10 Richest NBA players, ranked

The NBA is a highly profitable league, and its players make a fortune. Over the last couple of years, several NBA teams have become the wealthiest through their on and off-court decisions. The last season generated a wholesome revenue, and all thanks to the teams that performed greatly in the league and its iconic players. The big league has been a lucrative market for the investors, brands, and advisors. The exceptional talent of the league’s most iconic players has made these parties gain interest in the NBA. From Michael Jordan to David Robinson, all of them have gained fame over the past decades in the league. Here are the names of the top 10 richest players in the NBA:

1. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is the most iconic personality in the NBA. He is regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. With a net worth of $3.5 billion, he stands at the top of the list. He has his signature shoe, i.e., the Air Jordans. He is a classic example of how an athlete can make a fortune through various brand deals, endorsements, and investments. His total NBA salary is $94 million, with his highest single salary being $33 million.

2. Magic Johnson

With a net worth of $1.5 billion, Magic Johnson is the second-wealthiest figure in basketball history. His major contribution to the league had gained him fame and popularity. The former Los Angeles Lakers star has gained approximately $60 million from his brand endorsement deals, especially with PepsiCo. However, this NBA veteran could not continue his basketball journey for long as he announced his HIV diagnosis back in 1991. His remarkable NBA journey mesmerized his fans from all over the world.

3. LeBron James

The current star of the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, is the pride of the NBA. He is the third-richest basketball player in the history of the big league. What’s more surprising is that this Lakers’ star is the first and only player to have become a billionaire while actively playing in the league. LeBron James has amassed a wealth of over $1.6 billion, and only about $480 million came from his NBA salary. His net worth is valued at
$1.2 billion. He was actively involved with major brands like Coca-Cola, Kia Motors, and Beats by Dre.

4. Shaquille O’Neal

One of the tallest players in the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal, stands fifth among the top 10 richest NBA players. With a net worth of $500 million, this basketball veteran has earned over $292 million in salary throughout his 19 seasons in the big league. His major brand endorsement deals include those with Reebok, Icy Hot, and Gold Bond. He was actively involved with Reebok and was even the President of Reebok’s Basketball operations. His partnership with the brand has earned him a multi-year agreement of $19 million.

5. Vinnie Johnson

Nicknamed “Microwave”, Vinnie Johnson played for the Detroit Pistons from 1981-1991. His net worth is around $500 million, making him the fifth-richest NBA player in basketball history. His NBA career-high salary was marked at $800,000. He started his own manufacturing company after retirement, which came to be known as “Pistons Group”. With annual revenues of around $2 billion, this NBA veteran remains one of the most prosperous athletes to venture into entrepreneurship.

6. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is one of the highest-paid NBA players in the big league. With a net worth of $300 million, he remains the 6th richest player in the history of basketball. His annual salary is worth $250 million for 15 seasons. His 5-year, $205 million contract extension with the Thunder peaked his NBA career as he earned a salary of $44.2 million per year.

7. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is the seventh-richest NBA player. With a total career salary of around $420 million, he is one of the highest-paid players in the history of the NBA. His net worth is estimated at around $300 million. He is the second player in history to have earned around $50 million in a single season. The NBA star has established “Thirty Five Ventures”. The Rockets star also started the media company Broadroom in 2019, which significantly added to his income.

8. Hakeem Olajuwon

With a net worth of $300 million, Hakeem Olajuwon stands as the 8th richest man in the NBA. Similar to Michael Jordan, this NBA player began on a 6-year, $6 million rookie contract with the Houston Rockets. However, his retirement contract was only half of Michael Jordan’s pay. Due to this quite meagre income, he started to invest in real estate. By the time he retired back in 2002, he had purchased 12 downtown Houston parking lots.

9. Grant Hill

Grant Hill is the 9th richest player in the history of the NBA, and his net worth is estimated to be around $250 million. His wealth involves his investments in art, real estate, and fashion. In 1996, he signed a 7-year contract worth $45 million with the Detroit Pistons, but he suffered from a dreadful ankle injury. His injury affected his NBA career to a huge extent.

10. Stephen Curry

The next generation NBA legend, Stephen Curry, plays for the Golden State Warriors. He is the 10th richest NBA player with a net worth of around $240 million. He and his wife, Ayesha Curry, are building their empire with their hard work and strong determination. Stephen Curry’s lifetime earnings are around $800 million. He has dealt with various brand endorsements, including the one with Nike and Under Armour, which significantly contributed to his wealth.

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