Stephen Curry joins LeBron James and Kevin Durant in the $500-million NBA salary club. © Twitter (@camisa_23)
Stephen Curry has officially ascended into the exclusive $500-million NBA salary club, a rarefied group previously occupied by only two other players: LeBron James and Kevin Durant. This milestone was cemented when Curry signed a one-year, $62.6 million extension with the Golden State Warriors, ensuring his tenure with the team through the 2026-2027 season. With this new deal, Curry’s total career earnings will surpass $526 million, further solidifying his place among the NBA’s financial elite.
Throughout his remarkable 15-year career, Curry has become synonymous with the Warriors’ success, leading them to four NBA championships and earning two MVP awards. His earnings, totalling approximately $348 million before this latest extension, reflect not just his on-court excellence but also his enduring value to the franchise. As Curry continues to dominate the league, his financial trajectory mirrors the rapid escalation of player salaries in the modern NBA.
The other two members of this elite group, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, are on track to fulfil their current contracts and will soon surpass the $500 million salary threshold. James, who has earned $482 million over 21 seasons, and Durant, with nearly $400 million over 17 seasons, are both under contracts that will push them past this threshold unless they decide to retire early. Their continued presence in the league serves as a testament to the longevity and sustained excellence required to achieve such financial milestones.
The next player expected to join this elite group is Paul George, who signed a new contract this summer that, if fulfilled over the next four years, will see him surpass the $ 500 million mark in career earnings. George’s inclusion in this club will further underscore the NBA’s trend of skyrocketing player salaries, driven by lucrative television deals, global marketing, and the league’s ever-growing popularity.
Curry’s recent success on the international stage, particularly his clutch performances in leading Team USA to gold at the Paris Olympics, only adds to his legendary status. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, combined with his marketability, has made him one of the most valuable athletes, not just in basketball but in all sports. This latest contract extension is a reflection of his unparalleled skill set and the trust that the Warriors have in him to continue leading the team in the coming years.
Beyond just salaries, Curry, James, and Durant have also amassed substantial wealth through endorsements, with each likely surpassing $1 billion in total earnings when including off-court ventures. This level of financial success has only been matched by a few athletes globally, such as Michael Jordan, who remains the highest-earning athlete of all time, largely due to his partnership with Nike.
As NBA salaries continue to rise, the $500-million club will likely see new members in the coming years. Still, for now, Stephen Curry’s induction into this exclusive group marks a significant milestone in the league’s history. His journey from a relatively overlooked college player to one of the most celebrated athletes in the world is a testament to his hard work, talent, and the ever-increasing financial opportunities in professional sports.
