Who are the richest NBA players right now?
How much is the wealthiest NBA player worth? See which of your favorite NBA stars made the list.
Basketball boasts of a solid fan base that consists of a plethora of diverse individuals scattered around the world.
These fan base are often the primary metric used to gauge the popularity of a sport and thus has a ripple effect on the financial incentives that stakeholders in the game receive.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) in North America is just one of the several men’s professional basketball leagues worldwide.
Still, its ever-growing fan base has made it one of America’s most popular sports and the world today.
This article reviews in full detail the top-20 richest NBA players of all-time based on their current net worths in 2021.
Table of Contents
The Richest NBA Players Right Now
20. Stephen Curry
Net Worth: $130 Million
Golden State Warriors wonder boy, Stephen Curry, has been a great addition to the tough NBA side.
The man hailed for his impeccable basketball prowess and unique abilities have won the NBA Championship on three occasions and have emerged All-Star on six occasions.
Curry, who has spent his eleven years career in the NBA playing for the Warriors, is a two-time Olympics gold medalist.
Stephen Curry’s net worth is approximately $130 million as of 2021.
19. Chris Paul
Net Worth: $130 Million
The 2005 NBA draft 4th overall pick, although yet to win an NBA Championship, has thrilled fans with his amazing antics and basketball prowess.
Chris Paul currently plays with the phoenix Suns as a point guard.
He is a ten-time NBA All-Star and an NBA All-Star Game MVP.
As of 2021, Chris Paul’s net worth is approximately $130 million.
18. Dwight Howard
Net Worth: $140 Million
An excellent center player, Dwight Howard’s basketball skill is undoubtedly better than his commitment skill.
The 38 years old basketball player has been in six teams since 2016.
But his abilities are surely top notched.
Howard has won the NBA Championship once, NBA Defensive Player of the year three times, and has seen All-star honors eight times.
As of 2021, Dwight Howard’s net worth is approximately $140 million.
17. Dirk Nowitzki
Net Worth: $140 Million
Retired German basketball player, Dirk Nowitzki, ruled the NBA for 21 years.
The 46 years old German basketball player had a career that spans 25 years.
He created a reputation for himself as a fierce power forward.
Nowitzki won the NBA Championship once and was named to the All-star team 14 times.
He further received the NBA Finals and NBA MVP award on one occasion.
Dirk Nowitzki’s net worth in 2021 is approximately $140 million.
16. Yao Ming
Net Worth: $160 Million
For more than ten years, Yao Ming was a prominent driving force in the NBA.
But before he established himself as an astute centerman, Ming played in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
An 8-time All-star, Ming, who began playing basketball as a teenager, retired from the NBA in 2011.
Now, he is one of the top Chinese basketball executives.
As of 2021, Yao Ming’s net worth is valued at $160 million.
15. Carmelo Anthony
Net Worth: $160 Million
The 30 years old American basketball professional has won gold in three successive Olympics with the US National Basketball team.
Currently playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, Carmelo Anthony is no doubt one of the best power forwards in the NBA.
Anthony has spent about 16 years in the NBA and has seen All-star honors on ten occasions.
Carmelo Anthony’s net worth is about $160 million in 2021.
14. James Harden
Net Worth: $165 Million
Muscular and bearded, James Harden is a famous figure in the NBA, not just because of his beards but because of his basketball finesse and amazing skills.
The Brooklyn Nets top shooting guard is a one-time NBA MVP and he made his eighth appearance in the NBA All-star game in February 2020.
James Harden’s net worth is currently estimated to be $165 million.
13. Russell Westbrook
Net Worth: $170 Million
Russell Westbrook, one of the most famous individuals in the NBA, is widely known for his unusual and exceptional basketball antics.
The 35 year old Washington Wizards player is a nine-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP, and one-time NBA MVP.
In 2021, Russell Westbrook’s net worth is an estimated $170 million.
12. Kevin Durant
Net Worth: $170 Million
The Brooklyn Nets, ace power forward Kevin Durant, is undoubtedly a phenomenal basketball player with outstanding abilities and skills.
He is a ten-time NBA All-Star and a two-time NBA Champion.
Durant has two Olympics gold medals on the international scene and a Basketball World Championship gold medal to his name.
Kevin Durant’s net worth as of 2021 is approximately $170 million.
11. Dwyane Wade
Net Worth: $170 Million
Throughout his 16 years stint in the NBA, where he played mostly for the Miami Heats, Dwyane Wade rose to become one of the top basketball players in the 21st century.
The three-time NBA Champion, who retired in 2019, earned All-star honors on 13 occasions and was named the NBA Finals MVP once.
As of 2021, Dwyane Wade’s net worth is estimated to be $170 million.
10. Luol Deng
Net Worth: $200 Million
Luol Deng is British-South Sudanese former professional basketball player.
He played in the NBA from 2004–2019 for several NBA franchises such as Bulls, Cavaliers, Heat, Lakers, and Timberwolves.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Deng’s real estate investments include resorts, hotels, apartments, and condos valued at $125 million.
The two-time NBA All-Star currently serves as a coach for the South Sudan Basketball men’s team.
Luol Deng’s net worth in 2021 is estimated to be $200 million.
9. Hakeem Olajuwon
Net Worth: $200 Million
For 18 years, NBA fans were thrilled by the exceptional and fantastic prowess of Basketball Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.
Nicknamed ‘The Dream,’ Hakeem Olajuwon won the NBA Championship twice and was crowned the NBA Finals MVP on those two occasions.
He further went on to receive 12 All-star honors in his remarkable career.
Hakeem Olajuwon’s net worth is approximately $200 million, placing him 9th on the list of the wealthiest NBA players.
8. David Robinson
Net Worth: $200 Million
A naval officer turned basketball player David Robinson played for the San Antonio Spurs throughout his 14 years stint in the NBA.
Robinson, who is nicknamed ‘The Admiral’ due to his military background, won the NBA Championship twice, and he is a ten-time NBA All-star.
David Robinson’s net worth as of 2021 is estimated to be $200 million.
7. Grant Hill
Net Worth: $250 Million
Hill is a former NBA player who thrilled fans with his exceptional abilities and antics.
He retired from the NBA in 2013 and is currently involved in basketball, not as a coach, but as a co-owner of basketball franchise Atlanta Hawks.
The 7-time NBA All-Star played for four teams throughout his 19-year stint in the NBA.
In 2021, Grant Hill’s net worth is valued to be $250 million.
6. Vinnie Johnson
Net Worth: $400 Million
Dubbed ‘The Microwave’ due to his ability to get hot quickly, Vinnie Johnson had 13 beautiful seasons in the NBA.
The highlight of his NBA career was his time with the Detroit Pistons, where he won two NBA Championships (1989, 1990).
After Vinnie retired from the NBA, he founded Piston Automotive, which is now one of the largest auto parts suppliers in the United States, generating more than $2 billion in annual revenue.
Vinnie Johnson’s net worth in 2021 is estimated at $400 million.
5. Shaquille O’Neal
Net Worth: $400 Million
Armed with a sturdy figure, Shaquille O’Neal was not the average basketball player.
Getting past O’Neal was a big challenge for several NBA stars, and O’Neal used his size and height, two of his greatest assets, to improve his basketball skills.
The top basketball player who retired in 2011, after 19 years in the NBA, won the NBA Championship four times and clinched the finals MVP on three of those four occasions.
O’Neal is a 15-time NBA All-star and currently a sports analyst on the TNT’s Inside the NBA.
Shaquille O’Neal’s net worth is estimated at $400 million.
4. LeBron James
Net Worth: $500 Million
LeBron James, dubbed ‘King James,’ is currently a top NBA player and a major contender for the greatest NBA player of all-time title.
Pundits and fans alike mostly compare LeBron to legendary basketball player Michael Jordan.
An incredible player with four NBA Championships to his name, LeBron has won all the NBA Finals MVP in all NBA Finals, which he has played.
The 16-time NBA All-star also has two Olympics medals to his credit.
As of 2021, LeBron James’ net worth is approximately $500 million, making him the 4th richest NBA player of all-time.
3. Magic Johnson
Net Worth: $600 Million
Undoubtedly recognized as one of the best NBA players of all-time, Magic Johnson had a phenomenal career, which many still remember long after he has left the basketball scene.
Johnson is a five-time NBA Champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP and three-time NBA Most Valuable Player.
He received All-star honors twelve times, and he is an Olympics gold medalist.
The 65 years old star who is currently involved in various business ventures had expanded his wealth beyond what it was when he was a professional NBA player.
As of 2021, Magic Johnson’s net worth is a massive $600 million.
2. Junior Bridgeman
Net Worth: $600 Million
Now a successful businessman, Bridgeman’s success in the business world is far beyond his basketball career achievements.
The former Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard played for just 12 years in the NBA.
As of 2021, Junior Bridgeman’s net worth is valued at $600 million.
1. Michael Jordan
Net Worth: $1.6 Billion
As revealed by his very successful basketball career and business ventures, Michael Jordan is a hardworking fellow.
His 15 years NBA career was marked by incredible play, which saw him win the NBA Championship six times and claimed the NBA Finals MVP on all of those occasions.
Michael Jordan also won NBA Most Valuable Player five times and was left out of the All-Star game just once in his 15 years NBA career.
As of 2021, Michael Jordan’s net worth is approximately $1.6 billion.
His hugely successful shoe brand, Air Jordan, with athletics brand, Nike, along with his other business ventures, has made him become the richest NBA player of all-time.
According to Forbes in 2020, Jordan is the #1001 on the world billionare’s list.
Final Words
There you have it—the top-10 richest NBA players in history.
Basketball is undoubtedly one of the highest-paying sports in the world right now.
That is evidenced in the huge contracts these players sign with their various teams, and their highly lucrative endorsement portfolios.
Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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