James Earns $930 Million Annually, So What About Curry and Durant? No Comparison, No Embarrassment

Recently, Forbes released the Top 10 list of NBA players with the highest annual income in 2024. Among them, James once again ranked first, which is also his 11th consecutive year at the top. Curry and Durant followed closely behind, ranking second and third respectively. So, let's take a look at the specific rankings.

James

As the face of the league in this era, James' ability to attract money does not need to be overstated. He receives various commercial endorsements and his jerseys, shoes, and other peripheral products are sold out all year round. In 2024, James' annual income reached $128.7 m i l l i o n, a p p r o x i m a t e l y R M B 939.4 m i l l i o n, b r e a k i n g h i s p r e v i o u s r e c o r d o f$ 128.7million,approximatelyRMB939.4million,breakinghispreviousrecordof124.5 million. Among this, James' salary income was $48.7 m i l l i o n, w h i l e c o m m e r c i a l e n d o r s e m e n t s a n d o t h e r i n c o m e a m o u n t e d t o$ 48.7million,whilecommercialendorsementsandotherincomeamountedto80 million.
Curry

Curry is the player with the highest salary this season, reaching $55.8 m i l l i o n . A d d i t i o n a l l y, h i s o f f - c o u r t i n c o m e a l s o r e a c h e d$ 55.8million.Additionally,hisoff−courtincomealsoreached50 million. Curry's annual income in 2024 was $105.8 million, approximately RMB 772.2 million, ranking second in the league after James.
Durant

Durant ranked behind James and Curry with an annual income of $99.9 m i l l i o n, a p p r o x i m a t e l y R M B 729.2 m i l l i o n . A m o n g t h i s, D u r a n t^{'} s s a l a r y w a s$ 99.9million,approximatelyRMB729.2million.Amongthis,Durant′ssalarywas49.9 million, and his off-court commercial income was the same as Curry's at $50 million.
Antetokounmpo

As the leader among the mid-generation stars, Antetokounmpo's commercial value has soared after leading his team to win championships and being awarded MVP in recent years. In 2024, his annual income reached $93.8 m i l l i o n, a p p r o x i m a t e l y R M B 684.6 m i l l i o n . A m o n g t h i s, h i s s a l a r y i n c o m e w a s$ 93.8million,approximatelyRMB684.6million.Amongthis,hissalaryincomewas48.8 million, while off-court income was $45 million.
Lillard

Despite Lillard not having won a championship yet, this does not prevent him from becoming the highest-paid active player. This season, his annual salary is as high as $48.8 m i l l i o n, w i t h o f f - c o u r t i n c o m e o f$ 48.8million,withoff−courtincomeof16 million, making his total income $64.8 million, approximately RMB 472.9 million.

The players ranked sixth to tenth are Embiid ( $64.1 m i l l i o n), B u t l e r ($ 64.1million),Butler(58.8 million), Booker ( $58.2 m i l l i o n), D o n c i c ($ 58.2million),Doncic(58 million), and Beal ($57.7 million).