Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant Join LeBron James in $1 Billion Career Earnings Club
LeBron James is no longer the sole active NBA player to have surpassed $1 billion in career earnings. According to Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have also reached billionaire status through a combination of on-court salaries and endorsement deals.
NBA Players Earning Over $100 Million in 2025-26 Season
- LeBron James
- Stephen Curry
- Kevin Durant
These three are the only NBA players expected to earn at least $100 million this season from salaries and endorsements.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Nears Nine-Figure Earnings
Giannis Antetokounmpo is close to joining the nine-figure earnings group with $99.1 million in total income for the 2025-26 season.
Highest Paid Players Breakdown for 2025-26
- LeBron James: $132.6 million ($52.6 million salary from the Los Angeles Lakers + $80 million endorsements)
- Stephen Curry: $80 million in endorsements
- Kevin Durant: $80 million in endorsements
On-Court Earnings Milestones
Only LeBron James and Kevin Durant have earned more than $500 million on the court throughout their careers. Durant crossed this threshold during the 2025-26 season thanks to his $53.3 million salary with the Houston Rockets.
Stephen Curry is third in on-court earnings with $470.1 million from his time with the Golden State Warriors. He is expected to surpass $500 million in the 2026-27 season with a $62.6 million salary.
"Curry has the highest salary in the NBA for the ninth consecutive season," noted Badenhausen. "He has maintained this by staying with the Warriors, extending his previous supermax contracts signed in 2017 and 2021."
Author’s summary: Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have joined LeBron James in earning over $1 billion in their NBA careers, marking a historic financial milestone in professional basketball.