The NBA is back! The 2021-2022 season will mark the return of a full schedule of games and will highlight some of the best teams and players in the world. Everyone will be chasing the Milwaukee Bucks, while teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors will merit a watchful eye.

Can LeBron win his fifth title? Can James Harden give the Nets their championship? Will Stephen Curry bring the Warriors back to the forefront? All these questions will be answered in the upcoming NBA season.

With all its star power, NBA fans ask themselves, who are the highest paid players in the league? We have that list as we countdown the 25 highest paid NBA players for the 2021-2022 season.

 

 

25. Nikola Jokic - $31,579,390

The NBA’s 2021 regular season MVP comes in at number 25 on the list, but Nikola Jokić is looking to be number 1 in all of the NBA fans heart. Jokić was magic in 2020/21, with 26 points per game, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. Can he go double or nothing this season? 

24. Devin Booker - $31,650,600

Devin Booker is a solid shooting guard and a two-time All-Star in the last two seasons, Booker had 25 points per game last year with 4 rebounds and 4 assists for a solid short season with the Suns.

23. Karl-Anthony Towns - $31,650,600

Two-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns comes in at number 23 as one of the league's top paid players. Towns has been a consistent performer for the Minnesota Timberwolves, having an average of 22.9 points per game and playing over 400 games for the franchise.

22.  Kristaps Porzingis -$31,650,600

Latvian power forward Kristaps Porzingis has had a well-traveled career and joined the NBA in 2015 with the New York Knicks. Since moving to Dallas, Porzingis has kept it steady averaging 20 points per game and has improved his free throw percentage. 

21. Jrue Holiday - $32,431,333

The widely veteran Jrue Holiday is coming off of a championship season with the Bucks and will look to add to that accolade this season. Holiday had 17 points per game last season with 6 assists and 4.5 rebounds, not bad.

20. Pascal Siakam - $33,003,936

Pascal Siakam is on a heavy salary for the Raptors, now entering his sixth season with the club, Siakam has earned his pay averaging 14.3 points per game, 2.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds. Since 2019 Siakam has averaged over 20 points per game, a four-point increase.

19. Ben Simmons - $33,003,936

Under fire star player Ben Simmons comes in at number 19, and while his high salary may be a reason why some teams have not pulled the trigger on a trade, Simmons, despite the criticism, is a very good player. Averaging 15.9 points per game, 7.7 assists, but if he would listen to Doc Rivers a little more, he’d be much better.

18. Bradley Beal - $34,502,129

Like a fine wine, better with age, Bradley Beal has earned his paycheck, averaging 31 points last season, the last three seasons Beal has been an all-star, and will enter his tenth season with the Wizards.

17. Rudy Gobert - $34,844,000

The 2017 blocks leader Rudy Gobert is a powerful center who has averaged 2.2 blocks per game and 12 points since joining the Jazz in 2013. Gobert has been a two-time All-Star and won the silver medal in Tokyo with France the last two seasons.

16. Kyrie Irving - $35,053,700

Kyrie Irving keeps on bringing it to the court, last season averaging 26 points per game with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Irving has valuable experience, and the Nets will look to him to get that elusive NBA championship.

15. Anthony Davis - $35,361,360

Anthony Davis, when healthy, is one of the best in the NBA, a strong power forward/ center Davis only played 36 games last year but still showed his worth with an average of 21 points per game and 7.9 rebounds.

14. Khris Middleton - $35,500,000

The Bucks small forward/ shooting guard Khris Middleton has made his case, winning an NBA title and being a two-time all-star the last two seasons. Middleton had 20.4 points per game, 6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists last season.

13. Tobias Harris - $35,995,950 

Journeyman Tobias Harris is now scoring for the 76ers and is as solid as it gets with an average of 16.3 points per game and 6.1 rebounds. Harris has been at his best since joining Philadelphia in 2018.

12. Jimmy Butler - $36,016,200

The face of the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler followed up his amazing 2020 with an even better 2021. Butler will be one of the key points of attack for the Heat who look to get back to basketball's elite.

11. Klay Thompson - $37,980,720

Three-time NBA champion Klay Thompson is still among the best in the league. The shooting guard is a five-time All-Star from 2015-2019. Now after missing two seasons, Thompson is back and is ready to show he still has it. 

10. Damian Lillard - $39,344,900

The six-time All-Star and hulking point guard for the Trailblazers is well deserving of his near $40 million salary. Lillard had 28 points per game last season and looks to have an even bigger year this season.

9. Giannis Antetokounmpo - $39,344,900

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a baaaaddd man, with a 2021 to dream about that saw him win the NBA championship and NBA Finals MVP. The man is a shot master at 20.9 career points per game and hustles in defense with 9 rebounds all-time.

8. Kawhi Leonard - $39,344,900

Kawhi Leonard is a two-time NBA champion and 5-time All-Star, now the 30-year-old is showcasing his talents with the LA Clippers. Leonard already had a career year with the Clippers and followed it up with a very successful sophomore season.

7. Paul George -$39,344,970

Paul George is the other go-to man of the LA Clippers, the seven-time All-Star and 2019 steals leader is a well-balanced player, helping in defense and scoring in offense.

6. Kevin Durant - $40,918,900

Kevin Durant is just solid, what else but greatness can be expected by the 2-time champion and 11-time All-Star. The Nets are hoping to get that last drop from Durant to finally win a championship for Brooklyn. 

5.  LeBron James - $41,180,544

LeBron James is more than just a basketball player, he has become a cultural icon, the unquestionable face of the NBA. LeBron, like Jordan, when it is all said and done could very well be the GOAT. For now, he is magic on the court and a face for equality and change off of it. One of the top 5 all-time greats.

4. Russell Westbrook - $44,211,146

Russell Westbrook has the difficult job of being one of four players that makes more than LeBron, but hey he can handle it. Westbrook is a 9-time All-Star, a league MVP, and a gold medalist. What is he missing? That NBA ring.

3. John Wall - $44,310,840 

John Wall has some very good numbers, but the third highest paid player in the NBA? Wall is good, but he has GREAT agents. Wall makes more than Westbrook, Durant, and LeBron, let that sink in. 

2. James Harden - $44,310,840

When he is not trying to force a trade, James Harden is one of the best NBA players out there, the beard got his move and immediately proved his worth for the Nets. Harden had close to career numbers in Brooklyn his first season. Still, that rollercoaster ride to leave Houston was a bit much.

1. Stephen Curry - $45,780,966

The highest paid player in the league is very well deserving of his salary, a fantastic player, Curry is a highlight reel three-point shooter and dribbler. In a league that has some fantastic players, Curry is a star that transcends the court.