LeBron James Leads 2017 NBA Salary Race
In 2017, the highest paid basketball player reflected a shift toward longer, massive contracts across the league. Stars who leveraged superteam opportunities and strong on court performance commanded record sums, with one name consistently atop the list.
| Player | Team in 2017 | Season Salary 2017-18 | Contract Length and Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers | $33,285,709 | 3 years $100 million, player option in 2018 |
| Russell Westbrook | Oklahoma City Thunder | $35,000,000 | 5 years $205 million, extension signed 2017 |
| Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | $34,682,550 | 5 years $201 million, extension signed 2017 |
| Chris Paul | Houston Rockets | $33,734,500 | 5 years $228 million, extension signed 2017 |
| James Harden | Houston Rockets | $29,509,200 | 4 years $118 million, extension signed 2016 |
Salary Surge Around the 2017-18 Season
By the 2017 offseason, teams were offering longer supermax-style deals to lock in stars early. The highest paid basketball player in salary terms was technically Russell Westbrook on paper, but LeBron James remained the headline name due to performance, market, and legacy value. These contracts signaled a new baseline for elite guard and forward compensation.
LeBron James Contract Details and Options
LeBron James signed a three-year, $100 million extension with Cleveland in 2016 that kicked in during 2017-18. He held a player option for 2018-19, which he eventually exercised to pivot toward a Los Angeles move. The structure gave him flexibility while keeping him among the top earners through his prime years.
Era Defining Performances Behind the Paydays
On the court, the highest paid basketball player narratives were defined by clutch moments, vocal leadership, and sustained excellence. Teams invested heavily in stars who could headline new superteams, and the 2017 landscape foreshadowed the next wave of free agency combinations. Production metrics, media reach, and market size all fed into salary peaks.
Russell Westbrook and the Guaranteed Money Edge
Though Westbrook commanded the highest annual salary in 2017-18, his deal was structured differently from LeBron James and others. The five-year, $205 million extension reflected the Thunder’s urgency to keep their franchise centerpiece affordable long term while betting on continued All-NBA caliber play.
Key Takeaways Around the 2017 Salary Peak
- The 2017-18 season marked a new high water mark for annual and guaranteed salaries.
- LeBron James combined elite performance, market size, and flexibility to remain the defining top earner.
- Contract length and player options reshaped how the highest paid basketball player aligned career and earnings.
- Russell Westbrook and Stephen Coury pushed annual averages higher with five-year supermax extensions.
- These trends influenced team building, superteam formation, and future collective bargaining dynamics.
FAQ
Reader questions
Who was the highest paid basketball player in calendar year 2017?
Based on salary for the 2017-18 season, Russell Westbrook had the highest annual pay, but LeBron James was widely regarded as the top overall star in earnings and market value.
Did any player sign a bigger contract in 2017 than LeBron James that year?
Yes, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry both signed extensions with higher total values, though LeBron’s three-year, $100 million deal remained a centerpiece of the era’s highest paid landscape.
What team did the highest paid basketball player play for in 2017?
LeBron James was with the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Russell Westbrook played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Stephen Curry for the Golden State Warriors.
How did contract structures change for the highest paid basketball player by 2017?
Supermax extensions, longer terms, and player options became standard, giving stars like LeBron James more control over timing and destination while teams balanced luxury tax pressures.