NBA salaries have exploded over the past few seasons. Star players aren’t the only ones earning massive paydays; even role players can take home significant salaries.
During the 2025-26 NBA season, many players earned more than $30 million a season. A decade ago, not even the highest-paid player reached that threshold. Former LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant made the most in the 2015-16 season, earning $25,000,000, according to ESPN.
