As the NBA prepares for the 2025-26 season, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry will command the highest salary in the league, earning $59.6 million. Widely regarded as the greatest shooter in basketball history, Curry’s position atop the pay scale highlights both his individual excellence and market value. Close behind him is Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who is set to make $55.3 million, tying him with Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid for the second-highest salary next season.
Details on Top NBA Contracts and Salary Rankings
Besides the top three earners, several other NBA players are poised to make significant salaries, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, and Jayson Tatum each earning $54.2 million. Following them are Kevin Durant at $53.3 million, along with Devin Booker, Jaylen Brown, and Karl-Anthony Towns, all marked at around $53.1 million. Despite these high figures, none of these immediate salary figures reflect some upcoming contract extensions that will further increase player earnings.
The highest average annual salary currently belongs to Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose record-breaking four-year extension, starting in the 2027-28 season, is worth $272 million, averaging $68.1 million annually. This contract illustrates the growing financial scale of the NBA, even if the payout for Gilgeous-Alexander has yet to commence.
Nikola Jokic’s Contract Decision and Future Earnings Prospects
While Nikola Jokic ranks second in salary for the 2025-26 season, he chose not to sign a contract extension this offseason, potentially waiting until the 2026 offseason to secure an even more lucrative deal. This decision could net Jokic approximately $80 million more than if he had signed earlier. Jokic’s consistent excellence, marked by being the first player since Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird to finish in the top two of MVP voting for five consecutive seasons, solidifies his claim to a future contract potentially worth close to $70 million per year.
Nikola Jokic has informed Nuggets he won’t sign a contract extension this offseason, per @BennettDurando. Jokic can earn approximately $80M more by waiting until 2026 offseason to sign extension.— Underdog NBA
Until then, Jokic’s $55.3 million salary remains among the highest in the NBA, rewarding him well as both a player and an influential figure in the league. His restraint in contract negotiations reflects a calculated approach to securing a record-breaking deal that matches his elite status.
Impact of Salary Rankings on the NBA Landscape
The prominence of Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic atop the salary list symbolizes their immense impact on the game. Both players are not only franchise cornerstones but also carry significant influence on and off the court. The presence of other stars such as Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jimmy Butler with similarly high salaries indicates a wide pool of talent commanding major financial commitments from their teams.
With contract extensions like Gilgeous-Alexander’s on the horizon and Jokic’s potential renewal forthcoming, the NBA’s salary structure is expected to evolve significantly. This progression will continue to reflect the league’s growing financial strength as well as the increasing value placed on superstar talent in the modern game.