LeBron leads, with US$117.6 million annually (R$593.35 million, at current prices). The value considers his salary at the Lakers and his business away from the court, such as sponsorships and private investments

LeBron James — Photo: Getty Images

The 2023/2024 season of the NBA, the main basketball league in the world, starts next week. Before its start, the franchises made important moves: Damian Lillard was hired by the Milwaukee Bucks, while Jrue Holiday moved to Boston and will play for the Celtics. Even so, at least on the list of highest-paid athletes, two names continue to reign supreme: LeBron James, from the Los Angeles Lakers, and Stephen Curry, from the Golden State Warriors, top the ranking created by Forbes.

LeBron leads the list, with US$117.6 million annually (R$593.35 million, at current prices). The value considers his salary at the Lakers and his business away from the court, such as sponsorships and private investments. He had already become the first active athlete to join the Forbes billionaires list. In 2023, he is behind only Roger Federer and Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest paid in the world – in a ranking that also includes those who have already retired.

No other player in NBA history has earned more on the court than the US$432 million (R$2.18 billion) he accumulated in his 20 professional seasons. If he lives out his contract and remains in the league next season, he will surpass $530 million in 2025.

Next, Stephen Curry, four-time NBA champion with the Warriors, pockets US$101.9 million (R$514.1 million) annually. Of this amount, US$50 million comes from its off-court business. The point guard has one of the most profitable contracts in the league and became the first athlete to receive more than US$50 million annually in a single contract.

Kevin Durant, now at the Phoenix Suns, completes the Top 3. With stints at the Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets, he earns more than US$90 million annually (R$461 million). The Bucks’ new duo, formed by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, are part of the Top 5.

Check out the complete ranking of the highest paid athletes in the NBA:

1 – LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers): US$ 117.6 million (about R$ 595 million)
2 – Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors): US$ 101.9 million (R$ 514 million)
3 – Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns): US$ 91.4 million (R$ 462 million)
4 – Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): US$ 85.6 million (R$ 432 million)
5 – Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks): US$63.6 million (R$321 million)
6 – Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors): US$61.2 million (R$309 million)
7 – James Harden (Golden State Warriors) and Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers): US$57.6 million (R$291 million)
9 – Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat): US$55.2 million (R$279 million)
10 – Paulo Jorge (Forward) and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): US$54.6 million (R$276 million)