Stephen Curry was projected to be the top-earning player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the 2025/26 season, with on-court earnings of 59.6 million U.S. dollars and endorsements worth 100 million U.S. dollars. Trailing the legendary point guard was another basketball icon, LeBron James, with total earnings of 137.6 million U.S. dollars.
NBA revenue streams
Players in the NBA have two main sources of revenue: on-court salaries, and endorsements from companies and brands. NBA players not only have deals with sports brands such as Nike and Adidas, but also with consumer products such as Coca-Cola, Panini, Kia Motors, and Red Bull, to name a few. Shoe deals are particularly profitable for NBA players. Michael Jordan, for example, still profits from endorsements, as his signature Air Jordan shoes have a large share of the basketball shoe market.
King James reigns supreme
Although Steph Curry was set to earn more in 2025/26, LeBron James remained the NBA player with the highest cumulative career earnings as of November 2025, with over 580 million U.S. dollars in on-court earnings. As a four-time MVP winner and the NBA's all-time highest scorer, James' earnings have certainly been backed up by his on-court performances.
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Forbes. (October 21, 2025). Highest-paid National Basketball Association (NBA) players in 2025/26 (in million U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from /statistics/202939/nba-players-with-the-highest-salaries/
Forbes. "Highest-paid National Basketball Association (NBA) players in 2025/26 (in million U.S. dollars)." Chart. October 21, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 19, 2026. /statistics/202939/nba-players-with-the-highest-salaries/
Forbes. (2025). Highest-paid National Basketball Association (NBA) players in 2025/26 (in million U.S. dollars). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 19, 2026. /statistics/202939/nba-players-with-the-highest-salaries/
Forbes. "Highest-paid National Basketball Association (Nba) Players in 2025/26 (in Million U.S. Dollars)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 21 Oct 2025, /statistics/202939/nba-players-with-the-highest-salaries/
Forbes, Highest-paid National Basketball Association (NBA) players in 2025/26 (in million U.S. dollars) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/202939/nba-players-with-the-highest-salaries/ (last visited July 19, 2026)
Highest-paid National Basketball Association (NBA) players in 2025/26 (in million U.S. dollars) [Graph], Forbes, October 21, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/202939/nba-players-with-the-highest-salaries/
