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NBA Contracts, the Highest-Paid Players of Every Season
Here is the ranking of the highest NBA contracts of every season, from 1984 to today. Surprises are guaranteed!
NBA players often make it to the lists of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Between massive contracts and sponsorships, many who have stepped onto an NBA court have accumulated enormous wealth.
So, after seeing who is the highest-paid player of the 2024/25 season, here’s a broader look starting from the 1984/85 season, focusing on the richest contracts of each season.
If your curiosity goes beyond this ranking, here’s the list compiled by Bleacher Report of the 10 most underpaid players in recent NBA history.
Highest NBA Contracts of Every Season
| Season | Player | Team | Salary (millions) |
| 1984/85 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | $2.5 |
| 1985/86 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | $2.5 |
| 1986/87 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | $2.5 |
| 1987/88 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $2.75 |
| 1988/89 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $3.25 |
| 1989/90 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $3.75 |
| 1990/91 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $4.25 |
| 1991/92 | Larry Bird | Boston Celtics | $7.1 |
| 1992/93 | David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs | $5.7 |
| 1993/94 | David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs | $5.7 |
| 1994/95 | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | $14.7 |
| 1995/96 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $18.7 |
| 1996/97 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | $30.1 |
| 1997/98 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | $33.1 |
| 1998/99 | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | $18.5 |
| 1999/00 | Shaquille O’Neal | Los Angeles Lakers | $17.1 |
| 2000/01 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | $19.6 |
| 2001/02 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | $22.4 |
| 2002/03 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | $25.2 |
| 2003/04 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | $28.0 |
| 2004/05 | Shaquille O’Neal | Miami Heat | $27.7 |
| 2005/06 | Shaquille O’Neal | Miami Heat | $20.0 |
| 2006/07 | Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | $21.0 |
| 2007/08 | Kevin Garnett | Boston Celtics | $23.7 |
| 2008/09 | Kevin Garnett | Boston Celtics | $24.7 |
| 2009/10 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $23.0 |
| 2010/11 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $24.8 |
| 2011/12 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $25.2 |
| 2012/13 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $30.4 |
| 2013/14 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $30.4 |
| 2014/15 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $23.5 |
| 2015/16 | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers | $25.0 |
| 2016/17 | LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers | $30.9 |
| 2017/18 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $34.6 |
| 2018/19 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $37.4 |
| 2019/20 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $40.2 |
| 2020/21 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $43.0 |
| 2021/22 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $45.7 |
| 2022/23 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $48.1 |
| 2023/24 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $51.9 |
| 2024/25 | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $55.7 |