Highest-Paid NBA Point Guards: It is impossible to overstate the significance of the point guard position in the NBA. As the first players on the defence and the head of the whole offence on the other side, point guards are frequently the catalysts that drive a team on both ends of the court. Four point guards rank in the top 10 and seven rank in the top 20, demonstrating the continued importance of point guards, who continue to be among the best-paid in the history of the league.
These are the top 25 point guards in NBA history, ranked by career earnings and broken down into other categories. You might be shocked to hear that NBA players make a lot more money today than they did even twenty years ago, given how highly respected some of these players have always been. There may be a notable difference in the salaries of the NBA’s highest-paid point guards from 1986 to the present. It’s time to find out which point guards can use their abilities to earn the highest pay now that contract discussions have begun.
Based on tiers, these are the all-time highest-paid NBA point guards.
Tier 5 – $100 Million-$149 Million
Baron Davis – $147,692,983
The point guard with the greatest lifetime earnings in the NBA, ranging from $100 million to $149 million, is at the top of the pay scale. Baron Davis, who played for 13 seasons from 2000 to 2012, is the group leader. Between 2004 and 2013, the Hornets, Clippers, Warriors, and Cavaliers earned between $10 million and $16.4 million a year, which is when he made the most of his money. Throughout his career, Davis would go on to win two steals championships, be selected to the All-NBA Team team once, and be an All-Star two times.
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Steve Nash – $146,936,620
Steve Nash, the two-time MVP, is rather low on this list, but then again, Magic Johnson wasn’t even included. From 1997 until 2014, Nash spent 18 seasons as a player in the NBA, spending time with the Suns, Mavericks, and Lakers. In addition to winning MVP honours in 2006 and 2007, Nash would go on to become an eight-time All-Star, a seven-time selection to the All-NBA Team, a five-time assist champion, and more. Nash’s highest-earning seasons were with Phoenix from 2007 to 2012 when he earned between $10 and $13 million a year.
Reggie Jackson – $144,275,194
One of the most bizarre things you will find is Reggie Jackson’s inclusion on this list. Jackson has averaged 12.8 points and 4.2 assists per game over the course of his 12-year career, so he has been respectable, but it is amazing that he is now the 20th-highest-paid point guard in history. From 2015 to 2020, Jackson earned $14 million to $17.3 million a year with the Pistons, which accounted for the majority of his earnings. Jackson was their starting point guard during this period, averaging 16.2 points and 5.6 assists per contest.
D’Angelo Russell – $140,343,478
D’Angelo Russell’s NBA career has been ups and downs. It started in Los Angeles with the Lakers in 2016–17. Russell returns to Los Angeles after eight years and three teams, where he will play for the Lakers and make $36 million for the next two seasons. Russell earned a lot of money with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2020 to 2022 in between stints with the Lakers. Russell made between $28 and $30 million a year during that time, with an additional $31.4 million in 2022–2023. Russell has no additional awards to his resume other than becoming a Nets All-Star once in 2019.
Ricky Rubio – $126,032,567
Twelve years into his NBA career, Ricky Rubio is most recognised for having been selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of Stephen Curry in the 2009 NBA Draught. Although Rubio was never considered an exceptional spring player, his playmaking and passing were impressive to witness. Rubio earned nearly $110 million playing for the Timberwolves, Jazz, Suns, and Pacers between 2016 and 2022, averaging 11.6 points, 7.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
Ben Simmons – $125,125,137
Without a doubt, one of the most overpaid athletes in recent memory is Ben Simmons. This is not to argue that the $125 million guy wasn’t headed towards that kind of income—in fact, he was—but he’s taken a startling turn off course. Only 100 games have been played by the three-time All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year contender Simmons with the 76ers and Nets since the 2020–21 season began. He made $99 million over three seasons during that period, but his output declined drastically. He is expected to earn $37.9 million in 2023–24 as well, thus until he shows otherwise, he has been overpaid for this season.
George Hill – $112,353,436
George Hill is one of the top 25 highest-paid point guards in NBA history, which is another outrageous discovery on this list. Even though Hill hasn’t been an All-Star or an All-NBA Team member in the previous 15 NBA seasons, he has always made money. When Hill played for the Cavaliers in 2018, he could make up to $20 million in a single season; the Bucks gave him $19 million in 2019. Averaging 10.4 points, 3.1 assists, and 45.7% shooting during his career, Hill made $112.4 million.
Jamal Murray – $102,636,309
A point guard who I anticipate rising quickly in the next several seasons is the last player in Tier 5. Although Jamal Murray hasn’t yet been selected as an All-Star or All-NBA Team, he did assist the Denver Nuggets in winning their first NBA title in 2023. Murray has already put together a couple of outstanding postseason runs in his career, and he is back from a knee injury and eager to continue assembling a possible Denver dynasty alongside Nikola Jokic. Murray is owed $70 million for the next two seasons, and he has made just over $102 million in his previous three seasons with Denver.
Tier 4 – $150 Million-$199 Million
Kemba Walker – $198,420,986
Tier 4 of the highest-paid players consists of eight point guards who made between $150 million and $199 million in their NBA careers. First up is Kemba Walker, who made an incredible $198.4 million between 2012 and 2023 throughout his 12 NBA seasons. Walker is a four-time All-Star and among the greatest players in Charlotte Hornets history. Walker earned over $32 million in earnings with the Celtics in 2019 and 2020, and he has contracts for over $25 million with the Thunder in 2022 and 20223.
Jason Kidd – $187,675,468
Throughout his career, Jason Kidd was consistently compensated among the NBA’s highest-paid point guards, and his ranking on this list reflects that. Kidd became one of the best point guards in NBA history, earning $187.6 million in salary. A total of ten All-Star selections, six All-NBA Team selections, and nine All-Defensive Team selections would be given to Kidd. Kidd rose from the Suns, Mavericks, Nets, and Knicks to become the 11th highest-paid point guard in NBA history over the course of 19 seasons.
Tony Parker – $168,282,460
Of the NBA players who made between $150 million and $199 million in their career, eight are in Tier 4 of the highest-paid players. First up, let’s discuss Kemba Walker’s astounding earnings, which totalled $198.4 million over the course of his 12 NBA seasons (from 2012 to 2023). One of the best players in Charlotte Hornets history, Walker was an All-Star four times. Walker has contracts with the Thunder totaling over $25 million in 2022 and 2023 in addition to making over $32 million with the Celtics in 2019 and 2020.
Derrick Rose – $164,537,126
Derrick Rose’s career path placed him on an all-time great trajectory in the early 2010s, before he was regarded as one of the biggest what-ifs in NBA history. As the youngest NBA champion ever, Rose won the MVP award in 2011 while playing for the Chicago Bulls, earning him a sizable salary. Rose’s career was tragically cut short by knee problems, but he persevered and went on to earn $164.5 million throughout his 14 years of playing for the Bulls, Knicks, Cavaliers, Pistons, and Grizzlies.
Gilbert Arenas – $163,061,257
Gilbert Arenas was one of the NBA’s most dynamic point guards from 2005 to 2007. Averaging 27.7 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, he was selected for the third time in a row as an All-Star and All-NBA Team. After drawing a gun on a teammate, Arenas received one of the longest bans in NBA history, and the years that followed were filled with knee injuries, everything went south. Gilbert Arenas’ ascent was sufficient to propel him to the 14th position in NBA history in terms of point guard salary, with $163.1 million, despite his decline.
Goran Dragic – $155,990,919
Goran Dragic was a near-perfect point guard at his best, while never being an exceptional and reliable danger. Beginning in 2008–09, Dragic has played for the Suns, Rockets, Heat, Nets, Bulls, and Bucks until 2023. Dragic formerly played for Miami as an All-Star in 2018 and contributed to their 2020 NBA Finals appearance. Over the course of his career, he has averaged 13.3 points and 4.7 assists per game, earning him $155.9 million.
Deron Williams – $152,027,631
It was indisputable in the late 2000s and early 2010s when Deron Williams was the best point guard in the NBA. With his mix of offensive skill and defensive experience, Williams had a real conversation with Chris Paul. Williams was selected for three NBA Teams, three All-Star teams, and unfortunately, injuries would finally catch up with him. He never again was an All-Star, yet before retiring in 2017, he still earned $152 million in his career.
Stephon Marbury – $151,115,945
It is none other than Stephon Marbury who completes this list of players. Because of his sometimes strange behaviour and public contract conflicts, Marbury was seen negatively for most of his career. Throughout his 13 seasons on the court, from 1997 to 2009, there was no doubting his skill. For most of his career, Marbury averaged 20.0 points and 8.0 assists per game, notably when playing for the Knicks, who gave him a generous contract for the final five seasons of his career. Over the course of 13 seasons, Marbury earned $151.1 million, ranking him as the 17th highest-paid point guard in NBA history.
Tier 3 – $200 Million-$249 Million
Kyle Lowry – $245,475,379
In spite of their well-known backgrounds, Tier 3 presents us with the four point guards in NBA history who have earned between $200 and $249 million throughout the course of their careers. The $245.5 million earned by NBA champion and six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry over his career from 2007 to 2023 sets the stage. Over the past 17 seasons, Lowry has averaged 14.6 points, 7.1 assists, and 1.5 steals. Since 2017–18, he has earned at least $26.9 million with the Raptors and Heat.
Kyrie Irving – $236,774,149
One of the most talented players in NBA history is Kyrie Irving. In the previous 12 NBA seasons, Irving has made $236.7 million in salary, despite the “controversies” that surround him. Irving’s incredible offensive performance, which is exemplified by his exceptional handling, earned him an NBA championship in 2016, eight choices to the All-Star team, three selections to the All-NBA squad, and this past summer, a three-year, $130 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
Damian Lillard – $235,571,003
One of the best point guards in NBA history to shoot three points is Damian Lillard. Lillard has established a resume worthy of being selected for the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2022 after spending the previous 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. Over the course of 11 seasons, all with the Trail Blazers, Lillard has earned $235.5 million, averaging 25.2 points per game. Over his career, he has been selected for seven All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. Earning $45.6 million, Lillard will be a member of the NBA’s finest pair alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in 2023–2024.
Jrue Holiday – $222,534,244
One of the best two-way point guards in the NBA during the last 10 years is Jrue Holiday, the penultimate player on tier 3. Among the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, Holiday has been an All-Star thrice and was a vital part of the Bucks’ 2021 NBA Championship squad. His $222.5 million in earnings over the previous 14 seasons show how important he has been to several businesses during his career. He is anticipated to earn $36.8 million when he joins the Celtics for the 2023–24 season.
Tier 2 – $250 Million-$299 Million
John Wall – $276,580,866
Only two point guards in NBA history have earned a lifetime salary of between $250 million and $299 million, placing them in Tier 2 of our ranking. One of the top point guards in the NBA in the 2010s, John Wall averaged 19.9 points, 9.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while earning five consecutive All-Star selections from 2014 to 2018. Due to his two-way domination, Wall was able to sign huge contracts with the Wizards at the time, which have now brought his career total to $276.6 million.
Mike Conley – $252,221,596
For most of his 16-year career, Mike Conley has been one of the highest-paid point guards in history. Conley was a vital part of the Utah Jazz from 2020 to 2023 and one of the most well-known players on the Grizzlies during their successful seasons in the 2010s thanks to his scoring and defence. With a career average of 14.7 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, Conley has only been an All-Star once. Though he hasn’t received many awards, he is one of the fifth-highest-paid NBA point guards in history with $252.2 million earned over his career.
Tier 1 – $300+ Million
Chris Paul – $359,377,385
Out of the 10 highest-paid players in NBA history, only three point guards have earned more than $300 million over their careers. Chris Paul has earned just about $360 million over the course of 18 seasons, making him the highest-paid point guard in NBA history. Throughout his lengthy and brilliant career, Paul has failed to win an NBA championship, but he has earned his high pay by being named an All-Star twelve times, an All-NBA Team eleven times, an All-Defensive team nine times, a steals title six times, and an assist title five times. Paul will join the Golden State Warriors in 2023–24, a team that used to be a fierce competitor. He will receive $30.8 million this season and $30 million the next.
Russell Westbrook – $338,836,512
As the fourth-highest-paid player of all time, Russell Westbrook is the second-highest-paid point guard in NBA history. Former MVP Russell Westbrook four times averaged a triple-double for the whole of a season. With two scoring titles and three assists crowns, Westbrook has made nine All-Star teams and nine All-NBA teams in his 15-year career. Westbrook signed with the Clippers in 2023–24 for the veteran’s minimum salary of $3.8 million.
Stephen Curry – $305,929,066
After this season, Stephen Curry—who became the first NBA player in history to earn $50 million in a season—will pass Russell Westbrook for the number-two slot on this list. Curry has achieved the unprecedented feat with a decade of dominance for the Golden State Warriors, even though nine players will get such a wage in 2024–2025. Curry, who has become the world’s best shooter, has won four NBA titles, two MVPs in the Finals, and the highest salary of any player in the NBA since 2018–19. In just a few seasons, he will rise to the top of this list because of his enormous pay.
These are all-time highest-paid NBA point guards based on tiers. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
