Stephen Curry has made history in 2026 by becoming the first active NBA player to earn more than $200 million in a single year. At 38 years old and heading into his 18th professional season with the Golden State Warriors, Curry's combined earnings include a $62.6 million salary and $141 million from endorsements, driven largely by a landmark 10-year deal with Chinese shoe brand Li-Ning. This breakthrough places him in an elite group of athletes across all sports who have surpassed the $200 million mark annually. Curry’s off-court ventures and partnerships, along with his on-court excellence—including multiple MVP awards and record-setting 3-point shooting—have established him as a transformative figure both financially and athletically.

Following Curry, other NBA stars are also commanding massive paychecks in 2026. Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets is set to make $104.9 million, combining $43.9 million on-court with $61 million from endorsements and investments. Giannis Antetokounmpo, recently traded to the Miami Heat, will earn a total of $103.5 million, benefiting from a $58.5 million salary and $45 million in off-court income, including equity stakes in various brands and investments. LeBron James, now with the Philadelphia 76ers, ranks fourth with $93.9 million despite taking a significant pay cut to $3.9 million for playing, while his off-court endorsements have never been stronger, accounting for $90 million of his earnings.

The top ten highest-paid NBA players in 2026 are projected to earn a combined $958 million before taxes and agent fees, marking a 6% increase from the previous year’s record. This figure is more than double the total from a decade ago and far exceeds the off-court income of leading athletes in other major sports leagues like soccer, MLB, NFL, and NHL. Although the collective on-court earnings of these players have dipped somewhat, largely due to LeBron James’ reduced salary, the league continues to see steady growth in salary caps and endorsement potentials. The NBA’s salary cap currently stands at $165 million for the 2026-27 season, up 75% from ten years prior, reflecting robust league revenue despite challenges such as the collapse of major regional sports networks.

Looking ahead, the NBA anticipates even higher earnings for players, with the potential for at least three players to surpass $70 million in salary by the 2029-30 season. Curry’s contract extension, while slightly below the maximum, signals a trend of lucrative but strategic player deals as the league navigates steady cap increases around 6-7% annually rather than explosive jumps. Meanwhile, players like Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are rising stars complementing established veterans in reaching high earnings both on and off the court. The NBA remains the top paying sports league worldwide for athletes not only through basketball salaries but also through massive endorsement deals and business ventures.