Top 5 highest-paid NBA coaches for the 2024-25 season feat. Steve Kerr
As the NBA continues to grow in popularity, its players and coaches have reaped the benefits, with salaries rising to unprecedented heights.
Entering the 2024-25 NBA season, the median coaching salary is approximately $7 million per season. Meanwhile, six coaches are set to earn eight-figure salaries next season.
On that note, here are the league's five highest-paid coaches.
5 highest-paid coaches entering 2024-25 NBA season
#5(T). Doc Rivers ($10 million)
Entering his first full season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Doc Rivers is tied for the NBA's fifth-highest coaching salary at $10 million. Rivers took over for the franchise in January, signing a four-year contract worth roughly $40 million.
The veteran coach won his lone NBA title in 2008 with the Boston Celtics, with his playoff success waning in recent years. Nevertheless, Rivers has a 1,114-782 career regular-season coaching record. He was also recognized as one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history during the league's 75th anniversary season.
#5(T). Mike Budenholzer ($10 million)
In May, the Phoenix Suns signed Mike Budenholzer to a five-year coaching deal worth roughly $50 million. Thus, he begins his first season with Phoenix tied for the fifth-highest coaching salary at $10 million.
Budenholzer, who guided Milwaukee to the 2021 championship, has a career regular-season coaching record of 484-317.
#4. Tyronn Lue ($14 million)
The LA Clippers extended coach Tyronn Lue on a five-year contract worth nearly $70 million in May. The deal pays him $14 million annually, making him the league's fourth highest-paid coach next season.
Lue, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 title, has a career regular-season coaching record of 312-217.
#3. Erik Spoelstra ($15 million)
In January, the Miami Heat signed Erik Spoelstra to a historic eight-year coaching extension worth around $120 million. His $15 million annual salary marks the NBA's third-highest next season.
Named one of the league's 15 greatest coaches ever, Spoelstra has guided the Heat to two championships (2012, 2013) and six NBA Finals appearances since his 2008 hiring. His career regular-season coaching record is 750-527.
#2. Gregg Popovich ($16 million)
San Antonio Spurs coaching legend Gregg Popovich has next season's second-highest coaching salary at $16 million. He signed a massive five-year, $80 million contract extension last year, making him the league's highest-paid coach at the time.
Voted one of the NBA's 15 greatest coaches ever, Popovich has led San Antonio to five titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) since his 1996 hiring. He is also the league's all-time winningest coach, with a career regular-season coaching record of 1,388-821.
#1. Steve Kerr ($17.5 million)
The NBA's highest-paid coach is Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr. He signed a two-year, $35 million contract extension in February, giving him an annual salary of $17.5 million.
Since his 2014 hiring, Kerr has transformed Golden State into one of the NBA's premier franchises, winning four championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022). Also recognized as one of the league's 15 greatest coaches ever, Kerr has a regular-season coaching record of 519-274.
Also Read: Gregg Popovich Coaching Tree: 3 most successful pupils feat. Steve Kerr