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The NBA’s richest basketball players

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Rich & Famous
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By Liliana Kunze

January 05, 2022

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The NBA is undoubtedly the most famous basketball league in the world, and many NBA players have reached celebrity status. Their incredible talent continues to inspire millions of fans worldwide and has earned them record-breaking salaries and lucrative business deals. We take a look at the NBA’s richest basketball players.  

Stephen Curry $160 million 

Raised in a family of NBA players, Stephen Curry was always destined for basketball. He has been named the NBA’s most valuable player twice and has won the NBA championship three times. In addition to his current NBA salary of around $45 million per season, Stephen Curry is among the most marketable NBA superstars. While his own production company entered a lucrative deal with Sony Pictures, Curry himself has signed multiple endorsements deals with major brands. The future looks golden for this champion.  

LeBron James $1 billion 

LeBron James just recently became one of the highest-paid players in the history of the NBA, with a current salary of $44 million per season. As his fans call him, King James is also the first active NBA player to become a billionaire. His endorsement deals include brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Beats. He has his own entertainment company producing critically acclaimed documentaries and is the most followed basketball player on Instagram.  

Kevin Durant $200 million 

Widely known as the “nicest guy in the NBA,” Kevin Durant is amongst the best and highest-paid active players in the NBA. With a current salary of over $40 million per season, this player rose to fame and fortune, making his childhood dream of becoming an NBA player come true. Off the court, Kevin Durant is a smart investor owning a venture company and a media brand. He was included in TIME’s Most Influential People of the year and has been known for his philanthropic work. 

Junior Bridgeman $600 million 

This NBA player’s road to fortune is a bit of a surprise. During his active NBA career, Junior Bridgeman never made more than $350,000 a season. So how did he become one of the richest former athletes you might ask? The answer is a series of very smart investments. In fact, the retired NBA player invested all his NBA earnings into the fast-food chains Wendy’s and Chili’s and later sold his shares for many millions – an interesting choice of investment for a professional athlete.  

Kobe Bryant $600 million 

The heartbreaking news of the tragic accident that took the life of one of the greatest basketball players of all time and his daughter has shocked the world. Kobe Bryant dedicated his entire career to the Los Angeles Lakers where he earned up to $25 million per season. On top of his salary in the NBA, Kobe made millions more signing endorsement deals with brands like Adidas, Coca-Cola and Nike. He even won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018, becoming the first African American to win this category. His legacy will certainly live on.  

Michael Jordan $1,7 billion 

Michael Jordan is undoubtedly a global icon, widely regarded as the best basketball player of all time. Although he retired from his basketball career in 2003, Michael Jordan is still a celebrity today. His countless brand deals have earned him millions. Nike’s famous Jordan sneakers, which generated around $1 billion in sales, were named after this legend and are still bestsellers today. Michael Jordan is not only among the richest African Americans but also a great philanthropist supporting various charities and organizations, most notably in the fight for racial equality and access to education.  

 

Magic Johnson $620 million 

Magic Johnson spent most of his NBA career playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. Although this champion is without a doubt one of the best players of all time, Magic Johnson might have inspired even more people as an advocate for HIV/AIDS protection speaking openly about his diagnosis and hence courageously breaking the stereotype. A very active businessman, Magic Johnson has been a part-owner of several basketball teams and an investor in multiple ventures.  

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