Who Are the Highest Paid Point Guards in the NBA and How Do Their Salaries Compare?

As I was analyzing the latest NBA salary data, I couldn't help but think about how the landscape for point guards has completely transformed over the past decade. I remember covering the league back in 2015 when Chris Paul's $20 million contract seemed astronomical, but today's numbers would make that look like pocket change. The evolution of point guard salaries reflects not just the inflation in NBA contracts but also how the position itself has become more valuable than ever before.

Stephen Curry currently stands atop the point guard salary pyramid with his four-year, $215 million extension that kicks in next season. That's roughly $53.8 million per year for the Warriors' maestro, and honestly, he's worth every penny. Having watched Curry revolutionize the game with his shooting, I'd argue he's underpaid relative to the value he's brought to the Warriors franchise and the NBA as a whole. The way he transformed basketball strategy reminds me of what Gibbons from MP Promotions said about certain athletes becoming "bigger than anybody in boxing and a lot of sports in the world." Curry's impact truly transcends basketball - he's a global phenomenon who changed how the game is played at every level.

Right behind Curry sits Damian Lillard with his two-year, $122 million extension that will pay him an average of $61 million in its final year. I've always been fascinated by Lillard's loyalty to Portland despite smaller market limitations, and his compensation reflects both his elite production and symbolic value to the franchise. When you compare these numbers to the $3 million that Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas earned during his peak years with the Pistons, adjusted for inflation that would be about $7.5 million today - less than many backup point guards make now. The financial growth is staggering, and it speaks to how the NBA's global expansion has created unprecedented revenue streams.

The third spot belongs to Russell Westbrook, though his situation has become more complicated recently. His five-year, $206 million contract signed with Oklahoma City back in 2017 set new benchmarks for point guard compensation, but his recent moves to the Lakers and now the Clippers have involved some salary adjustments. Watching Westbrook's career trajectory has been fascinating - from MVP seasons to his current role player status, his earnings reflect both past achievements and the evolving market dynamics. It's interesting how point guard value assessment has shifted from pure statistics to impact on winning culture and brand enhancement.

What many fans don't realize is how much the salary cap explosion of 2016 permanently altered compensation structures. Before that, max contracts for point guards typically fell in the $15-20 million range. Now, we're seeing secondary starters like Fred VanVleet commanding $85 million over three years from Houston. I've noticed teams are increasingly willing to pay premium prices for floor generals who can orchestrate offense and serve as franchise cornerstones. The financial commitment reflects what Gibbons described as moving into "the stratosphere" - these aren't just basketball contracts anymore, they're investments in global brands and cultural influencers.

The international appeal factor can't be overstated. When I attended games in Paris and Tokyo last season, the jerseys I saw most frequently were Curry's, Dončić's, and Irving's - all point guards with global recognition that extends far beyond basketball. This worldwide popularity directly impacts earning potential through endorsements and brand partnerships that often exceed their NBA salaries. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's recent five-year, $179 million extension with Oklahoma City positions him as the next generation of highly compensated floor leaders, and his Canadian background adds another layer of international marketability.

Looking at the salary distribution reveals interesting patterns. The top ten highest-paid point guards earn between $32-54 million annually, while the median starter makes around $20-25 million. The drop-off is steep once you get past the elite tier, which creates tremendous pressure on teams to correctly identify which point guards deserve supermax investments. From my perspective, the most interesting contracts are those like Jalen Brunson's four-year, $104 million deal with New York - initially questioned by some analysts but now looking like a bargain given his playoff performances.

The financial landscape continues to evolve with the new media rights deal approaching, which will likely trigger another salary cap surge. We could see point guards breaking the $70 million annual threshold within the next three years, especially for two-way players who excel both offensively and defensively. The emphasis on perimeter scoring and playmaking in today's pace-and-space game means point guards have never been more valuable, and their compensation reflects this strategic priority. As the NBA's global footprint expands, following Gibbons' observation about stories becoming "worldwide" rather than local, the financial rewards for elite point guards will continue reaching unprecedented levels that would have seemed unimaginable just a decade ago.