or All-Stars and have signed multi-year max deals that reflect their immense value to their franchises.Highest Average Annual Value (AAV): Devin Booker & Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Even though Curry has the highest annual salary right now, recent contract extensions have introduced a new wave of record-breaking deals, especially in terms of Average Annual Value (AAV).
Devin Booker – $72.5M/year (Highest AAV in NBA History)
In July 2025, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker signed a 2-year, $145 million contract extension, giving him an unprecedented AAV of $72.5 million the highest in NBA history.
This deal signals both Phoenix’s commitment to its franchise star and the NBA’s rising salary cap environment, fueled by booming media rights and global growth.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – ~$71.25M/year
Oklahoma City Thunder’s rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also made headlines by signing a 4-year, $285 million supermax extension, placing him right behind Booker in terms of average earnings per year.
Breaking Down the Difference: Salary vs. AAV
When analyzing “highest paid,” it’s important to distinguish two key terms:
1. Base Salary (Per Season)
- This is the amount a player is paid for a single season.
- Stephen Curry currently leads in this category.
2. Average Annual Value (AAV)
- This is the average amount per year over the course of a contract.
- Devin Booker now holds the record here, even if his base salary this year is lower than Curry’s.
In other words:
- Curry is earning the most this season.
- Booker will earn the most on average over the next 2 years.
Why Are NBA Salaries So High?
Several factors contribute to the sky-high salaries we see today:
1. Rising Salary Cap
- The NBA’s revenue has soared due to global popularity, merchandise, digital platforms, and TV deals.
- As a result, the salary cap (the limit on how much teams can spend) increases almost every year.
2. International Appeal
- Stars like Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo have brought global fans into the NBA ecosystem.
- More fans = more money = bigger player paychecks.
3. Broadcast Rights & Streaming
- TV networks and platforms pay billions to broadcast NBA games.
- These deals fund player salaries and league operations.
Who Else Is Expected to Break Records Soon?
With the market heating up, younger stars like Anthony Edwards, Luka Dončić, and Jayson Tatum are on pace to sign even larger extensions in coming years. If salary cap projections hold, we might see AAVs cross $75 million/year by 2027.
Final Thoughts
The title of Highest Paid NBA Player in 2024–25 officially belongs to Stephen Curry, with a staggering salary of over $55 million. But with recent supermax extensions signed by stars like Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the landscape is shifting rapidly.
As the NBA grows, so do the contracts and the stars at the top are making history with every signature.
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