The biggest NBA salaries in 2026 and what they teach about developing young athletes

NBA contracts in 2026 have reached numbers that impress even those who have followed the league for decades. Stephen Curry leads with US$ 59.6 million per season, followed by Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, with US$ 55.2 million each. In total, 25 athletes in the league earn over US$ 45 million annually in the 2025-26 season.

For parents of young basketball players, these numbers are not just fascinating statistics. They represent the destination of a journey that begins long before the NBA, usually during adolescence, inside high-level development programs. Understanding what the league's biggest salaries teach about early athletic development can change a parent's perspective on what to invest and when.

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What are the biggest NBA salaries in 2026?

The 2025-26 NBA season records the highest salary cap in league history. Below are the top 10 highest-paid players and what their career paths have in common:

1. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors): US$ 59.6 million. Developed at Davidson College, a small university outside the major NCAA programs, Curry showed that the path to the NBA does not require the most prestigious school, but solid fundamentals and consistency from an early age.
2. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): US$ 55.2 million. Developed in Serbia, he played in European youth divisions before reaching the NBA. A direct example of how development outside the USA can produce the best player in the world.
3. Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers): US$ 55.2 million. Born in Cameroon, he started basketball at age 16 and went to the USA around age 18 to play at the university level. A rare case of accelerated development that worked.
4. Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns): US$ 54.7 million. Left Texas before turning 19 to enter the Draft. The technical foundation built in high school was decisive.
5. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics): US$ 54.1 million. A product of development in St. Louis, he attended one of the best basketball high schools in the country before university.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): US$ 54.1 million. Greek of Nigerian descent, he played in Greece's youth divisions. Without ever setting foot in an American university, he arrived in the NBA with solid European fundamentals.
7. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers): US$ 52.7 million. Went straight from high school to the NBA, something the league no longer permits. He is the ultimate historical example of exceptional talent identified and developed very early.
8. Anthony Davis (Lakers): US$ 54.1 million. One year of college, but the foundation came from high school in Chicago.
9. Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics): US$ 53.1 million. Developed in California, then at the University of California at Berkeley.
10. Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns): US$ 53.1 million. Left the University of Kentucky early after an impactful season.

What these athletes have in common goes beyond talent: all of them had access to high-level training environments during their teenage years, in schools with professional structure, high-level competitions, and the attention of scouts and specialized coaches.

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What do multimillion-dollar contracts teach about the right time to invest in development?

The most revealing data point is not in the contract values, but in what happened before them. The career path of virtually every player who reaches the top of the NBA passes through an intensive development period between the ages of 14 and 19, typically in schools with high-performance basketball programs.

For the parent accompanying a child with real talent for the sport, the question is not "will he make it to the NBA?" The more useful question is: what environment is he developing the skills in that open doors to the next level, whether that is a university with a scholarship, a professional career in Europe, or the NCAA?

Sports exchange programs answer exactly that question. Programs at schools like Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, or DME Academy in Florida, have produced dozens of current NBA players, including alumni who are now among the league's highest-paid. The difference between those schools and a local club lies not just in the technical level, but in the ecosystem: scouts present at games, matches broadcast, university networking, and a routine that prepares the athlete for high-level pressure from an early age.

Be Easy's sports exchange program connects young athletes to these environments with complete support: from school selection to ongoing support during the program. The basketball LP details the partner schools and types of programs available by age group and objective.

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Which schools develop players to a professional level?

American boarding schools and international programs play a central role in producing elite athletes. Some of the most relevant for basketball:

• Oak Hill Academy (Virginia): one of the most respected basketball schools in the United States, with a long list of NBA alumni. Combines high competitive level with solid academic structure. A Be Easy partner with sports exchange programs.
• DME Academy (Florida, Daytona Beach): specialized in sports, with training standards close to professional from the youth categories. A benchmark for young players seeking visibility with American university scouts. The article about DME Academy details the structure and application process.
• Montverde Academy (Florida): a national reference in basketball, with 8 national titles. The list of NBA alumni is long. The article about Montverde explains how the application process works for international students.
• Nike Basketball Camps (United Kingdom): for young players seeking high exposure in a short period, summer camps with British former professionals and NBA consultants offer intensive training, technical evaluation, and visibility for European scouts. The article about the Nike Sports Camp for basketball presents the format and what the young player can expect from the program.
• William Academy (Canada): an option in the integrated study and training model for those seeking exposure to Canadian university basketball, with access to the Toronto Raptors ecosystem. The article about the basketball exchange in Canada at William Academy details the program.

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How does sports exchange open the path to scholarships and the NCAA?

The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is the American university sports system and the main pathway for young people who dream of the NBA. University sports scholarships can cover up to 100% of academic expenses for outstanding athletes, transforming the development investment into something with a concrete return.

For a young player to be recruited by an American university, they need to be seen. And to be seen, they need to play in environments where scouts and university coaches are present. Be Easy's partner schools are exactly those environments.

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Will the NBA salary cap keep growing?

Yes. With the new NBA broadcast rights deal expected to take effect from 2026, projections indicate the salary cap will surpass US$ 170 million per team soon, which would push the largest individual salaries beyond US$ 65 million annually by the end of the decade.

This means the market for elite athletes has never been more lucrative. But it also means competition for roster spots is greater. Development programs that elevate an athlete's technical level and visibility during the decisive teenage years remain the most direct path to that market.

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FAQ

What is the highest NBA salary in 2026?Stephen Curry leads with US$ 59.6 million per season in the 2025-26 season, followed by Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, with US$ 55.2 million each.

At what age did the best NBA players start to stand out?Most of today's top NBA players stood out between the ages of 14 and 18, in high-level development programs, whether at American high schools or European academies. Exposure to competitive environments and scouts during that period is decisive for university recruitment.

Can a young international player attend basketball schools in the USA?Yes. Schools like Oak Hill, DME Academy, and Montverde regularly accept international athletes. The process involves a student visa, academic application, and technical evaluation. Be Easy guides families through each of those steps.

Does a sports exchange guarantee a university scholarship?There are no guarantees, but an exchange at schools with a track record of sending athletes to American universities significantly increases the chances of visibility with scouts. Scholarships of up to 70% are common for outstanding athletes in Be Easy partner programs.

Does the young player need advanced English to participate in a sports exchange?Not necessarily. Many programs have language support integrated into sports training, especially the summer ones. Boarding school programs require enough English to follow classes, but Be Easy guides the preparation before departure.

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Be Easy: boutique exchange consultancy

Does your child have a talent for basketball and you want to ensure they have access to the best possible development environment? Be Easy connects young athletes to the best basketball schools and programs in the USA, Canada, and United Kingdom, with complete support for the family throughout the entire process.

Contact us to receive specialized senior consultancy.