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NBA's 25 Highest-Paid Players: Bucks' Giannis, Lillard tied for 12th

Originally posted on Milwaukee Bucks on SI
By Cody Smith  |  Last updated Sep 18, 2024 3:22 PM ET

MILWAUKEE — For a "small-market team," the Milwaukee Bucks are no strangers to paying top dollar in player salaries.

One or more Bucks have ranked among the NBA's 25 highest-paid players in each of the last five seasons, according to ESPN.

  • 2018-19: 0 (No Bucks within the top 25)
  • 2019-20: 1 (Khris Middleton, 18th)
  • 2020-21: 1 (Middleton, 15th)
  • 2021-22: 3 (Giannis Antetokounmpo, 7th; Middleton, 14th; Jrue Holiday, 21st)
  • 2022-23: 3 (Antetokounmpo, 5th; Middleton, 13th; Holiday, 25th)
  • 2023-24: 2 (Antetokounmpo, 7th; Damian Lillard, 8th)

And 2024-25 will make it six seasons running.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are tied for the 12th-highest salaries. Each player is scheduled to make $48.8 million.

Milwaukee is one of seven NBA franchises with two or more players in the top 25. The other teams are Dallas, Indiana, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Phoenix.

Here are the 25 highest-paid players:

1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $55,761,216

T2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $51,415,938

T2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $51,415,938

4. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $51,179,021

5. Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns

Allan Henry-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $50,203,930

T6. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $49,205,800

T6. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $49,205,800

T6. Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $49,205,800

T6. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $49,205,800

T6. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Peter Casey-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $49,205,800

11. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $48,798,677

T12. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $48,787,676

T12. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $48,787,676

14. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $48,728,845

15. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves

Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $43,827,587

16. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $43,219,440

T17. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $43,031,940

T17. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls

Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $43,031,940

T17. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $43,031,940

20. Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets

Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $42,846,615

T21. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

Rob Gray-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $42,176,400

T21. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $42,176,400

T21. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

David Butler II-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $42,176,400

T21. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $42,176,400

25. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
  • 2024-25 salary: $41,000,000

*All player salaries were pulled from spotrac.com

Related stories on the Milwaukee Bucks

  • BUCKS' $193-MILLION PAYROLL, 4TH-HIGHEST IN NBA, WILL LIMIT ROSTER MOVES: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are the highest-paid players on a Milwaukee Bucks payroll that exceeds the NBA's salary cap by nearly $53 million. For teams above the cap, the collective bargaining agreement imposes restrictions on signings and trades. CLICK HERE
  • IN CBS RANKINGS OF NBA COACHES, BUCKS' DOC RIVERS IS NO. 22 OUT OF 30: In his 25 seasons, Doc Rivers has been coach of the year and won an NBA title. But underachieving seasons in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, plus last year's struggles with the Milwaukee Bucks, have left CBS Sports unimpressed. CLICK HERE
  • BUCKS' LILLARD HONORED FOR LONGTIME COMMUNITY SERVICE IN PORTLAND: Damian Lillard, who spent 11 seasons in Portland before the 2023 trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, on Sept. 13 received the first Bill Walton Community Impact Award from the Maurice Lucas Foundation. CLICK HERE

This article first appeared on Milwaukee Bucks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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