Average NBA Player Salary in 2025: Full Breakdown

By Sarah Miller · March 28, 2026

The average salary of an NBA basketball player in the 2024-2025 season is approximately $10.3 million per year, reflecting the league's strong revenue growth and collective bargaining agreement terms that continue to elevate player compensation.

Understanding NBA Player Salaries

NBA player salaries have risen significantly over the past decade due to increased television deals, global branding, and robust league revenues. The average salary serves as a benchmark for understanding financial trends in professional basketball and provides context for contract negotiations, team payrolls, and player valuations.

Factors Influencing NBA Salaries

Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): Dictates salary caps, minimum contracts, and maximum player earnings.
Player Performance: All-Star status, stats, awards, and playoff success directly impact earning potential.
Market Size: Teams in larger markets may offer more endorsement opportunities, though base salaries are capped.
Experience Level: Rookie-scale contracts differ drastically from veteran or supermax deals.
Position and Role: Star guards and versatile big men often command higher salaries than role players.

Average vs. Median Salary: What’s the Difference?

While the average salary is around $10.3 million, the median salary—representing the midpoint where half earn more and half earn less—is closer to $4.8 million. This discrepancy highlights income inequality within the league, where a small number of elite players on max contracts significantly raise the average.

Why the Gap Exists

A handful of players earn over $40 million annually, skewing the mean upward.
Rookies and bench players often earn between $1 million and $3 million.

NBA Salary Trends Over Time

The NBA's salary floor and cap are tied to Basketball Related Income (BRI), ensuring wages grow with league profitability. As national TV deals with ESPN, ABC, and Amazon Prime boost revenue, player salaries follow suit.

Season	Average Salary	Salary Cap	Minimum Salary (Rookie)
2020-2021	$8,319,750	$109.1M	$925,258
2021-2022	$8,897,577	$112.4M	$925,258
2022-2023	$9,576,979	$123.6M	$1,017,335
2023-2024	$10,040,000	$136.0M	$1,017,335
2024-2025	$10,300,000	$140.0M	$1,095,000

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows a consistent upward trend in average salaries, rising nearly 24% from 2020 to 2025. The salary cap growth mirrors this increase, enabling teams to spend more on rosters. Minimum salaries also reflect inflation adjustments and improved rookie compensation under the current CBA.

Top Earners in the NBA (2024-2025)

A select group of players earn well above the average, often exceeding $45 million per year. These include reigning MVPs, championship leaders, and players on designated veteran extensions.

Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors): $55.8 million
Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns): $49.8 million
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers): $48.7 million
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): $48.1 million
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers): $48.1 million

How NBA Contracts Work

NBA contracts are governed by strict rules under the CBA, including maximum lengths, annual raises, and trade provisions.

Types of Contracts

Rookie Scale Contracts: Four-year deals for first-round picks, two guaranteed years plus team options.
Maximum Contracts: Up to 30% of the salary cap for players with 7–9 years of experience; up to 35% for 10+ years.
Designated Veteran Extension (DVE): Allows eligible stars to sign extensions worth up to 35% of the cap plus 8% annual raises.
Mid-Level Exception: Enables teams over the cap to sign players up to $11.5 million annually.
Two-Way Contracts: For developmental players splitting time between NBA and G League; limited to $514,000 (2024-25).

Frequently Asked Questions About NBA Player Salaries

What is the average salary of an NBA basketball player in 2025?

The average salary of an NBA player in the 2024-2025 season is approximately $10.3 million, up from $8.3 million in 2020 due to rising league revenues and updated contract structures.

Who is the highest-paid NBA player in 2024-2025?

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is the highest-paid NBA player in 2024-2025, earning $55.8 million, largely due to his supermax contract and continued elite performance.

Do all NBA players make millions?

No, not all NBA players make millions. While the average is high, many rookies and role players earn between $1 million and $3 million, and two-way contract players earn under $600,000 annually.

How does the NBA salary cap affect player earnings?

The NBA salary cap limits how much teams can spend on player salaries each season. It influences contract sizes, trade feasibility, and free agency movement. The cap for 2024-2025 is set at $140 million, with a luxury tax threshold at $168 million.

How much do NBA rookies make?

NBA rookies drafted in the first round sign four-year contracts with salaries determined by draft position. The top pick in 2024 earns about $12.6 million in his first year, while late first-round picks earn between $1.5 million and $3 million. Undrafted rookies typically sign minimum or two-way deals.