Kevin Durant and LeBron James share a lot of history. From the 2011 NBA Finals to the 2017-2018 double header, both NBA icons have clashed against each other several times. While it was the Akron Hammer who got the better of KD in 2011, the Slim Reaper got his payback in the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors. Now with KD back on a contention team with the Houston Rockets, both are expected to have at least a few more battles before calling it quits. Nonetheless, Durant and James’ rivalry isn’t just limited to the court.

The two superstars are also rivals off the hardwood, as they compete in financial aspects as well. While the 37-year-old Rockets star might be no match in terms of setting up a business empire, Durant has recently achieved a feat no one thought he could achieve by becoming the highest-paid player in the history of the NBA. However, what makes this more interesting is that he did so by surpassing none other than LeBron James. So, how did the fifteen-time All-Star do this?

How much has Kevin Durant earned in his NBA career so far?

Kevin Durant has finally gotten one over Bron, whom he claims is his biggest rival in the league. This comes after the two-time finals MVP inked a new, lucrative two-year $90 million deal with the Houston Rockets. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, “Kevin Durant now holds the record for the highest career earnings in NBA history at $598.2 million based on current and future salaries, surpassing LeBron James ($583.9 million). He has a total of three years and $144.7 million on his current contract.”

Now, while the $90 million he’s set to earn during the upcoming seasons has played a crucial role in this, KD would not have reached this point in his career without his previous deals. The Slim Reaper’s journey to the summit started with his rookie deal with the Seattle SuperSonics, who later became the Oklahoma City Thunder. Through his first professional deal, Kevin Durant made around $19.5 million over four years.

In 2011, the Slim Reaper signed a five-year $89.1 million extension with the franchise. Then, of course, came the summer of 2016 when Kevin Durant left the OKC Thunder and joined forces with Stephen Curry and Co. in San Francisco, where he initially signed a two-year $54.2 million deal, which carried a player option for the second year, which he declined. Then he inked a fresh two-year $51.2 million deal the following year. Again, he declined the player option and signed an even better two-year $61.5 million contract.

But his partnership with the Golden State Warriors ended in 2019, when he requested a sign-and-trade to the Nets, inking a four-year $164.2 million deal. Then the Slim Reaper went from Brooklyn to Phoenix, where he inked his current four-year $194.2 million deal. Now, while he still has one year left on this lucrative deal, the Houston Rockets have decided to secure his services by offering him a new two-year $90 million deal, which is less than the $120 million deal he was eligible for, but enough to help him surpass LeBron James.

Here are Kevin Durant’s salaries from each year he’s played in the league:

How much has LeBron James earned in his legendary NBA career so far?

While Kevin Durant has accumulated a huge amount of wealth through his NBA salaries, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James isn’t far behind. After all, the 40-year-old forward entered the league three years before Durant made his debut. The Akron native’s journey started with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he suited up for his first seven seasons and accumulated a significant portion of his NBA earnings. Then, King James headed to South Florida, where he played for the Miami Heat from 2010-14.

After winning 2x NBA championships and numerous personal accolades in Miami, James yet again returned to Cleveland, where he inked a new deal and played for the next four seasons. And, finally, LeBron James signed a deal with his current team, the Lakers. So, here’s how much the four-time NBA champion has made through his salaries during his illustrious career:

Why did Kevin Durant surpass LeBron James?

Well, if you were to look closely, LeBron James currently has more earnings than Kevin Durant. So, how did the Houston Rockets star surpass the 40-year-old? Well, it’s based not just on past but also projected earnings. As we’ve already cleared that KD has inked a new two-year $90 million deal. Now that means he’s set to earn around a whopping $144.7 million in the upcoming three seasons.

Meanwhile, James only has the 2025-26 season left on his deal, which will see him earn around $52.6 million. After this season is done, the Akron native will enter the summer of 2026 as an unrestricted free agent, as things stand right now. This is the reason why Durant has been able to surpass the 21-time NBA All-Star.

Although KD might have taken away the crown of the highest-paid player in the history of the league from LeBron, one shouldn’t be too surprised if he takes it back. That’s because, despite not having a deal past this season, James is just around $14.3 million behind the Rockets forward, which can easily be surpassed if he decides to play one more season.

Kevin Durant vs LeBron James NBA career earnings

So, while Kevin Durant has one-upped his long-time rival through his new contract, how long will he manage to keep King James away from the throne? That’s something we all will have to wait and watch.