Being a world-class athlete is impressive enough - but many NBA players are fantastic businessmen to boot. Let’s take a look at the 40 players with the highest net worths in the history of the game.
40. Pat Riley - $80 Million
After almost ten years in the NBA, Pat Riley officially retired in 1976. But not before establishing an impressive career playing for the L.A Lakers, San Diego Rockets, and Phoenix Suns.
Through a post-pro career coaching the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, and Miami Heat, Riley has led NBA teams to five NBA championships. Today Pat Riley is sitting pretty with an $80 net worth according to Celebrity Net Worth and is currently the acting president of the Heat.
39. Juwan Howard - $80 Million
With a net worth of $80 million according to Celebrity Net Worth, it’s not surprising that Juwan Howard once signed a contract for $100 million! After shooting hoops for the NBA between 1994-2013, Howard went on to become one of the most popular players in the league.
And like many other players of his stature, he continued to excel in the industry long after his NBA retirement. Today he is the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines’ male team and has even worked on the small screen in TV shows such as The West Sing and Beyond the Glory.
38. DeAndre Jordan - $80 Million
After one season playing at the collegiate level for Texas A&M, young DeAndre Jordan moved from Houston, Texas, to make it big with the NBA. He was drafted by the LA Clippers in 2008 before shifting to the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks in what can only be described as a landmark career.
And Jordan is still on the court, currently playing as the Brooklyn Nets center player. Over the course of his career so far he has amassed a net worth of $80 million and earned $130 million since joining the NBA, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
37. Chris Webber - $80 Million
This entrepreneur and former basketballer currently holds an $80 million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth. After retiring officially in 2008, the Detroit-native has managed to hold down a consistent and lucrative career through sports and music.
After a successful stint with five NBA teams, Webber moved to NBA TV to host Game Time Live where he also took on roles as a guest analyst and panelist on shows like Inside the NBA and Players Only. In his spare time, he dabbled as a hip-hop producer collaborating with artists like Nas.
36. Zach Randolph - $85 Million
Born in Indiana, Zach Randolph first played basketball at the collegiate level for Michigan State. He was finally drafted by the NBA in 2001 where he played for the Portland Trail Blazers. Today, Celebrity Net Worth lists his net worth at $85 million.
Over almost two decades Randolph played with teams that include the NY Knicks, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Sacramento Kings. But it was the Trail Blazers who had his heart, as he spent a whopping six seasons with them. He officially retired in 2019, but briefly returned to play for the Big3.
35. Tyson Chandler - $85 million
At the tender age of 3, Tyson Chandler discovered his love for the game. It was on his family farm in California that he began shooting hoops. Combine this with the stunning work ethic he developed helping tend his parent's farm, and you’ve got an NBA star in the making.
And that’s just what happened. Chandler was actually drafted by the NBA immediately out of high school, going on to play for eight teams! He won a multitude of awards over his illustrious career, and today Celebrity Net Worth estimates that his net worth stands at around $85 million.
34. Tony Parker - $85 Million
Between 2003 and 2014, Tony Parker took the Spurs to four NBA championships. He’s come a long way since his early days playing for the Paris Basket Racing and was drafted by the American team as a starting point guard after just two years in France. His NBA career spans two decades.
And his success has never been limited to professional basketball - in 2007 his French hip-hop album was released and made it to #1 on the French cheats. This was no doubt helped by his wife at the time Eva Longoria, who featured on the album. Today, Celebrity Net Worth lists him at an $83 million net worth.
33. Paul George - $90 Million
With a laundry list of stellar brand partnerships and a successful career on multiple NBA teams, it’s pretty clear why Paul George’s net worth stands at $90 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. If that’s not enough, he currently has a salary of $35 million to boot!
Just check out his raft of achievements over his time as an NBA player - he’s been an NBA All-Star 6 times, on the ALl-NBA team 5 times, and the NBA All-Defensive Team four times. He’s played with three teams, and according to Celebrity Net Worth, his endorsements are worth a cool $8 mil per year.
32. Kyrie Irving - $90 Million
Another impressive player who started out in college, Kyrie Irving first played for the Duke Blue Devils at the collegiate level. In 2011 he was drafted, landing a spot with the Cavaliers. He won multiple awards including NBA All-Star and Rookie of the Year. In 2016, he even won the NBA Championships with the Cavaliers.
Sure enough, he’s since won endorsement deals with global brands like Pepsi, Nike, and Skullcandy, which has raked in millions for the All-Star player. His signature line of shoes is one of the highest-selling Nike products, and he now has a net worth of $90 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
31. Derrick Rose - $90 Million
In his ten years as a professional basketball player, 32-year old Derrick Rose has played for the Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Pistons, and Chicago Bulls. These days he plays as point guard for the New York Knicks and is expected to make big bucks in the next ten years.
In fact, Rose currently has a swathe of lucrative brand deals with companies like Adidas, Nissan, Powerade, SkullCandy, and much much more. As a result of these deals and his large salary, he now has a net worth of $90 million according to Celebrity Net Worth.
30. Steve Nash - $95 Million
The current head coach for the Brooklyn Nets, Steve Nash has been stunning basketball fans for years both on the court and behind the scenes. He has only played with three teams throughout his NBA career, and now has a net worth of $95 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Sadly, Steve Nash never won a title during this time. "I mean, it's not fun. I wish we did win one, but at the same time, you get one life," he told the Bleacher Report. "I wish I could have one more chance, but I can't, so I enjoy watching the guys go through it now."
29. Isiah Thomas - $100 Million
Isaiah Thomas is the first one on this list to hit the $100 million mark, which is no small achievement! His net worth stands at just $100 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. He officially retired in 1994 after 13 seasons with the NBA.
After his 13th and final season came to an end, Thomas established his ventures and investment company called Isiah International LLC, where he stood as CEO. If that wasn’t enough, he’s also co-owned sports teams and acted as head coach of the Indiana Pacers, among many other accomplishments.
28. Joe Johnson - $100 Million
Joe “Iso Joe” Johnson, is another player whose net worth stands at a cool $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He earned his nickname for his legendary one-on-one scoring for his team the Atlanta Hawks. He was also well-known for holding on to the ball.
Johnson was another player who joined the BIG3, a league created by rapper Ice Cube. He was just as successful there, winning MVP and breaking the scoring record. Much of the reason he is so well-respected is that he always plays well, no matter what team he’s part of.
27. Ray Allen - $100 Million
In 2018 this NBA star was officially added to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, for all of his accomplishments on the court. He played for many teams over a decade-long career, and according to Celebrity Net Worth, he has amassed a net worth of around $100 million.
He was asked about his career at 25-years old when he was on the verge of a great career. "At this stage, 90% of my life is my job,” he said. “That's all I do. A lot of 25-year-olds are probably the same way. To be the best, you have to be completely focused." It’s easy to see how he’s come so far.
26. Vince Carter - $110 Million
Between 1998 and 2020 Vince Carter was an NBA mainstay, playing for eight teams over those years. But these days he keeps things lowkey as an ESPN analyst, no doubt living comfortably on a $110 million net worth, at least according to Celebrity Net Worth.
But he’s not the only one watching out for his career - his business-major mom and his life-long accountant have helped to guide him through. "There are tough lessons to learn in the beginning, and [the accountants] like, 'Enjoy your life, but being frugal is not a bad thing,” he has said about how he manages his finances.
25. Blake Griffin - $110 Million
When you’re like Blake Griffin and you’ve won six NBA All-Star awards, and have been selected for the All-NBA team five times, then there’s no doubt you’ll be entitled to sit back and enjoy your fortunes. The former All-Star has a net worth of $110 million, as recorded by Celebrity Net Worth.
He still has some regrets about how he handled fame early in his career. "I just heard so much negativity and so much hate that I sort of turned myself off, whether it was some reporters or some people... I just closed myself off," he said. "And looking back, I wish I'd handled it differently."
24. Chris Bosh - $110 Million
Chris Bosh will go down in NBA history as one of the Miami Heat’s “Big Three,” but he came to fame after being drafted by the Toronto Raptors just one year into his collegiate basketball career. Today, his net worth stands at $110 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
But by his own admission, Bosh still doesn’t know what to do with his money, despite having so much of it. "I have millions of dollars and I don't know finance," he told ESPN. "I've had some bad things happen in my career. I've got to educate myself."
23. Kevin Garnett - $120 Million
It’s a rare accomplishment to hold both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award at the same time, but Kevin Garnett has done just that. Today he holds an impressive $120 million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth - for a man who came from humble beginnings, it’s an incredible career achievement.
"Man, when you come into some fame, everything changes. Your finances change, your mindset changes, your lifestyle changes," Garnett opined. "Your mom and dad never made this kind of money. It's so much change, and you're living your life, but you don't have a cheat sheet."
22. Chris Paul - $130 Million
After 16 years in the NBA, Chris Paul has been able to look back on his career and ruminate on his awards, from winning two Olympic golds, being named the MVP, and winning Rookie of the Year. It’s only fitting that his $130 million net worth (as listed by Celebrity Net Worth), should reflect that.
He’s since come out trying to raise awareness about the lack of financial awareness against young athletes, who "talk about everything in the locker room," but avoid conversations about finance. For some, bankruptcy may be just around the corner. I try to talk to guys because it happens,” he said. “This is a short career."
21. Stephen Curry - $130 Million
Imagine being named the greatest shooter in NBA history! While that’s a title Stephen Curry has been granted by many analysts and fellow basketball players. The impressive player has been shooting hoops in the professional league since 2009, and Celebrity Net Worth puts his net worth at $130 million.
According to Curry, the keys to success are simple: don’t cut corners. In a conversation on Facebook Watch's The Game, Curry stated, "Whether we win another championship or not, I want to feel like I did everything I could to make that happen and not cheat the game.”
20. Tim Duncan - $130 Million
Another player who has been named the best of the best by analysts and players, Tim “Big Fundamental” Duncan, has been named the greatest power forward in NBA history by his many admirers. He’s no doubt deserving of his $130 million, which has been estimated by Celebrity Net Worth.
And Duncan doesn’t let anyone keep him down. "With all that success early, all that did was put a target on my back," he said. "Everybody wanted to be better than me. Everybody wanted to beat me. Everybody wanted to beat the Spurs, so that's the motivation to stay on top."
19. Dwight Howard - $140 Million
In just 17 years Dwight Howard has played valiantly on the court representing seven NBA teams and racking up a $140 million net worth according to Celebrity Net Worth. He’s also won a raft of NBA awards, winning championships, All-Star titles, and Defensive Player of the Year many times over.
His advice for young fans? "Don't ever give up on your dreams.” he shared on social media. “You can... do it. I swear, just keep fighting. I swear to God, don't ever give up on yourself. Bro, listen, don't ever give up on yourself. You're already a champion."
18. Dirk Nowitzki - $140 Million
Many players on this list have jumped from team to team through their career, but not so for Dirk Nowitzki, who has stuck it out with the Dallas Mavericks for 21 seasons, the longest team-player relationship in NBA history! Nowitzki has also claimed the All-Star title an incredible 13 times.
Celebrity Net Worth ranks Nowitzki’s net worth at $140 million, and this is no doubt due to his incredible dedication to the sport. "I take my sport damned seriously,” he once said. “Basketball is my life... I'm a brooder, and I spend a lot of time thinking about my opponent, about the things he can do, and about what I have to do to win."
17. Yao Ming - $160 Million
After moving to the States from China to join the Houston Rockets, Yao Ming would go down in NBA history as the only non-US player to score the most All-Star votes in a year. Since joining the US ranks, Ming has racked up an approximately $160 million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Despite his impressive bank account, it’s two dollar bills that a teammate gave him for Chinese New Year that means the most ."I still have one of those two-dollar bills inside my pocket, and I carried it since then," Ming said of the joke gift. "Because I know no matter where I go, as long as that bill's in my pocket, home is with me."
16. Carmelo Anthony - $160 Million
Carmelo Anthony has a slate of incredible career achievements, from winning the All-Star title ten times, to claim three gold medals at the Olympics. But sports achievements weren’t enough, and he even branched out into business, owning a firm called Melo7 Tech Partners.
Celebrity Net Worth now lists his net worth at $160 million, but he’s always on the lookout for more. He jumped at the chance to join “an ownership group for the [Atlanta] Dream,” as suggested by LeBron James. He even retweeted the legend, saying “Let’s talk bro!”
15. James Harden - $165 Million
Over his career, James Harden has earned a net worth of $165 million according to Celebrity Net Worth and jumped from teams in Oklahoma and Houston all the way to the Brooklyn Nets. He started out in 2009 but still has the passion of a young Rookie.
"I pretty much reached and accomplished every individual stat and award that I can or that I'd want to. And it's always been about winning," he has said. "Obviously, we've fallen short and didn't reach the goal... That's the reason why I'm here in Brooklyn. I'm still trying to chase that goal, chase that dream."
14. Russell Westbrook - $170 Million
After signing a jaw-dropping $150-200 million partnership contract with the Jordan Brand, it’s no wonder Russell Westbrook is now one of the richest men in the NBA. And that doesn’t even take his salary into account! These days Westbrook has a net worth of $170 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
But Westbrook doesn’t let himself be overwhelmed by his career successes, insisting that he takes everything “one day at a time.” He elaborated by saying, "Enjoy this win tonight, go home, enjoy my family, and then get ready for [the next game] when that comes."
13. Kevin Durant - $170 Million
Kevin Durant is another awe-inspiring player who refuses to limit himself to the world of professional sports. Outside of the game he has founded a venture capital firm called Thirty Five Ventures and invests his money in various start-ups mainly in media, tech, and culture.
He now has a net worth of $170 million as told by Celebrity Net Worth. But he is always keeping business in mind even on the court, as shown after a sidelining injury in 2019. "How well you play on the court determines how big your business is going to grow," he said.
12. Dwyane Wade - $170 Million
Dwayne Wade and his actress wife Gabriell Union are the definitions of a power couple, both with vast net worths. Union is worth $40 million, and Celebrity Net Worth places Wade’s net worth at $170 million. We can’t imagine what they talk about over dinner!
While you might have expected him to take a break now that he has retired, Wade is just getting started. He now owns his own clothing line, has a show deal with a Chinese Brand, and a partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue. And that’s not even close to everything! He’s even dabbling in broadcasting and media.
11. Luol Deng - $200 Million
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Luol Deng’s net worth at $200 million, and it’s certainly not just because of his work on the court. Since retiring from the NBA, Deng has put his money into various outlets, particularly real estate. He’s smart with his money and wants his colleagues to strive for the same.
"We talk about players going broke, but we don't talk about why this is happening," he has shared in regards to real estate conferences he would hold for fellow players. "The symposiums were a way to teach players about real estate and foster a better understanding of these kinds of investments."
10. David Robinson - $200 Million
After an impressive career in the NBA, particularly with the San Antonio Spurs, David Robinson dived straight into more capitalistic enterprises, resulting in a net worth of $200 million as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. The gold medal winner and NBA champion knows how to build a career!
And he’s even taken to sharing his tips, shown in an interview with Forbes magazine. "Honor God with your first fruits, do the very best you can at everything you do and take pride in your work, and do unto others as you'd have them do unto you,” he said.
9. Hakeem Olajuwon - $200 Million
Hakeem Olajuwon has won three significant titles - Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP. The catch? He won them all in 1994! This talented athlete went on to play in the NBA for 20 years, mostly with the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors.
Nowadays Olajuwon makes his money by investing in real estate and has amassed a net worth of about $200 million as estimated by Celebrity Net Worth. But money isn’t everything to him. "I was successful materially, but I know life is much more than worldly success," he said.
8. Grant Hill - $250 Million
After winning an Olympic gold medal and leading his college team to two national championships, it was clear that Grant Hill was born to play basketball. He was drafted soon after and went on to play in the NBA for almost two decades, garnering an estimated $250 million net worth in the process, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Now Hill hosts sports shows for the NBA and is a co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks, which no doubt plays a big part in his astounding quarter-million net worth. And Hill has brought his sports training to business, saying, "There are so many values and principles that one can take from sports, from team sports, and apply to life."
7. Vinnie Johnson - $400 Million
After officially retiring from the NBA in 1992, like several of his counterparts, Vinnie Johnson turned to business. He founded The Piston Group, which specialized in supplying automobile parts. Though he departed the NBA with just $5 million, he made far more in later years.
Today, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Vinnie Johnson’s net worth at around $400 million. This is entirely due to the success of The Piston Group, which is now the main auto supplier for General Motors and many other automobile companies. As of 2020, the company has now earned more than $3 billion.
6. Shaquille O'Neal - $400 Million
Since his 2011 retirement, this star's fortune has only grown. Celebrity Net Worth puts O'Neal's net worth at a whopping $400 million. Shaquille's secret to success? "[I] heard Jeff Bezos say one time he makes his investments based on if it's going to change peoples' lives," he explained.
And with a $400 million net worth as reported by Celebrity Net Worth? It’s probably worth listening to him. But he has also invested in the Krispy Kreme franchise, “a fabulous donut” in his own words. "I was introduced to it in college and have been in love with it ever since." As it turns out, donuts can be life-changing too!
5. LeBron James - $500 Million
You could blame any number of good habits for LeBron James' incredible success, whether it’s his natural athletic talent, strong work ethic, or eye for business. But with a $500 million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth, some suppose that it’s his frugality that is responsible.
Even celebrities like Dwayne Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union have commented on LeBron’s infamous saving habits. They shared in an interview with Live With Kelly and Ryan that LeBron had told them, "I'm not turning on data roaming. I'm not buying no apps. I still got Pandora with commercials."
4. Kobe Bryant - $600 Million
The late and beloved sports icon Kobe Bryant was not only famous for his athletic prowess. He also had an excellent business acumen, which resulted in a net worth of $600 million at the point of his untimely death, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Bryant amassed some of the highest earnings in the history of the NBA, due to both his job salary and the staggering number of brand deals and partnerships he signed up with. He also invested smartly in multiple businesses and start-ups through Bryant Stibel, his own venture capital firm.
3. Junior Bridgeman - $600 Million
Like many on this list, Junior Bridgeman is just as devoted to his post-NBA business as he was to his life on the court. After retiring, Bridgeman bought 100 Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants. He then founded two self-named companies - Bridgeman Foods, Inc., and Bridgeman Sports and Media.
It’s no surprise that all of these ventures lead him to a whopping $600 million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth. After spending time in meetings with various NBA owners, Bridgeman was inspired." They got their self-fulfillment out of making and creating something successful," he explained.
2. Magic Johnson - $600 Million
Another awe-inspiring basketball player-turned-entrepreneur, Magic Johnson is perhaps just as well known for his ambitions off the court. And it’s not hard to see why considering his net worth of $600 million as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. This is largely due to his company, Magic Johnson Enterprises.
He also co-owns several teams, and has worked hard to establish a strong reputation.. "[My company has] been successful, we've been able to drive our way,” he said in a 2020 interview. “Everybody said, 'Okay, yeah, I see he knows business.' Now I'm good, but I had to build that track record of success over time."
1. Michael Jordan - $1.6 Billion
You probably won’t be surprised to know that the richest NBA player in the world is also the same man considered to be the greatest player in NBA history - Michael Jordan. The legendary player currently holds an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
Even before his retirement from the sport Jordan was racking up plenty of money, with brand partnerships and an unbeatable salary. He then went on to work with some of the biggest brands in the world and even became the majority stakeholder in the Charlotte Hornets.