292 players will make more than LeBron James this NBA season. Here's the full list

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LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency as he looks to chase another NBA title before calling it a career. The 22-time All-Star took a significant pay cut to do so.

After making nearly $53 million with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, James accepted a two-year contract worth the veteran minimum. The decision allowed Philadelphia – which already has two of the NBA's eight highest-paid players for 2026-27 in Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown – to be able to afford the 41-year-old superstar.

James' new deal with the 76ers will be worth just under $8 million over two years. He is set to make just under $3.9 million in the first year of his contract, which will mark the least he has earned during a single NBA season, coming in just short of the $4.02 million he made during his rookie season in 2003-04.

Just how cheap is James' deal for his first season in Philadelphia? A total of 292 NBA players will be making more than him during the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season, making James one of the best values league-wide.


Here's what to know about James' contract and where it ranks league-wide:

Full list of players making more than LeBron James for 2026-27 season​

Below is a full look at the list of players who will make more than LeBron James during the 2026-27 NBA season, according to data from Basketball Reference.

1. Stephen Curry, Warriors: $62,587,158
2. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets: $59,033,114
3. Anthony Davis, Wizards: $58,456,566
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Heat: $58,456,566
5. Jayson Tatum, Celtics: $58,456,566
6. Joel Embiid, 76ers: $58,100,000
7. Devin Booker, Suns: $57,078,728
8. Jaylen Brown, 76ers: $57,078,728
9. Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: $57,078,728
10. Jimmy Butler, Warriors: $56,832,773
11. Paul George, Celtics: $54,126,380
12. Kawhi Leonard, Clippers: $50,300,000
13. Cade Cunningham, Pistons: $50,105,628
14. Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers: $50,105,628
15. Evan Mobley, Cavaliers: $50,105,628
16. Jamal Murray, Nuggets: $50,105,628
17. Bam Adebayo, Heat: $49,800,000
18. De'Aaron Fox, Spurs: $49,800,000
19. Luka Doncic, Lakers: $49,800,000
20. Trae Young, Wizards: $49,488,300
21. Jaren Jackson Jr., Jazz: $49,000,000
22. Zach LaVine, Kings: $48,967,380
23. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves: $48,924,624
24. Pascal Siakam, Pacers: $48,924,624
25. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers: $48,924,624
26. Lauri Markkanen, Jazz: $46,113,154
27. Domantas Sabonis, Kings: $45,472,000
28. Kevin Durant, Rockets: $43,902,439
29. OG Anunoby, Knicks: $42,500,000
30. James Harden, Cavaliers: $42,317,307
31. Darius Garland, Clippers: $42,166,510
32. Ja Morant, Trail Blazers: $42,166,510
33. Zion Williamson, Pelicans: $42,166,510
34. Franz Wagner, Magic: $41,754,690
35. Scottie Barnes, Raptors: $41,754,690
36. Chet Holmgren, Thunder: $41,500,000
37. Jalen Williams, Thunder: $41,500,000
38. Paolo Banchero, Magic: $41,500,000
39. Austin Reaves, Lakers: $41,240,250
40. Michael Porter Jr., Nets: $40,806,150
41. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder: $40,806,150
42. LaMelo Ball, Timberwolves: $40,770,520
43. Tyrese Maxey, 76ers: $40,770,520
44. Brandon Ingram, Raptors: $40,000,000
45. Kyrie Irving, Mavericks: $39,491,282
46. Desmond Bane, Magic: $39,446,090
47. Jalen Brunson, Knicks: $37,739,521
48. Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves: $36,500,000
49. Jalen Green, Suns: $36,251,166
50. Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers: $35,915,403
51. Alperen Sengun, Rockets: $35,642,202
52. Jrue Holiday, Trail Blazers: $34,800,000
53. Jerami Grant, Grizzlies: $34,206,898
54. Jordan Poole, Pelicans: $34,044,642
55. Aaron Gordon, Nuggets: $33,658,037
56. Mikal Bridges, Knicks: $33,482,145
57. Julius Randle, Nets: $33,333,334
58. Tyler Herro, Bucks: $33,000,000
59. Dejounte Murray, Pelicans: $32,785,071
60. Immanuel Quickley, Raptors: $32,500,000
61. Jalen Suggs, Magic: $32,400,000
62. Derrick White, Celtics: $30,348,000
63. Walker Kessler, Lakers: $30,232,558
64. Andrew Wiggins, Heat: $30,169,644
65. Jalen Johnson, Hawks: $30,000,000
66. RJ Barrett, Raptors: $29,616,071
67. Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers: $28,000,000
68. Draymond Green, Warriors: $27,678,571
69. Devin Vassell, Spurs: $27,000,000
70. Trey Murphy III, Pelicans: $27,000,000
71. Myles Turner, Bucks: $26,584,164
72. Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves: $26,200,001
73. Dyson Daniels, Hawks: $25,000,000
74. Fred VanVleet, Rockets: $25,000,000
75. Josh Giddey, Bulls: $25,000,000
76. De'Andre Hunter, Kings: $24,910,714
77. Jonathan Kuminga, Hawks: $24,300,000
78. Keegan Murray, Kings: $24,137,936
79. Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets: $23,643,411
80. Naz Reid, Hornets: $23,275,862
81. Isaiah Hartenstein, Thunder: $23,148,148
82. Nic Claxton, Bulls: $23,147,727
83. Cameron Johnson, Nuggets: $23,062,500
84. Coby White, Hornets: $22,839,506
85. Miles Bridges, Suns: $22,826,087
86. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Grizzlies: $21,621,500
87. Christian Braun, Nuggets: $21,551,726
88. Norman Powell, Bulls: $21,500,000
89. CJ McCollum, Hawks: $21,000,000
90. Josh Hart, Knicks: $20,923,760
91. Kyle Kuzma, Bucks: $20,345,152
92. Ivica Zubac, Pacers: $20,342,140
93. Malik Monk, Kings: $20,190,035
94. Shaedon Sharpe, Trail Blazers: $20,089,287
95. Dillon Brooks, Suns: $19,992,727
96. P.J. Washington, Mavericks: $19,813,044
97. Alex Caruso, Thunder: $19,550,160
98. Andrew Nembhard, Pacers: $19,550,160
99. Kristaps Porzingis, Warriors: $19,512,195
100. Jakob Poeltl, Raptors: $19,500,000
101. Ayo Dosunmu, Timberwolves: $19,310,345
102. Luguentz Dort, Hawks: $18,222,222
103. Grayson Allen, Hornets: $18,125,000
104. Wendell Carter Jr., Magic: $18,102,000
105. Toumani Camara, Trail Blazers: $18,080,358
106. Patrick Williams, Bulls: $18,000,000
107. Keldon Johnson, Spurs: $17,500,000
108. Klay Thompson, Mavericks: $17,460,317
109. Daniel Gafford, Mavericks: $17,263,584
110. Santi Aldama, Mavericks: $17,007,043
111. John Collins, Pistons: $17,000,000
112. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: $16,868,246
113. Max Strus, Cavaliers: $16,660,836
114. Nikola Jovic, Heat: $16,200,000
115. Onyeka Okongwu, Hawks: $16,120,000
116. Duncan Robinson, Pistons: $15,992,957
117. Terance Mann, Nets: $15,500,000
118. Gary Trent Jr., Bucks: $15,200,000
119. Brandon Miller, Hornets: $15,104,626
120. Mitchell Robinson, Celtics: $15,044,000
121. Tobias Harris, Spurs: $15,044,000
122. Isaiah Stewart, Grizzlies: $15,000,000
123. Obi Toppin, Pacers: $15,000,000
124. Herbert Jones, Pelicans: $14,898,786
125. Caris LeVert, Bucks: $14,809,200
126. Dennis Schroeder, Cavaliers: $14,809,200
127. AJ Dybantsa, Wizards: $14,748,000
128. Josh Green, Timberwolves: $14,679,012
129. Bobby Portis, Heat: $14,521,414
130. Cooper Flagg, Mavericks: $14,517,480
131. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks: $14,403,710
132. Grant Williams, Hornets: $14,265,750
133. Jock Landale, Hawks: $14,100,000
134. Tari Eason, Rockets: $14,051,724
135. Rui Hachimura, Clippers: $14,000,000
136. Corey Kispert, Hawks: $13,975,000
137. Robert Williams, Trail Blazers: $13,968,254
138. Quentin Grimes, Lakers: $13,953,489
139. Julian Champagnie, Spurs: $13,888,889
140. Zaccharie Risacher, Mavericks: $13,826,040
141. Scoot Henderson, Trail Blazers: $13,585,523
142. Dorian Finney-Smith, Hornets: $13,335,000
143. Darryn Peterson, Jazz: $13,195,320
144. Deni Avdija, Trail Blazers: $13,125,000
145. Sandro Mamukelashvili, Lakers: $13,000,000
146. Steven Adams, Rockets: $13,000,000
147. Dylan Harper, Spurs: $12,989,040
148. Donte DiVincenzo, Timberwolves: $12,535,000
149. Moses Moody, Warriors: $12,500,000
150. Jarred Vanderbilt, Lakers: $12,428,571
151. Davion Mitchell, Heat: $12,400,000
152. Alex Sarr, Wizards: $12,370,680
153. Amen Thompson, Rockets: $12,258,609
154. Cameron Boozer, Grizzlies: $11,849,760
155. Isaac Okoro, Bulls: $11,814,814
156. Mark Williams, Suns: $11,728,395
157. VJ Edgecombe, 76ers: $11,663,880
158. Isaiah Joe, Pistons: $11,323,006
159. Ausar Thompson, Pistons: $11,117,925
160. Reed Sheppard, Rockets: $11,108,880
161. Aaron Nesmith, Pacers: $11,000,000
162. T.J. McConnell, Pacers: $11,000,000
163. Royce O'Neale, Hornets: $10,875,000
164. Sam Hauser, Celtics: $10,848,215
165. Collin Gillespie, Suns: $10,714,286
166. Caleb Wilson, Bulls: $10,683,720
167. Jusuf Nurkic, Jazz: $10,576,923
168. Kon Knueppel, Hornets: $10,516,560
169. Derrick Jones Jr., Clippers: $10,476,190
170. Luke Kornet, Spurs: $10,450,000
171. Anthony Black, Magic: $10,106,316
172. A.J. Green, Bucks: $10,044,644
173. Stephon Castle, Spurs: $10,015,920
174. Caleb Martin, Mavericks: $10,001,493
175. Day'Ron Sharpe, Nets: $10,000,000
176. Keaton Wagler, Clippers: $9,674,760
177. Buddy Hield, Hawks: $9,658,536
178. Ace Bailey, Jazz: $9,523,080
179. Jalen Smith, Bulls: $9,428,571
180. Naji Marshall, Mavericks: $9,428,571
181. Collin Sexton, Lakers: $9,366,000
182. Bilal Coulibaly, Wizards: $9,240,012
183. Aaron Wiggins, Hawks: $9,224,300
184. Ty Jerome, Grizzlies: $9,220,050
185. Brook Lopez, Clippers: $9,187,500
186. Sam Merrill, Cavaliers: $9,160,715
187. Ron Holland, Pistons: $9,069,600
188. Dean Wade, 76ers: $9,000,000
189. Mikel Brown Jr., Nets: $8,787,000
190. Keon Ellis, Nets: $8,780,488
191. Tre Johnson, Wizards: $8,649,600
192. Jarace Walker, Pacers: $8,478,542
193. Kevin Huerter, Pistons: $8,333,333
194. Zach Collins, Bulls: $8,292,683
195. Max Christie, Mavericks: $8,285,714
196. Quinten Post, Grizzlies: $8,285,714
197. Tidjane Salaun, Hornets: $8,237,880
198. Deandre Ayton, Wizards: $8,104,000
199. Kelly Oubre Jr., Pacers: $8,050,000
200. Darius Acuff Jr., Kings: $8,021,640
201. Harrison Barnes, Spurs: $8,000,000
202. Tre Jones, Bulls: $8,000,000
203. Tre Mann, Hornets: $8,000,000
204. Jeremiah Fears, Pelicans: $7,896,240
205. Taylor Hendricks, Grizzlies: $7,805,900
206. Jaylin Williams, Thunder: $7,774,648
207. Payton Pritchard, Celtics: $7,767,857
208. Goga Bitadze, Magic: $7,608,696
209. Donovan Clingan, Trail Blazers: $7,519,920
210. Zeke Nnaji, Nuggets: $7,466,667
211. Cason Wallace, Thunder: $7,420,806
212. Kingston Flemings, Hawks: $7,348,680
213. Dereck Lively II, Mavericks: $7,239,131
214. Egor Demin, Nets: $7,233,720
215. Gradey Dick, Raptors: $7,131,511
216. Clint Capela, Rockets: $7,035,000
217. Jordan Hawkins, Pelicans: $7,021,895
218. Isaiah Jackson, Clippers: $7,000,000
219. Rob Dillingham, Bulls: $6,889,320
220. Al Horford, Warriors: $6,822,000
221. Morez Johnson Jr., Mavericks: $6,754,800
222. Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors: $6,649,560
223. Keyonte George, Jazz: $6,563,925
224. Tim Hardaway Jr., Heat: $6,500,000
225. Saddiq Bey, Pelicans: $6,440,678
226. Brayden Burries, Bucks: $6,417,360
227. Zach Edey, Grizzlies: $6,332,760
228. Khaman Maluach, Suns: $6,316,680
229. John Konchar, Jazz: $6,165,000
230. Yaxel Lendeborg, Warriors: $6,096,240
231. Luke Kennard, Suns: $6,064,000
232. Marcus Smart, Rockets: $6,064,000
233. Cody Williams, Jazz: $6,015,600
234. Cedric Coward, Grizzlies: $6,001,080
235. Anfernee Simons, 76ers: $6,000,000
236. Jaden Hardy, Lakers: $6,000,000
237. Jake LaRavia, Lakers: $6,000,000
238. Jaxson Hayes, Jazz: $6,000,000
239. Josh Okogie, Jazz: $6,000,000
240. D'Angelo Russell, Grizzlies: $5,969,250
241. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Bucks: $5,939,141
242. Nicolas Batum, Clippers: $5,881,680
243. Jordan Goodwin, Suns: $5,864,198
244. Aday Mara, Thunder: $5,791,680
245. Ousmane Dieng, Bucks: $5,750,000
246. Matas Buzelis, Bulls: $5,715,360
247. Noa Essengue, Bulls: $5,701,200
248. Kris Dunn, Clippers: $5,684,800
249. Brandin Podziemski, Warriors: $5,679,459
250. Paul Reed, Pistons: $5,602,689
251. Khris Middleton, Wizards: $5,591,122
252. Nate Ament, Bucks: $5,502,000
253. Precious Achiuwa, Kings: $5,477,000
254. Cam Whitmore, Wizards: $5,458,310
255. Nikola Topic, Thunder: $5,429,760
256. Derik Queen, Pelicans: $5,416,080
257. Noah Clowney, Nets: $5,414,034
258. Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks: $5,390,700
259. Landry Shamet, Knicks: $5,357,143
260. Kris Murray, Grizzlies: $5,315,004
261. Jordan Miller, Clippers: $5,300,000
262. Hannes Steinbach, Hornets: $5,227,200
263. Marcus Sasser, Mavericks: $5,198,983
264. Devin Carter, Hawks: $5,158,080
265. Carter Bryant, Spurs: $5,145,360
266. Ben Sheppard, Pacers: $5,031,669
267. Kenrich Williams, Thunder: $5,000,000
268. Dailyn Swain, Bulls: $4,965,480
269. Bub Carrington, Wizards: $4,900,560
270. Thomas Sorber, Thunder: $4,887,720
271. Brice Sensabaugh, Jazz: $4,862,237
272. Julian Strawther, Nuggets: $4,826,931
273. Bennett Stirtz, Thunder: $4,717,320
274. Kel'el Ware, Bucks: $4,654,920
275. Yang Hansen, Trail Blazers: $4,643,520
276. Gui Santos, Warriors: $4,629,630
277. Jose Alvarado, Knicks: $4,500,000
278. Josh Minott, Nets: $4,500,000
279. Ebuka Okorie, Pistons: $4,481,280
280. Jared McCain, Thunder: $4,422,600
281. Joan Beringer, Timberwolves: $4,411,200
282. Christian Anderson Jr., Hornets: $4,257,480
283. Dalton Knecht, Lakers: $4,201,080
284. Walter Clayton, Grizzlies: $4,190,520
285. Allen Graves, Raptors: $4,065,720
286. Nolan Traore, Nets: $4,002,000
287. Daniss Jenkins, Pistons: $4,000,000
288. Ryan Rollins, Bucks: $4,000,000
289. Tristan Da Silva, Magic: $3,991,200
290. Miles McBride, Knicks: $3,956,523
291. Javonte Green, Pistons: $3,943,679
292. Jayden Quaintance, Spurs: $3,902,760

LeBron James' career earnings​

Of course, one of the reasons James was able to take such a massive pay cut is because he has already made a boatload of money during his career.

Across his first 23 NBA seasons, James has made nearly $581.4 million in on-court earnings, per Spotrac.com. A majority of those earnings came across his eight years with the Lakers, during which he made $347.5 million.

James also has numerous lucrative endorsement deals off the court, including with Nike and AT&T, among others.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 292 players will make more than LeBron James this NBA season. Here's the full list

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