Stephen Curry, celebrated as one of the NBA’s finest players, has held the distinction of being the league’s highest-paid player for a remarkable seven-year span. His journey began in 2012 when he concluded a four-year contract worth $44 million with the Golden State Warriors. Subsequently, Curry elevated his status by agreeing to an unparalleled five-year extension worth $201 million. The summer of 2021 witnessed another milestone as Curry secured a four-year, $215 million max extension. As he enters the second year of his latest contract, the upcoming 2023-24 season promises Curry a substantial earning of $51,915,615. Despite his commanding salary, Curry finds himself trailing behind athletes such as Max Verstappen and Lamar Jackson in earnings.
Curry’s accomplishments have solidified his position as the first player to secure multiple $200+ million deals in the NBA. Despite these monumental signings, Curry’s earnings fall short of those garnered by F1 sensation Max Verstappen and NFL standout Lamar Jackson. While Curry’s achievements in the league have been extraordinary, he remains eclipsed in income by top earners from the worlds of Formula 1 and the NFL.
The turning point in Curry’s career came during the historic 2014-2015 season, where he seized his first MVP accolade. Renowned for his three-point prowess, he maintained impressive averages of 23.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game. The following season witnessed an even more remarkable performance, with Curry elevating his stats to 30.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. However, it wasn’t until the 2017-2018 season that Curry led the NBA in terms of salaries, further cementing his superstar status.
As the upcoming season looms, Curry stands as the sole player poised to surpass the $50 million milestone, specifically earning $51,915,615 according to reports from Hoops Rumors. Although an impressive figure, this amount pales in comparison to the earnings anticipated by Max Verstappen, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert.
Recognized as the premier driver of his era, Max Verstappen has earned a historic contract worth $55 million from Red Bull. Justifying this substantial investment, the 25-year-old has displayed unparalleled dominance in the current F1 season. With victories in 11 out of the initial 13 races, the Dutch driver is poised to secure his third Drivers’ Championship title. Meanwhile, in the NFL arena, Justin Herbert has surpassed 25-year-old Lamar Jackson as the highest earner. This accomplishment comes on the heels of Herbert’s signing of a five-year contract worth $262.5 million.
The trend of substantial earnings isn’t confined to Stephen Curry alone. Jaylen Brown has also inked a monumental deal, setting a new record in NBA history. As a cornerstone player for the Boston Celtics, Brown secured a supermax contract that guarantees him a staggering $304 million. This extension solidifies his commitment to the Celtics for an additional five years.
While Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant remain the faces of the NBA, the most recent offseason has seen several other players secure lucrative contracts. The spotlight falls on Jaylen Brown’s record-breaking deal, a testament to the evolving landscape of player compensation in the league. Notably, Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis secured contracts of $186 million and $217 million, respectively. In addition, rookies Tyrese Haliburton, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and Desmond Bane all inked rookie max extensions. Anticipating further financial growth, the impending media deal set to take effect in the 2024-25 season is expected to lead to a substantial boost in contract values across the board.
