Updated July 24, 2026, 6:26 p.m. ET
LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency as he looks to chase another NBA title before calling it a career.
The 22-time All-Star took a significant pay cut to do so. After making nearly $53 million with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, James accepted a two-year contract worth the veteran minimum. The decision allowed Philadelphia – which already has two of the NBA’s eight highest-paid players for 2026-27 in Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown – to be able to afford the 41-year-old superstar. James’ new deal with the 76ers will be worth just under $8 million over two years. He is set to make just under $3.9 million in the first year of his contract, which will mark the least he has earned during a single NBA season, coming in just short of the $4.02 million he made during his rookie season in 2003-04. Just how cheap is James’ deal for his first season in Philadelphia? A total of 292 NBA players will be making more than him during the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season, making James one of the best values league-wide.
Here’s what to know about James’ contract and where it ranks league-wide:
Full list of players making more than LeBron James for 2026-27 season Below is a full look at the list of players who will make more than LeBron James during the 2026-27 NBA season, according to data from Basketball Reference. Stephen Curry, Warriors: $62,587,158 Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: $59,033,114 Anthony Davis, Wizards: $58,456,566 Giannis Antetokounmpo, Heat: $58,456,566 Jayson Tatum, Celtics: $58,456,566 Joel Embiid, 76ers: $58,100,000 Devin Booker, Suns: $57,078,728 Jaylen Brown, 76ers: $57,078,728 Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: $57,078,728 Jimmy Butler, Warriors: $56,832,773 Paul George, Celtics: $54,126,380 Kawhi Leonard, Clippers: $50,300,000 Cade Cunningham, Pistons: $50,105,628 Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers: $50,105,628 Evan Mobley, Cavaliers: $50,105,628 Jamal Murray, Nuggets: $50,105,628 Bam Adebayo, Heat: $49,800,000 De’Aaron ., Spurs: $49,800,000 Luka Doncic, Lakers: $49,800,000 Trae Young, Wizards: $49,488,300 Jaren Jackson Jr., Jazz: $49,000,000 Zach LaVine, Kings: $48,967,380 Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: $48,924,624 Pascal Siakam, Pacers: $48,924,624 Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers: $48,924,624 Lauri Markkanen, Jazz: $46,113,154 Domantas Sabonis, Kings: $45,472,000 Kevin Durant, Rockets: $43,902,439 OG Anunoby, Knicks: $42,500,000 James Harden, Cavaliers: $42,317,307 Darius Garland, Clippers: $42,166,510 Ja Morant, Trail Blazers: $42,166,510 Zion Williamson, Pelicans: $42,166,510 Franz Wagner, Magic: $41,754,690 Scottie Barnes, Raptors: $41,754,690 Chet Holmgren, Thunder: $41,500,000 Jalen Williams, Thunder: $41,500,000 Paolo Banchero, Magic: $41,500,000 Austin Reaves, Lakers: $41,240,250 Michael Porter Jr., Nets: $40,806,150 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: $40,806,150 LaMelo Ball, Timberwolves: $40,770,520 Tyrese Maxey, 76ers: $40,770,520 Brandon Ingram, Raptors: $40,000,000 Kyrie Irving, Mavericks: $39,491,282 Desmond Bane, Magic: $39,446,090 Jalen Brunson, Knicks: $37,739,521 Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves: $36,500,000 Jalen Green, Suns: $36,251,166 Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers: $35,915,403 Alperen Sengun, Rockets: $35,642,202 Jrue Holiday, Trail Blazers: $34,800,000 Jerami Grant, Grizzlies: $34,206,898 Jordan Poole, Pelicans: $34,044,642 Aaron Gordon, Nuggets: $33,658,037 Mikal Bridges, Knicks: $33,482,145 Julius Randle, Nets: $33,333,334 Tyler Herro, Bucks: $33,000,000 Dejounte Murray, Pelicans: $32,785,071 Immanuel Quickley, Raptors: $32,500,000 Jalen Suggs, Magic: $32,400,000 Derrick White, Celtics: $30,348,000 Walker Kessler, Lakers: $30,232,558 Andrew Wiggins, Heat: $30,169,644 Jalen Johnson, Hawks: $30,000,000 RJ Barrett, Raptors: $29,616,071 Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers: $28,000,000 Draymond Green, Warriors: $27,678,571 Devin Vassell, Spurs: $27,000,000 Trey Murphy III, Pelicans: $27,000,000 Myles Turner, Bucks: $26,584,164 Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves: $26,200,001 Dyson Daniels, Hawks: $25,000,000 Fred VanVleet, Rockets: $25,000,000 Josh Giddey, Bulls: $25,000,000 De’Andre Hunter, Kings: $24,910,714 Jonathan Kuminga, Hawks: $24,300,000 Keegan Murray, Kings: $24,137,936 Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets: $23,643,411 Naz Reid, Hornets: $23,275,862 Isaiah Hartenstein, Thunder: $23,148,148 Nic Claxton, Bulls: $23,147,727 Cameron Johnson, Nuggets: $23,062,500 Coby White, Hornets: $22,839,506 Miles Bridges, Suns: $22,826,087 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Grizzlies: $21,621,500 Christian Braun, Nuggets: $21,551,726 Norman Powell, Bulls: $21,500,000 CJ McCollum, Hawks: $21,000,000 Josh Hart, Knicks: $20,923,760 Kyle Kuzma, Bucks: $20,345,152 Ivica Zubac, Pacers: $20,342,140 Malik Monk, Kings: $20,190,035 Shaedon Sharpe, Trail Blazers: $20,089,287 Dillon Brooks, Suns: $19,992,727 P.J. Washington, Mavericks: $19,813,044 Alex Caruso, Thunder: $19,550,160 Andrew Nembhard, Pacers: $19,550,160 Kristaps Porzingis, Warriors: $19,512,195 Jakob Poeltl, Raptors: $19,500,000 Ayo Dosunmu, Timberwolves: $19,310,345 Luguentz Dort, Hawks: $18,222,222 Grayson Allen, Hornets: $18,125,000 Wendell Carter Jr., Magic: $18,102,000 Toumani Camara, Trail Blazers: $18,080,358 Patrick Williams, Bulls: $18,000,000 Keldon Johnson, Spurs: $17,500,000 Klay Thompson, Mavericks: $17,460,317 Daniel Gafford, Mavericks: $17,263,584 Santi Aldama, Mavericks: $17,007,043 John Collins, Pistons: $17,000,000 Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: $16,868,246 Max Strus, Cavaliers: $16,660,836 Nikola Jovic, Heat: $16,200,000 Onyeka Okongwu, Hawks: $16,120,000 Duncan Robinson, Pistons: $15,992,957 Terance Mann, Nets: $15,500,000 Gary Trent Jr., Bucks: $15,200,000 Brandon Miller, Hornets: $15,104,626 Mitchell Robinson, Celtics: $15,044,000 Tobias Harris, Spurs: $15,044,000 Isaiah Stewart, Grizzlies: $15,000,000 Obi Toppin, Pacers: $15,000,000 Herbert Jones, Pelicans: $14,898,786 Caris LeVert, Bucks: $14,809,200 Dennis Schroeder, Cavaliers: $14,809,200 AJ Dybantsa, Wizards: $14,748,000 Josh Green, Timberwolves: $14,679,012 Bobby Portis, Heat: $14,521,414 Cooper Flagg, Mavericks: $14,517,480 Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks: $14,403,710 Grant Williams, Hornets: $14,265,750 Jock Landale, Hawks: $14,100,000 Tari Eason, Rockets: $14,051,724 Rui Hachimura, Clippers: $14,000,000 Corey Kispert, Hawks: $13,975,000 Robert Williams, Trail Blazers: $13,968,254 Quentin Grimes, Lakers: $13,953,489 Julian Champagnie, Spurs: $13,888,889 Zaccharie Risacher, Mavericks: $13,826,040 Scoot Henderson, Trail Blazers: $13,585,523 Dorian Finney-Smith, Hornets: $13,335,000 Darryn Peterson, Jazz: $13,195,320 Deni Avdija, Trail Blazers: $13,125,000 Sandro Mamukelashvili, Lakers: $13,000,000 Steven Adams, Rockets: $13,000,000 Dylan Harper, Spurs: $12,989,040 Donte DiVincenzo, Timberwolves: $12,535,000 Moses Moody, Warriors: $12,500,000 Jarred Vanderbilt, Lakers: $12,428,571 Davion Mitchell, Heat: $12,400,000 Alex Sarr, Wizards: $12,370,680 Amen Thompson, Rockets: $12,258,609 Cameron Boozer, Grizzlies: $11,849,760 Isaac Okoro, Bulls: $11,814,814 Mark Williams, Suns: $11,728,395 VJ Edgecombe, 76ers: $11,663,880 Isaiah Joe, Pistons: $11,323,006 Ausar Thompson, Pistons: $11,117,925 Reed Sheppard, Rockets: $11,108,880 Aaron Nesmith, Pacers: $11,000,000 T.J. McConnell, Pacers: $11,000,000 Royce O’Neale, Hornets: $10,875,000 Sam Hauser, Celtics: $10,848,215 Collin Gillespie, Suns: $10,714,286 Caleb Wilson, Bulls: $10,683,720 Jusuf Nurkic, Jazz: $10,576,923 Kon Knueppel, Hornets: $10,516,560 Derrick Jones Jr., Clippers: $10,476,190 Luke Kornet, Spurs: $10,450,000 Anthony Black, Magic: $10,106,316 A.J. Green, Bucks: $10,044,644 Stephon Castle, Spurs: $10,015,920 Caleb Martin, Mavericks: $10,001,493 Day’Ron Sharpe, Nets: $10,000,000 Keaton Wagler, Clippers: $9,674,760 Buddy Hield, Hawks: $9,658,536 Ace Bailey, Jazz: $9,523,080 Jalen Smith, Bulls: $9,428,571 Naji Marshall, Mavericks: $9,428,571 Collin Sexton, Lakers: $9,366,000 Bilal Coulibaly, Wizards: $9,240,012 Aaron Wiggins, Hawks: $9,224,300 Ty Jerome, Grizzlies: $9,220,050 Brook Lopez, Clippers: $9,187,500 Sam Merrill, Cavaliers: $9,160,715 Ron Holland, Pistons: $9,069,600 Dean Wade, 76ers: $9,000,000 Mikel Brown Jr., Nets: $8,787,000 Keon Ellis, Nets: $8,780,488 Tre Johnson, Wizards: $8,649,600 Jarace Walker, Pacers: $8,478,542 Kevin Huerter, Pistons: $8,333,333 Zach Collins, Bulls: $8,292,683 Max Christie, Mavericks: $8,285,714 Quinten Post, Grizzlies: $8,285,714 Tidjane Salaun, Hornets: $8,237,880 Deandre Ayton, Wizards: $8,104,000 Kelly Oubre Jr., Pacers: $8,050,000 Darius Acuff Jr., Kings: $8,021,640 Harrison Barnes, Spurs: $8,000,000 Tre Jones, Bulls: $8,000,000 Tre Mann, Hornets: $8,000,000 Jeremiah Fears, Pelicans: $7,896,240 Taylor Hendricks, Grizzlies: $7,805,900 Jaylin Williams, Thunder: $7,774,648 Payton Pritchard, Celtics: $7,767,857 Goga Bitadze, Magic: $7,608,696 Donovan Clingan, Trail Blazers: $7,519,920 Zeke Nnaji, Nuggets: $7,466,667 Cason Wallace, Thunder: $7,420,806 Kingston Flemings, Hawks: $7,348,680 Dereck Lively II, Mavericks: $7,239,131 Egor Demin, Nets: $7,233,720 Gradey Dick, Raptors: $7,131,511 Clint Capela, Rockets: $7,035,000 Jordan Hawkins, Pelicans: $7,021,895 Isaiah Jackson, Clippers: $7,000,000 Rob Dillingham, Bulls: $6,889,320 Al Horford, Warriors: $6,822,000 Morez Johnson Jr., Mavericks: $6,754,800 Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors: $6,649,560 Keyonte George, Jazz: $6,563,925 Tim Hardaway Jr., Heat: $6,500,000 Saddiq Bey, Pelicans: $6,440,678 Brayden Burries, Bucks: $6,417,360 Zach Edey, Grizzlies: $6,332,760 Khaman Maluach, Suns: $6,316,680 John Konchar, Jazz: $6,165,000 Yaxel Lendeborg, Warriors: $6,096,240 Luke Kennard, Suns: $6,064,000 Marcus Smart, Rockets: $6,064,000 Cody Williams, Jazz: $6,015,600 Cedric Coward, Grizzlies: $6,001,080 Anfernee Simons, 76ers: $6,000,000 Jaden Hardy, Lakers: $6,000,000 Jake LaRavia, Lakers: $6,000,000 Jaxson Hayes, Jazz: $6,000,000 Josh Okogie, Jazz: $6,000,000 D’Angelo Russell, Grizzlies: $5,969,250 Jaime Jaquez Jr., Bucks: $5,939,141 Nicolas Batum, Clippers: $5,881,680 Jordan Goodwin, Suns: $5,864,198 Aday Mara, Thunder: $5,791,680 Ousmane Dieng, Bucks: $5,750,000 Matas Buzelis, Bulls: $5,715,360 Noa Essengue, Bulls: $5,701,200 Kris Dunn, Clippers: $5,684,800 Brandin Podziemski, Warriors: $5,679,459 Paul Reed, Pistons: $5,602,689 Khris Middleton, Wizards: $5,591,122 Nate Ament, Bucks: $5,502,000 Precious Achiuwa, Kings: $5,477,000 Cam Whitmore, Wizards: $5,458,310 Nikola Topic, Thunder: $5,429,760 Derik Queen, Pelicans: $5,416,080 Noah Clowney, Nets: $5,414,034 Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks: $5,390,700 Landry Shamet, Knicks: $5,357,143 Kris Murray, Grizzlies: $5,315,004 Jordan Miller, Clippers: $5,300,000 Hannes Steinbach, Hornets: $5,227,200 Marcus Sasser, Mavericks: $5,198,983 Devin Carter, Hawks: $5,158,080 Carter Bryant, Spurs: $5,145,360 Ben Sheppard, Pacers: $5,031,669 Kenrich Williams, Thunder: $5,000,000 Dailyn Swain, Bulls: $4,965,480 Bub Carrington, Wizards: $4,900,560 Thomas Sorber, Thunder: $4,887,720 Brice Sensabaugh, Jazz: $4,862,237 Julian Strawther, Nuggets: $4,826,931 Bennett Stirtz, Thunder: $4,717,320 Kel’el Ware, Bucks: $4,654,920 Yang Hansen, Trail Blazers: $4,643,520 Gui Santos, Warriors: $4,629,630 Jose Alvarado, Knicks: $4,500,000 Josh Minott, Nets: $4,500,000 Ebuka Okorie, Pistons: $4,481,280 Jared McCain, Thunder: $4,422,600 Joan Beringer, Timberwolves: $4,411,200 Christian Anderson Jr., Hornets: $4,257,480 Dalton Knecht, Lakers: $4,201,080 Walter Clayton, Grizzlies: $4,190,520 Allen Graves, Raptors: $4,065,720 Nolan Traore, Nets: $4,002,000 Daniss Jenkins, Pistons: $4,000,000 Ryan Rollins, Bucks: $4,000,000 Tristan Da Silva, Magic: $3,991,200 Miles McBride, Knicks: $3,956,523 Javonte Green, Pistons: $3,943,679 Jayden Quaintance, Spurs: $3,902,760 LeBron James’ career earnings Of course, one of the reasons James was able to take such a massive pay cut is because he has already made a boatload of money during his career. Across his first 23 NBA seasons, James has made nearly $581.4 million in on-court earnings, per Spotrac.com. A majority of those earnings came across his eight years with the Lakers, during which he made $347.5 million.
James also has numerous lucrative endorsement deals off the court, including with Nike and AT&T, among others.
