Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker induced widespread eye-bulging earlier this summer season after they signed gargantuan extensions which, as soon as they kick in, will make them the league’s highest paid gamers.
The Oklahoma City Thunder pays Gilgeous-Alexander an estimated $75 million in 2030-31, the ultimate yr of his new contract. In the meantime, Booker, who has made 4 All-Star groups and two All-NBA appearances in his 10 seasons, can be set to make round $75 million within the final yr of his deal.
These are unthinkable numbers for many followers, particularly when in comparison with the salaries of stars in different main American sports activities. Because of the contract he lately signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, reserve ahead Santi Aldama — not precisely a family identify — is ready to earn roughly the identical wage as 10-time Professional Bowl tight finish Travis Kelce of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who presently leads the MLB in residence runs.
In the course of the 2024-25 season, the average NBA player made nearly $12 million, dwarfing the NFL common of about $3 million. After all there are myriad causes for this, not the least of which is roster measurement, nevertheless it helps clarify why there’s such sticker shock on the subject of NBA contracts.
And but, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry says NBA gamers are nonetheless underpaid.
Curry, who is ready to make almost $60 million subsequent season, lately joined Complex’s Speedy Mormon for a wide-ranging dialog which touched on the compensation of NBA gamers. When requested if he believes he and his cohorts are underpaid, the at all times considerate Curry finally mentioned sure, however was positive to elucidate his reasoning.
“I believe, due to the way in which the CBA is structured proper now, we won’t take part in fairness. And that is a giant deal as a result of it’s a partnership with possession. It is a partnership with the league, and we’re on the brief time period of that income,” Curry mentioned. “These [contract] numbers sound loopy, however what the league is doing, from no matter period you need to examine it to, to now, might be 10x that. The concept that we won’t take part in fairness whereas we’re enjoying is a part of why I might say sure, we’re underpaid, as a result of we wish to have the ability to take part in that rise.
“Hopefully, ahead of later, these guidelines change just a little bit in order that gamers can take part extra within the upside of crew fairness, the league, valuations, and all that sort of stuff. Simply because I believe we deserve it.”
In layman’s phrases, Curry is actually saying that gamers ought to be capable to earn an possession stake of their crew whereas they’re nonetheless enjoying, which is presently prohibited by the NBA’s collective bargaining settlement. There have been intimations of “wink-wink” agreements between franchises and gamers — comparable to when David Robinson bought a small piece of the San Antonio Spurs in 2004, a yr after he retired — however Curry claims that participant ought to be capable to reap these advantages whereas they’re nonetheless placing followers within the seats.
Very similar to salaries, NBA team valuations have skyrocketed over the previous 20 years. In 2000, Forbes ranked the New York Knicks because the league’s most dear franchise at $395 million. Quick ahead to 2025, and the Los Angeles Lakers bought to Mark Walter for a $10 billion valuation. In the meantime, largely due to Curry, the Warriors went from a $168 million valuation in 2000 (twenty second within the NBA) to an estimated $8.8 billion in 2024.
NBA crew valuations from 2000 to 2024
Per Forbes
| Warriors | $168M | $8.8 B |
| Knicks | $395M | $7.5 B |
| Lakers | $360M | $7.1 B (bought for $10 B) |
| Celtics | $212M | $6 B |
| Clippers | $154M | $5.5 B |
Once you see dramatic jumps like this, it is simple to know the place Curry and different NBA superstars are coming from. In the event that they play a significant half within the recognition and worth of a franchise, why should not they be rewarded correspondingly?
The present CBA runs via the 2029-30 season, however each side have the flexibility to decide out after 2028-29. This subject of fairness will definitely be broached by the gamers earlier than a brand new deal is struck, and there’ll seemingly even be vital discussions concerning the large penalties imposed upon groups that spend above the luxurious tax — which has despatched large ramifications all through the league.
All these items are good issues for the league and gamers as a result of it means income is rising, however there’ll at all times be a push-and-pull as each side combat for what they imagine they deserve.