The 2026-27 NBA season has pushed salaries to new heights. The top earner now carries a cap hit above $60 million, and the cap itself sits at $164.96 million. Today the highest cap hit is more than double that, and for the first time in league history, a player needs a base salary above $35 million just to make the list of the 50 highest-paid players.
Health is another factor. Tatum returned from a torn Achilles last season and played just 16 regular-season games. Embiid has had well-documented injury problems, and several of the top earners are above 30. The league’s highest-paid players are often its biggest question marks, and teams with several of them, like Philadelphia, face the toughest decisions.
These figures cover base salary and exclude endorsements, which can add tens of millions for the biggest names. The list has a tie for third place, so five names fill the top three spots and slightly stretch the count. Here is a look at the highest-paid NBA players in 2026-27.
Top 5 Highest-Paid NBA Players in 2026-27
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry once again tops the list at $62.59 million, making him the first player in NBA history to carry a cap hit above $60 million in a season. He has led the league in cap hit every year since 2017-18, and his salary alone takes up about 38 per cent of the team salary cap of $164.96 million.
His number is unusually high because of how his contract was structured. He signed a four-year extension in 2021 with annual raises of eight percent, and those raises have outpaced the growth of the cap itself. That is why he out-earns players on technically similar max contracts by a wide margin.
This may be his last season at the top of the list. In September, he signed a two-year extension that lowers his pay to $55.7 million in 2027-28, with a player option for 2028-29 worth about $60.2 million. The cut gives Golden State extra cap room. He is a four-time champion and two-time MVP, but a knee injury limited him to 43 games last season, so his availability is the main question around him.
2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic ranks second, and he is on a five-year, $276.12 million extension, the largest total contract value among the top earners. He also holds a player option for 2027-28 worth about $62.84 million. If he exercises it, he would overtake Curry as the league’s top-paid player next season.
Few players have justified their salary as clearly. Jokic is a three-time MVP who led the Nuggets to the 2023 championship, and he is widely seen as the most versatile big man in basketball history. A center who averages near a triple-double is something the league has never really seen before, which is why his deal is often described as a bargain at this price.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of three players tied for third, and his situation is the most notable. He is now with the Miami Heat, which makes his $58.46 million salary one of the most closely watched contracts in the league. He is on a guaranteed deal this season and holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
He is a two-time MVP and won the 2021 title with Milwaukee. Heat fans will expect his production to justify the price and help the team contend in the East.
4. Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards
Anthony Davis shares the same salary and is now with the Washington Wizards. He is a big man with elite defensive and scoring skills, and he won a championship with the Lakers in 2020. Paying a player of his talent more than $58 million matches what the big men in the league currently get paid.
The challenge for Davis, as in much of his career, is health. His value to Washington depends on how many games he plays, and the Wizards have built their plans around him being available. Teams with this much money tied to one player are especially sensitive to injuries.
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum completes the three-way tie. He returned last season from a torn Achilles tendon, which is one of the most serious injuries in basketball, and played 16 regular-season games. He was not quite back to his previous form, but considering the severity of the injury, his comeback was encouraging.
He won a championship with Boston in 2024 and remains the face of the franchise. Boston’s willingness to pay him near the top of the scale shows how much they expect from him, and this season will show how fully he has recovered.
FAQs
Q. Who is the highest-paid NBA player in 2026-27?
A. Stephen Curry leads with a salary of $62.59 million.
Q. Which player ranks second in NBA salaries?
A. Nikola Jokic ranks second among the highest-paid players.
Q. Which three players are tied for third place?
A. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum share third place.
Q. How much is Giannis Antetokounmpo earning in 2026-27?
A. Giannis is earning $58.46 million this season.
Q. What is the NBA salary cap for 2026-27?
A. The salary cap is $164.96 million.
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