Stephen Curry leads NBA highest-paid players list with historic earnings
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 23, 2026, 10:30 AM
Last updated Oct 23, 2026

Forbes published its annual list of the NBA's highest-paid players, with Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors topping the rankings. Curry earned $62.6 million in salary and approximately $141 million off the court, becoming the first player to surpass $200 million in a year. LeBron James, now with the Philadelphia 76ers, ranked fourth with earnings of $93.9 million after taking a significant pay cut. Contracts for older players have become contentious, as teams weigh long-term financial commitments against performance. The current collective bargaining agreement runs through 2029-30, but negotiations may arise soon due to concerns surrounding contract structures and the impact of the league's second-apron rules.
- •Curry earns total of $203 million, leading all NBA players.
- •LeBron James ranks fourth, taking a $50 million pay cut.
- •NBA's pay structure favors older players despite declining performance.
- •CBA negotiations may begin as concerns about contracts grow.
- •Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown partly for financial considerations.
- 10:30 AMYahoo Sports — NBA's Highest-Paid Players List Could Help Solve The League's Contract Dilemma
"NBA teams can pay players more when they’re in their mid-30s than they can in their mid-20s, which is counterintuitive in terms of expected production moving forward.
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