James Harden attends 2018 NBA Awards at Barkar Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California.  | Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Turner Sports
Cover James Harden attends 2018 NBA Awards at Barkar Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. | Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Turner Sports

Find out who made the cut in 2021's Forbes list of highest-paid basketball players around the world:

This year's highest-paid basketball players have been revealed. Globally, many industries have been taken aback due to COVID-19 and it did not exempt basketball leagues. Nonetheless, NBA salaries still continue to increase; the numbers continue to grow as NBA's biggest stars proceed with their endorsements and sneaker contracts.

1. Lebron James

Lebron James plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Total earnings: $95.4 million

Salary: $31.4 million

Endorsements: $64 million

2. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry plays for the Golden State Warriors.

Total earnings: $74.4 million

Salary: $34.4 million

Endorsements: $40 million

3. Kevin Durant

Tatler Asia
Kevin Durant. | Photo from Wikimedia Commons; Cyrus Saatsaz
Above Kevin Durant. | Photo from Wikimedia Commons; Cyrus Saatsaz

Kevin Durant plays for the Brooklyn Nets.

Total earnings: $65.2 million

Salary: $31.2 million

Endorsements: $34 million

4. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook plays for the Washington Wizards.

Total earnings: $58.1 million

Salary: $33 million

Endorsements: $25 million

5. James Harden

James Harden plays for the Brooklyn Nets.

Total Earnings: $50 million

Salary: $33 million

Endorsements: $17 million

6. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo plays for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Total earnings: $49 million

Salary: $22 million

Endorsements: $27 million

Read more: 6 NBA Players And Their Most Stylish Outfits Off-Court: Lebron James, Kelly Oubre Jr, James Harden

7. Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson plays for the Golden State Warriors.

Total earnings: $43.3 million

Salary: $28.3 million

Endorsements: $15 million

8. Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving plays for the Brooklyn Nets.

Total earnings: $43 million

Salary: $26 million

Endorsements: $17 million

9. Chris Paul

Chris Paul plays for the Phoenix Suns.

Total earnings: $40.1 million

Salary: $33.1 million

Endorsements: $7 million

10. Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard plays for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Total earnings: $39 million

Salary: $25 million

Endorsements: $14 million


This ranking is based on the Forbes list posted on 1 February 2021.

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