5 NBA players with highest annual earnings for 2022-23 season, featuring LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and more
The NBA’s most popular players Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant also happen to be its biggest earners. These superstars’ incredible basketball skills and appeal are the assets that make the league a global brand.
Sportico recently published a report of the top-earning NBA players. Most of the usual suspects were on the list.
Here’s the list of the highest annual earners for the 2022-23 NBA season:
#5 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons since he signed with the LA Lakers. Despite all the backlash and criticism, the former MVP continues to be one of the best-paid NBA players.
“Russ” signed a five-year, $204 million contract when he was still with the OKC Thunder. Even as he has been traded several times over the last few years, the money has never stopped flowing.
Westbrook opted into the final year of his contract, which will pay him $47.1 million, the second-highest in the league after Stephen Curry. The massive salary is one of the biggest reasons why the LA Lakers have been unable to trade the nine-time All-Star.
Russell Westbrook is opting in to his $47.1 million player option with the Lakers for the 2022-23 season, sources confirm to The Athletic.
The 33-year-old Westbrook averaged 18.5 PPG on 44.4% shooting from the field last season. https://t.co/qtY7jp1Bwm
LA will have a better chance of moving him if the team attaches two unprotected first-round picks.
Russell Westbrook’s massive salary and the $25 million he rakes in from endorsements and other deals bring his total to $72.1 million. He is the fifth-highest earner in the NBA next season.
#4 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been voted by many sports bodies as the NBA’s best player at the moment. Many basketball experts would even contend that he has been the best since the Milwaukee Bucks won the championship in 2021.
After his incredible postseason performance against the Boston Celtics and staggering display at the EuroBasket, his popularity, value and impact will only grow.
But for next season, he will have to be content with the fourth spot on this list as he will earn a total of $86.5 million. $42.5 million comes from his salary. He is tied for seventh with Damian Lillard and Kawhi Leonard for the highest salary in the league.
Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a $228 million dollar extension with the Milwaukee Bucks yesterday — the richest contract in NBA history.
The craziest part?
It was a bargain.
Time for a thread 👇👇👇 https://t.co/uKcqofyqzg
“The Greek Freak” adds $44 million from endorsements, particularly with his line of sneakers from Nike. Another championship or MVP trophy could vault him into the top three of these rankings.