Basketball is where the money is at. The highest-paid NBA players are given contracts that pay them a quarter-plus of a billion these days. Even all-time legends like LeBron James and Michael Jordan already have net worths in the billions. Every year, superstar players sign new contracts that make them paid more handsomely than the last guy, but who have signed the biggest contracts in NBA history?
Note: Contract information is from spotrac.com
T15. Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
Contract: Five years, $224,238,150 – signed by Raptors in 2024
Typically, to be among the highest-paid players in the NBA, a superstar needs to be an elite-level scorer. That isn't the case for Scottie Barnes, as through five seasons, the Toronto Raptors star has yet to even average 20 points per game in a single season. Barnes is far from a bad scorer. He has hovered around that threshold for years while making a big impact in transition. The wing with a goofy personality makes his money because he does a little bit of everything.
Barnes is an elite defender and an advanced playmaker for a forward. He has incredible length and athleticism, which embodies what the Raptors do as an overall team. The former Rookie of the Year was given one of the biggest contracts ever after only his first All-Star appearance.
T15. Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic)
Contract: Five years, $224,238,150 – signed by Orlando Magic in 2024
Franz Wagner signed the same length of contract for the same total value as Barnes just two days prior in 2024. Like Barnes, this was Wagner's first contract extension at the NBA level. He had a previous history of professional basketball contracts, though, as the native German played pro ball for Alba Berlin as a teenager, before he'd go the collegiate route to Michigan.
For the Orlando Magic, Wagner proved himself as a premier slasher right away. His frontcourt combination with Paolo Banchero is elite, and the German showed that Orlando's investment would be worth it right away when he averaged 24.2 points per game the season after extending. However, the injury bug has bitten Wagner and his teammates in the years since. Last year, Wagner was limited to just 34 games, and Banchero and Jalen Suggs are sidelined right now. If the Magic can't get healthy and make this core work, the team just may have to blow it all up.
T11. Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Contract: Five years, $239,193,450 (287 million max) – signed by Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025
Unfortunately, Jalen Williams is not in the news right now for his stellar play or a historically large contract. Instead, he just recently suffered a gruesome lower body injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season. Williams went up for a layup, landed awkwardly, and suffered a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula.
This injury is not only concerning for the Oklahoma City Thunder's immediate title hopes and Williams' long-term outlook, but because he was limited to just 33 games last season, too. Before Williams started battling with injury woes, though, there was an upward trajectory on his career. Williams signed his massive deal in the offseason succeeding the Thunder's first championship victory. As a high-IQ, do-it-all wing, Williams was expected to contribute to what looked like what could become a dynasty. There are incentives for Williams' contract to increase to $287 million from incentives, but injuries are quickly preventing that from becoming a reality.
T11. Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
Contract: Five years, $239,193,450 – signed by Orlando Magic in 2025
Big, versatile wings are the trend here early. Banchero is just one of two highly-paid players who fit that description on the Magic's roster alone. While Wagner is a great Robin, Banchero is the true top option in Orlando. The former number one overall pick started putting up record-breaking numbers the second he entered the NBA, and he hasn't slowed down as a great scorer ever since.
This season, the one-time All-Star has seen an uptick in efficiency and 3-point effectiveness. The jumper, in particular, could go a big way in helping turn Banchero from good to great. However, Banchero is currently out with an ankle injury. He is one of three NBA players with a five-year, $239 million deal.
T11. Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Contract: Five years, $239,193,450 – signed by Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025
Chet Holmgren is one of three Thunder players on this list of the players with the biggest contracts in NBA history. The team had unmatched depth during and the season they won it all and after their championship triumph, and they had to pay a lot of players handsomely because of it. Even after trading Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe in the offseason, and losing Williams and Cason Wallace to potentially season-ending injuries, the Thunder still somehow have reinforcements.
However, the team's depth might not look the same come next year. With second apron and luxury tax rules, the Thunder could have a bill around $500 million next year, basically guaranteeing that they will have to cut costs. Holmgren was a popular choice as a potential future trade candidate during his postseason struggles last year, but the Thunder might be smart to keep his shot blocking prowess in town.
T9. Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Contract: Five years, $244, 623,120 – signed by Minnesota Timberwolves in 2023
Anthony Edwards is a lot of things. The Minnesota Timberwolves star is one of the most joyful and energetic players in the NBA. He is one of the league's biggest trash talkers, and he is certainly one of the best players in the NBA. Edwards is also playing on one of the biggest contracts in NBA history.
Ant Man has four All-Star nods and has established himself as arguably the best American hooper alive in the sport today. He is a two-way star who can score by dunking over defenders or by shooting away from them beyond the 3-point arc. Unfortunately, 2026-27 has been the year of the injury. The typically healthy and reliable Edwards could miss the next two months now after having surgery to clean up a knee problem. Luckily, he will be back for the majority of the season.
T9. Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
Contract: Five years, $244,623,120 – signed by Indiana Pacers in 2023
Playmaking pays. Tyrese Haliburton has one of the biggest contracts in NBA history because he is an elite passer who makes his teammates better. The point guard led the NBA in assists (10.9) in 2023-24 before helping his Indiana Pacers make it all the way to Game 7 of the NBA Finals the next year.
Had it not been for his suffering an achilles tear in that game, Haliburton may have just led his team to championship glory. Haliburton's playmaking genius isn't to say he isn't a great scorer, though. He had tons of clutch moments in that memorable postseason run. Now, after missing all of last season, Haliburton is back on the court and living up to his big contract.
8. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Contract: Five years, $255,200,000 – signed by San Antonio Spurs on 2026
Victor Wembanyama actually took a discount when he signed a new deal with the San Antonio Spurs. The 7-foot-4 Alien is worth all of the basketball money in the world. He has the San Antonio Spurs way ahead of schedule, considering they made the NBA Finals last year, and he became the first player ever to unanimously win Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. Plus, the former number one pick can do guard-like things on offense despite his immense height.
However, the center who was one of the most highly touted prospects ever has made it clear that he not only wants to be in San Antonio, but he wants to win there. By not taking the largest contract he could have taken, the Spurs will have a better chance of locking up the rest of their core and continuing to make external moves over the years to come. It isn't like Wembanyama is struggling, either. His deal is still the eighth largest in NBA history.
T6. Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
Contract: Five years, $269,085,780 – signed by Detroit Pistons in 2024
One of four former number one picks on this list, Cade Cunningham is the highest-paid of his No. 1 peers. The Detroit Pistons star was given a massive five year deal in 2024. This huge investment came after the Pistons won just 14 games and tied the record for consecutive losses.
It was a risky decision, but it paid off in a huge way. The next season, Cunningham made his first All-Star appearance, and the year after that he led the Pistons to the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Now, it appears as though Detroit should be perennial contenders, largely because their jumbo guard does a dose of everything on the court.
T6. Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Contract: Five years, $269,085,780 – signed by Cleveland Cavaliers in 2024
The unicorn archetype is one of the most coveted in the NBA these days. Holmgren, Wembanyama, and most highly paid, Evan Mobley, all fit the build of a 7-foot-ish skinny big who is a nightmare to score on inside that can also do things on offense that most big men can't.
Mobley is a former Defensive Player of the Year winner. He can also score inside or outside on offense. He has an impressive handle for someone his size, too. Mobley is glued to a five-year, $269 million deal.
T4. Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Contract: Four years, 275,968,000 – signed by Cleveland Cavaliers in 2026
Article Continues BelowWith back-to-back players on this list, the Cavaliers, clearly, have an expensive core. Donovan Mitchell has now made seven straight All-Star teams, and he has been above the 20-point-per-game mark in all 10 years of his career, including this season. Mitchell's contract, as well as the other $275 million deal in the league, is only over the course of four years, not five. That makes it tied for the largest contract on an average annual value scale at $68,992,000.
T4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Contract: Four years, 275,968,000 – signed by Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025
Considering Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won back-to-back MVP awards, it can be argued that the Thunder have him for a bargain. SGA has averaged 30-plus points per game in four straight seasons. He is an incredible interior finisher and a devastating mid-range shooter. Plus, he holds his own on defense.
Despite all Gilgeous-Alexander has done recently, the Thunder might need him to carry an even greater burden than normal this year. The Thunder are littered with injuries, and the Canadian MVP may actually have to outplay his contract for them to have a chance this year.
3. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
Contract: Five years, $276,122,630 – signed by Denver Nuggets in 2022
The man Gilgeous-Alexander has been battling with for MVPs recently, Nikola Jokic is a three-time MVP in his own right and has one of the largest contracts in NBA history. Jokic is known for stuffing the stat sheet. Last year, he became the first player ever to lead the NBA in rebounding and assisting. This year, he will likely break the all-time triple-doubles record.
Off the court, Jokic isn't in the limelight as much as many of his basketball superstar peers. He comes from humble beginnings in Serbia and is a family man. One thing is for sure, though, and that is that The Joker likely spends a good chunk of his earnings on race horses.
2. Jaylen Brown (Philadelphia 76ers)
Contract: Five years, $285,393,640 – signed by Boston Celtics in 2023
The Boston Celtics spent big on their duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Together, they found tons of success, but the relationship soured over the years to the point of their being no beef, but lamb chops. Brown operated as one of the top players in the league with Tatum sidelined because of an achilles injury for much of last year, and he was in turn traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason.
Now, Philadelphia is on the books for the second largest contract in NBA history. Brown is the only player on this list who isn't still with the team that gave him one of the biggest paydays ever. It took Boston taking a fellow big contract (Paul George) back to get a deal done, as well as draft compensation.
1. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Contract: Five years, $313,933,410 – signed by Boston Celtics in 2024
Jayson Tatum is inked to a five-year, $313 million, far and away the largest contract in NBA history. It can be argued whether Tatum is overpaid or not, but the Celtics have had a lot of great players throughout their existence, and Tatum is one of the very best. With career averages of 23.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, Tatum has proven to be worth every penny to Boston, and his quick rehab from an achilles injury last season illustrated just how much the Celtics mean to him.