Top 10 Richest NBA Players of All Time

Basketball has been a sport that can boost a player’s fame and wealth alike. The National Basketball Association (NBA), apart from being a platform for competitive basketball, has also been a tremendous source of income for players.

The overall net worth of a few players taking part in the NBA has risen to some unimaginable numbers, not only because of their earnings on the court but also the brand that they have become out of it. The brand value for the names like Michael Jordan needs no new mention. The best players in the league are automatically among the most marketable ones.

Here is a list of the top 10 richest NBA players of all-time, who have reached this status not just because of their NBA career but also from their other endeavors.

10. Hakeem Olajuwon (Net worth- $200 M)

Nicknamed as “The Dream” for his effortless dunking ability, Hakeem Olajuwon has been inducted into two Halls of Fame- the FIBA Hall of Fame, in 2016, and the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. A Nigerian-American, Olajuwon played 18 years in NBA and currently has a net worth of $200 million.

9. Luol Deng (Net worth- $200 M)

British-Sudanese star Luol Deng began his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls. He was a two-time All-Star and also had an All-Defensive team nomination. Although he ended his career with the Timberwolves in 2018, he had been investing in real estate for over a decade. Success from those fronts has boosted his net worth to $200 million now.

8. David Robinson (Net worth- $200 M)

David Robinson was the number one pick from the 1987 NBA Draft. He lived up to all expectations and beyond, winning two rings, an MVP, DPOY, ROTY, 10 All-NBA teams, and made it to the Hall of Fame after a successful 14-year career with the San Antonio Spurs.

Since his retirement, the Admiral has launched multiple private equity funds while donating a lot of his proceedings to charity. His current net worth is $200 million.

7. Grant Hill (Net worth- $250 M)

After graduating from Duke as a two-time NCAA All-American and a two-time NCAA champion, Grant Hill started his NBA career with Detroit Pistons in 1994 and ended with Los Angeles Clippers in 2013 after stints at Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns. After his NBA career, he has had success with multiple business ventures, which takes his net worth to $250 million.

6. Vinnie Johnson (Net worth- $400 M)

Two-time NBA champion Vinnie Johnson is an underrated member of the Bad Boys Detroit Pistons team. The combo guard started his career with the Seattle SuperSonics but later moved to Detroit where he spent a decade. He retired with the Spurs in 1992 and started Piston Automotive, one of the largest auto parts suppliers in America. The company’s success has earned him a net worth of $400 million.

5. Shaquille O’Neal (Net worth- $400 M)

Shaquille O’Neal or more commonly referred to as Shaq was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2016. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Miami Heat over his 19-year career.

Due to his brilliant career with both the Lakers and the Heat, both franchises have retired his jersey (34 & 32). With numerous endorsements, Shaq currently boasts a net worth of $400 million to his name.

4. LeBron James (Net worth- $500 M)

LeBron James is currently among the most marketable athletes in the world, with his net worth still on the rise. With major brands like Nike, Beats, Coca Cola endorsed by him, his net worth is around $500 million and could cross Magic Johnson in the near future. He currently has four NBA championships and four MVPs to his name, with still a few years left in his outstanding career.

3. Magic Johnson (Net worth- $600 M)

Magic Johnson has three NBA MVP awards and five championships to his name. Starting in 1979, he played his entire career for the Lakers. After his retirement, he returned to the franchise as a coach and also an executive later. In 1996, he was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Apart from being a basketball star, Johnson is also a businessman and has had many business ventures that have contributed to his net worth of $600 million.

2. Junior Bridgeman (Net worth- $600 M)

A surprising name on the list, Junior Bridgeman is the only player on this list known better for his post-NBA career. He entered the league in 1975 and played 12 seasons in the league with the Bucks and Clippers. After his playing career, he purchased a Wendy’s franchise, and slowly his company Bridgeman Foods Inc took off as they bought more franchises.

After selling his food empire, Bridgeman now runs bottling operations for The Coca-Cola Company, and is no stranger to charity as well. His business success has seen his net worth skyrocket to $600 million.

1. Michael Jordan (Net worth- $2.2 B)

The biography of Michael Jordan on the official NBA website states: “By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.” He is not just one of the best and most effectively marketed athletes, but also a pioneer who was influential in spreading NBA across the world.

The numbers speak volumes for how marketable Jordan was. His $2.2 billion net worth is comfortably above the rest. Having retired in 2003, the Jordan brand sneakers continue to add to his net worth to date.