The 2023-24 National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season tips off on Tuesday night with some of the league's best— and highest-paid—players taking the floor.
Nikola Jokić and the defending-champion Denver Nuggets host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers at 7:30 p.m. ET in a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals. Then Kevin Durant returns to the Bay Area for a 10 p.m. ET showdown between the Phoenix Suns and the Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors.
These four teams feature seven of the 15 top-paid players in the NBA this season.
Follow the Sports Tak channel on WhatsApp
Forty-two players across the league will make at least $30 million during this campaign. And that doesn't even include Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, whose record-setting $304 million contract extension doesn't start until next year. Any fans need a refresher on which players will make the most money this season? Look no further.
Below is a look at the 15 highest-paid NBA players this season, in terms of base salary, according to data collected from Spotrac. This does not take into account endorsements or any other off-court deals that may factor into a player's total earnings.
HIGHEST-PAID NBA PLAYERS 2023-24
15. Anthony Davis, F/C, Los Angeles Lakers — $40,600,080
14. Fred VanVleet, G, Houston Rockets — $40,806,300
13. Rudy Gobert, C, Minnesota Timberwolves — $41,000,000
12. Klay Thompson, G, Golden State Warriors — $43,219,440
11. Jimmy Butler, F, Miami Heat — $45,183,960
STAR TANDEMS FILL BACK OF TOP-10
T-7. Damian Lillard, G, Milwaukee Bucks — $45,640,084
T-7. Paul George, G/F, Los Angeles Clippers — $45,640,084
T-7. Kawhi Leonard, F, Los Angeles Clippers — $45,640,084
T-7. Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks — $45,640,084
6. Kevin Durant, F, Phoenix Suns — $46,407,433
5. Bradley Beal, G, Phoenix Suns — $46,741,590
The Bucks, Clippers, and Suns all have two players among the 10 highest-paid in the NBA.
After an offseason filled with trade rumors, Lillard was finally dealt to the Bucks (rather than his reportedly preferred Miami Heat) in September. The seven-time All-Star point guard will team up with Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, to try and take control of the Eastern Conference.
Another new pairing this season will be Durant and Beal in Phoenix. Durant is entering his first full year with the Suns after being acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in February. The Suns were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season. So Phoenix brought in some reinforcements to aid Durant and Devin Booker. Beal was a three-time All-Star over his first 11 NBA seasons with the Washington Wizards, averaging 22.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists over his career.
This season will mark the fifth of the Leonard and George era in Los Angeles. But injuries to both players, particularly Leonard's torn ACL a few seasons back, have kept the All-Stars off the court in extended stretches. Perhaps this is the season George and Leonard stay healthy and take the Clippers to their first-ever NBA Finals.
CURRY ATOP OTHER MVPS IN SALARY RANKINGS
T-2. LeBron James, F, Los Angeles Lakers — $47,607,350
T-2. Nikola Jokić, C, Denver Nuggets — $47,607,350
T-2. Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers — $47,607,350
1. Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors — $51,915,615
The four highest-paid players in the NBA this season have combined for nine MVPs over their careers. Embiid won his first last season, ending a two-year stretch of Jokić earning the award—though the latter went on to win a championship and take on NBA Finals MVP honors.
The two centers are tied with James as the No. 2 highest-paid players this season. The NBA's all-time leading scorer is entering his 21st professional season and, at 38, is the oldest player in the league. Beating out James, Jokić, Embiid, and everyone else financially this season is Curry, who is the only player in the NBA with a base salary over $50 million in 2023-24.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
PAK vs BAN: Fakhar Zaman returns for Pakistan's must-win clash as Bangladesh to bat first; check Playing XIs here
Watch: Rashid Khan's rousing speech before 100th ODI appearance and win over Sri Lanka wins hearts on social media
