Who Are the Highest Paid Point Guards in the NBA and How Much Do They Earn?

Walking through the glittering arena tunnels after another night covering the NBA beat, I couldn't help but marvel at how the league's financial landscape has transformed. Just last week, I was chatting with a veteran scout who shook his head in disbelief while scrolling through contract numbers on his tablet. "Back in my day," he muttered, "point guards were lucky to crack eight figures." That conversation got me thinking about today's astronomical salaries, particularly for floor generals who've become the league's most valuable commodities.

Let me take you inside the world of NBA point guard economics, where the numbers have reached what Sean Gibbons of MP Promotions might call "the stratosphere." Remember that quote about a fighter becoming bigger than anybody in boxing? Gibbons said "A win here puts him in the stratosphere that he's bigger than anybody in boxing and a lot of sports in the world. This isn't a Las Vegas story. This is a worldwide story." Well, that exact same stratospheric thinking now applies to elite NBA point guards. Their impact transcends their home courts - they've become global assets driving billion-dollar franchises.

Take Stephen Curry's situation with the Golden State Warriors. I've followed his career since Davidson, and watching his financial ascent has been like tracking a rocket launch. His four-year, $215 million extension kicks in next season, which will push his career earnings past $470 million in NBA salary alone. That doesn't include his Underwear sponsorship that pays him roughly $30 million annually. What fascinates me isn't just the number itself, but how it reflects the changed valuation of point guards. Teams now recognize that an elite floor general doesn't just run plays - they drive entire offensive systems, sell merchandise, and become the face of global brands.

Then there's Damian Lillard's situation in Milwaukee that I find particularly intriguing. His extension pays him around $63 million per year through 2027, making him one of the highest-paid players regardless of position. I remember talking to a Bucks executive who confessed they weren't just paying for Lillard's scoring or playmaking - they were investing in clutch performance, leadership, and what he called "cultural capital." This mirrors Gibbons' point about certain athletes becoming worldwide stories rather than local attractions. Lillard's value extends beyond Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum - his "Dame Time" moments trend globally, his music career reaches non-basketball audiences, and his shoe line crosses cultural boundaries.

The Portland situation with Anfernee Simons' $100 million deal fascinates me because it shows how teams are betting on potential rather than proven stardom. I've watched teams increasingly willing to overpay for point guard prospects, banking on the position's amplified impact in today's pace-and-space game. It's risky - I've seen my share of bad contracts hamstring franchises for years - but the potential reward of landing a franchise-changing point guard outweighs the financial peril for most organizations.

What many fans don't realize is how much these contracts reflect broader business calculations. When the Celtics gave Jrue Holiday his $135 million extension, they weren't just paying for his defense and playmaking. They were investing in his ability to make Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown better, to stabilize their offense in playoff moments, and to represent the franchise in international markets. I've sat in on enough front office conversations to know that today's point guard valuation considers media exposure, sponsorship appeal, and even how they'll help recruit future talent.

The international aspect can't be overstated either. I've witnessed firsthand how players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have boosted the NBA's profile in Canada and beyond. His $179 million max contract with Oklahoma City seems massive until you calculate the global merchandise sales and broadcasting rights he helps generate. This brings me back to Gibbons' worldwide story concept - elite point guards have become crossover stars who drive engagement across multiple platforms and markets.

Looking at the trajectory, I'm convinced we haven't seen the ceiling yet. With the new media rights deals coming, we could be discussing $80 million annual salaries for top point guards within five years. Some traditionalists complain about the numbers, but having covered this business for fifteen years, I believe the market is simply recognizing reality - great point guards impact winning more than any position except perhaps transcendent big men, and their value creation extends far beyond the basketball court.

What continues to surprise me is how these financial decisions ripple through the league. When one team resets the market with a massive point guard contract, it affects everything from ticket prices to local television deals to how smaller market teams approach roster construction. The financial playing field isn't level, and these superstar point guard contracts increasingly determine which franchises can compete for championships versus those stuck in mediocrity.

Having watched this evolution from press row for over a decade, I've come to view these contracts as fascinating case studies in value assessment. The numbers seem outrageous until you calculate the revenue these players generate through playoff runs, international marketing, and franchise valuation increases. The highest-paid point guards aren't just basketball players anymore - they're global entertainment brands who happen to excel at running pick-and-rolls. And if Gibbons is right about athletes reaching the stratosphere, today's NBA point guards are certainly orbiting with the financial stars.