10 Highest-Paid NBA Players in the World in 2022 – Rich Celebrities
Even though 22 games of the NBA’s 2022 season have been postponed due to safety concerns, the highest-paid NBA player managed to make the most of last year. NBA salaries have skyrocketed over the past three decades, with the average salary per player last year being $9.5 million.
according to Forbes, 35 NBA players will make at least $28 million before escrow payments this season, well ahead of the top 10 in the NFL and seven in the MLB. Now that the 2021-22 season has just kicked off in a very familiar fashion, we’re eager to see the highest NBA player salaries, bonuses and endorsements the NBA is expected to pay.
So, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 highest-earning NBA players for you to see how much they can expect to earn in 2022.
The 10 highest paid players in the NBA
1. LeBron James
If someone asks you “who is the highest paid player in the NBA,” you can answer them with the name “LeBron James.” He was the highest-paid basketball player in the NBA for seven consecutive years, including his off-court earnings.
LeBron James will make $95.4 million this year, plus a $31 million salary and $64 million from endorsements, media and memorabilia. However, the global pandemic slowed endorsements, but King James managed to generate $64 million. This year, his earnings will hit $1 billion ($700 million off-market). While still an active athlete, his high earnings saw him join the Three Comma Club and Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Floyd Mayweather and Tiger Woods.
Despite a long-standing relationship with Coca-Cola, LeBron James turned to Pepsi to promote Mountain Dew after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a renewal. Additionally, James retains endorsement deals with Walmart, Nike, AT&T, Rimowa, Blaze Pizza, Beats and GMC.
Beyond basketball, James is also known for his incredible ketogenic transformation and some of his most inspiring quotes. One of his powerful quotes is “You have to be able to accept failure to get better.”
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers
- Salary: $31 million
- Endorsements: $64 million
- Total revenue: $95.4 million
2. Stephen Curry
For four straight seasons, Curry was one of the highest-paid NBA players. He closed a cheap basement deal for $44 million over four years. During that time, Stephen Curry won two MVP awards and also led the Warriors to two NBA championships.
Curry’s total earnings were $74.4 million, including $34.4 million in salary and $40 million in endorsements. In addition, Curry’s production company, Unanimous Media, began dabbling in podcasting last year with a premiere deal with Amazon-owned Audible.
- Team: Golden State Warriors
- Salary: $34.4 million
- Endorsements: $40 million
- Total revenue: $74.4 million
3. Kevin Durant
Durant is the third-highest-paid player in the NBA. In November 2020, Kevin Durant scored on Uber’s $2.65 billion acquisition of food delivery service Postmates. Durant invested in the startup back in 2016 at a discounted entry price in exchange for his endorsement. He roughly converted the initial $1 million in shares to $15 million.
- Team: Brooklyn Nets
- Salary: $31.2 million
- Endorsements: $34 million
- Total revenue: $65.2 million
4. Russell Westbrook
Westbrook has cut back on endorsements in recent years. Despite the plethora of teams and varied states, his earnings haven’t been affected. He won the gold medal through his partnership with Nike, which earned him $58.1 million. Additionally, Russel Westbrook has a strong portfolio of auto dealers with ten dealerships in Southern California.
- Team: Washington Wizards
- Salary: $33 million
- Endorsements: $25 million
- Total revenue: $58.1 million
5. James Harden
James’ deal with Adidas pays about $14 million a year, and he benefits from endorsements from Body Armor, Stance and Art or Sports. The 2018 NBA MVP has joined smart home fragrance brand Pura as an investor and creative director.
- Team: Brooklyn Nets
- Salary: $33 million
- Endorsements: $17 million
- Total revenue: $50 million
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo
With total earnings of $49 million, the No. 6 basketball player is Giannis Antetokounmpo. He signed the richest deal in NBA history by signing a five-year extension with the Milwaukee Bucks for $228 million.according to Forbes, Disney has locked up the rights to a film about his life, a journey from Greece to NBA stardom. The film will be released in 2022. Giannis is the youngest of all the highest-paid NBA players at 26.
- Team: Milwaukee Bucks
- Salary: $22 million
- Endorsements: $27 million
- Total revenue: $49 million
7. Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson earned $28.3 million in salary, $15 million in endorsements, and $43.3 million in total earnings. That qualifies him to appear on the list of the 10 highest-paid players in the NBA. He may be going through the most unfortunate injury in sports history, but players are still making big bucks.
In October, the star launched CBD brand Just Live with Travis Pastrana, Paul Rodriguez and Alex Morgan. The brand aims to ensure healthy recovery with a natural alternative to pain relievers. In addition, Thompon has endorsement contracts with Mercedes-Benz, Kaiser Permanente and Tissot. However, most of his off-market revenue comes from Chinese footwear partner Anta.
- Team: Golden State Warriors
- Salary: $28.3 million
- Endorsements: $15 million
- Total revenue: $43.3 million
8. Kyrie Irving
Last year wasn’t a good season for the star, as he missed seven games for the Nets in January.according to ESPN, Irving said “just needs a pause.” Irving was fined $900,000 and $50,000 for not following COVID-19 protocols. However, the generous salary and lucrative endorsements make him more than comfortable. The 2018 film, Uncle Drew, was inspired by Kyrie Irving’s viral ad campaign with Pepsi, though the company has no active partnerships with players.
- Team: Brooklyn Nets
- Salary: $26 million
- Endorsements: $17 million
- Total revenue: $43 million
9. Chris Paul
Chris Paul managed to rank 9th among the 10 highest paid players in the NBA with $40.1 million in total earnings. Including his $33.1 million salary and $7 million in endorsements. The president of the NBA Players Association shows his impact by investing in a pair of funds from Turner Impact Capital. Paul also personally invested in Beyond Meat. Next season, Chris Paul has a $44.2 million option that no one will miss at his position.
- Team: Phoenix Suns
- Salary: $33.1 million
- Endorsements: $7 million
- Total revenue: $40.1 million
10. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard ranks 10th with $39 million in total earnings compared to the rest of the NBA’s highest-paid players. Including Lillard’s $25 million salary and $14 million in endorsements. When we talk about NBA player salaries, Damian’s salary is the lowest among the top 10 highest paid players in the NBA. Thanks to his endorsement earnings, that makes Lillard eligible to appear on the roster.
He recently joined Gatorade’s product line Bolt24, which launched in 2019.Damian told Forbes“It’s new now, but one day Bolt24 will become something known. I think it’s an opportunity to connect with that history.” Last year, Damian also wrote for Los Angeles, Chicago and New York high schools. Six underprivileged students start an annual internship program.
- Team: Portland Trail Blazers
- Salary: $25 million
- Endorsements: $14 million
- Total revenue: $39 million
strontium# | Player name | Team Name | salary | endorsement | Total revenue |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers | $31.4 million | $64 million | $95.4 million |
2. | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $34.4 million | $40 million | $74.4 million |
3. | Kevin Durant | Brooklyn Nets | $31.2 million | $34 million | $65.2 million |
4. | Russell Westbrook | Washington Wizards | $33 million | $25 million | $58.1 million |
5. | James Harden | Brooklyn Nets | $33 million | $17 million | $50 million |
6. | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | $22 million | $27 million | $49 million |
7. | Klay Thompson | Golden State Warriors | $28.3 million | $15 million | $43.3 million |
8. | Kyrie Irving | Brooklyn Nets | $26 million | $17 million | $43 million |
9. | Chris Paul | phoenix suns | $33.1 million | $7 million | $40.1 million |
10. | Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers | $25 million | $14 million | $39 million |
last words
Well, these are the 10 highest-paid NBA players in the world in 2022. Some earn more from NBA salaries, some from their endorsements with brands. You may have noticed that Stephen Curry is paid more than LeBron James. If we sort by NBA salary rankings, the higher salary makes Curry the highest paid player. But since we’re looking for the highest paid players, LeBron James is at the top of them all.
In general, however, everyone made a lot of money, which made them all comfortable. While all of these NBA players are great on the court and great in the game, Stephen Curry is my favorite. Let me know which player is your favorite in the comments section below?
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