The highest-paid NBA players by season since 1990-91
Throughout the history of the NBA, some of the best players to ever step onto the court have earned very lucrative contracts from their respective teams.
The salaries of players have only grown as the league revenues continue to climb and the sport expands on a global scale. As a result, players are signing multiyear contracts that are beginning to eclipse the quarter of a billion-dollar threshold.
On Tuesday, Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics reportedly agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension. The contract, which is the richest in league history, is fully guaranteed and includes a trade kicker.
With the cap rising each year, and players meeting the supermax criteria, the highest annual salaries will continue to rise, as a result. Brown will hold the title of richest contract for now but will likely be surpassed as soon as next summer.
After Brown agreed to the largest contract in history, Rookie Wire took a look at the highest-paid players since the 1990-91 season and compiled them on the following list.
2028-29: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Salary: $69,125,872*
Source: Spotrac
*Estimate
2027-28: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Salary: $64,936,425*
Source: Spotrac
*Estimate
2026-27: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Salary: $63,228,828
Source: Spotrac
2025-26: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Salary: $59,606,817
Source: Spotrac
2024-25: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Salary: $55,761,216
Source: Spotrac
2023-24: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Salary: $51,915,615
Source: Spotrac
2022-23: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Salary: $48,070,014
Source: Spotrac
2021-22: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Salary: $45,780,966
Source: Spotrac
2020-21: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Salary: $43,006,362
Source: Spotrac
2019-20: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Salary: $40,231,758
Source: HoopsHype
2018-19: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Salary: $37,457,154
Source: HoopsHype
2017-18: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Salary: $34,682,550
Source: HoopsHype
2016-17: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Salary: $30,963,450
Source: HoopsHype
2015-16: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Salary: $25,000,000
Source: HoopsHype
2014-15: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Salary: $23,500,000
Source: HoopsHype
2013-14: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Salary: $30,453,000
Source: HoopsHype
2012-13: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Salary: $27,849,000
Source: HoopsHype
2011-12: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Salary: $25,244,493
Source: HoopsHype
2010-11: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Salary: $24,806,250
Source: HoopsHype
2009-10: Tracy McGrady, Rockets/Knicks
Salary: $23,239,562
Source: HoopsHype
2008-09: Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Salary: $24,751,934
Source: HoopsHype
2007-08: Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Salary: $23,750,000
Source: HoopsHype
2006-07: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary: $21,000,000
Source: HoopsHype
2005-06: Shaquille O'Neal, Miami Heat
Salary: $20,000,000
Source: HoopsHype
2004-05: Shaquille O'Neal, Miami Heat
Salary: $27,696,430
Source: HoopsHype
2003-04: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary: $28,000,000
Source: HoopsHype
2002-03: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary: $25,200,000
Source: HoopsHype
2001-02: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary: $22,400,000
Source: HoopsHype
2000-01: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Salary: $19,610,000
Source: HoopsHype
1999-00: Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
Salary: $17,142,858
Source: HoopsHype
1998-99: Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks
Salary: $18,500,000
Source: HoopsHype
1997-98: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
Salary: $33,140,000
Source: HoopsHype
1996-97: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
Salary: $30,140,000
Source: HoopsHype
1995-96: Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks
Salary: $18,724,000
Source: HoopsHype
1994-95: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
Salary: $14,660,000
Source: HoopsHype
1993-94: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
Salary: $5,740,000
Source: HoopsHype
1992-93: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
Salary: $5,720,000
Source: HoopsHype
1991-92: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics
Salary: $7,070,000
Source: HoopsHype
1990-91: Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks
Salary: $4,250,000
Source: HoopsHype
