The 2024 free agency will already remain as the year of contract records! Jayson Tatum had led the way with his contract extension with the Celtics for $314 million (over five years), a total never before seen in the NBA. This Wednesday, LeBron James He also made sure to reach a milestone never before reached, that of half a billion dollars in career salary.
Signed a new two-year, $104 million deal with the Lakers – though the total could be revised slightly downwards ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski -, James has ensured that he will surpass $500 million in career salary. He had already been the first and only player before next season to reach $400 million ($479 million), a total that he will largely surpass with his new jackpot of around $104 million over the next two seasons.
Behind “LBJ”, Kevin Durant And Chris Paulsecond and third in this ranking of total salary compensation, will in turn pass the 400 million mark during the next financial year. For the Suns winger, this is only a first step since his 106 million dollars in salary by 2026 will also make him reach half a billion dollars. By signing with the Spurs for 11 million and a single year, Paul will for his part, narrowly reach 400 million dollars, just one million away. At 39 years old, it is not certain that “CP3” will climb further in the hierarchy.
Other members of the Top 10 will, however, continue to generously fill their bank accounts. Paul Georgeninth in this ranking at the end of the 2023-2024 exercise, will make a jump with his signing with the Sixers for $212 million over four seasons. The Philadelphia winger will also reach $500 million at the end of this contract. Stephen Currycurrently fourth in the career rankings and who must still receive a little more than 115 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, will have to sign a new commitment to join this closed club that LeBron James will therefore inaugurate.
Note that three retired players are still in this ranking at the end of the 2023-2024 season: Kevin Garnett (7th), Kobe Bryant (8th) and Shaquille O'Neal (10th).
The Top 10 at the end of the 2023-2024 season
1st: LeBron James, $479,466,457
2nd: Kevin Durant, $396,705,024
3rd: Chris Paul, $389,909,419
4th: Stephen Curry, $354,721,977
5th: Russell Westbrook, $340,265,800
6th: James Harden, $338,570,135
7th: Kevin Garnett, $334,304,240
8th: Kobe Bryant, $323,312,307
9th: Paul George, $305,332,086
10th: Shaquille O'Neal, $286,344,668
The KG – Kobe – Shaq trio will have to quickly give up their place as several players will fill their bank accounts with juicy contracts in the coming seasons, thanks to the success of the NBA and the explosion of TV rights. Anthony Davis ($507 million in 2028), Devin Booker (391 million in 2028), Giannis Antetokounmpo (427 million in 2028, if he activates his “player option” of 79 million in 2028), Nikola Jokic (364 million in 2028, if he activates his “player option” of 63 million dollars in 2028), Jaylen Brown (423 million in 2029), Karl-Anthony Towns (344 million in 2028, if he activates his “player option” of 61 million dollars in 2028) or even Kawhi Leonard (372 million in 2027) will shake up the hierarchy, not to mention the upcoming contracts that could be signed by stars of the league in the coming months.
