Point guards have never been more expensive, and the 2026-27 salary rankings are a pretty good indication of that. The top of this list is dominated by franchise-changing stars, and some young guards are already being paid like the faces of their teams.
The interesting part is the gap between the proven legends and the next generation: the biggest names are being paid accordingly while others might not be earning their salary on the court.
Without further ado, the salaries below are based on the 2026-27 figures, and the ranking is presented from No. 20 through No. 1. The point guard with the highest salary on this list is also the highest-paid player in the league overall.
20. Jrue Holiday – $34,800,000
Jrue Holiday might be the most accomplished player on the lower end of this list, and that is what makes his $34.8 million salary interesting. Holiday has built his reputation on doing almost everything a championship team needs, and the Trail Blazers are hoping their veteran continues to do that alongside Damian Lillard and Ja Morant.
Jrue has been an All-Star, an All-Defensive selection, and a key contributor on multiple contenders, most recently with the championship Boston Celtics. His offensive numbers don’t completely leap off the page (16.3 PPG and 6.1 APG on 45.1% FG last season) the way some of the younger guards on this list do, but that has never really been the point with Holiday.
At this stage of his career, $34.8 million is not about asking Holiday to carry an offense and more about paying for championship-level experience and lockdown defense.
19. Jalen Suggs – $32,400,000
Jalen Suggs has already become one of the league’s most unique two-way guards, and his $32.4 million salary reflects the belief that his best basketball is still ahead of him. Last season, Suggs averaged 13.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, and 0.7 BPG on 43.5% FG and 33.9% 3-PT FG.
Suggs is a natural defender, but his development as a scorer and playmaker should make him much more than a defensive specialist. Offensively, the next step is efficiency and consistency.
Suggs doesn’t need to become a 25-point scorer to justify this kind of contract, but he does need to become comfortable making decisions with the ball when defenses load up on Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
18. Immanuel Quickley – $32,500,000
Immanuel Quickley‘s $32.5 million salary puts him firmly in the category of guards who are being paid for what their teams believe they can become. Quickley can get hot from three-point range in a hurry, which is why the Toronto Raptors were happy to acquire him a few seasons ago.
Quickley posted 16.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 5.9 APG on 44.3% FG and 37.4% 3-PT FG over 70 appearances. Those are solid numbers, but are they All-Star-worthy? Not yet.
The question now is whether he can turn those flashes into nightly consistency. A $32.5 million annual salary comes with expectations, and Quickley’s next challenge is proving he can generate wins instead of some hot-shooting nights.
17. Dejounte Murray – $32,785,071
Dejounte Murray‘s $32.8 million salary is high considering the point guard has only played 45 combined games over the last two seasons. Earlier in his career, Murray was an exceptional rebounder for his position and a disruptive defender, so the Pelicans are hoping more of the same once he is healthy next season.
At his best, Murray can push the ball, rebound, defend, create in the half-court, and score when needed. Over the 14 games he did play last season, the point guard averaged 16.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 6.4 APG, and 1.6 SPG on 48.4% FG and 30.6% 3-PT FG.
At this salary, Murray doesn’t need to be perfect, but he needs to prove that his versatility is worth a contract that pays him among the 20 best at his position. Let’s just hope he can stay healthy.
16. Jordan Poole – $34,044,642
Jordan Poole‘s career has already experienced some serious highs and lows. He went from a late first-round pick to an important contributor on Golden State’s 2022 championship team, and then a forgotten player in the league.
But the bigger contract also brought bigger expectations, and Poole has had to navigate the pressure that comes with being asked to lead an offense rather than complement one. His $34 million salary is a reminder of how quickly the league can change for young players who once had sky-high potential.
Poole has the talent to make the number look reasonable, but the next step is proving that he can get back to his best shooting percentages. Nailing only 33.3% from deep last season simply won’t cut it, as he needs to return to his 36.4% clip from 2021-22.
15. Jalen Green – $36,251,166
Jalen Green enters the 2026-27 season with a $36.25 million salary, and we aren’t completely sold on that yet. At his best, Green can make a defender look completely helpless when his first step is working.
The question has been whether he can become consistently efficient and impactful enough to influence winning at the highest level. A salary north of $36 million demands more than highlight-reel scoring, more than the 17.8 PPG he posted last season in 32 games.
Green needs to become a stronger decision-maker, more reliable defender, and more complete offensive player. If that happens, this contract could eventually look like a bargain. If not, the criticism will only get louder.
14. Jalen Brunson – $37,739,521
Jalen Brunson has already turned the conversation around him upside down. The former second-round pick has become the face of the New York Knicks and the undisputed king of the city, not long after taking a significant pay cut to put himself in a position to win.
His $37.74 million salary actually looks modest compared with several of the contracts above him when you consider what he has become. Brunson is easily a top-five point guard in the world, and his leadership, toughness, and clutch gene have made him untouchable at his spot.
The salary says star, but he is an undisputed superstar. Posting 26.0 PPG and 6.8 APG in the regular season and 28.4 PPG and 6.1 APG in the playoffs prove that Brunson should probably be getting an extra $15M on his current yearly salary.
13. Kyrie Irving – $39,491,282
Kyrie Irving‘s $39.49 million salary is one of the strangest combinations in basketball: a player who has an unstoppable offensive bag but always has injury or off-court issues that hurt his status. No doubt, at his best, Irving is almost impossible to guard.
He posted 24.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 4.6 APG in 2024-25 before a knee injury kept him out of last season. As he hopes to return next season, Irving should post similar numbers whether he is with the Mavericks or another team.
When analyzing his worth, the biggest question at this point is availability and consistency over a full season. When Irving is on the floor and locked in, $39.5 million can look cheap. Let’s hope he can remind us all who he really is.
12. LaMelo Ball – $40,770,520
LaMelo Ball is being paid $40.77 million because he can literally create offense for himself or others with relative ease. His court vision is special, which is why the Timberwolves blew up their core to bring him on board to pair with Anthony Edwards.
The problem is that his career has been interrupted by injuries, and availability remains the biggest piece of the equation. The Timberwolves are hoping and praying that Ball can become the engine of a winning team.
If Ball can finally put together a healthy stretch and his talent boosts Edwards’ production, his cache will improve tremendously. Remember, this is the same player who averaged 20.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.1 APG, and 1.2 SPG on 40.7% FG and 36.8% 3-PT FG over 72 games.
11. Tyrese Maxey – $40,770,520
Tyrese Maxey‘s $40.77 million salary is a reflection of just how quickly he has exploded onto the NBA’s scene. No doubt, Maxey’s worth every penny after averaging 28.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 6.6 APG, and 1.9 SPG on 46.2% FG and 36.7% 3-PT FG over 70 games.
He has also shown that he can shoulder enormous offensive responsibility, which became especially important as Philadelphia’s roster dealt with injuries and availability issues to Joel Embiid. Maxey averaged a league-high 38.0 MPG last season, finishing 7th in Clutch Player of the Year voting.
Maxey’s next challenge is leading postseason success. The talent around him is obvious with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James in town, and now comes the expensive part of becoming the player who can carry a contender deep into May.
10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – $40,806,150
It feels strange seeing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at No. 10 on a salary list when he is the reigning back-to-back MVP and former NBA champion. His $40.81 million salary is actually a fascinating number because his production and accomplishments have rapidly outgrown the figure.
Last season’s MVP averaged 31.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 0.8 BPG over 68 games. He also won Clutch Player of the Year and was devastating in almost every big game. We thought SGA would have ranked among the top-five highest-paid point guards, but credit to Sam Presti for organizing the salary cap as well as he has.
Overall, Shai is an offensive system by himself. Considering where his career is heading, this salary could eventually look remarkably team-friendly.
9. Darius Garland – $42,166,510
Darius Garland‘s $42.17 million salary places him in the upper echelon financially, even if he does not impact the game on the level of SGA, for example. Garland has the handle and shooting range to bend defenses, but his rather miniature size hurts his impact at times.
Garland posted 18.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 6.7 APG, and 1.0 SPG over 45 games last season. It wasn’t the easiest year, as he was traded to the Clippers mid-season and also struggled with his health. The Clippers hope that the 26-year-old can turn back into the All-Star we saw in the 2021-22 and 2024-25 seasons.
Garland needs to understand that a great point guard isn’t just someone who scores 25 points. He has to organize a team, make the right read, and punish defenses when they make a mistake. Garland has enough offensive talent to justify his contract; the question is how consistently he can become a franchise cornerstone.
8. Ja Morant – $42,166,510
Ja Morant was once one of the hottest prospects in the NBA, and his $42.17 million salary reflects the fact that he can completely change the game with his raw athleticism and talent. It’s a shame that he is now the poster boy for having one of the worst contracts in the league.
When Morant is healthy and playing at his best, he cannot be stopped. His career, however, has also been interrupted by injuries and suspensions, making availability a central part of the conversation. Morant only played 20 games last season, posting 19.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 8.1 APG, and 1.0 SPG on 4.10% FG and 23.5% 3-PT FG.
At this salary, Portland needs Morant on the floor and leading the franchise through the postseason. The Trail Blazers have offered Morant a chance to rebuild his image alongside Damian Lillard, so the player has to approach next season very carefully.
7. Tyrese Haliburton – $48,924,624
Tyrese Haliburton‘s $48.92 million salary is more than fair when the player is on the court. Haliburton is a modern-day Steve Nash with the way he can create everything for his team by passing and scoring the ball. Remember, Hali led the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2024-25.
Unfortunately, the superstar point guard missed last season rehabbing from a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, and we hope he can get back to his best. There is no doubt that Haliburton is one of the best players in the NBA, and the Pacers value him at the highest level.
Now, the contract comes with enormous expectations, though, especially as Indiana looks to remain a serious contender. Haliburton’s next level is proving that he can get back to his All-NBA form and get the Pacers back to winning ways.
6. De’Aaron Fox – $49,488,300
Behind Ja Morant, no player has suffered image damage more than De’Aaron Fox. Once upon a time, Fox built his career around one devastating weapon: speed. He was a literal blur on both ends of the court and was worth a max deal.
After last season’s horrific Finals performances, Fox needs to work very hard to rebuild his image. Many believe that Fox might never recover his All-Star-form from his Sacramento Kings days, and that means his contract is easily one of the worst in the NBA.
However, we aren’t writing him off. Fox averaged 18.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.2 APG, and 1.2 SPG on 48.6% FG and 33.2% 3-PT FG last regular season, and he only needs to get those numbers back to that point to avoid major criticism. This will be a huge redemption season for the former All-Star.
5. Trae Young – $49,488,300
Another player with an iffy contract, Trae Young (17.9 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 8.0 APG, and 0.9 SPG last season) is making nearly $49.5 million because the Wizards still recognize something few players can replicate: he can create an elite offense almost entirely through his own manipulation of the defense. Alongside AJ Dybantsa, that is sorely needed.
Young will average at least 10 APG in his sleep playing with the young Wizards team, and that has never been in question for the 4-time All-Star. The criticism has always centered on defense and whether a small, ball-dominant guard can be the centerpiece of a championship team.
That’s what makes his new max contract so polarizing. Young doesn’t need to become a different player. He needs to prove that his enormous offensive strengths can outweigh his limitations for a Wizards team that wants to finally climb out of the basement.
4. Jamal Murray – $50,105,628
Jamal Murray‘s $50.11 million salary puts him in some very expensive company, but Nuggets fans know exactly why Denver was willing to pay it. His chemistry with superstar Nikola Jokic cannot be taught or bought, and that’s why he is eating up a ton of Denver’s cap space.
Murray’s playoff resume is also significantly more impressive than his regular-season statistics might suggest. His 2020 bubble run immediately established his ability to explode in the postseason, and his performance during Denver’s championship run only strengthened that reputation.
At $50 million, though, the standard is championship-level production. Murray needs to maintain superstar performances alongside Jokic next season or potentially be at risk for being a valuable trade chip. The Nuggets need to maximize Jokic’s presence, and nobody is untouchable as a result.
3. Cade Cunningham – $50,105,628
Cade Cunningham is worthy of a supermax contract because he has proven that. The Pistons are paying him $50.11 million because they believe he will be their championship leader someday.
Cade was exceptional last season, posting 23.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 9.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 0.8 BPG on 46.1% FG and 34.2% 3-PT FG while finishing 5th in the MVP race. He also led the Pistons to the top seed in the East while making the All-NBA First Team. That is an impressive resume being built.
The next step for Cade is the biggest one: turning individual excellence into deep playoff success, beyond the second round. Cunningham is being paid like a player who can change Detroit’s trajectory, and we think he is good enough to have the Pistons in the Finals someday.
2. Luka Doncic – $51,033,600
Any surprise that Luka Doncic is among the two highest-paid point guards? Luka is making $51.03 million in 2026-27, which somehow feels like a bargain when you consider the level of player we’re talking about.
Doncic posted an incredible 33.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 0.5 BPG on 47.6% FG, 36.6% 3-PT FG, and 78.0% FT over 64 games last season. It is easy to say that Luka hasn’t had any issues settling in Los Angeles.
The Lakers are paying for a franchise centerpiece, not merely a point guard. Doncic has already made six All-NBA teams by 27 years old and established himself as one of the league’s premier postseason performers. With the Lakers, the expectations are even higher, and the franchise trusts that the Slovenian is their guy.
Who are we to argue that? Only one point guard, however, is making more money than Luka heading into the 2026-27 season.
1. Stephen Curry – $62,587,158
Something is fitting about Stephen Curry sitting alone at the top. Curry will make $62,587,158 in 2026-27, making him the highest-paid point guard on this list and the highest-paid player in the NBA overall.
But Curry’s salary isn’t paying for what he might produce next season after averaging 26.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, and 1.1 SPG on 46.8% FG and 39.3% 3-PT FG. It is paying for one of the most loyal stars in the game. The four-time champion, two-time MVP, and greatest three-point shooter the sport has ever seen changed basketball, and the Warriors know that Steph is their cash cow.
Even at nearly 39 years old, Curry is capable of completely taking over games with shooting bursts that can turn a 10-point deficit into a lead before an opponent has time to breathe. His 2026-27 salary also makes him the first player to cross the $60 million mark for a single NBA season, another milestone in a career filled with them.
And honestly, if you’re going to pay one point guard more than everybody else, Curry is the easiest answer in the league.
