What are the highest contracts in NBA history and which players got them?

NBA contracts are pretty fascinating. When you look around the league, it’s staggering to see just how large a contract can be for a reliable NBA player. For example, a player like Michael Porter Jr., who has never made an All-Star team and likely never will, is currently on a 5-year, $179 million contract with the Nuggets, and nobody bats an eye about it today.

However, Kevin Garnett, one of the greatest players in NBA history, received a ton of backlash for his $126 million deal that he signed back in 1998. A big reason for this is the context surrounding both contracts, which depend on the player’s age, their team’s roster, and the front office’s willingness to spend.

1. Boston Celtics SG/SF Jaylen Brown: $304,000,000

Jaylen Brown’s extension with the Boston Celtics is the largest contract in NBA history by total value. Initially, it also set the record for the highest average annual value (AAV) until Anthony Davis surpassed it. This historic deal marks the first NBA contract to exceed an AAV of $60 million per season, underscoring Brown’s critical role in the Celtics’ future.

2. Denver Nuggets C Nikola Jokić: $270,000,000

Nikola Jokić's supermax extension with the Denver Nuggets ranks second in total value. The reigning MVP’s deal emphasizes his importance to the franchise and secures his leadership through 2028.

3. Washington Wizards/Phoenix Suns SG Bradley Beal: $251,000,000

Bradley Beal’s extension with the Washington Wizards was a major investment in their star shooting guard. The contract was supose Beal remains a central figure in the team’s aspirations for the next five seasons. But in the preseason 2023, the Wizards accepted Suns offer and traded him to Phoenix.

4. Bucks PF Giannis Antetokounmpo: $228,200,420

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks secures the services of one of the NBA’s premier talents. The two-time MVP’s contract reflects his critical role in the Bucks’ quest for continued success.

5. Phoenix Suns SG Devin Booker: $224,000,000

Devin Booker’s supermax extension with the Phoenix Suns ties him for the fifth-largest contract in NBA history by total value. This deal highlights Booker’s stature as a cornerstone of the Suns’ franchise.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves PF Karl-Anthony Towns: $224,000,000

Karl-Anthony Towns’ identical supermax extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves matches Booker’s in value, underscoring his pivotal role in Minnesota’s future plans. The deal ensures Towns’ leadership and talent will be central to the Timberwolves’ ambitions.