Ever wondered how rich your favorite NBA superstars really are? You’d be gobsmacked to know that a few of these basketball gurus are worth more than half a billion bucks! However, the intrigue doesn’t stop there. When talking basketball, most focus on the NBA, but the net worth of players from other leagues can be quite surprising.
For instance, the highest paid PBA basketball player’s earnings, while not comparable to the NBA’s elite, are still notable. Buckle up, hoops fans; we’re about to deep dive into the top 20 wealthiest NBA players in the world. Will your favorite make the list? Let’s find out, shall we?
The Loaded League: Richest NBA Players
Here’s a roundup of the most prosperous NBA players ever, according to stats pulled from Celebrity Net Worth, The Richest, and Forbes as of 2022.
20. Yao Ming – Net Worth: $120 Million
Starting off our list is the Shanghai superstar, Yao Ming. This Chinese pro-ball player leaped into stardom as a teen playing for the Shanghai Sharks. His hoop dreams led him to be drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2002, becoming the third Chinese national ever to shoot baskets in the NBA. And how’s this for a slam dunk? As of 2022, Yao’s sitting pretty on a cool $120 million net worth.
19. Dwyane Wade – Net Worth: $120 Million
Hailing from the Windy City, Dwyane Wade shot his way to a net worth of roughly $120 million. Wade scored big when he was picked fifth overall in the 2003 NBA draft by Miami and later led the team to their first-ever NBA championship. How’s that for a bank shot?
18. Carmelo Anthony – Net Worth: $120 Million
Next on our list is the shooting star, Carmelo Anthony, who currently plays for the New York Knicks. Selected as the third overall pick by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA draft, Anthony has swished his way into the millionaire’s club. As of July 2023, his net worth is a jaw-dropping $120 million!
17. Russell Westbrook – Net Worth: $125 Million
Straight outta Long Beach, Russell Westbrook is turning heads and making bank. The point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder earned a spot in the NBA All-Star game, scoring an impressive 23.2 points per game. As of July 2023, Westbrook’s bank account is doing as well as his career, netting an estimated worth of $125 million.
16. Tim Duncan – Net Worth: $130 Million
Balling from the Virgin Islands is Tim Duncan. Aside from playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Duncan is also known for his ‘Tim Duncan Foundation’ which promotes general health awareness and funds education and youth sports across the USA. His estimated net worth, you ask? A hefty $130 million as of 2022!
15. Gary Payton – Net Worth: $130 Million
Last on our list for today, but definitely not the least, is Gary “The Glove” Payton. This retired pro-NBA player made waves with the Seattle SuperSonics and other teams like the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. As of July 2023, Payton’s sitting comfortably with an estimated net worth of $130 million. Not too shabby, eh?
14. Dwight Howard – Net Worth: $140 Million
Check out Dwight Howard, the first-ever NBA player to be crowned Defensive Player of the Year three consecutive times. This guy’s got skills that just don’t quit, making him a fan favorite and seriously boosting his bank balance. His net worth is a jaw-dropping $140 million!
13. Dirk Nowitzki – Net Worth: $140 Million
From Germany, we have Dirk Nowitzki, the powerhouse forward for the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk made history in 2007 as the first European player to nab the NBA MVP award. Ten All-Star selections later, he’s sitting on a sweet $140 million as of July 2023!
12. James Harden – Net Worth: $145 Million
Hailing from Los Angeles, we’ve got James Harden, an NBA Sixth Man of the Year honoree. Currently bringing the heat for the Houston Rockets, Harden has built up a net worth of $145 million as of July 2023. Not bad for a 2009 NBA Draft signee, huh?
11. Kevin Durant – Net Worth: $170 Million
Golden State Warrior Kevin Durant is our 11th richest NBA player. As the second pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft, Durant’s certainly lived up to the hype, even helping Team USA bag a gold medal in 2012! As of July 2023, he’s scored a net worth of approximately $170 million. Durant’s mantra? “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” Wise words!
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”
– Kevin Durant
10. Grant Hill – Net Worth: $180 Million
Former Detroit Pistons star, Grant Hill, is next up. With 1994’s NBA Rookie of the Year award and the 1997 Sporting News’s Rookie of the Year Award under his belt, Hill has proven his prowess on the court. This baller’s net worth sits at an estimated $180 million as of 2022.
9. Kevin Garnett – Net Worth: $190 Million
Hailing from South California, Kevin Garnett has certainly made his mark on the court. This Farragut Career Academy alum was the 5th overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1995 NBA Draft. Today, his net worth has grown to an estimated $190 million.
8. Hakeem Olajuwon – Net Worth: $200 Million
Last but not least in this round-up, we’ve got Nigerian-American Hakeem Olajuwon. A former center for the Houston Rockets from 1984-2002, Olajuwon’s been inducted into both the Basketball Hall of Fame and the FIBA Hall of Fame. As of July 2023, his net worth is a staggering $200 million, earning him the 8th spot on our list.
7. David Robinson – Net Worth: $200 Million
Straight outta Key West, Florida, David Robinson (famously known as “The Admiral”) spent his glory days with the San Antonio Spurs. Drafted in ’87, this guy is often hailed as one of the NBA’s top centers. And guess what? With $200 million in the bank, he’s the 7th wealthiest baller around!
6. Kobe Bryant – Net Worth: $350 Million
Philly’s own Kobe Bryant was more than just a player; he was a legend. From joining the Lakers in ’96 to forming an iconic duo with Shaq, his legacy is undeniable. Sitting on a cool $350 million, Kobe reminds us, “I’ll do whatever it takes to win games…” True champ vibes!
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it’s sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.”
– Kobe Bryant
5. Shaquille O’Neal – Net Worth: $400 Million
Newark gave us Shaq, a dominant center with a personality as big as his game. Having played alongside Kobe, this guy’s charm (and wallet) is colossal. Shaq jokes, “Me shooting 40% at the foul line is just God’s way to say nobody’s perfect.” Pure gold!
“Me shooting 40% at the foul line is just God’s way to say nobody’s perfect.”
– Shaquille O’Neal
4. LeBron James – Net Worth: $440 Million
“King James,” as we affectionately call him, swapped Cleveland’s courts for LA’s glitz in 2019. But regardless of the jersey, his bank balance stays impressive! At $440 million,
“I don’t know how tall I am or how much I weigh. Because I don’t want anybody to know my identity. I’m like a superhero. Call me Basketball Man.”
– LeBron James
3. Magic Johnson – Net Worth: $600 Million
Magic Johnson, Michigan’s pride, swiftly switched from court plays to business days after his HIV announcement. With partnerships spanning Starbucks to Fridays, this man’s magic touch is worth a whopping $600 million!
2. Junior Bridgeman – Net Worth: $600 Million
East Chicago’s Junior Bridgeman went from dunks to dining! With over 160 outlets, including a whopping 118 Chili’s restaurants, this Wisconsin Athletic ‘Hall of Famer’ is serving up success with a net worth of $600 million. Who knew?
1. Michael Jordan – Net Worth: $1.5 Billion
And now, the GOAT – Michael Jordan. Beyond his legendary dunks, MJ’s become a business mogul, with endorsement deals (Hello, Nike!) swelling his net worth to an astronomical $1.5 billion!
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
– Michael Jordan
Ballers and their Billions: A Quick Dribble Down Memory Lane
Alright folks, let’s do a quick pick and roll through the richest NBA legends who’ve *truly* mastered the art of “net” worth! But while these NBA stars boast impressive net worths, ever wondered about players from earlier eras or other leagues? The phil ford net worth, for instance, is a fascinating delve into basketball’s financial history. And don’t get started on the tim beckham net worth or the russell neal net worth – both of which offer their own tales of financial prowess.
Quite the burstiness, huh? From throwing dunks to banking bucks, these players have given us some perplexing success stories. Basketball careers that transitioned into impressive financial empires. But it’s worth noting that while NBA players lead the pack, stars from other leagues, like the highest paid PBA basketball player, have made significant strides financially. Additionally, while the tim beckham net worth or the russell neal net worth might not match the likes of Jordan or LeBron, they highlight the earning potential in various spheres of the sport.
Now, the real question here – did any of these big shots surprise you? Did you expect them to be dunking their way into this top-tier money list? According to Statista, NBA’s popularity has skyrocketed over the years, making it no shocker that its stars have banked big.
Shoot your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s chat about it! 🗨️👇
Frequently asked questions:
Who is the top 10 richest NBA player?
Ballers stacking mad paper:
1. Michael Jordan | A crazy $2.2 Billion.
2. LeBron James | Sitting pretty at $1 billion.
3. Magic Johnson | Rocking $620 Million.
4. Junior Bridgeman | Cool $600 Million.
5. Vinnie Johnson | Holding down $420 Million.
6. Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal) | Solid $400 Million.
7. Hakeem Olajuwon | With $300 Million.
8. Grant Hill | Respectable $250 Million.
What NBA player just became a billionaire?
LeBron James, no cap.
Bron was spotted at the premiere of “Hustle” on June 1 in LA, and word on the street is he’s just crossed the $1 billion mark. This dude’s the first ever baller still in the game to hit billionaire status.
Hello, my name is Idammah, and I am the founder of Wolfionaire.com, a personal development, and finance blog focused on motivation, success, and wealth. I am obsessed with studying the world's wealthiest individuals and learning about their path to success. I believe anyone can achieve their financial goals with the right mindset and strategies, and I hope to inspire and empower my readers to pursue their own path to success.
