Sports stars these days are much more than just athletes. They have become marketing entrepreneurs while making a living out of their profession. Even if they get injured or even after getting retired, they maintain their name as a star and earn through their endorsements.
The following is the list of top 20 highest paid players in the NBA in 2022:
Also Read – World’s 10 highest-paid athletes 2022
20. Khris Middleton (US$33.8 million)
Salary: US$32.3 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$1.5 million
Brands: Rick Ross, X2natural energy, Hulu, Nike, Panini, T-Mobile, Nintendo
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 20.1 Points, 5.4 Assists and 5.4 Rebounds per game
19. Tobias Harris (US$34 million)
Salary: US$32.5 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$1.5 million
Brands: Beats by Dre, Asphalt Yacht Club, Gatorade, Monster, Vashr, Nike, BlendTec, Goldfish
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Forward
2021-22 stats: 17.2 Points, 3.5 Assists and 6.8 Rebounds per game
18. Bradley Beal (US$34.3 million)
Salary: US$30.3 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$4 million
Brands: Panini, Old Spice, Tissot, Nike, PepsiCo, Verizon
Team: Washington Wizards
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 23.2 Points, 6.6 Assists, and 4.7 Rebounds per game
17. Joel Embiid (US$34.5 million)
Salary: US$28.5 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$6 million
Brands: Under Armour, Crypto.com, Kingston, Mountain Dew, Electronic Arts (EA), Hulu, Fanatics
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Centre
2021-22 stats: 30.6 Points, 4.2 Assists and 11.7 Rebounds per game
16. Devin Booker (US$35.5 million)
Salary: US$28.5 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$7 million
Brands: Nike, Astro Gaming, Corona Beer, Foot Locker, Autograph, Coco5
Team: Phoenix Suns
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 26.8 Points, 4.8 Assists and 5.0 Rebounds per game
15. Chris Paul (US$35.8 million)
Salary: US$27.8 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$8 million
Brands: Jordan, State Farm, Disney, Koia, GoPuff, Spalding
Team: Phoenix Suns
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 14.7 Points, 10.8 Assists and 4.4 Rebounds per game
14. John Wall (US$40.4 million)
Salary: US$39.9 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$500,000
Brands: Adidas, Beats by Dre, Buscemi, Moët & Chandon, Native-Gear
Team: Hudson Rockets
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: *Did not play in 2021-22 season*
13. Jimmy Butler (US$40.5 million)
Salary: US$32.5 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$8 million
Brands: Li-Ning, Bonobos, AQUAhydrate, Michelob Ultra
Team: Miami Heat
Position: Forward
2021-22 stats: 21.4 Points, 5.5 Assists and 5.9 Rebounds per game
12. Kawhi Leonard (US$41 million)
Salary: US$35.5 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$5.5 million
Brands: New Balance, Cargo Jet Airways, Honey
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Position: Forward
2021-22 stats: *Did not play in 2021-22 season*
11. Anthony Davis (US$41.8 million)
Salary: US$31.8 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$10 million
Brands: Saks Inc., ExxonMobil, Foot Locker, Beats, Red Bull
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Forward
2021-22 stats: 23.2 Points, 3.1 Assists and 9.9 Rebounds per game
Also Read – Athlete’s who made comebacks after career-ending injuries
10. Paul George (US$44 million)
Salary: US$35.5 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$8.5 million
Brands: New Era, Bass Pro Shops, Foot Locker, Gatorade, Nike
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 24.3 Points, 5.7 Assists and 6.9 Rebounds per game
9. Kyrie Irwing (US$44.9 million)
Salary: US$31.9 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$13 million
Brands: Nike, Panini, Pepsi
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 27.4 Points, 5.8 Assists and 4.4 Rebounds per game
8. Damian Lillard (US$51.4 million)
Salary: US$35.4 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$16 million
Brands: Panini, Adidas, Hulu, JBL
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 24.0 Points, 7.3 Assists and 4.1 Rebounds per game
7. Klay Thompson (US$54.2 million)
Salary: US$34.2 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$20 million
Brands: Waiakea Water, Bevel and NERF, Anta
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 20.4 Points, 2.8 Assists and 3.9 Rebounds per game
6. Russel Westbrook (US$69.8 million)
Salary: US$39.8 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$30 million
Brands: Nike, PepsiCo, Samsung electronics, True Religion Apparel, Six Star Pro Nutrition
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 18.5 Points, 7.1 Assists and 7.4 Rebounds per game
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo (US$71.9 million)
Salary: US$35.9 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$36 million
Brands: Anheuser Busch InBev, Come Ready Foods LLC, Electronic Arts, Gr. Sarantis S.A., Greek From Greece Café Cuisine, JBL, Mytilineos S.A., Nike, TCL
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Forward
2021-22 stats: 29.9 Points, 5.8 Assists and 11.6 Rebounds per game
4. James Harden (US$76 million)
Salary: US$40 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$36 million
Brands: Adidas, Beats ELectronic, BodyArmor, Stance Socks, State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 21.0 Points, 10.5 Assists and 7.1 Rebounds per game
3. Kevin Durant (US$85.9 million)
Salary: US$37.9 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$48 million
Brands: Nike, Google, Alaska Air Group, BBVA, Sparkling Ice, Panini, 2k, Gatorade, SkullCandy
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Position: Forward
2021-22 stats: 29.9 Points, 6.4 Assists and 7.4 Rebounds
2. Stephen Curry (US$86.2 million)
Salary: US$41.2 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$45 million
Brands: Under Armour, FTX, Callaway Golf, Rakuten, Infiniti Motors
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Guard
2021-22 stats: 25.5 Points, 6.3 Assists and 5.2 Rebounds per game
1. LeBron James (US$126.9 million)
Salary: US$36.9 million
Earnings via endorsements: US$90 million
Brands: Ruffle, Tonal, Mountain Dew, AT&T, Rimova, Nike, 2k, KIA Motors, Crypto.com
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Forward
2021-22 stats: 30.3 Points, 6.2 Assists and 8.2 Rebounds per game
Leave a Reply