NBA
On this page, we will examine the largest contracts in NBA history, and the biggest winners and losers in NBA free-agency history.
​
​Top 10 LARGEST CONTRACTS IN NBA HISTORY (As of 2025)
*Including contract extensions
10. (Tie) Karl Anthony-Towns
Team: New York Knicks (PF, C)
Contract: 4 years, $224 million (2022- 2027/2028) (signed with MIN traded to NY)
Entered age 26 season in 2022
​
​Karl-Anthony Towns established himself as the centerpiece of the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to the New York Knicks in the summer of 2024, showcasing his versatility and all-around skill in the NBA. As a dominant center, Towns blends refined scoring ability with a strong presence in the paint. His offensive game goes beyond that of a traditional big man, featuring reliable three-point shooting and impressive playmaking skills. Towns, a former No. 1 overall pick who won Rookie of the Year in 2015–16, is a five-time All-Star and a three-time All-NBA selection. During the 2024–25 season, Karl-Anthony Towns played 72 games with the Knicks, averaging 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 52.6% from the field, 42.0% from three-point range, and 82.9% from the free-throw line.
​​​​
9. (Tie) Devin Booker
Team: Phoenix Suns (PG, SG)
Contract: 4 years, $224 million (2022-2027/2028) Extension
Entered age 25 season in 2022
Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns’ offensive leader, stands out as one of the NBA’s most dynamic scorers. Renowned for his smooth shooting touch and clutch play, he has consistently powered the Suns’ offense. A four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, Booker combines elite scoring with strong playmaking, making him a constant threat on the floor. During the 2024–25 season, Devin Booker played 75 games, averaging 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game, while shooting 46.1% from the field, 33.2% from three-point range, and 89.4% from the free-throw line.
8. Ginannis Antetokounmpo
Team: Milwaukee Bucks (PF, SF, PG, SG)
Contract: 5 years, $228 million (2020-2025/2026) Extension
Entered age 26 season in 2020
Giannis Antetokounmpo nicknamed the “Greek Freak” and star of the Milwaukee Bucks, is a dominant force in the NBA. Celebrated for his remarkable athleticism and adaptability, he thrives as a forward-center hybrid, driving to the basket with powerful, fluid strides and defending across positions, highlighting his uniquely versatile game. During the 2019–20 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award and later accumulated nine All-Star selections, two NBA MVP titles, five All-Defensive team honors, and the 2024–25 NBA Cup MVP. In 2021, Antetokounmpo propelled the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA championship, capturing Finals MVP after an unforgettable 50-point performance. In the 2024–25 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo played 67 games, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, while shooting 60.1% from the field, 22.2% from three-point range, and 61.7% from the free-throw line.
7. (Tie) Tyrese Haliburton
Team: Indiana Pacers (PG, SG)
Contract: 5 years, $244 million (2024-2029/2030) Extension
Entered age 24 season in 2024
Tyrese Haliburton has emerged as one of the most efficient point guards in the NBA. A natural playmaker, he has averaged over 20 points and 10 assists per game over the past three seasons, leading the league in assists in 2023–24 with 10.9 per game. Haliburton propelled the Indiana Pacers to Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season before a ruptured Achilles ended his run. Despite playing in a smaller Midwest market that sometimes limits his visibility, he remains undeniably one of the top guards in the league. Haliburton is a two-time NBA All-Star and a two-time All-NBA honoree. In the 2024–25 season, Tyrese Haliburton played 73 games, averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game, while shooting 47.3% from the field, 38.8% from three-point range, and 85.1% from the free-throw line.​​
6. (Tie) Anthony Edwards
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves (SG)
Contract: 5 years $244 million (2024-2027/2028) Extension
Entered age 23 season in 2024
Former No. 1 overall pick and three-time NBA All-Star, Anthony Edwards, has become one of the NBA’s most electrifying players. Over the past two seasons, he ranked seventh in MVP voting and played a key role in leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances. In the 2024–25 season, Anthony Edwards appeared in 79 games, averaging 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, while shooting 44.7% from the field, 39.5% from three-point range, and 83.7% from the free-throw line.
5. Bradley Beal
Team: Los Angeles Clippers (SG)
Contract: 5 years, $251 million (2022-2025) Extension
Entered age 29 season in 2022
Contract was bought out by the Phoenix Suns in 2025
Signed 2 years, $11 million contract with LA Clippers (2025-2026/2027 - can opt out in 2026)
​
Bradley Beal is one of the NBA’s premier scorers, showcasing elite offensive talent. Renowned for his smooth shooting touch and ability to attack the rim with force, he regularly ranks among the league’s most prolific point producers. A three-time All-Star and a 2020–21 All-NBA selection, Beal later signed a massive contract with the Wizards before being traded to Phoenix, where he played two seasons. He was then waived and went on to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2025–26 season. During the 2024–25 season, Bradley Beal appeared in 53 games, posting averages of 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, with shooting splits of 49.7% from the field, 38.6% from three-point range, and 80.3% from the free-throw line.
4. Nikola Jokić
Team: Denver Nuggets (C)
Contract: 5 years, $276 million (2022-2027/2028) Extension
Entered age 27 season in 2022
Nikola Jokić, also known as “The Joker,” is the centerpiece of the Denver Nuggets, redefining the center position with his exceptional skill, court vision, and basketball intelligence. Jokić’s extraordinary passing, combined with his scoring and rebounding ability, makes him a constant triple-double threat. Jokić boasts seven All-Star selections, seven All-NBA honors, three NBA MVP awards, a 2023 NBA championship, and the 2022–23 NBA Finals MVP. In the 2024–25 season, Nikola Jokić played 70 games, averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, while shooting 57.6% from the field, 41.7% from three-point range, and 80.0% from the free-throw line.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder (PG, SG)
Contract: Four years, $285 million (2025-2030/2031) Extension
Entered age 26 season in 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander secured an NBA championship, league MVP, Finals MVP, and the scoring title all in the same season, making his supermax extension a predictable move by the Oklahoma City Thunder. His contract set the record for the highest average annual salary, around $68 million, though Jayson Tatum’s deal still leads in total value. This versatile guard has been a driving force behind the franchise’s resurgence. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a three-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA honoree, appeared in 76 games during the 2024–25 season, posting averages of 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, while shooting 51.9% from the field, 37.5% from three-point range, and 89.8% from the free-throw line. Building on one of the most accomplished seasons in NBA history, SGA is set for a promising and financially rewarding future in the Western Conference.
2. Jaylen Brown
Team: Boston Celtics (SF, SG)
Contract: Five years, $304 million (2023-2028/2029)
Entered age 26 season in 2023
Jaylen Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP and a cornerstone of the Boston Celtics, represents the modern NBA player with his versatility and resilience. Emerging from the Celtics’ prestigious development system, his rise has been truly extraordinary. In July 2023, the Celtics’ star secured what was at the time the biggest contract in NBA history, a five-year, $304 million supermax extension set to begin in the 2024–25 season. Brown, a four-time All-Star, one-time All-NBA player, 2024 Finals MVP, and 2023–24 Eastern Conference Finals MVP, has firmly established himself among the NBA’s elite. During the 2024–25 season, Brown put up 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, connecting on 46.3% of his shots, 32.4% from three-point range, and 76.4% from the free-throw line over 63 games.
1. Jayson Tatum
Team: Boston Celtics (SF, PF)
Contract: Five years, $314 million (2024-
2029/2030)
Entered age 26 season in 2024
Jayson Tatum, a star of the Boston Celtics and consistent MVP contender, inked the largest contract in NBA history in 2024. Just one year after teammate Jaylen Brown set the previous record, Tatum now holds the title of the highest-paid player in the NBA by total contract value. It’s almost certain that this mark will be surpassed in the near future. Tatum has been selected to six All-Star games and is a five-time All-NBA selection, the 2021–22 Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and a 2024 NBA champion, marking an impressive list of accolades. In the 2024–25 season, Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, shooting 45.2% from the field, 34.3% from three-point range, and 81.4% from the free-throw line across 72 games.
Biggest winners and losers in NBA free agency history
​
Winners
Golden State Warriors (2016-17)
Key signing:
Kevin Durant (SF, PF, SG) (2 years, $54.3 million)
Results:
-
He signed with the Golden State Warriors after they eliminated his Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals earlier that same year
-
Joined a superteam alongside stars Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green
-
In 2016, the Golden State Warriors went 73–9, the best regular-season record in NBA history
-
The Golden State Warriors won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018, and reached the NBA Finals again in 2019 but lost due to injuries
-
Durant won two straight finals MVPs
-
It was one of the most dominant runs in NBA history
Miami Heat (2010-11)
Key signings:
Lebron James (SF, PF, PG, C, SG) (6 years, $110 million)
Chris Bosh (C, PF) (5 years, $118 million)
Dwayne Wade (SG, PG) (4 years, $87 million) Extension
Results:
-
Together, these three became the "Big Three," immediately turning the team into a championship contender
-
The trio led the Miami Heat to four consecutive Finals appearances, winning back-to-back titles by defeating the Thunder in 2012 and the Spurs in 2013, but falling to the Mavericks in 2011 and the Spurs in 2014
-
LeBron James won both the league MVP and Finals MVP in 2012 and 2013
-
Dwyane Wade acted as a veteran leader and reliable clutch scorer, cementing his status as a franchise legend
-
Chris Bosh contributed as a versatile stretch big, establishing himself as the indispensable third star of the team
-
During the Big Three era (2010–2014), LeBron James made four All-Star Games, while Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh each appeared in five​​
Los Angeles Lakers (1996-97)
Key Signing:
Shaquille O'Neal (C) (7 years, $120 million)
Results
-
Standing 7'1" and recognized as one of the most dominant centers in NBA history, Shaq instantly turned the Los Angeles Lakers into a championship contender
-
Shaq paired with a young Kobe Bryant, forming a powerhouse duo that came to define the Lakers in the late 1990s and early 2000s
-
The pair guided the Lakers to three straight NBA championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002
-
Shaq earned the NBA MVP award in 1999 and followed it up with consecutive Finals MVP honors in 2000 and 2001
-
Shaq formed one of the NBA’s most iconic duos and helped establish the Lakers as a modern dynasty
Losers
Los Angeles Lakers (2016-17)
Worst Signing: Timofey Mozgov (C) (4 years, $64 million)
Results:
-
Timofey Mozgov was a role-playing center who was paid like a star
-
The Los Angeles Lakers gave him a contract within minutes of free agency opening
-
Across 54 games, Mozgov put up 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while shooting 51.5% in roughly 20.4 minutes per game during the 2016 season
-
He lost his starting center role due to his limited production
-
Timofey Mozgov played just one season with the Los Angeles Lakers before being traded in 2017 to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that sent D'Angelo Russell to Los Angeles
-
After just one season with the Nets, Mozgov was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets, then shortly after moved to the Orlando Magic, where he was waived before the start of the 2018–19 season
Memphis Grizzlies (2016-17)
Worst Signing:
Chandler Parsons (SF, PF) (4 years, $94 million)
Results:
-
Chandler Parsons was primarily a role player but was paid like a star
-
Parsons was already known to be injury-prone and had significant knee issues before signing with Memphis.​
-
Over three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Chandler Parsons appeared in just 95 games, averaging 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, as injuries severely limited his availability
-
Parsons was never the same player following his injuries
-
In July 2019, the Grizzlies traded him to the Atlanta Hawks, but he never played a game for them and was waived shortly after the deal​​​
New York Knicks (2016-17)
Worst Signing:
Joakim Noah (C) (4 years, $72 million)
Results:
-
In the 2013–14 season, Joakim Noah won Defensive Player of the Year and was a two-time All-Star during his tenure with the Chicago Bulls
-
However, by 2016, Joakim Noah was no longer the player the New York Knicks expected him to be
-
Shoulder injuries took a toll on him, as he lost mobility and struggled to run the floor or defend at his peak level
-
In just two seasons with the New York Knicks, Joakim Noah appeared in only 53 games, averaging 4.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game
-
Joakim Noah struggled with production, was frequently injured, quickly fell out of the rotation, and also received a 20-game suspension in 2017 for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy
-
In 2018, the New York Knicks and Joakim Noah agreed to a contract buyout, allowing both sides to part ways after his deal became a long-term salary cap burden for the team
