Biggest contracts in NBA history: 10. Anthony Edwards
This July, Edwards signed a five-year, $205.9 million designated rookie contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Edwards will be under contract until 2029. Last season, the 21-year-old averaged 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. So, you can see why Minnesota wants to keep Ant around.
Per the "Derrick Rose Rule" Edwards' 25 percent rookie max deal could increase to 30 percent if Edwards makes the All-NBA team immediately before his extension begins, which is set to begin in the 2024-25 season. Provided Edwards accomplishes this, his contract's total value will jump to $260 million, catapulting Edwards' contract into the second-largest contract in NBA history.
Biggest contracts in NBA history: 9. Joel Embiid
In August of 2021, Joel Embiid signed a four-year extension worth $213.28 million with the Philadelphia 76ers, making it the ninth-largest contract in NBA history. Embiid also negotiated his supermax extension by himself, since he decided not to hire a new agent after his old agent, Leon Rose, joined the New York Knicks.
Previously, the Sixers center signed a five-year, $147 million rookie extension. At the time, this made Embiid the third-highest-paid center in the league behind Hassan Whiteside and Andre Drummond. Now, Embiid will earn around $53.3 million annually. In terms of base salary, he's tied with Jokic at the top of the league.
The 29-year-old hopes to push the Sixers past the second round of the playoffs. Last season, Embiid led the league in points per game with 33.1 a game.
Biggest contracts in NBA history: 8. Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Zach LaVine
After earning All-NBA honors in his second and third seasons, Luka qualified for 30% of the salary. Doncic signed a five-year, $215.16 million designated rookie contract extension with Dallas in August of 2021.
According to Spotrac, Luka's average annual salary is a little over $43 million a year. Trae Young also qualified for the same 30 percent maximum salary as Luka. As a result, the two are tied, as they both agreed to the same five-year, $215.16 million rookie contract extension. Although he wasn't given the same 30 percent deal, Zach LaVine agreed to a similar contract. Due to the maximum extension amount being too low, LaVine became a free agent only to re-sign with the Bulls on a 30 percent veteran max extension deal. With that said, LaVine, Doncic, and Young are all tied in terms of total value.
Biggest contracts in NBA history: 7. Stephen Curry
In August 2021, Steph Curry signed a four-year, $215.35 million maximum contract extension with the Golden State Warriors. In fact, after signing this extension in 2021 and another five-year max deal in 2017, Curry became the first NBA player to land two $200 million contracts. To be honest, you'd expect nothing less from one of the best shooters in basketball history.
Steph will earn around $53.8 million annually. The nine-time All-Star averaged close to 30 points a game for the Dubs last season. The 35-year-old is under contract until 2026 and won't be a free agent until 2026.
Biggest contracts in NBA history: 6. Damontas Sabonis
Damontas Sabonis' contract is the only renegotiation to make the list of the biggest contracts in history.
According to Wojnarowski, Domantas Sabonis agreed to a contract renegotiation and extension for a total of $217 million over five years — including $195 million in new money, Sabonis' agents Greg Lawrence and Jason Ranne told ESPN.
Sabonis was part of the package sent to Sacramento from Indiana in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson in February of 2022. Sabonis was an instant hit in Sacramento, posting 17.6 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. His play helped the team make the playoffs and he was named to the All-Star team. His performance also, as you can see, earned him a new contract with the team.
Biggest contracts in NBA history: 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo has the fifth-largest NBA contract. In December 2020, Giannis signed a five-year, $228.2 million designated maximum contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks with a player option included in the fifth year. Spotrac says Giannis' contract is worth $45.6 million per year.
Seeing as the Bucks just underwent a major face lift, and added Damian Lillard this offseason, it's safe to say Giannis will probably want to stick around for longer than he hinted at this summer.
4. Devin Booker and Karl Anthony Towns
Devin Booker has the fourth-largest contract in NBA history. After making the All-NBA First Team in 2021-22, Booker qualified for a supermax extension. Booker signed a four-year, $222.66 million designated veteran player extension with Phoenix.
Karl Anthony Towns also signed a similar four-year, $222.66 extension with Minnesota. This contract structure is literally the same as Devin Booker's, so as far as rankings goes, they are tied. Towns has an annual average salary of $31,650,600. Although Booker's earnings mirror Towns' this year, next season, both respective contract extensions will kick in, and they will each earn close to $50 million per year.
Biggest contracts in NBA history: 3. Bradley Beal
The third-largest contract in NBA history was signed by Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal. Beal signed this deal while he was still with the Washington Wizards. Last summer, Beal opted out of his player option, became a free agent, and landed a five-year max deal worth $251 million with the Wizards.
Beal's average annual value or AAV was estimated to be around $50.2 million. Similar to Jokic, Beal's contract also included a 15 percent trade kicker and a player option in year five. However, Beal's contract contained a no-trade clause. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, this made Beal the 10th player in NBA history to ever have a no-trade clause. Other players who have received the same no-trade-clause treatment include Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony.
Biggest contracts in NBA history: 2. Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic has the second largest contract in NBA history. The two-time MVP signed a five-year supermax extension worth $272 million in June 2022. Immediately following this contract, Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to an NBA championship.
Jokic's contract averages out to around $54.4 million. However, during Jokic's 2027-28 season, he is expected to make $61.9 million. It's worth noting that the final year of Jokic's deal includes a player option and trade kicker — an extra cash bonus that pays out if a player is dealt, often 15 percent of that year's salary — per Jokić agents Jeff Schwartz and Mike Linderman of Excel. Hypothetically, if that kicker goes into effect, Jokic's salary will jump to $70,662,90 million. In addition, his overall value will increase from $272 million to $279,206,900.
Biggest contracts in NBA history: 1. Jaylen Brown
This summer, Jaylen Brown signed the largest contract in NBA history. The Boston Celtics guard agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax extension.
Jaylen Brown's deal was the first in the NBA to exceed $60 million per year. The estimated annual salary for Brown was $60.8 million. Up until Anthony Davis signed a three-year, $186 million extension with the Lakers, Brown had the largest contract in terms of annual value. Even with Davis' deal guaranteeing him $62 million a season for three seasons, Brown's deal is still the richest by total value.
The Celtics haven't won a championship since 2008. The next time Brown is a free agent will be in 2029 at age 33. Hopefully, this investment pays off for Boston.