Giannis Antetokounmpo: NBA’s 4th Highest Paid Player for 2024

It turns out that Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently the fourth highest paid NBA player of 2024, according to Forbes’ list of the most well-compensated players of the North American professional basketball league.

The most well-paid NBA player is currently LeBron James, while second is Steph Curry, followed by Kevin Durant in third place. LeBron James has retained his position in the top spot of Forbes’ list for the eleventh consecutive year, setting a new record with his total annual NBA earnings.

In total, the ten stars on the list will be earning close to one billion dollars for this season alone. Specifically, in relation to LeBron James, Forbes reports that there is also no active NBA player older than he is. LeBron turns 40 in December.

The Lakers’ forward is older than three NBA coaches—Oklahoma City Thunder’s Mark Daynio, the Utah Jazz’s Will Hardy, and the Boston Celtics’ Joe Matsula. Interestingly enough, LeBron was also born in the same year as three other coaches, including his new coach in Los Angeles, J.J Reddick.

Contents hide

1 Record earnings for “King” LeBron

2 Off-the-field activities

3 The top 10 players with the most earnings

Record earnings for “King” LeBron

For the eleventh consecutive year, LeBron James is the highest-paid player, as his salary this season stands at $48.7 million, and he is estimated to earn another $80 million from other business endeavors.

The $128.7 million is a record amount, as it is the highest in the 15-year history of the Forbes rankings, surpassing the $124.5 million that LeBron earned during the 2022-2023 season.

Moreover, when James began his basketball career, the top ten players earned a total of $368 million, according to Forbes’ estimates. This year’s group has now more than doubled that total, attaining a new record of $787 million, which surpasses the 2022 record of $751 million, as well.

Off-the-field activities

The $787 million total for the 10 highest-paid players in the NBA includes off-court earnings in the amount of $293 million. Steve Curry of the Golden State Warriors is most highly compensated in this manner at $50 million, while Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks each make approximately $45 million off the court.

Notably, only five active stars across all sports—soccer players Messi and Ronaldo, golfers Tiger Woods and Rory Milroy, and baseball athlete Otani—earn at least $45 million a year off the field.