Game one of the NBA Finals kicks off on Wednesday, June 3 between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. The teams are vying for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy as well as a shot at the cash prize for coming out on top.
Both the Knicks and the Spurs are entering the finals after exciting playoff rounds. The Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Spurs beat the Oklahoma Thunder in a tense game seven.
While the Spurs are the favorites to win the NBA Championships, both teams are raking in the cash, from the playoffs and the finals.
© Getty ImagesHow much do NBA players make for winning the championship?
NBA players already earn a good living. The athletes earn the highest salaries amongst American professional athletes, with players earning $11.8 million on average per year. Per Sportico, the winners of the 2026 NBA Championships could earn as much as $9.1 million, split amongst the team members.
Don't worry, the losing team still takes home some cash, a cool $3.9 million.
© Getty ImagesHow much do NBA players make from the playoff games?
The NBA rewards its teams for successful seasons. The total pot available for teams who make the playoffs is $35 million and how they performed during the regular season. It's divided by who wins what games.
The team with the best record takes home an extra $896k. During the 2026 season, that team was the Oklahoma City Thunder. Teams that make the first round earn $481k each.
Meaning, the Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and the Philadelphia 76ers all earned almost $500k.
© Getty ImagesDuring the semifinals, teams take home $586k and for making the finals, teams earn $980k. So far, the Knicks have earned $2.5 million, while the Spurs have brought in $2.6 million.
Who is the highest paid player in the NBA finals?
While every player competing in the NBA finals is well compensated for their work, Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks is the highest paid player. For the 2025-2026 season, the 30-year-old center, who is engaged to Jordyn Woods, earned a base salary of $53 million.
OG Anunoby, who is also on the Knicks, made $39.5 million, while the team's point guard Jalen Brunson earned $34.9 million.
© Getty ImagesThe Spurs have a considerably smaller payroll. Their highest paid player is DeAaron Fox, who earned a base salary of $37 million. And their star player, the 7'4" center, Victor Wembanyama, earns just $13.3 million.
Outside of the teams facing off in the finals, Stephen Curry is the highest paid player in the league. The longtime point guard on the Golden State Warriors earns a base salary of $59.6 million, with Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers coming in second, earning $55 million in 2026.
