Who is the Richest NBA Player Ever?
Basketball is a global sport that has brought fame and fortune to its players. With player salaries starting at hundreds of dollars per season, the NBA is now one of the world’s most lucrative leagues. While most players rely on their salaries and endorsement deals to build wealth, some have built a multi-billion dollar business empire from their professional careers. Here are the top 20 richest NBA players of all time.
LeBron James
LeBron James is the richest NBA player ever, according to Forbes. He has a net worth of $1.2 billion. His wealth largely comes from his contracts and endorsements, but he also has a large business portfolio that includes investments with Blaze Pizza, Fenway Sports Group, and Liverpool FC.
In addition to his basketball career, James has made a name for himself as a social justice advocate and an icon of modern political activism. He has thrown his support behind the Black Lives Matter movement and the “More Than A Vote” campaign and wears shirts supporting Colin Kaepernick on the court.
During his time in the NBA, he has won four championships with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. He is a four-time NBA Finals MVP and has received 18 All-Star selections.
Magic Johnson NBA Player
Earvin Johnson, also known as Magic Johnson, is one of the most famous basketball players ever. He played for 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was a member of five NBA championship teams.
As a former Los Angeles Lakers point guard, he is considered by many as the greatest point guard of all time. He was also a three-time NBA Finals MVP and a 12-time All-Star.
After retiring from the NBA, Johnson became an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He is now the Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, focusing on high-quality products and services serving ethnically diverse communities. He also has ownership stakes in several sports franchises.
Shaquille O’Neal
Born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey, Shaquille O’Neal developed into one of the best centers in the history of the NBA. He played alongside Kobe Bryant for years, making one of the most dynamic combinations in the game.
As a result, O’Neal earned an impressive income from his NBA salary and endorsement deals. He owns many franchises, including Papa John’s, over 100 car washes, and 24-hour fitness centers.
He also endorses many products on television and is a sports analyst for TNT’s Inside the NBA. As a result, O’Neal is among the world’s wealthiest retired athletes. He has an estimated net worth of $400 million.
Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade, born on January 17, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois, is a three-time NBA champion and former NBA Finals MVP. He played for the Miami Heat for sixteen seasons and is considered one of the top basketball players in history. He was also known for his humble and professional demeanor on the court during his career.
As of 2021, he has an estimated net worth of $170 million. He has also been married to actress Gabrielle Union for over a decade. They have two children together, Zaire and Zaya. He is also a popular sports personality with endorsement deals across different industries.
James Harden NBA Player
Born in Los Angeles, Harden was a national high school superstar at Artesia High School. He was a McDonald’s All-American and won back-to-back California state championships. He went on to play college basketball at Arizona State, where he was a consensus All-American. After two years, Oklahoma City selected him as the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft.
He was dealt to the Houston Rockets in 2012 after spending three seasons in OKC. He has benefited financially from his rich deal, as he has one of the league’s greatest endorsement portfolios. Additionally, he has frequently played for the NBA All-Star squad. Since then, he has dominated the team and is regarded as one of the league’s top players.