The NBA’s financial landscape is as electrifying as a game-winning buzzer-beater, with jaw-dropping contract extensions rewriting the record books. Leading the charge for the 2025-26 season is none other than Golden State Warriors’ sharpshooting legend Stephen Curry, who will pocket a staggering $59.6 million, cementing his place as the league’s highest-paid player. But hot on his heels is Denver Nuggets’ maestro Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP, tying for second with a cool $55.3 million alongside Philadelphia 76ers’ powerhouse Joel Embiid.
The salary showdown doesn’t stop there. According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, the 2025-26 season’s top earners paint a picture of a league flush with cash and star power:
-
Stephen Curry: $59.6 million
-
Nikola Jokic: $55.3 million
-
Joel Embiid: $55.3 million
-
Giannis Antetokounmpo: $54.2 million
-
Jimmy Butler: $54.2 million
-
Anthony Davis: $54.2 million
-
Jayson Tatum: $54.2 million
-
Kevin Durant: $53.3 million
-
Devin Booker: $53.1 million
-
Jaylen Brown: $53.1 million
-
Karl-Anthony Towns: $53.1 million
-
The NBA’s highest paid players in 2025-26:
Stephen Curry: $59.6 million
Nikola Jokic: $55.3 million
Joel Embiid: $55.3 million
Giannis Antetokounmpo: $54.2 million
Jimmy Butler: $54.2 million
Anthony Davis: $54.2 million
Jayson Tatum: $54.2 million
Kevin Durant: $53.3 million… pic.twitter.com/pJ4o9w5UhC— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 25, 2025
While Curry and Jokic reign supreme in next season’s salary rankings, the average annual value (AAV) of contracts tells a different story. Oklahoma City Thunder’s rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has redefined the market with a record-shattering four-year, $272 million extension, boasting an AAV of $68.1 million starting in 2027-28. This puts him ahead of heavyweights like Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid, all surpassing $60 million in AAV, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Jaylen Brown, and Jimmy Butler also outpacing Jokic in this metric.
Surprisingly, Jokic, widely regarded as the NBA’s premier talent, isn’t yet at the top of the AAV leaderboard. The Serbian superstar turned down a contract extension from the Nuggets this offseason, opting to wait for what’s expected to be a historic deal next summer. As the first player since Larry Bird to finish in the top two of MVP voting for five consecutive seasons, Jokic’s patience could land him a contract approaching $70 million per year—a figure that matches his unparalleled impact on the court.
For now, Jokic’s $55.3 million for 2025-26 is nothing to scoff at, and Curry’s chart-topping paycheck reflects his status as the greatest shooter in NBA history. Both players redefine the game in their own way—Curry with his long-range wizardry and Jokic with his unmatched basketball IQ. As these two titans lead the salary charts, NBA fans can celebrate the fact that the league’s biggest earners are also its most transformative stars. With Jokic poised for an even bigger payday next offseason, the money list is set to get even wilder—brace yourself for the numbers!