NBA Salary Landscape 2024-25: From Minimum Wage to Maximum Earnings

NBA Salary: The NBA’s salary structure tells a fascinating story of financial disparity in professional sports. While superstars command astronomical salaries, young talents entering the league face a different reality.

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Table of Contents

Understanding NBA Salary Metrics

When analyzing NBA salaries, looking at averages can be misleading. Here’s why:

High-end salaries significantly skew the average
Median salary provides a more accurate picture
For 2024-25, the median NBA salary stands at $6,696,429

Top Earners: The $50 Million Club

The league’s highest-paid players for 2024-25 form an exclusive group:

Player	Team	Salary
Stephen Curry	Golden State Warriors	$55.8M
Nikola Jokic	Denver Nuggets	$51.42M
Joel Embiid	Philadelphia 76ers	$51.42M
Kevin Durant	Phoenix Suns	$51.18M
Bradley Beal	Phoenix Suns	$50.2M

Meet the League’s Lowest-Paid Player

Who is the lowest-paid player in the NBA for the 2024-25 season?

At the other end of the spectrum is Tyler Smith, whose story highlights the entry-level reality for many NBA newcomers:

Age: 19 years old
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Annual Salary: $1,157,153
Background: Former NBA G League Ignite player

Smith’s Journey to the NBA

Ranked as a five-star recruit in the 2023 class
Selected 33rd overall in the 2024 NBA draft
Officially signed with the Bucks on July 5, 2024

The Salary Range Perspective

The 2024-25 season showcases the vast financial spectrum in the NBA:

Minimum Salary: $1.1+ million
Maximum Salary: $55.8 million (Stephen Curry)
Difference between highest and lowest: Approximately $54.7 million

This stark contrast between the league’s highest and lowest salaries reflects the NBA’s financial success and the structured pay scale for developing talent. While veterans and superstars command substantial contracts, young players like Tyler Smith represent the league’s future, starting their professional journeys at the league minimum.

Author Profile

Khurshid Anwar

I am a computer science trainer, motivator, blogger, and sports enthusiast. Apart from academic activities, I'm a very passionate reader and writer on various subjects like technology, Sports, and finance.