The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a league filled with some of the most talented and highly-paid athletes in the world. With an ever-growing global audience, the NBA has seen a steady increase in revenues, which has led to a corresponding increase in player salaries.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the average NBA salary, including historical perspective, current averages by position, top earners, meadium salaries, and factors that impact salaries. We will also explore the potential future trajectory of NBA salaries and what it means for players and teams alike. Whether you´re a fan of the sport or just curious about the business of professional basketball, this article will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of NBA salaries.

What is the Average NBA Salary? (Quick Answer)

As of the 2021-2022 NBA season, the average salary for an NBA player is around $7.7 million per year. However, the Median Salary for the NBA is around $4.3 million per year. 

What this means is that the same amount of players make over $4.3 as the amount that make under $4.3 million. 

Evolution of NBA Salaries: A Historical Increase in Player Earnings

When the NBA was first established in 1946, the average player salary was just $5,000 per year. While this may seem like a small amount compared to today´s salaries, it was actually quite substantial at the time, as the average American worker was earning around $3,200 per year.

Over the years, NBA salaries have steadily increased. In the 1970s, the average salary was around $250,000, and by the 1980s, it had risen to around $500,000. The 1990s saw a significant jump, with the average salary reaching over $1 million per year.

In the 21st century, NBA salaries have continued to soar, with the average salary reaching $7.7 million in 2020. This represents a significant increase from just a decade ago, when the average salary was around $5 million.

It´s worth noting that these figures are just averages and don´t take into account the wide range of salaries among players. Some players earn the league minimum salary, while others earn tens of millions of dollars per year. The highest-paid player in the league can earn up to 5 times more than the average salary.

Comparing the average salary today with the past, it´s clear that NBA players are earning a lot more than they used to. However, when considering inflation, the average salary in the league today is still not as high as it would have been if it had kept pace with inflation from the 1940s.

Overall, the historical perspective of the average NBA salary shows a steady increase over time, with a significant jump in the last two decades. With the league´s popularity and revenues continuing to grow, it´s likely that we will see further increases in player salaries in the future. Will we ever see a $100 million a year contract? 

How Position Affects Salary: A Breakdown of Average Earnings by Position

While the average NBA salary is around $7.7 million, there are a select few players who earn significantly more than that. These are the elite players of the league, who are considered some of the best in the game and are paid accordingly. In this section, we will take a look at the highest-paid players in the NBA and compare their salaries to the league average.

According to data from 2020, the highest-paid player in the NBA was Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, earning a salary of $43.9 million. He was followed by Russell Westbrook who played for the Houston Rockets at the time with $41.4 million, and James Harden who played for the Brooklyn Nets at the time with $41.4 million. Another notable mention is Lebron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets, both earning $40.2 million. All of these players are considered some of the best in the league, the highest-paid NBA players, and have accomplished a lot throughout their careers.

It´s worth noting that these players are not only highly paid by NBA standards but also by global standards. They are among the highest-paid athletes in the world, earning more than soccer, baseball and football players.

It´s also worth noting that the highest-paid players in the league are not always the best players in terms of performance. Some players earn more due to their popularity, marketability and their teams´ ability to pay them. For example, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, considered one of the best players in the league, earn $27.5 million, less than half of Steph Curry´s salary, despite having similar achievements and performance. The Portland Trail Blazers´ Damian Lillard also earned $43.8 million, close to Steph Curry´s salary, despite not being considered as a top 5,10, maybe 15 player in the NBA.

The Highest-Paid Players in the NBA: A Look at the Elite Earners

According to data from 2020, the highest-paid player in the NBA was Stephen Curry, who earned a salary of $43.9 million. He was followed by Russell Westbrook with $41.4 million, and Chris Paul with $41.4 million. These players are considered some of the best in the league and have accomplished a lot throughout their careers.

It´s worth noting that these players are not only highly paid by NBA standards but also by global standards. They are among the highest-paid athletes in the world, earning more than soccer, baseball and football players.

Final Words

In conclusion, the average NBA salary is a constantly evolving figure that depends on various factors such as the league´s revenues, the salary cap, the player´s position, popularity, marketability and team´s ability to pay. It´s important to note that this is just an average and that there is a wide range of salaries among players, with some earning the league minimum and others earning tens of millions of dollars per year.