Making buckets and bags, who’s earning the most in the NBA this season?

There are few sports where one player can elevate an entire team, basketball is one of them so it should not be surprising to see the enormous figures some of the sport’s superstars earn. Here are the top 20 earners in the NBA for this season, as reported by Sporting News.

Siakam is one of the best defenders in the NBA, earning two All-Star nods and playing a big part in the Raptors’ 2019 Championship.

Ben Simmons is a classic case of ‘what could have been?’ Drafted by the Sixers number one overall, his career has never quite taken off how many expected it would. Still, he’s earning nearly $40 million this coming season, so we reckon he’ll be OK.

The Sixers traded for Harris hoping he would be a key player for them as they ascended to the NBA title. It hasn’t really worked for either Harris or the 76ers so far, but there’s always next year…

One of the very best players in the NBA, seamlessly moving from the Euroleague to the NBA. He seems to improve every year, and at only 24 he has many years ahead of him.

Two All-Star nods, two Dunk Contest wins, and an Olympic gold medal are just a few of the accolades LaVine has acquired so far in his career. The Bulls will be very content paying him over $40 million this coming season.

Young is well on his way to being one of the best point guards in the league, averaging 26.2 PPG and 10.2 APG last season. Expect plenty more to come from the Hawks’ superstar.

‘The Brow’ was a key part of the Lakers’ 2020 Championship, partnering LeBron James in Los Angeles on way to another title for one of the most storied franchises in the NBA.

The quantity of draft capital and the number of players the Timberwolves were willing to send to the Jazz for Gobert shows how highly they rated the Frenchman. He’s a physical presence at center and a key part of a team with title aspirations (realistic or not…)

One of the best three-point shooters of all time, but bizarrely not even the best on his team. Thompson is a huge part of one of the most dominant dynasties in recent times.

An absolute battler of a player who seems to relish the biggest moments more than most, Butler is the main man in Miami leading the Heat all the way to the Finals last season.

‘The Greek Freak’ has been a dominant presence for the Bucks since he entered the league as one of the youngest players of all time. His 2021 Championship was well deserved.

A two-time NBA champ, Leonard is up there as one of the best players of his era as he has been able to dominate at both ends of the court.

Recently the key part of a huge three-team trade involving the Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, and Portland Trail Blazers. Lilliard will be looking to make an instant impact with the Bucks who have a real chance to win another chip.

George was supposed to combine with Leonard at the Clippers and lead the ‘other’ Los Angeles team to glory. So far that hasn’t quite materialized, but George has still been an elite player throughout his career.

After a long stint with the Wizards, Beal was moved to the Phoenix Suns in the offseason. The Suns have assembled an excellent roster and Beal looks to be a key cog as they attempt to challenge for a chip.

Four MVPs, four championships, and four Finals MVPs as well as becoming the highest-scoring player in NBA history last season. There will always be debate about who’s the GOAT, but James is always going to be in the conversation.

Last year’s MVP, Embiid has been amongst the best players in the league for some time, maybe this is the season the Sixers put it all together and make a run?

A ludicrously talented center, Jokic makes the game look simple at times as he plays the game almost unperturbed by those around him. It was no surprise to see him lead the Nuggets to a chip last year.

Another player acquired by the Suns as they look to make a real push for a championship, Durant has been one of the best players in basketball for quite some time, if he can stay healthy there aren’t many rosters that look more talented than the Suns.

By far the greatest shooter the sport has ever seen, Curry has been a dominant presence in a team that has forever changed basketball, and per Sporting News, he’s also the highest-paid player in the NBA.