Highest - paid NBA players by season - wikipedia Highest - paid NBA players by season The highest - paid NBA players by season over the past twelve seasons have received contracts with salaries noted in the twenty - million - dollar range. In this twelve - year span, Kevin Garnett received $28,000,000, which was the highest salary payment of any NBA player, during the 2003 -- 04 season. Garnett has been the highest - paid NBA player per year in seven of the past twelve NBA seasons. Michael Jordan was the first NBA player to sign a contract worth over thirty million dollars in a season. During the 1997 -- 98 season, Jordan earned $33,140,000, which still stands as the most any NBA player has earned on a 1 year contract, Jordan also holds the record for the second largest 1 year contract at $30,140,000 in the 96 - 97 season... Kobe Bryant become just the second player to reach this milestone when the 2013 -- 14 season began. LeBron James became the third in the 2016 -- 17 season. Stephen Curry became the first player to eclipse $40 - Million per year when he signed a record 5 - year contract worth $201 - Million in 2017, starting with $34,682,550 in the 2017 - 18 season and ending with the largest earnings in the 2021 - 22 season with a record payout of $45,780,966. Beginning in the 1984 -- 85 NBA season, the NBA 's first salary cap was introduced. The NBA salary cap is the maximum dollar amount each NBA team can spend on its players for the season. However, the NBA uses a `` soft '' salary cap, which means that significant `` salary exceptions '' allow NBA teams to exceed their allotted amount in order to sign players. The salary cap is determined during the offseason, but as stated earlier, it is liable to change. Michael Jordan, who earned $33,140,000 in the 1997 -- 98 NBA season, attempts a slam dunk at the old Boston Garden. An exception is necessary to sign a player for a contract that would exceed the salary cap threshold of the `` soft cap ''. The Larry Bird exception, more commonly known as Bird Rights, allows teams to re-sign a current player only if he has played for that particular team for a minimum of three years. Another exception known as the mid-level exception allows for teams that are over the salary cap to sign one or more players as long as they do not exceed the total amount of the average NBA salary. Next, the bi-annual exception can be used by teams every other year to sign a free agent ( s ) for up to two years at an amount set by the NBA. Finally, the rookie player exception allows any NBA team to sign their first - round draft pick to a contract based upon a scale previously set forth by the NBA. Another option for teams would be to assign players to a league - assigned minimum salary contract for a maximum of two years. According to 2010 -- 11 NBA season game performance, the league 's best players were not its highest - paid players. Each year there are ten players selected to one of the two All - NBA Teams. Out of those ten players chosen that year, Kobe Bryant was the only player that was also among the game 's ten highest - paid during the 2010 -- 11 NBA season. Contents 1 2010s 1.1 2017 -- 2018 1.2 2016 -- 2017 1.3 2015 -- 2016 1.4 2014 -- 2015 1.5 2013 -- 2014 1.6 2012 -- 2013 1.7 2011 -- 2012 1.8 2010 -- 2011 1.9 2009 -- 2010 2 2000s 2.1 2008 -- 2009 2.2 2007 -- 2008 2.3 2006 -- 2007 2.4 2005 -- 2006 2.5 2004 -- 2005 2.6 2003 -- 2004 2.7 2002 -- 2003 2.8 2001 -- 2002 2.9 2000 -- 2001 2.10 1999 -- 2000 3 1990s 3.1 1998 -- 1999 4 See also 5 References 2010s 2017 -- 2018 Player Salary Team Stephen Curry $34,682,550 Golden State Warriors LeBron James $33,285,709 Cleveland Cavaliers Paul Millsap $31,269,231 Denver Nuggets Gordon Hayward $29,727,900 Boston Celtics Blake Griffin $29,512,900 Los Angeles Clippers Kyle Lowry $28,703,704 Toronto Raptors Russell Westbrook $28,530,608 Oklahoma City Thunder Mike Conley, Jr. $28,530,608 Memphis Grizzlies James Harden $28,299,399 Houston Rockets DeMar DeRozan $27,739,975 Toronto Raptors 2016 -- 2017 LeBron James became the third player to sign a contract worth over thirty million dollars in a season, after Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Player Salary Team LeBron James $30,963,450 Cleveland Cavaliers Al Horford $26,540,100 Boston Celtics DeMar DeRozan $26,540,100 Toronto Raptors James Harden $26,540,100 Houston Rockets Kevin Durant $26,540,100 Golden State Warriors Russell Westbrook $26,540,100 Oklahoma City Thunder Mike Conley, Jr. $26,540,100 Memphis Grizzlies Dirk Nowitzki $25,000,000 Dallas Mavericks Carmelo Anthony $24,559,380 New York Knicks Damian Lillard $24,328,425 Portland Trail Blazers 2015 -- 2016 Kobe Bryant, who spent his entire 20 - year career in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform, was the highest - paid player in the league from the 2009 -- 10 until his retirement at the conclusion of the 2015 -- 16 season. Player Salary Team Kobe Bryant $25,000,000 Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James $22,970,500 Cleveland Cavaliers Carmelo Anthony $22,875,000 New York Knicks Dwight Howard $22,359,364 Houston Rockets Chris Bosh $22,192,730 Miami Heat Chris Paul $21,468,695 Los Angeles Clippers Kevin Durant $20,158,622 Oklahoma City Thunder Derrick Rose $20,093,064 Chicago Bulls Dwyane Wade $20,000,000 Miami Heat LaMarcus Aldridge $19,689,000 San Antonio Spurs 2014 -- 2015 Player Salary Team Kobe Bryant $23,500,000 Los Angeles Lakers Amar'e Stoudemire $23,410,988 New York Knicks Joe Johnson $23,180,790 Brooklyn Nets Carmelo Anthony $22,458,401 New York Knicks Dwight Howard $21,436,271 Houston Rockets Chris Bosh $20,644,400 Miami Heat LeBron James $20,644,400 Cleveland Cavaliers Chris Paul $20,068,563 Los Angeles Clippers Deron Williams $19,754,465 Brooklyn Nets Rudy Gay $19,317,326 Sacramento Kings 2013 -- 2014 Player Salary Team Kobe Bryant $30,453,805 Los Angeles Lakers Dirk Nowitzki $22,721,381 Dallas Mavericks Amar'e Stoudemire $21,679,893 New York Knicks Joe Johnson $21,466,718 Brooklyn Nets Carmelo Anthony $21,388,953 New York Knicks Dwight Howard $20,513,178 Houston Rockets Pau Gasol $19,285,850 Los Angeles Lakers Chris Bosh $19,067,500 Miami Heat LeBron James $19,067,500 Miami Heat Dwyane Wade $18,673,000 Miami Heat 2012 -- 2013 Player Salary Team Kobe Bryant $30,453,805 Los Angeles Lakers Dirk Nowitzki $20,907,128 Dallas Mavericks Amar'e Stoudemire $19,948,799 New York Knicks Joe Johnson $19,752,645 Brooklyn Nets Carmelo Anthony $19,444,503 New York Knicks Pau Gasol $19,285,850 Los Angeles Lakers Chris Bosh $19,067,500 Miami Heat LeBron James $19,067,500 Miami Heat Dwyane Wade $18,673,000 Miami Heat Chris Paul $18,668,431 Los Angeles Clippers 2011 -- 2012 Player Salary Team Kobe Bryant $25,244,493 Los Angeles Lakers Kevin Garnett $21,247,044 Boston Celtics Tim Duncan $21,164,619 San Antonio Spurs Rashard Lewis $21,136,631 Washington Wizards Dirk Nowitzki $19,092,873 Dallas Mavericks Pau Gasol $18,714,150 Los Angeles Lakers Carmelo Anthony $18,518,574 New York Knicks Amar'e Stoudemire $18,217,705 New York Knicks Elton Brand $18,160,355 Philadelphia 76ers Dwight Howard $18,091,770 Orlando Magic 2010 -- 2011 Player Salary Team Kobe Bryant $24,806,250 Los Angeles Lakers Rashard Lewis $19,573,711 Washington Wizards Tim Duncan $18,835,381 San Antonio Spurs Kevin Garnett $18,832,044 Boston Celtics Michael Redd $18,300,000 Milwaukee Bucks Andrei Kirilenko $17,823,000 Utah Jazz Pau Gasol $17,823,000 Los Angeles Lakers Gilbert Arenas $17,730,694 Washington Wizards Yao Ming $17,686,100 Houston Rockets Zach Randolph $17,666,666 Memphis Grizzlies 2009 -- 2010 Player Salary Team Kobe Bryant $23,034,375 Los Angeles Lakers Jermaine O'Neal $23,016,000 Miami Heat Tracy McGrady $22,843,124 New York Knicks Tim Duncan $22,183,220 San Antonio Spurs Shaquille O'Neal $21,000,000 Cleveland Cavaliers Dirk Nowitzki $19,795,714 Dallas Mavericks Paul Pierce $19,795,712 Boston Celtics Ray Allen $18,776,860 Boston Celtics Rashard Lewis $18,010,791 Orlando Magic Michael Redd $17,040,000 Milwaukee Bucks 2000s 2008 -- 2009 Kevin Garnett was the highest - paid player during the 2008 -- 09, 2007 -- 08, and 2006 -- 07 seasons ; he relinquished that position to Shaquille O'Neal for two seasons, but was also the highest - paid player during the 2003 -- 04, 2002 -- 03, 2001 -- 02, and 2000 -- 01 seasons. Player Salary Team Kevin Garnett $24,751,934 Boston Celtics Jason Kidd $21,372,000 Dallas Mavericks Jermaine O'Neal $21,372,000 Toronto Raptors Kobe Bryant $21,262,500 Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal $21,000,000 Phoenix Suns Allen Iverson $20,840,625 Detroit Pistons Stephon Marbury $20,840,625 Boston Celtics Tim Duncan $20,598,704 San Antonio Spurs Tracy McGrady $20,370,437 Houston Rockets Ray Allen $18,388,430 Boston Celtics 2007 -- 2008 Player Salary Team Kevin Garnett $23,751,934 Boston Celtics Shaquille O'Neal $21,000,000 Phoenix Suns Jason Kidd $19,728,000 New Jersey Nets Jermaine O'Neal $19,728,000 Indiana Pacers Kobe Bryant $19,490,625 Los Angeles Lakers Tim Duncan $19,014,188 San Antonio Spurs Allen Iverson $19,012,500 Denver Nuggets Stephon Marbury $19,012,500 New York Knicks Tracy McGrady $18,257,750 Houston Rockets Baron Davis $16,440,000 Golden State Warriors 2006 -- 2007 Player Salary Team Kevin Garnett $21,000,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal $20,000,000 Miami Heat Jason Kidd $18,084,000 New Jersey Nets Jermaine O'Neal $18,084,000 Indiana Pacers Kobe Bryant $17,718,750 Los Angeles Lakers Tim Duncan $17,429,673 San Antonio Spurs Allen Iverson $17,184,375 Philadelphia 76ers Stephon Marbury $17,184,375 New York Knicks Tracy McGrady $16,901,500 Houston Rockets Grant Hill $16,901,500 Orlando Magic 2005 -- 2006 Player Salary Team Shaquille O'Neal $20,000,000 Miami Heat Chris Webber $19,125,000 Philadelphia 76ers Kevin Garnett $18,000,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Allen Iverson $16,453,125 Philadelphia 76ers Stephon Marbury $16,453,125 New York Knicks Jason Kidd $16,440,000 New Jersey Nets Jermaine O'Neal $16,440,000 Indiana Pacers Kobe Bryant $15,946,875 Los Angeles Lakers Tim Duncan $15,845,157 San Antonio Spurs Vin Baker $15,750,000 Los Angeles Clippers 2004 -- 2005 Player Salary Team Shaquille O'Neal $29,464,000 Miami Heat Dikembe Mutombo $19,684,000 Houston Rockets Allan Houston $17,531,000 New York Knicks Chris Webber $17,351,000 Sacramento Kings Damon Stoudamire $15,750,000 Portland Trail Blazers Penny Hardaway $14,625,000 New York Knicks Latrell Sprewell $14,625,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shareef Abdur - Rahim $14,625,000 Portland Trail Blazers Stephon Marbury $14,625,000 New York Knicks Michael Finley $14,609,000 Dallas Mavericks 2003 -- 2004 Player Salary Team Kevin Garnett $28,000,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal $26,571,000 Los Angeles Lakers Rasheed Wallace $18,000,000 Portland Trail Blazers Dikembe Mutombo $17,895,000 New York Knicks Allan Houston $15,937,000 New York Knicks Chris Webber $15,937,000 Sacramento Kings Damon Stoudamire $14,625,000 Portland Trail Blazers Penny Hardaway $13,500,000 Phoenix Suns Latrell Sprewell $13,500,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Antonio McDyess $13,500,000 Phoenix Suns 2002 -- 2003 Player Salary Team Kevin Garnett $25,200,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal $23,571,000 Los Angeles Lakers Shawn Kemp $21,500,000 Orlando Magic Juwan Howard $20,625,000 Denver Nuggets Scottie Pippen $19,727,000 Portland Trail Blazers Karl Malone $19,250,000 Utah Jazz Rasheed Wallace $16,200,000 Portland Trail Blazers Dikembe Mutombo $16,105,000 New Jersey Nets Chris Webber $14,343,000 Sacramento Kings Damon Stoudamire $13,500,000 Portland Trail Blazers 2001 -- 2002 Player Salary Team Kevin Garnett $22,400,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal $21,428,000 Los Angeles Lakers Alonzo Mourning $18,756,000 Miami Heat Juwan Howard $18,750,000 Denver Nuggets Scottie Pippen $18,083,000 Portland Trail Blazers Karl Malone $17,500,000 Utah Jazz Rasheed Wallace $14,400,000 Portland Trail Blazers Dikembe Mutombo $14,315,000 Philadelphia 76ers Gary Payton $12,926,000 Seattle SuperSonics Shawn Kemp $12,770,000 Portland Trail Blazers 2000 -- 2001 Player Salary Team Kevin Garnett $19,600,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Shaquille O'Neal $19,285,000 Los Angeles Lakers Alonzo Mourning $16,879,000 Miami Heat Juwan Howard $16,875,000 Washington Wizards Hakeem Olajuwon $16,685,000 Houston Rockets Karl Malone $15,750,000 Utah Jazz Dikembe Mutombo $14,422,000 Philadelphia 76ers Patrick Ewing $14,000,000 Seattle SuperSonics David Robinson $13,196,000 San Antonio Spurs Scottie Pippen $13,151,000 Portland Trail Blazers 1999 -- 2000 Player Salary Team Shaquille O'Neal $17,142,000 Los Angeles Lakers Kevin Garnett $16,806,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Alonzo Mourning $15,004,000 Miami Heat Juwan Howard $15,000,000 Washington Wizards Scottie Pippen $14,795,000 Portland Trail Blazers Karl Malone $14,000,000 Utah Jazz Larry Johnson $11,910,000 New York Knicks Gary Payton $11,020,000 Seattle SuperSonics Rasheed Wallace $10,800,000 Portland Trail Blazers Shawn Kemp $10,780,000 Cleveland Cavaliers 1990s 1998 -- 1999 Player Salary Team Patrick Ewing $18,500,000 New York Knicks Shaquille O'Neal $17,000,000 Los Angeles Lakers David Robinson $14,841,000 San Antonio Spurs Kevin Garnett $14,000,000 Minnesota Timberwolves Alonzo Mourning $13,130,000 Miami Heat Juwan Howard $13,125,000 Washington Wizards Hakeem Olajuwon $12,943,000 Houston Rockets Dikembe Mutombo $11,218,000 Atlanta Hawks Jayson Williams $11,000,000 New Jersey Nets Scottie Pippen $11,000,000 Houston Rockets See also National Basketball Association portal Business and economics portal List of highest paid Major League Baseball players List of player salaries in the NHL List of highest paid American television stars List of highest paid film actors List of highest paid mayors List of salaries References Jump up ^ `` Kobe Bryant to Become NBA 's Second Ever $30 - Million Player ''. aolnews.com. Archived from the original on 2011 - 09 - 19. Jump up ^ `` NBA Salary Cap History ''. insidehoops.com. Jump up ^ `` NBA Salary Cap Explained ''. about.com. Jump up ^ `` Mid Level Exception ''. sportscity.com. Jump up ^ `` Bi-annual Exception ''. sportscity.com. Jump up ^ Badenhausen, Kurt ( 2010 - 11 - 04 ). `` The NBA 's Highest - Paid Players ''. Forbes. Jump up ^ `` 2017 - 18 NBA Player Contracts ''. Retrieved 2017 - 08 - 14. Jump up ^ `` The NBA 's 25 highest - paid players for the 2016 - 17 season ''. Foxsports.com. Retrieved 2017 - 06 - 23. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2015 - 2016 ''. ESPN. Retrieved 2015 - 10 - 30. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2014 - 2015 ''. ESPN. Retrieved 2015 - 01 - 17. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2013 - 2014 ''. ESPN. Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2012 - 2013 ''. ESPN. Retrieved 2013 - 09 - 16. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2011 - 2012 ''. ESPN. Retrieved 2013 - 09 - 16. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2010 - 2011 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2013 - 09 - 16. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2009 - 2010 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2013 - 09 - 16. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2008 - 2009 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. ^ Jump up to : `` NBA Salaries ''. Insidehoops.com. Retrieved 2011 - 11 - 30. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2007 - 2008 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2006 - 2007 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2005 - 2006 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2004 - 2005 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2003 - 2004 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2002 - 2003 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2001 - 2002 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 2000 - 2001 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. Jump up ^ `` NBA Player Salaries - 1999 - 2000 ''. ESPN ( go.com ). Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 01. Jump up ^. Sports Reference LLC https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1999.html. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 20. 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Question: who is the highest paid athlete in the nba
Answer: LeBron James