LeBron James is once again leading the list of highest-paid NBA players, as he’s ready to enter a year that will give him a lot of revenues in the following months. After winning his fourth title, the King is ready to keep increasing his legacy both on and off the court.
The NBA is a billion-dollar business after all the good things they’ve done with their brand, their players, and everything involved in the final product. The association is one of the best and most famous sports competitions in the world and that only increases every year.
Joining LeBron, we have other players that have seen their realities changed after they entered the league. It’s time to go through the list of the highest-paid NBA players in 2021, according to Forbes, featuring some big names that have done nothing but be great.
10. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard is one of the best players in his position and one of the most loyal players in the NBA and the Portland Trail Blazers awarded him with a huge contract a couple of years ago. He's set to make $39 million this year, $25M from his deal and $14M in endorsements.
9. Chris Paul
Chris Paul has one of the heftiest contracts in the NBA right now and it doesn't seem like he will opt out of it next season. He's set to earn $40 million this year, $33.1M from his deal and $7 million from endorsements. CP3 has never won an NBA championship but he's making a lot of money every single season.
8. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving has been one of the most recurrent names in the league this season after everything that happened with him before and during the start of the competition, with some controversies included. Irving is set to make $43 million this year, with $26M coming from his salary and $17 million from endorsements.
7. Klay Thompson
The Golden State Warriors shooting guard isn't playing this season but he's making sure to get that dough even from the sidelines. Klay is set to receive $43.3 million this year, with $28.3 coming in the form of his salary and $15 million from endorsements. Thompson has been one of the greatest shooters in the league for some time now and that has definitely paid off for him.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis, the current NBA MVP award winner had a very rough early life in Greece, where he had to work as a child to help his family survive. This year he will make almost $50 million, getting $22 million in salary and $27 million via endorsements. It's worth noting that Giannis signed the largest contract in NBA history and when that deal kicks in, he will be higher on this list.
5. James Harden
The Beard has been one of the greatest scorers in the NBA in recent years and even though this season didn't start the best way for him, he's trying to lead the Brooklyn Nets to the promised land alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant (also featured on this list). The 2018 NBA MVP is set to make $50 million this year, $33 million from his salary and $17M from endorsements.
4. Russell Westbrook
Brodie earned a huge contract when he was still part of the Oklahoma City Thunder. One of the reasons why it was hard for the Rockets to find a trade partner for him was precisely that, as Russ is due $33 million in salary this year. The point guard will receive $25 million thanks to endorsements, totaling $58.1 million for this year.
3. Kevin Durant
Now we've entered the top 3m of this list and Kevin Durant is the person that welcomes us. KD is set to make $65.2 million this year, according to Forbes. $31.2 million will come in the form of his salary after signing a three-year deal with the Nets in 2019 and he will receive $34 million in endorsements.
2. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is one of the most influential players in the NBA right now. This man changed the way the game is played and he's known how to capitalize on that. He's also a successful businessman and his earnings this year are incredibly huge. The Golden State Warriors superstar is set to make $74.4 million this year, getting $34.4 million from salary and $40 million in endorsements. He recently announced his shoe brand so this number will get even higher in the upcoming years.
1. LeBron James
LeBron James is the biggest name in the NBA and one of the most famous athletes in the world right now. The Los Angeles Lakers star is set to make $95.4 million this year, getting $31.4 million only in salary and the rest, $64 million, in endorsements. He is the face of the NBA and one of the most influential individuals in the world. The King is making nearly $100 million per year and that number will keep increasing in the following years.
