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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

SeasonPlayerTeamSalary (millions)
1984/85Magic JohnsonLos Angeles Lakers$2.5
1985/86Magic JohnsonLos Angeles Lakers$2.5
1986/87Magic JohnsonLos Angeles Lakers$2.5
1987/88Patrick EwingNew York Knicks$2.75
1988/89Patrick EwingNew York Knicks$3.25
1989/90Patrick EwingNew York Knicks$3.75
1990/91Patrick EwingNew York Knicks$4.25
1991/92Larry BirdBoston Celtics$7.1
1992/93David RobinsonSan Antonio Spurs$5.7
1993/94David RobinsonSan Antonio Spurs$5.7
1994/95Magic JohnsonLos Angeles Lakers$14.7
1995/96Patrick EwingNew York Knicks$18.7
1996/97Michael JordanChicago Bulls$30.1
1997/98Michael JordanChicago Bulls$33.1
1998/99Patrick EwingNew York Knicks$18.5
1999/00Shaquille O’NealLos Angeles Lakers$17.1
2000/01Kevin GarnettMinnesota Timberwolves$19.6
2001/02Kevin GarnettMinnesota Timberwolves$22.4
2002/03Kevin GarnettMinnesota Timberwolves$25.2
2003/04Kevin GarnettMinnesota Timberwolves$28.0
2004/05Shaquille O’NealMiami Heat$27.7
2005/06Shaquille O’NealMiami Heat$20.0
2006/07Kevin GarnettMinnesota Timberwolves$21.0
2007/08Kevin GarnettBoston Celtics$23.7
2008/09Kevin GarnettBoston Celtics$24.7
2009/10Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers$23.0
2010/11Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers$24.8
2011/12Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers$25.2
2012/13Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers$30.4
2013/14Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers$30.4
2014/15Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers$23.5
2015/16Kobe BryantLos Angeles Lakers$25.0
2016/17LeBron JamesCleveland Cavaliers$30.9
2017/18Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors$34.6
2018/19Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors$37.4
2019/20Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors$40.2
2020/21Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors$43.0
2021/22Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors$45.7
2022/23Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors$48.1
2023/24Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors$51.9
2024/25Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors$55.7

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