The $203.6 million Stephen Curry will earn next year sets him apart from LeBron James following his latest decision
LeBron James' Philadelphia 76ers move gives Stephen Curry an even bigger financial advantage
Stephen Curry’s projected $203.6 million haul for the coming year has created a financial gap that even LeBron James can’t match.
Forbes’ 2026 list of the NBA’s highest-paid players places the Golden State Warriors guard first for a second consecutive year, with almost $100 million separating him from runner-up Kevin Durant.
His latest financial achievement further demonstrates how Curry has built an empire beyond his basketball career.
The 38-year-old is expected to collect $62.6 million from basketball and another $141 million through endorsements and business interests. His off-court income is particularly impressive, representing a substantial rise from the $100 million he reportedly generated away from basketball last year.
Curry’s split with Under Armour in 2025 left him without a major footwear partner for a period, but he has since agreed to a 10-year, $400 million partnership with Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning.
The agreement includes a signature shoe range expected to arrive early next year. Forbes says Curry is the first active NBA player projected to pass $200 million in a 12-month period. Only Floyd Mayweather, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jon Rahm have previously reached that level among athletes tracked by the publication.
LeBron’s contract decision widens Curry’s financial advantage
Durant ranks second with an estimated $104.9 million, followed by Giannis Antetokounmpo at $103.5 million. LeBron , meanwhile, has fallen to fourth at $93.9 million after 11 consecutive seasons leading the NBA earnings list.
His commercial income remains formidable at an estimated $90 million. However, his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers on a veteran-minimum deal worth $3.9 million has dramatically reduced his basketball earnings.
That contract leaves James with a projected total that's less than half of Curry's earnings, highlighting the enormous difference between the two superstars. Despite the drop in his ranking, LeBron remains one of the most commercially successful athletes in the world, with endorsements and business ventures continuing to generate substantial revenue.
Anthony Edwards ($87.9 million) and Jayson Tatum ($86.5 million) occupy fifth and sixth, while Jimmy Butler and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are tied at $70.8 million. Devin Booker and Joel Embiid complete the top ten.
The list’s wider picture is just as notable. Its ten players are projected to earn $958 million combined, including $469 million from commercial ventures and endorsements. That off-court figure highlights the growing commercial influence of NBA superstars and the value major brands place on their partnerships.
Golden State also has a fresh on-court storyline. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg scored 37 points and added six assists in the Warriors' 124-112 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. His performance made him the first Warriors rookie to score at least 35 points in a game since Curry recorded 42 in November 2010.
Lendeborg's emergence offers another reason for optimism in Golden State, particularly as the franchise navigates injuries and absences among established players. Meanwhile, Curry continues to dominate headlines through his achievements both on and off the court.
