Ideally, you need to be chosen at a excessive draft place for a lot of causes, not least of them maximizing earnings throughout your profession.
If that doesn’t occur, it’s not the tip of the world as a result of you may nonetheless make a ton of cash ranging from a decrease place within the NBA ladder. Should you don’t consider us, check out this graphic.
However who precisely have been the highest earners within the NBA at every draft spot? Effectively, simply test under.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $531,322,273
Highest wage rank: No. 1 in 2017
Draft 12 months: 2003
Runners up
Kyrie Irving (2011): $315,811,186 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 12 in 2023
Anthony Davis (2012): $311,521,148 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 15 in 2017
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $457,119,040
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2017
Draft 12 months: 2007
Runners up
LaMarcus Aldridge (2006): $215,090,968 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 11 in 2016
Tyson Chandler (2001): $189,644,026 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 30 in 2015
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $374,374,274
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2017
Draft 12 months: 2009
Runners up
Bradley Beal (2012): $319,772,793 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 5 in 2025
Al Horford (2007): $289,228,232 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2017
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $400,637,385
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2020
Draft 12 months: 2005
Runners up
Russell Westbrook (2008): $348,303,546 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2017
Mike Conley (2007): $286,557,558 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2017
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $343,862,398
Highest wage rank: No. 1 in 2001
Draft 12 months: 1995
Runners up
Kevin Love (2008): $276,212,518 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 11 in 2016
Dwyane Wade (2003): $199,499,205 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 10 in 2016
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $329,998,763
Highest wage rank: No. 7 in 2024
Draft 12 months: 2012
Runners up
Danilo Gallinari (2008): $205,014,876 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 38 in 2018
Marcus Good (2014): $121,332,399 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 83 in 2023
John Hefti-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $413,605,898
Highest wage rank: No. 1 since 2018
Draft 12 months: 2009
Runners up
Harrison Barnes (2012): $201,981,290 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 15 in 2017
Eric Gordon (2008): $184,699,961 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 23 in 2015
Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $184,599,665
Highest wage rank: No. 11 in 2015
Draft 12 months: 2006
Runners up
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (2013): $126,459,338 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 54 in 2018
Jamal Crawford (2000): $124,283,187 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 56 in 2011
Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $282,005,770
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2017
Draft 12 months: 2009
Runners up
Gordon Hayward (2010): $272,742,175 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 4 in 2018
Dirk Nowitzki (1998): $255,371,800 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2013
Invoice Streicher-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $356,300,737
Highest wage rank: No. 6 in 2025
Draft 12 months: 2010
Runners up
CJ McCollum (2013): $250,449,242 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 19 in 2018
Brook Lopez (2008): $220,774,768 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 11 in 2016
Jerome Miron-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $285,425,777
Highest wage rank: No. 9 in 2021
Draft 12 months: 2011
Runners up
Myles Turner (2015): $140,436,434 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 23 in 2023
Domantas Sabonis (2016): $140,379,554 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 26 in 2025
Erik Williams-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $171,960,004
Highest wage rank: No. 24 in 2021
Draft 12 months: 2013
Runners up
Thaddeus Younger (2007): $149,729,113 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 67 in 2016
Alec Burks (2011): $92,878,624 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 82 in 2016
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $328,237,108
Highest wage rank: No. 1 in 2011
Draft 12 months: 1996
Runners up
Devin Booker (2015): $217,371,965 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 6 in 2025
Zach LaVine (2014): $207,839,957 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 16 in 2024
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $139,919,452
Highest wage rank: No. 36 in 2022
Draft 12 months: 2017
Runners up
Michael Porter (2018): $115,253,645 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 34 in 2024
Marcus Morris (2011): $108,481,302 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 80 in 2020
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $328,471,638
Highest wage rank: No. 6 in 2025
Draft 12 months: 2011
Runners up
Giannis Antetokounmpo (2013): $284,880,292 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 7 in 2023
Steve Nash (1996): $146,936,620 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 33 in 2010
Stacy Revere/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $194,727,756
Highest wage rank: No. 23 in 2020
Draft 12 months: 2011
Runners up
Terry Rozier (2015): $135,085,372 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 53 in 2020
Jusuf Nurkic (2014): $107,098,304 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 94 in 2023
Paul Rutherford-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $290,154,591
Highest wage rank: No. 14 in 2018
Draft 12 months: 2009
Runners up
Jermaine O’Neal (1996): $168,794,021 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2009
Josh Smith (2004): $116,294,581 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 32 in 2015
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $131,940,553
Highest wage rank: No. 37 in 2015
Draft 12 months: 2010
Runners up
Theo Ratliff (1995): $102,351,958 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 32 in 2006
David West (2003): $93,047,916 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 44 in 2014
Gregory Shamus/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $276,450,726
Highest wage rank: No. 11 in 2020
Draft 12 months: 2011
Runners up
Zach Randolph (2001): $199,124,765 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 10 in 2011
Gary Harris (2014): $116,062,615 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 52 in 2022
Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $145,856,244
Highest wage rank: No. 41 in 2017
Draft 12 months: 2012
Runners up
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (1996): $125,423,723 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 8 in 2004
Caris LeVert (2016): $92,023,277 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 72 in 2021
Ronald Martinez/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $138,576,839
Highest wage rank: No. 10 in 2006
Draft 12 months: 1995
Runners up
Rajon Rondo (2006): $117,193,091 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 41 in 2015
Ryan Anderson (2008): $109,360,492 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 30 in 2017
Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $90,034,582
Highest wage rank: No. 56 in 2022
Draft 12 months: 2017
Runners up
Mason Plumlee (2013): $82,032,291 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 81 in 2018
Courtney Lee (2008): $75,428,153 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 92 in 2017
Brad Penner-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $98,461,336
Highest wage rank: No. 31 in 2025
Draft 12 months: 2017
Runners up
Tayshaun Prince (2002): $81,675,782 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 51 in 2011
Wilson Chandler (2007): $73,745,287 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 72 in 2016
Invoice Streicher-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $278,461,690
Highest wage rank: No. 5 in 2019
Draft 12 months: 2006
Runners up
Tim Hardaway Jr (2013): $153,858,652 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 50 in 2022
Serge Ibaka (2008): $141,750,412 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 38 in 2019
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $204,216,957
Highest wage rank: No. 26 in 2017
Draft 12 months: 2008
Runners up
Clint Capela (2014): $135,443,968 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 61 in 2021
Gerald Wallace (2001): $102,825,613 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 59 in 2008
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $113,331,400
Highest wage rank: No. 40 in 2018
Draft 12 months: 2008
Runners up
Taj Gibson (2009): $94,688,579 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 82 in 2018
Vlade Divac (1989): $93,120,635 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 3 in 1994
Soobum Im-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $261,348,195
Highest wage rank: No. 13 in 2023
Draft 12 months: 2013
Runners up
Pascal Siakam (2016): $185,487,056 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 19 in 2022
Bogdan Bogdanovic (2014): $116,960,000 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 61 in 2021
Ronald Martinez/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $168,282,460
Highest wage rank: No. 31 in 2011
Draft 12 months: 2001
Runners up
Ian Mahinmi (2005): $84,155,699 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 47 in 2017
Jordan Poole (2019): $67,698,022 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 48 in 2024
Brett Davis-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $100,876,511
Highest wage rank: No. 53 in 2025
Draft 12 months: 2016
Runners up
Derrick White (2017): $80,286,124 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 80 in 2024
Cory Joseph (2011): $78,906,872 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 100 in 2021
Carmen Mandato/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $312,683,265
Highest wage rank: No. 11 in 2020
Draft 12 months: 2011
Runners up
Gilbert Arenas (2001): $163,061,257 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 3 in 2013
David Lee (2005): $94,282,468 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 21 in 2015
Ezra Shaw/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $143,409,380
Highest wage rank: No. 61 in 2022
Draft 12 months: 2011
Runners up
Nikola Pekovic (2008): $73,143,600 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 43 in 2014
Allen Crabbe (2013): $58,966,776 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 31 in 2017
Issac Baldizon/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $155,332,815
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2011
Draft 12 months: 1998
Runners up
Ivica Zubac (2016): $57,692,427 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 141 in 2023
Tomas Satoransky (2012): $39,000,000 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 119 in 2020
Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $105,390,288
Highest wage rank: No. 15 in 2017
Draft 12 months: 2010
Runners up
Joe Harris (2014): $92,234,674 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 73 in 2021
Jalen Brunson (2018): $85,152,769 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 48 in 2023
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $146,109,736
Highest wage rank: No. 21 in 2014
Draft 12 months: 2002
Runners up
Jae Crowder (2012): $72,283,986 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 117 in 2016
CJ Miles (2005): $50,687,919 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 144 in 2018
John Hefti-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $203,149,451
Highest wage rank: No. 38 in 2016
Draft 12 months: 2012
Runners up
DeAndre Jordan (2008): $180,174,668 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 11 in 2016
PJ Tucker (2006): $90,470,854 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 126 in 2015
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $133,732,562
Highest wage rank: No. 49 in 2022
Draft 12 months: 2016
Runners up
Ersan Ilyasova (2005): $69,885,122 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 83 in 2014
Omer Asik (2008): $69,702,436 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 23 in 2015
HECTOR MATA/AFP through Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $74,408,867
Highest wage rank: No. 32 in 2004
Draft 12 months: 1993
Runners up
Mehmet Okur (2001): $72,935,000 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 54 in 2012
Richaun Holmes (2015): $61,237,353 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 120 in 2022
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $127,164,774
Highest wage rank: No. 15 in 2017
Draft 12 months: 2011
Runners up
Spencer Dinwiddie (2014): $90,041,628 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 60 in 2022
Steve Blake (2003): $36,946,977 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 156 in 2010
Stacy Revere/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $257,304,822
Highest wage rank: No. 14 in 2022
Draft 12 months: 2012
Runners up
Jerami Grant (2014): $139,300,971 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 49 in 2024
Earl Watson (2001): $42,771,079 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 105 in 2010
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $104,008,681
Highest wage rank: No. 49 in 2010
Draft 12 months: 2005
Runners up
Will Barton (2012): $81,869,184 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 85 in 2021
Josh Richardson (2015): $62,974,881 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 113 in 2021
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $249,759,769
Highest wage rank: No. 2 in 2025
Draft 12 months: 2014
Runners up
Cuttino Mobley (1998): $67,463,250 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 68 in 2007
Bobby Simmons (2001): $50,395,842 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 53 in 2010
Invoice Streicher-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $85,106,082
Highest wage rank: No. 78 in 2021
Draft 12 months: 2011
Runners up
Patrick Beverley (2009): $82,500,901 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 90 in 2022
Stephen Jackson (1997): $68,866,243 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 58 in 2013
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $118,962,219
Highest wage rank: No. 77 in 2019
Draft 12 months: 2004
Runners up
Michael Redd (2000): $101,991,325 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 5 in 2011
Isaiah Hartenstein (2017): $52,288,245 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 49 in 2025
Profession earnings: $51,088,897
Highest wage rank: No. 81 in 2007
Draft 12 months: 1996
Runners up
Brian Cardinal (2000): $39,334,595 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 101 in 2010
Mike Muscala (2013): $28,560,850 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 200 in 2018
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $155,990,919
Highest wage rank: No. 34 in 2016
Draft 12 months: 2008
Runners up
Antonio Davis (1990): $87,740,000 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 20 in 2006
Louis Williams (2005): $87,208,319 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 111 in 2016
Rob Grey-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $126,192,601
Highest wage rank: No. 62 in 2024
Draft 12 months: 2014
Runners up
Danny Inexperienced (2009): $104,606,233 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 76 in 2016
Norman Powell (2015): $102,862,988 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 87 in 2022
Streeter Lecka/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $193,541,787
Highest wage rank: No. 3 in 2018
Draft 12 months: 2006
Runners up
Maurice Williams (2003): $67,606,431 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 68 in 2011
Alvin Williams (1997): $41,720,992 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 88 in 2002
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $185,786,591
Highest wage rank: No. 11 in 2016
Draft 12 months: 2007
Runners up
Terance Mann (2019): $28,231,283 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 146 in 2025
Isaac Austin (1991): $22,626,666 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 54 in 1999
Gregory Shamus/Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $38,758,139
Highest wage rank: No. 85 in 2014
Draft 12 months: 2005
Runners up
James Jones (2003): $25,835,822 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 171 in 2010
Darius Songaila (2002): $25,337,931 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 148 in 2011
David Richard-Imagn Photographs
Profession earnings: $29,833,765
Highest wage rank: No. 176 in 2024
Draft 12 months: 2016
Runners up
Ryan Gomes (2005): $21,876,602 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 165 in 2012
Lavoy Allen (2011): $18,091,767 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 201 in 2016
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $79,272,208
Highest wage rank: No. 103 in 2014
Draft 12 months: 2003
Runners up
Monte Morris (2017): $34,914,405 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 155 in 2022
Lawrence Funderburke (1994): $16,100,000 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 164 in 2004
Profession earnings: $25,279,576
Highest wage rank: No. 184 in 2010
Draft 12 months: 2002
Runners up
Vasilije Micic (2014): $15,446,000 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 190 in 2024
Jalen McDaniels (2019): $15,387,393 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 253 in 2025
Tim Defrisco /Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $45,045,948
Highest wage rank: No. 47 in 1996
Draft 12 months: 1988
Runners up
Greg Buckner (1998): $29,653,476 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 185 in 2009
Charles Bassey (2021): $8,362,606 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 330 in 2023
Rocky Widner/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $49,573,425
Highest wage rank: No. 69 in 2005
Draft 12 months: 1996
Runners up
Mark Blount (1997): $44,649,672 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 86 in 2007
Zeljko Rebraca (1994): $20,290,000 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 149 in 2004
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $85,224,390
Highest wage rank: No. 87 in 2021
Draft 12 months: 2009
Runners up
Luis Scola (2002): $47,153,438 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 70 in 2012
E’Twaun Moore (2011): $43,776,960 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 121 in 2017
Allen Einstein/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Profession earnings: $79,456,857
Highest wage rank: No. 56 in 2016
Draft 12 months: 2005
Runners up
Ramon Classes (2007): $36,276,568 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 133 in 2013
Chris Carr (1995): $4,140,000 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 257 in 1999
Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $129,539,615
Highest wage rank: No. 26 in 2013
Draft 12 months: 1999
Runners up
Marcin Gortat (2005): $95,091,880 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 61 in 2015
Frank Brickowski (1981): $12,593,000 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 55 in 1996
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $15,648,668
Highest wage rank: No. 190 in 2024
Draft 12 months: 2020
Runners up
Abdel Nader (2016): $7,917,045 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 348 in 2020
Jericho Sims (2021): $6,122,711 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 398 in 2025
Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $898,310
Highest wage rank: No. 400 in 2020
Draft 12 months: 2019
Runners up
Jalen Harris (2020): $449,115 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 522 in 2021
D.J. Strawberry (2007): $427,163 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 440 in 2008
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports activities
Profession earnings: $32,697,809
Highest wage rank: No. 99 in 2015
Draft 12 months: 2011
Runners up
Sam Merrill (2020): $7,684,044 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 386 in 2025
Drazen Petrovic (1986): $4,190,000 in profession earnings
Highest wage rank: No. 78 in 1991
