Steph Curry Tops LeBron, Giannis as NBA's Top Projected 2026-27 Earner Between Salary, Endorsements

Eighteen years into his legendary NBA career, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry continues to rake in more money than any other player in the league.

Per Sportico's Kurt Badenhausen , Curry is projected to be the highest-paid player during the 2026-27 season with $122.6 million between his NBA salary and endorsement deals.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only other player projected to make at least $100 million ($108.5 million), followed by Kevin Durant ($93.9 million), LeBron James ($88.9 million) and Jayson Tatum ($78.5 million) rounding out the top five.

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Badenhausen noted this is the third consecutive season Curry tops the list. James had been No. 1 for 11 consecutive seasons before falling to second in 2024-25.

James fell to No. 4 this season primarily due to the pay cut he took to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. His NBA salary went from $52.6 million in 2025-26 to $3.9 million in 2026-27.

Durant is the only other player on the list making more through endorsements ($50 million) than his NBA salary ($43.9 million)

Despite the decrease in his NBA pay, James' $85 million from endorsements is by far the most of anyone on the list. Curry, who signed a 10-year, $400 million shoe deal with China-based company Li-Ning over the summer, is second at $60 million.

According to Badenhausen, the top 20 players combined will earn roughly $1.47 billion with 30 percent of that total coming from off-the-court earnings.

James, Durant and Curry are the only players in NBA history who have made at least $500 million in on-court earnings.