The Highest-Paid NBA Point Guards From 1986-2023

• Stephen Curry was the first player in NBA history to earn $40 million or more in a single season

• Gilbert Arenas and Magic Johnson both earned the highest-paid point guard title while being out of the NBA at the time

• Stephen Curry and Magic Johnson are the only two players on this list to win NBA championships while being the highest-paid point guard in the league

Historically speaking, the point guard position has been one of the average financially compensated positions in NBA history. Of course, there have been other positions to have players earn the most money in the NBA for any given season but point guards are right in the middle there when it comes to average annual salary. Today, we will travel back in time to talk about the highest-earning point guards per season since 1985-86.

You will notice that these point guards were considered to be among the best players in the NBA at the time and were rewarded as such with big-money deals that would make them some of the highest-paid players in NBA history. Over time, one of the glaring trends you will recognize in the NBA is of course the increase in salary as the NBA grows and becomes a global brand. Another trend you will see is that at the point guard position, it was usually the same players dominating financially for years on end.

From Magic Johnson to Stephen Curry, the NBA’s greatest point guards have led their position both on the court and in the financial department. Let’s take a look back at the NBA’s highest-paid point guards since the 1985-86 season.

1985-86 Season

Magic Johnson – $2,500,000

By the time the 1985-86 season came around, Magic Johnson had already established himself as the best point guard in the NBA by far as well as one of the top overall players in the game. Only three players in the 1985-86 season earned a salary of over $2 million with Johnson being the NBA’s top earner at $2.5 million.

The 1985-86 season would be a successful one for Magic and the Lakers for the most part. Johnson would finish third in the MVP voting behind winner Larry Bird and runner-up Dominique Wilkins. He averaged 18.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game and also took home his third career assists title with 12.6 assists per game. The Lakers would finish with a 62-20 record with the best offense in the entire league.

The NBA playoffs would not go as smoothly for Johnson and the Lakers. After winning their first two series with a 7-2 record, their season would come to a halt in the Western Conference Finals. Against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers would get just one win in Game 1 before losing the next four games in a row and were eliminated from the playoffs in an embarrassing fashion.

1986-87 Season

Magic Johnson – $2,500,000

For the 1986-87 season, Magic Johnson remained the highest-paid player in the NBA with a salary of $2.5 million. Teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was also making $2 million on the season giving the Lakers one of the highest payrolls in the league at the time.

The 1986-87 season would be another spectacular one individually for Magic and even better on a team level for the Lakers. Johnson would go on to win the MVP award averaging 23.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 12.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on 52.2% shooting from the field. It would be his fourth career assists title as he led the Lakers to a 65-17 overall record.

Johnson and the Lakers were not finished there. In the NBA playoffs, the Lakers would sweep the Nuggets in the first round, take down the Warriors in five games in round two, and then sweep the SuperSonics in the Western Conference Finals. This led to a showdown with the Celtics in the NBA Finals. It would take just six games for the Lakers to defeat Boston for their fourth championship of the decade. Magic would win his third Finals MVP award with 26.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 13.0 assists per game in the series.

1987-88 Season

Magic Johnson – $2,500,000

For the third straight season in 1987-88, Magic Johnson would be the NBA’s highest-paid point guard. His title of highest-paid player in the NBA, however, now belonged to New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing who was set to make $2.75 million for the season. The next highest-paid point guard for 1988 would be Maurice Cheeks of the 76ers who was being paid $1 million as the 23rd-highest-paid player in the NBA.

The 1987-88 season went much like the 1987 season for Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson would finish third in MVP voting averaging 19.6 points, 11.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He finished behind Michael Jordan and Larry Bird in the award voting while helping the Lakers win at least 62 games for the third season in a row.

After sweeping the first round of the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs, Johnson and the Lakers fought harder than any other championship run during the decade to win their fifth NBA championship. It would take three straight seven-game series to win their fifth NBA championship with Johnson at the helm, including a seven-game thriller against the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals. It would mark the final championship in Johnson’s career but it wouldn’t be his last attempt at an NBA Finals.

1988-89 Season

Magic Johnson – $3,142,860

For the second consecutive season, Magic Johnson would remain the NBA’s highest-paid point guard but second-highest-paid player overall behind Patrick Ewing. With Magic’s increase in salary, it made him one of three players to earn at least $3 million in salary for the 1988-89 season with the third being his teammate Kareem Abul-Jabbar. As far as point guards go, Mark Price was the second-highest-paid with a $1.2 million salary.

The regular season would be another success for Johnson and the Lakers. Magic would take home another MVP award, edging out Michael Jordan by just 66 total points for the award. Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 12.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while leading the Lakers to a 57-25 overall record.

The Lakers looked unstoppable in the NBA playoffs going a perfect 11-0 to reach yet another NBA Finals series. However, in a rematch with the Pistons from 1988, the Lakers were no match as they were promptly swept in four games for Detroit’s first championship. With Magic hurt and Kareem limited by old age, the Lakers stood no chance against a much more physical Detroit team.

1989-90 Season

Magic Johnson – $3,100,000

The 1989-90 season was no different than the previous four with Magic Johnson earning the title of the NBA’s highest-paid point guard. His $3.1 million salary would drop him to third overall in the NBA though with Ewing still number one at $3.75 million and Chris Mullin of the Warriors earning $3.33 million.

The Lakers would not skip a beat even after losing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to retirement. For the third time in four seasons, Magic Johnson would be named MVP of the league with 22.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 11.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game to help the Lakers win 63 games. Unfortunately, the playoffs would be a different story. After defeating the Rockets in the first round, the Lakers would be defeated in five games by the Houston Rockets in round two, ending their hopes of a sixth NBA championship for Johnson.

1990-91 Season

Isiah Thomas – $2,720,000

After leading the Detroit Pistons to back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, and also claiming the 1990 Finals MVP award, Isaiah Thomas took his rightful place as the NBA’s highest-paid point guard. Thomas would earn $2.72 million for the 1991 season making him the sixth-highest-paid player in the NBA overall.

During the regular season, Thomas would experience minor setbacks as well as a wrist injury that would hinder his performance down the road. He would play just 48 games overall averaging 16.2 points, 9.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Even with the injury to Thomas, the Pistons were able to win 50 games and advance to the NBA playoffs.

It would take all of five games for Detroit to get past the Hawks in the first round of the playoffs while they needed six to defeat the Celtics in the second round. In the Conference Finals, the Pistons met a familiar foe in the Chicago Bulls whom they had defeated numerous times before in the NBA playoffs. However, this would not be their year as the Bulls had too much firepower led by Michael Jordan and Detroit would be swept from the playoffs before reaching the NBA Finals.

1991-92 Season

Isiah Thomas – $2,960,000

Despite his physical setbacks, Isiah Thomas remained the NBA’s highest-paid point guard in 1992. His $2.96 million salary would be ranked 12th in the NBA that season overall as 11 players were now earning $3 million or more in annual salary.

Thomas looked much better during the regular season as he was able to play 78 games, 30 more than in 1991. Thomas would average 18.5 points, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over the course of the regular season, and the Pistons qualified for the playoffs once again with a 48-34 record on the year.

This time around, the playoffs were not as kind to Detroit with their season coming to an end in the very first round thanks to the New York Knicks. The series would go to a decisive Game 5 where despite 31 points and 10 rebounds from Thomas, the Knicks would prevail 94-87. It would mark the final time that we ever saw a Pistons team led by Thomas in the NBA playoffs.

1992-93 Season

Magic Johnson – $2.5 Million

For the 1992-93 season, Magic Johnson would once again return to the top as the NBA’s highest-paid point guard earning $2.5 million. Despite being away from the game due to his HIV diagnosis, Johnson remained the game’s highest-paid point guard as well as the NBA’s 27th-highest-paid player. Johnson would not return to the NBA until 1995-96 when he played just 32 games for the Lakers.

1993-94 Season

Tim Hardaway – $3,340,000

The 1993-94 season would mark the beginning of some fresh faces among the NBA’s highest-paid point guards. Tim Hardaway of the Golden State Warriors would be the best-paid point guard for that season earning $3.34 million. Ron Harper did make $4 million that season as well but technically was still playing shooting guard for the Clippers at that point. Hardaway would not play a single game during the 1993-94 season however with a knee injury costing him the entire season. The Warriors would advance to the playoffs with a 50-32 record but fall to the Suns in the first round via sweep.

1994-95 Season

Magic Johnson – $14,660,000

Whether it was back pay or a reward for all of his hard work during his career in Los Angeles, Magic Johnson became the NBA’s highest-paid point guard and overall player in 1994-95. Magic’s $14.66 million salary made him the only player to earn over $10 million during that season despite never suiting up for a game. As a matter of fact, the league’s second-highest-paid player at the time was David Robinson earning half of Magic’s salary at $7.3 million.

1995-96 Season

Penny Hardaway – $5,230,000

Penny Hardaway’s $5.23 million salary in the 1995-96 season made him the highest-paid point guard in the NBA as well as the league’s 12-highest-paid player. Hardaway was just coming off a season in which he helped the Orlando Magic advance to the NBA Finals alongside Shaquille O’Neal where they lost to the Rockets in four games.

With O’Neal in and out of the lineup for Orlando in 1996 due to injury, Hardaway stepped up in a big way to help get them back to the playoffs. Penny would finish third in MVP voting averaging 21.7 points, 7.1 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while playing all 82 games and playing 36.8 minutes per night. The Magic would win 60 games as a result of Hardaway’s efforts.

In the NBA playoffs, the Magic would find themselves right back in the Conference Finals after sweeping the Pistons in the first round and defeating the Hawks in five games in the second round. Unfortunately for Penny and the Magic, they ran into the 72-10 Bulls in the Conference Finals against whom they had no chance. The Bulls would go on to sweep the Magic in four games and thwart Orlando’s attempt at an NBA championship.

1996-97 Season

Gary Payton – $10,212,000

Coming off a spectacular season in 1996 that saw him win Defensive Player of the Year and lead the SuperSonics to the NBA Finals, Gary Payton became the NBA’s highest-paid point guard earning $10.21 million for 1996-97. Payton was just one of five players to earn at least $10 million that season and was the fifth-highest-paid player in the NBA overall.

Payton would follow up his 1996 campaign with another All-Star output. Payton would average 21.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 2.4 steals per game and help lead the SuperSonics to 57 wins on the year. For his efforts, Payton would be named All-NBA Second Team, finish sixth in MVP voting, and finish runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year.

The SuperSonics would have two hard-fought series in the NBA playoffs that year. They would need all five games to take down the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs behind Payton’s 25.4 points, 9.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Although they would battle the Rockets to seven games in the next round, they would drop Game 7 with their hopes of reaching the NBA Finals once again stopped in their tracks.

1997-98 Season

Gary Payton – $10,514,688

Gary Payton would hold onto the title of the highest-paid point guard for the 1997-98 season as well earning just over $10.5 million. Now, Payton was one of nine players in the NBA earning $10 million or more in the year with Michael Jordan taking the first spot at $33.1 million and every other player ahead of Payton being a frontcourt player.

The 1998 season would be another top season for Payton as he played all 82 games once again. He would average 19.2 points, 8.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while leading the SuperSonics to 61 wins this time, setting up for an exciting playoff run, or so they thought. After needing five games to eliminate the Timberwolves in the first round, the wheels would come off for Seattle in the second round against the Lakers. It would take just five games for L.A. to eliminate Seattle despite 22.0 points, 8.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game from Payton.

1998-99 Season

Damon Stoudamire – $9,000,000

Midway through the 1998 season, Damon Stoudamire was traded from the Toronto Raptors to the Portland Trail Blazers. In his first full season in Portland, Stoudamire became the NBA’s highest-paid point guard with a salary of $9 million. This also made him the 16th-highest-paid player in the NBA at the time, tying him with Rasheed Wallace, Arvydas Sabonis, and Antonio McDyess. It’s no coincidence that two of those players are teammates of his.

In a lockout-shortened season, Stoudamire would average 12.5 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. The Trail Blazers would go 35-15 in 50 games played to win the Pacific Division and head toward the NBA playoffs. In the NBA playoffs, Stoudamire would help Portland sweep the Suns and defeat the Jazz in six games to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

The Conference Finals would be a severe mismatch for Portland as they ran into a buzzsaw and the eventual NBA champion San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs would sweep Portland in four games and go on to capture their first NBA championship in franchise history. Overall in the playoffs, Stoudamire would average just 10.2 points and 5.6 assists per game.

1999-00 Season

Gary Payton – $11,020,473

To welcome a new millennium to the NBA, Gary Payton once again was the NBA’s highest-paid point guard with his $11.02 million salary for the season. This time, Payton was one of 20 players to earn at least $10 million during the season and was the 14th-highest-paid player in the NBA overall.

Payton would have one of the best years of his career in 2000 for the Seattle SuperSonics. In 82 games played, Payton would average a career-high 24.2 points per game on 44.8% shooting from the field. He also added 6.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game to help the SuperSonics go 45-37 on the year and just sneak into the NBA playoffs.

In the playoffs, the fun would stop for Payton and Seattle however, as they fell in round one to the Utah Jazz. Although it was a hard-fought five-game series, Payton’s 25.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game were not enough to overcome the still-potent attack of Karl Malone and John Stockton.

2000-01 Season

Gary Payton – $12,200,000

With a slight bump in pay for 2001, Gary Payton remained the NBA’s highest-paid point guard and 13th-highest-paid player overall. Payton would earn just $200 thousand more than Tim Hardaway that season as the NBA’s second-highest-paid point guard.

Individually, Payton would have another great season averaging 23.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 79 games played. However, it didn’t translate to success on a team level as much. This time around, the SuperSonics would win just 44 games which, although over .500, was good enough for only fifth place in the Pacific Division and resulted in no playoffs for the SuperSonics. Despite the disappointing finish, Payton was still named an All-Star and a member of the All-NBA Third Team.

2001-02 Season

Gary Payton – $12,926,493

For the third season in a row, Gary Payton was the highest-paid point guard in the NBA in 2002. Now, he had also cracked the top 10 in highest-paid players overall with his $12.9 million salary. Once again, Payton would have a great regular season to lead the SuperSonics to a winning record.

In 82 games in the regular season, Payton averaged 22.1 points, 9.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, leading his team to 45 wins and a spot in the NBA playoffs. The excitement of being back in the postseason would be short-lived for Seattle who drew the unfortunate matchup with the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Seattle would give the Spurs all they could handle in the five-game series led by Payton’s 22.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. In the end, it would be the Spurs moving on after thrashing Seattle in Game 5, 101-78.

2002-03 Season

Gary Payton – $12,636,117

If it seems as if this is getting a bit redundant, that’s because it is. Gary Payton remained the highest-paid point guard in the NBA for the 2002-03 season making just $250 thousand more than the next highest-paid point guard Damon Stoudamire. Payton’s $12.6 million salary for the season ranked 13th overall as one of 32 players making at least $12 million on the season.

Payton’s 2002-03 season would mark the end of an era for the veteran point guard. After 12 and a half seasons in Seattle, Payton would be traded to the Milwaukee Bucks 52 games into the season. In 52 games with Seattle, Payton averaged 20.8 points, 8.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. In 28 games played with the Bucks to finish the season, Payton would average 19.6 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Milwaukee would win 42 games and sneak into the NBA playoffs.

In his first playoff series with Milwaukee, not much would go right for Payton as they fell to the eventual Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets in six games. Payton would average 18.5 points per game to lead his team along with 8.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. The Nets would lose to the Spurs in the NBA Finals behind an all-time great performance from Tim Duncan.

2003-04 Season

Stephon Marbury – $13,500,000

After nearly a decade of Gary Payton leading the NBA in salary for point guards, there was finally a new name atop the leaderboard for 2003-04. After being traded from the Timberwolves to the Knicks, Stephon Marbury was the NBA’s highest-paid point guard making $13.5 million as the eight-highest-paid player in the NBA. Of course, this was in the midst of really bad financial decisions by the Knicks who have spent over $3 billion since 1999 and not been back to the NBA Finals.

The Knicks were absolutely terrible as a team in 2003-04, as they won just 33 games. Things did look promising from Marbury though, as he averaged 19.8 points, 9.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 43.1% shooting in 47 games with New York after the trade. Of course, it wasn’t enough for the Knicks to make the playoffs, but the hope for the future was real despite how false it would end up being in the long run.

2004-05 Season

Jason Kidd – $14,796,000

After leading the New Jersey Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003, Jason Kidd was awarded a deal that made him the sixth-highest-paid player in the NBA for the 2004-05 season. Kidd’s $14.8 million salary made him one of 22 players to make over $14 million in the NBA that season but nearly made him a top-five paid player in the league.

After five consecutive All-Star seasons with the Nets, Kidd would miss the midseason exhibition while struggling with nagging injuries. Still, Kidd had a remarkable season with 14.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game for New Jersey. Kidd would help the Nets go 42-40 on the season and advance to the NBA playoffs once again.

Unlike their previous postseasons, the Nets would be sent home early in devastating fashion. In their first-round series with the Miami Heat, Kidd would play remarkably with 17.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Unfortunately, the Nets could not even muster one win against a dominant Heat team that had Shaq and a young Dwyane Wade. They were swept out of the playoffs in four games.

2005-06 Season

Stephon Marbury – $16,453,125

The New York Knicks were an absolute mess in 2005-06. They were one of the worst teams in the NBA with a 23-59 record while the experiment with Larry Brown as coach was going up in flames quicker than expected. At the center of the issues was the NBA’s highest-paid point guard Stephon Marbury.

Despite his immense talent, Marbury seemed to have a hard time getting along with anybody and Larry Brown was no exception. Despite making nearly $16.5 million for the season, Marbury would play in just 60 games and have one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. He averaged just 16.3 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game with zero effect on his team as far as winning was concerned.

2006-07 Season

Jason Kidd – $18,084,000

After a year with Marbury as the NBA’s highest-paid point guard, Jason Kidd returned to the top with a salary of $18.1 million for the 2006-07 season. Kidd was tied with Jermaine O’Neal as the fifth-highest-paid player in the NBA with only Chris Webber, Michael Finley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Garnett earning more than him in basketball salary for 2006-07.

This season would be Jason Kidd’s final full season with the Nets and he tried to make the most of it. Kidd would help the Nets win 41 games and advance to the NBA playoffs by averaging 13.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He led the team in rebounds, assists, and steals for that year.

In the NBA playoffs, the Nets would make easy work of the Raptors in round one in six games. As they met a young LeBron James in the next round, their season would come to a halt in six games at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kidd would average a triple-double in the playoffs with 14.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 10.9 assists but it would not be enough to get past a Cleveland team that would advance to the NBA Finals.

2007-08 Season

Jason Kidd – $19,728,000

As you can see, the back end of Jason Kidd’s deal with the New Jersey Nets was extremely rewarding for the veteran point guard. In the 2008 season, Kidd would be the fourth-highest-paid player in the NBA with only Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Finley, and Kevin Garnett earning more than him. Jermaine O’Neal would make the same amount as Kidd as well.

The 2007-08 season would see Kidd start 51 games for the Nets before he was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks for Devin Harris, Keith Van Horn, and more. After being traded to Dallas, Kidd would make 29 starts and averaged 9.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. The Mavericks would win 51 games and head toward the NBA playoffs with a little momentum.

The energy and hope were short-lived for Dallas however as they would be defeated in just five games in the first round of playoffs by the New Orleans Hornets. Kidd would start every game of the series and averaged 8.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game but Chris Paul of New Orleans was clearly the far superior player at this point.

2008-09 Season

Jason Kidd – $21,372,000

In 2009, Jason Kidd’s contract would skyrocket up to $21.4 million for the season. This would make Kidd the second-highest-paid player in the NBA behind only Kevin Garnett and tied with Jermaine O’Neal once again. Kidd was even making more money than Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, and Dirk Nowitzki at this point.

Now 36 years old, very little was expected of Jason Kidd in terms of his impact as what it once was. Kidd surprised everyone with another All-Star season averaging 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in 80 starts. Kidd’s efforts would help the Mavericks win 55 games on the season and claim the Southwest Division as their own.

Once the NBA playoffs came around, things were a different story altogether for Dallas as they matched up with the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. With their championship DNA fully intact, the Spurs would go on to defeat the Mavericks in six games and cut yet another potential championship run short.

2009-10 Season

Gilbert Arenas – $16,192,080

During the 2000s, Gilbert Arenas hit an incredible three-year peak that saw him make three straight All-Star appearances and earn three straight All-NBA Team selections. By 2010, he had become the highest-paid point guard in the NBA, making $16.2 million for the season with the Washington Wizards.

After two injury-filled seasons in 2008 and 2009, Arenas looked back on track through 32 games in 2010 averaging 22.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. That would all come to a screeching halt when Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton got into an altercation involving firearms at the team’s practice facility around Christmas 2009.

On January 5, 2010, Arenas was suspended indefinitely for his role in the incident and ended up missing the rest of the season in one of the longest suspensions in NBA history. He would never return to his form from before the suspension and only ended up playing 70 games over the next three years for the Wizards, Magic, and Grizzlies.

2010-11 Season

Gilbert Arenas – $17,730,694

The back end of Gilbert Arenas’ contract with the Washington Wizards is right up there with the worst contracts in NBA history. After serving a year-long suspension with the Wizards in 2010, Arenas returned to the lineup as the eighth-highest-paid player in the NBA. As the year unfolded, it became clear that Arenas was not the same player who inked that deal just a few seasons prior.

In 21 games with the Wizards, Arenas would average 17.3 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. At that time, he would be traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Rashard Lewis. In 49 games in Orlando, mostly off the bench, Arenas’ numbers would dip to 8.0 points per game along with 3.2 assists. Arenas and the Magic would advance to the NBA playoffs with 52 wins.

In the playoffs, Arenas was relegated to his bench role but did appear in five games in the first round. The Magic would fall to the Hawks in six games with Arenas averaging 8.6 points and 2.8 assists per game in that role.

2011-12 Season

Gilbert Arenas – $19,269,307

Even as his game began to deteriorate, Arenas remained the NBA’s highest-paid point guard and sixth-highest-paid player overall. As a shell of himself during the 2011-12 season, Arenas was now with the Memphis Grizzlies. With Memphis, Arenas would appear in 17 of the first 22 games off the bench averaging just 4.2 points and 1.1 assists per game. Injury would prohibit him from stepping on an NBA court again after those 17 games but he did enjoy a short professional career in China in 2013.

2012-13 Season

Gilbert Arenas – $20,807,922

Even while out of the NBA and overseas in China, Gilbert Arenas remained the NBA’s highest-paid point guard. It is amazing that just a few seasons prior, Arenas was being talked about as a rising superstar dropping 60 points on Kobe Bryant on Kobe’s own court. Now, he was out of the league yet remained the league’s fourth-highest-paid player overall. Whether that should be honored or criticized is the only question that remains.

2013-14 Season

Gilbert Arenas – $22,346,536

I promise this is the last time Gilbert Arenas is on our list. When the Orlando Magic acquired Arenas from Washington back in 2011, the Magic thought they were making a good deal by shedding one bad contract for a player who would still be able to provide them some punch off the bench. Little did they know that they would be paying Arenas a total of $43.15 million while he was no longer in the NBA.

That’s right, the final two years of Arenas’ deal fell on the Orlando Magic to honor which set them back from being able to pursue big-name free agents around their solid core. By this time, Arenas was already done with the game of basketball altogether but still made more in the 2013-14 season than 99% of the NBA.

2014-15 Season

Chris Paul – $20,068,563

By the time the 2014-15 season started, eight players were set to make at least $20 million in salary for the season. Of those eight, only Chris Paul played the point guard position and was already among the top 10 players in the NBA.

As a two-way savant with the Clippers in 2014-15, Paul would finish sixth in MVP voting and as a member of the All-NBA Second Team. He averaged 19.1 points, 10.2 assists, and 1.9 steals that season to lead the Clippers to 56 wins and a spot in the NBA playoffs. In the playoffs, Paul and the Clippers would make some noise by defeating the defending champion Spurs in the first round with 22.7 points, 7.9 assists, and 2.0 steals coming from Paul in seven games.

The second round would be another grueling test for Los Angeles as they tried to fulfill championship aspirations for a team that had never even advanced to the Conference Finals. In a seven-game series with the Houston Rockets, Paul would average 21.2 points and 10 assists but suffer an injury and miss the series final two games. The Rockets would get by the Clippers in seven games, leading to a disappointing end for a team with so much promise.

2015-16 Season

Chris Paul – $21,468,695

For the second consecutive season, Chris Paul took home the title of the NBA’s highest-paid point guard with a nearly $21.5 million salary to boast about. Right behind him at the point guard position was Derrick Rose who was making $20.1 million at the time. This salary also made Paul the eighth-highest-paid player in the NBA as he set out with championship aspirations with the Clippers once again.

Paul would finish sixth in MVP voting once more with 19.5 points, 10.0 assists, and 2.1 steals per game for a Clippers team that would win 53 games and once again qualify for the NBA playoffs. Even after winning 53 games, Paul could not escape the injury bug and was limited to just four of the six games they played against Portland in the first round. The Clippers would be ousted by Damian Lillard and company bringing an end to their season early on once again.

2016-17 Season

Russell Westbrook And Mike Conley – $26,540,100

For the first time on our list, two point guards would take home the title of the NBA’s highest-paid for a single season. Four players would earn the $26,540,100 salary that made Russell Westbrook and Mike Conley the highest-paid point guards that season with the other two being Kevin Durant and Al Horford.

Westbrook was now all by his lonesome in Oklahoma City with Kevin Durant moving on to Golden State. He would go on to have an MVP season becoming the first player to average a triple-double in a season since Oscar Robertson in 1962. Westbrook averaged 31.6 points per game to win the scoring title along with 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game. The Thunder would go on to lose in five games to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

At this time, Mike Conley was the starting point guard for a feisty and hungry Memphis Grizzlies team. In 69 games in 2017, Conley would average 20.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while helping the Grizzlies go 43-39 on the season. Their record would lead to a playoff appearance but a matchup with the Spurs in round one cut their playoff hopes short in just six games.

2017-18 Season

Stephen Curry – $34,682,550

By the time Stephen Curry had finally become the NBA’s highest-paid point guard, he had earned it and then some. Curry was already considered the greatest three-point shooter in NBA history by most and had two MVPs and two NBA championships to show for it. With his $34.7 million salary in 2017-18, Curry also became the highest-paid player in the NBA marking the first time a player had done that as a point guard since Magic Johnson.

The 2017-18 season almost looked as if the Warriors were bored with Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thomspon providing unlimited firepower on offense. Curry would average 26.4 points and 6.1 assists per game in just 51 games as he nursed an ankle injury back to health. The Warriors didn’t lose a beat as they won 58 games during the regular season.

In the NBA playoffs, Golden State would go 12-5 over their first three series to advance to their fourth straight NBA Finals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although Kevin Durant would be named Finals MVP in the sweep, Curry won his third ring with 27.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 41.5% shooting from three.

2018-19 Season

Stephen Curry – $37,457,154

Coming off back-to-back NBA championships, Stephen Curry remained the NBA’s highest-paid point guard and the highest-paid overall player with a $37.5 million salary. Russell Westbrook was the NBA’s second-highest-paid player with a $35.7 million salary and ChrisPaul came in fourth with $35.6 million.

Curry remained as deadly as ever playing 69 games this season and averaging 27.3 points per game on 43.7% shooting from three on an insane 11.7 attempts from beyond the arc. Still armed with the most potent offense in the NBA, the Warriors would win 57 games and advance to the NBA playoffs with all the momentum in the world.

Over the next three series, the Warriors would limp their way to the NBA Finals with Durant hurting his heel and missing extended time. When they met up with the Raptors in the NBA Finals, it was supposed to be a three-peat for the Warriors. Instead, Injuries to Durant and Klay Thompson would derail those hopes thanks to an incredible performance from Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors’ supporting cast. Toronto would win their first championship ever while the Warriors dynasty was said to be fading fast.

2019-20 Season

Stephen Curry – $40,231,758

In 2020, Stephen Curry became the first player in NBA history to earn over $40 million in a season. The annual income was the largest in the NBA for any player ever regardless of position on the court. While the world faced uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, Curry and the Warriors had bigger issues. After just five games, Curry would be shut down for the season due to injury.

Even as the world opened back up and the NBA went into a bubble format to determine a champion, the Warriors could not do enough to even qualify for the NBA playoffs. The season had been a wash for them but they were determined to get back to the mountaintop one way or another.

2020-21 Season

Stephen Curry – $43,006,362

In 2021, the top four highest-paid players in the NBA would all be point guards. Curry led the way with a $43 million salary, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul followed with $ 41.4 million salaries, and John Walla came in fourth with a $41.3 salary. That is over $160 million just for four point guards. When compared to where we started this list, it is simply an incredible feat to witness. 

The 2020-21 season would be up and down for Curry and the Warriors as he got acclimated to the NBA pace again. In 63 games, Curry would find his feet as he took home his second scoring title averaging 32.0 points per game on 48.2% shooting overall and 42.1% shooting from three. Despite Curry’s heroics and incredibly efficient season, the Warriors would fall in both of their play-in games, missing the 2021 playoffs altogether. With this result, it prompted media and fans alike to crown the Golden State dynasty dead. They were about to be proven hellishly wrong.

2021-22 Season

Stephen Curry – $45,780,966

For the fifth consecutive season in 2022, Stephen Curry would be the NBA’s highest-paid point guard and its highest-paid player overall. This season, more than any other, however, Curry would earn his salary in a more convincing fashion than ever before while returning glory to Golden State’s name.

There were ups and downs during the regular season as there are with every NBA team. The Warriors would finish with a 53-29 record behind Curry’s 25.5 points per game on 43.7% shooting overall and 38.0% shooting from three. They weren’t given much of a chance heading into the playoffs but they proved everyone wrong.

After going 12-4 over their first three series, the Warriors advanced to the NBA Finals for a matchup with the NBA’s number-one defense and the Boston Celtics. After falling down 2-1 in the series, Curry would help Golden State rattle off four straight wins for their fourth title in eight seasons. Curry would finally earn the Finals MVP that had eluded him his entire career with 31.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 48.2% overall and 43.7% from three.

2022-23 Season

Stephen Curry – $48,070,014

Stephen Curry remained the highest-paid player in the NBA for the sixth straight season this past year in 2022-23. Of the 10 highest-paid players in the NBA this past season, four of them were point guards with Curry leading them all making $48.1 million following his fourth NBA championship season.

The 2023 season got off to an extremely rocky start when teammates Draymond Green and Jordan Poole got into an altercation in training camp that was one of the worst teammate fights in NBA history. The black cloud of this seemed to follow the Warriors the entire season as they struggled to make the NBA playoffs.

They were able to defeat the Kings in round one thanks to a 50-point performance from Stephen Curry in Game 7 to advance to play the Lakers. With all the momentum in the world, the Lakers were too much for a dysfunctional Warriors team that fell apart at the seams at the first signs of distress on the court. The season ended with a series loss to L.A. in six games. 

Next season, Curry will be earning $51,915,615 which left the Warriors with some questions to face this offseason. It will be the first time that a point guard is set to make over $50 million in a season or any player for that matter. So, how do you build around a $50 million player?

The Warriors answered those questions with some peculiar moves. They went out and acquired veteran Chris Paul while trading away rising star Jordan Poole. They failed to address a serious need in their frontcourt but seem to be confident heading into 2023-24. Can their championship environment pull one more rabbit out of the hat?

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