Who are the highest-paid NBA players in history?

The NBA is one of the biggest sporting brands in the world, surpassing over $10 billion in revenue, according to the Sports Value website.

Due to the league's size, the superstar players within are paid accordingly, earning some of the largest contracts in all sports.

According to ESPN, Boston Celtics star guard Jaylen Brown signed the biggest contract in NBA history in July 2023, signing a five-year $304 million supermax extension, showcasing where the league is going with contracts.

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The rise of supermax contracts and a new exciting young generation of talent will guarantee the landscape of NBA contracts will change forever, potentially clearing the current top ten within a matter of years.

Here are the current top ten highest-paid NBA players of all time. This excludes sponsorships and business ventures.

The 'Big Diesel' Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most dominant players in NBA history, winning four NBA titles and three Finals MVPs. For his dominance, O'Neal was well compensated, earning nearly $290 million. His biggest contract of $27,696,430 came in 2004-05.

According to Spotrac, LA Clippers star Paul George has earned north of $300 million in his NBA career, bursting on the scene with the Indiana Pacers and since establishing himself as an NBA great. The eight-time All-Star is expected to make $45,640,084 this season.

As reported by Sportskeeda, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players of all time and played his entire career with the LA Lakers, winning five NBA titles. Bryant earned over $20 million a season for his final eight years in the league. A testament to his success in Los Angeles.

'The Big Ticket' Kevin Garnett is the highest-earning non-active player on this list and earned big contracts by staying loyal to the Minnesota Timberwolves for most of his career. However, after joining Boston in 2007, the former MVP finally won his one and only NBA Championship.

As reported by Basketball References, James Harden has become known for trade-demanding contract negotiations as much as his on-court play. Harden is a former MVP, ten-time all-star, and three-time scoring champion but it hasn't converted into an NBA ring.

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Harden's Clippers teammate Russell Westbrook squeaks past him into the top five, having made the bulk of his money early on his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he was MVP of the league. His highest-earning year was $44,211,146 with the Lakers in 2022.

According to Spotrac, Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry has been well compensated for being the key piece in the Warriors dynasty over the past few seasons, winning two MVP awards, one Finals MVP, and four NBA Championships.

Perhaps the most shocking inclusion on this list is fellow Warriors guard Chris Paul, the man nicknamed 'Point God' after five NBA assist titles. Paul made over $100 million in his six seasons with the LA Clippers and has since had bumper contacts with Phoenix and GSW.

As reported by Basketball Reference, Kevin Durant is one of the greatest NBA players ever, winning MVP awards, two NBA titles, a four-time scoring champion, and 14 all-star games. His highest-paid contract is this season, with the Phoenix Suns, earning $46,407,433.

Of course, the highest-paid player in NBA history is GOAT LeBron James, earning nearly $500 million in contracts alone. James is the all-time scoring leader, four-time NBA champion, and four-time Finals MVP and is still playing at an MVP level in his 21st season.

With the rise of bumper contract extensions in the current NBA climate, which young superstars will eventually join this list in the near future?

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