Nikola Jokic signs blockbuster deal with Denver Nuggets, but who are the top 5 highest-paid NBA players in 2022?

The biggest deal in NBA history will be given to Nikola Jokic, a big man with the Denver Nuggets who won MVP for the second straight season. According to Shams Charania, Jokic has consented to a five-year, $264 million supermax deal. A player option for a whopping $60 million will be available for the contract’s final year. This has made him the highest-paid NBA player in 2022 as well, pipping the likes of LeBron James and Steph Curry as well. 

 

A second-round pick in 2014, Jokic arrived in the NBA for the 2015-16 season as a complete unknown to most observers. He quickly began to establish himself, though, as seen by the fact that he made the All-Rookie First Team and placed third in the voting for Rookie of the Year.

Image Credits – CNN

As he gained confidence and skill, Jokic swiftly rose to the top of the league as one of the league’s most distinctive big men. He also immediately gained popularity among League Pass members. It all came together the previous two seasons with back-to-back MVP titles after a run to the Western Conference finals in the bubble season of 2020 helped make him more well-known.

 

In addition to shooting 58.3 percent from the floor, Jokic averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.5 steal a game last year. Except for the assists, each of those figures was a career-high. Along the way, he established other records, including being the first player to ever total at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single season.

Who are the top 5 highest-paid NBA players? 

The star of the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry, was the first NBA player to earn several contracts worth more than $200 million. LeBron James, a four-time champion, continues to be among the NBA players with the highest salaries

 1) Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

 

Nikola Jokic contract: 5 years, $264 million

Nikola Jokic’s salary (average): $52.8 million

The new contract signed by Jokic is the most expensive in NBA history, second only to Stephen Curry in terms of average annual value. A $60 million player option is also included for the 2027–28 campaign.

Image Credits – Golden State of Mind

2) Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors – $48,070,014

3) Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers$47,063,478

4) LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers$44,474,988

5) Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets$44,119,845

 

More NBA news: 

Follow our NBA page for more key NBA updates and news