Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant Join LeBron James as NBA Billionaires
LeBron James is no longer the only active NBA player to have earned $1 billion in career income. According to Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico, both Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have reached billionaire status through combined earnings from their playing careers and endorsement deals.
Top NBA Earners in 2025-26 Season
- LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are the only NBA players projected to earn at least $100 million this season from salaries and endorsements.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo is close behind with $99.1 million in earnings for the season.
Salary and Endorsements Breakdown
- LeBron James leads the NBA in total earnings for 2025-26 with $132.6 million, combining a $52.6 million salary from the Los Angeles Lakers and $80 million in endorsements.
- Both Curry and Durant have $80 million each in endorsement earnings this season.
Career On-Court Earnings Milestones
Only LeBron James and Kevin Durant have exceeded $500 million in career on-court earnings. Durant surpassed this milestone in 2025-26 with a $53.3 million salary from the Houston Rockets. Stephen Curry follows closely with $470.1 million earned from the Golden State Warriors and is expected to surpass $500 million in the 2026-27 season with an anticipated $62.6 million salary.
Kurt Badenhausen noted, "Curry has held the highest NBA salary for nine consecutive seasons, maintaining this status by staying with the Warriors and extending his supermax contracts signed in 2017 and 2021."
Summary
The NBA's highest earners—LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry—have each exceeded $1 billion in career earnings, combining salaries and endorsements, setting a new standard for athlete compensation.