$529 Million Earnings in 2024 Would Put LeBron James $195 Million Ahead of Closest Rival in All Time Richest NBA Earners

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently signed a two-year extension with the team. ‘The King’ has been spectacular for the Lakers and they rewarded him with a max extension. Now, LeBron is set to become the first player who has earned more than half a billion dollars through salary only if he exercises his player option. With this new contract, LeBron will put some distance between himself and his closest rival in earnings.

Until 2019, Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics legend Kevin Garnett was the highest earner in NBA history. He had earned over $334 million over 22 seasons. Garnett’s longevity and excellent negations skills helped him reach that number.

But since then, LeBron has put a vast distance between himself and Garnett.

LeBron James is set to make nearly $200 million more than his rivals

Since 2020, LeBron has been the highest earner ever in the NBA. He crossed Garnett when the second year of his Lakers contract kicked in. Since then, he has added to his illustrious wealth.

By 2020, LeBron became the highest earner ever with $346 Million. At the end of the next season, LeBron would earn himself a nice tidy sum of $432 million. And he still would have over two years left on his contract. He also has the potential to earn more, as he can opt-out in his final year and renegotiate for a higher amount.

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So that puts a gap of $195 million between him and Kevin Garnett.

Kevin Durant and others can close in on LeBron

LeBron may be the only person who would have crossed Garnett, but others would soon be able to do that. By the end of next season, another three players would have crossed KG. That would be Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, and Russell Westbrook.

And by 2024, even more, would have crossed him. Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Paul George would have joined the list. As the NBA gets richer and contracts keep going up one day, it is safe to say, even LeBron James would be moved from his throne.

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But until the foreseeable future, the King is set to remain the highest earning player in the history of the NBA.