Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant led the charge to help the United States finish on top of the podium in men’s basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The three superstars also have something in common when it comes to their bank accounts — and no one else in NBA history can say it.
Curry joined an exclusive club with James and Durant on Thursday when he agreed to a one-year extension with the Golden State Warriors. The deal will keep Curry under contract in the Bay for the 2026-27 season for $62.6 million. It pushes Curry’s career earnings into the stratosphere.
Curry is now guaranteed to make $536 million off NBA contracts in his career, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Only two other players in league history have crossed the $500 million mark in career earnings, and that’s James and Durant.
James’ career earnings are at $583.3 million once he finishes his two-year extension with the Lakers in the summer of 2026. Durant’s career earnings will be at $504 million once he finishes his two year extension. Here’s how Curry’s new deal breaks down for the Warriors:
Who’s next to join the $500 million club? Chris Paul and James Harden will both be over $400 million in career earnings after their current deals, but won’t quite reach $500 million before they retire. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both on their way. Jokic is already guaranteed $423 million in his career once he finishes his current extension, and he’s going to add a lot more to that if he wants to keep playing in the NBA. Antetokounmpo will be close to $500 million once his extension finishes up after 2027-2028.
Every generation of NBA superstars out-earns the next. Kobe Bryant’s career earnings were just more $328 million, per basketball-reference. Kevin Garnett made nearly $344 million on the court. It makes you wonder who will be the NBA’s first billion dollar player. I’ll give that honor to Victor Wembanyama … and maybe even Cooper Flagg. No pressure, kid.
What’s really wild about Curry’s career earnings is how he hit the $500 million threshold while also signing the most team-friendly contract of his generation. Curry’s rookie extension was for four years, $44 million. Back then, Curry was just a promising young guard with ankle issues — not a future MVP and champion.
Salute to Steph, LeBron, and KD. This has truly been a golden generation for American basketball stars, and they’re not done yet.
