After SGA’s Contract Extension, These Are the Highest-Paid NBA Players

It truly pays to be a superstar athlete — especially in the NBA. The league’s biggest stars are now signing record-breaking deals that make even top NFL and MLB contracts look modest by comparison.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard and reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) made headlines after agreeing to a four-year, $285 million contract extension, officially making him the highest-paid player in NBA history when it takes effect in the 2027–28 season. The deal averages a stunning $71.3 million per year.

To put that in perspective:

• NFL star Dak Prescott earns about $60 million per year.
• MLB’s Shohei Ohtani has a $700 million deal, but much of it is deferred until 2034.
• NHL’s Leon Draisaitl leads his league at around $14 million annually.

💰 Highest-Paid NBA Players (By Total Contract Value)

1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics – 5 years, $313 million
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder – 4 years, $285 million
3. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics – 5 years, $285 million
4. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets – 5 years, $276 million
5. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons – 5 years, $269 million
6. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers – 5 years, $269 million
7. Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns – 5 years, $251 million
8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves – 5 years, $244 million
9. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers – 5 years, $244 million
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks – 5 years, $228 million

🏀 Highest Annual Salaries in the NBA

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) – $71.3M
2. Joel Embiid (76ers) – $64.3M
3. Jayson Tatum (Celtics) – $62.8M
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) – $58.4M
5. Anthony Davis (Mavericks) – $58.4M
6. Jaylen Brown (Celtics) – $57M
7. Jimmy Butler (Warriors) – $55.4M
8. Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) – $55.2M
9. Bam Adebayo (Heat) – $55.1M
10. Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks) / Devin Booker (Suns) – $55.1M

💸 Richest Sports Contracts in North America

Basketball salaries are catching up fast to baseball and football megadeals. Here are the biggest contracts overall in North American sports:

1. Juan Soto, New York Mets – 15 years, $765M
2. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers – 10 years, $700M
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs – 10 years, $450M
4. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels – 12 years, $426.5M
5. Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers – 12 years, $365M
6. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees – 9 years, $360M
7. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres – 11 years, $350M
8. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets – 10 years, $341M
9. Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres – 14 years, $340M
10. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies – 13 years, $330M

---

The new deal for Gilgeous-Alexander not only reflects his rapid rise to superstardom but also marks the continuing explosion of player salaries in professional basketball. With the NBA’s revenue soaring thanks to global viewership, media rights, and sponsorships, players are set to command even higher figures in the years ahead.