How Much Are LeBron James and Other Former NBA MVPs Worth?

The life of an NBA superstar is a little different than yours or mine. The average NBA salary is $8.5 million per year — the highest among U.S. sports leagues.

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For the elite NBA players, that number is even more eye-popping. Stephen Curry, whose Golden State Warriors are in their sixth NBA Finals in eight seasons, leads the league with a salary of $45,780,966.

So it’s no surprise that some of the most storied players in NBA history have some equally impressive net worths. From legends such as Michael Jordan to current phenoms like LeBron James, these guys have it good.

To determine who has the highest net worths among the NBA’s greatest players, GOBankingRates.com looked at the richest players from wealthygorilla.com and then took the MVPs from that list. Read on to see where the stars netted out.

Net worth: $120 million

Garnett won the 2004 MVP with the Minnesota Timberwolves before joining the Boston Celtics and winning the 2008 NBA Finals. The power forward, who also played for the Brooklyn Nets, made $334,304,420 in his career. Garnett also was a spokesman for adidas and Gatorade.

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Net worth: $130 million

Considered one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, Duncan played his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs. He racked up two MVPs and five NBA championships in his career, and he tallied career earnings of $242,024,800.

Net worth: $140 million

The German sensation played 21 seasons for the Dallas Mavericks, winning the 2007 MVP award and an NBA title. Nowitzki earned $251,646,362 in salary over his career.

Net worth: $165 million

Harden’s net worth is sure to continue to rise, as the Philadelphia 76ers’ guard is entering the final year of his four-year, $171,131,520 contract. He also played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets, winning the 2018 MVP with the Rockets.

Net worth: $170 million

Westbrook, who won the MVP award in 2017 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, is one of only two players to average a triple-double over a season. The guard, who also has played with the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards, currently is with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Westbrook is in the final season of a five-year, $206,794,070 contract.

Net worth: $170 million

The third former Oklahoma City Thunder player (yes, Durant, Westbrook and Harden played together for OKC at one point) on this list, Durant won the 2014 MVP with OKC, plus NBA titles in 2017 and 2018 with the Golden State Warriors.

Durant, who now plays for the Brooklyn Nets, has estimated earnings of $306,172,146. He also has endorsement deals with Foot Locker and Nike.

Net worth: $200 million

Nicknamed “The Dream,” Olajuwon won the 1994 MVP and back-to-back NBA championships with the Houston Rockets.

He also played with the Toronto Raptors and has career earnings of $97,356,425. He has had a successful real estate career in his NBA retirement.

Net worth: $200 million

Robinson, known as “The Admiral” because he played collegiately at Navy, won the 1995 NBA MVP award, as well as the 1993 and 2003 NBA titles.

The center compiled career earnings of $110,708,513, and he also launched two successful private equity funds after retiring from basketball.

Net worth: $350 million

The late Los Angeles Lakers superstar, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020, won the 2008 NBA MVP award, plus five NBA championships.

Bryant had endorsement deals with many brands, including Nike, and also won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2018.

Net worth: $400 million

O’Neal won the 2000 NBA MVP award, plus four NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. He also played with the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics over his 19-year career.

O’Neal, who is an NBA commentator for TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” also has had a prolific career with celebrity endorsements, rap music and movies.

Net worth: $480 million

James, who has four NBA MVP awards and four NBA crowns with the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, has a $1 billion lifetime contract with Nike and also has part ownership of the Liverpool Premier League team.

Net worth: $600 million

Johnson, the point guard who led the “Showtime” Lakers to five NBA championships in the 1980s, won three MVP awards. He also converted his athletic celebrity to business success. He owns several Starbucks and Fat Burger restaurants, as well as part of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Net worth: $2.2 billion

A five-time NBA MVP and six-time champion, Jordan is considered perhaps the greatest player of all time. With lucrative endorsement deals, he became an icon for promoting the Nike “Air Jordan” sneakers and telling viewers to be “Be Like Mike” in Gatorade ads.

Jordan is now part owner of the Charlotte Hornets and is the first NBA player to earn more than $1 billion.

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