Who Are The Wealthiest NBA Players Ever?

LeBron James made headlines Thursday by becoming the first active NBA player to become a billionaire.

James, who has made nearly $400 million during his incredible 19-year career (No. 20 coming up), has earned plenty more through savvy investments and a bevy of endorsements, among other smart-minded money moves.       

James will play his 20th season in 2022-2023 under new Lakers head coach Darvin Ham and, regardless of how it goes, he’ll take home a whopping $44.5 million for his effort.

Remember, if you think a change of coaches will do LeBron and the Lakers good in 2023, a year after missing the postseason entirely, go ahead and check out the offseason odds on the Lakers on any of these New Jersey Online Casinos. 

Plus, the best sports betting apps in the U.S. and Canada.

See which of these Michigan Online Casinos (BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings and many more) will be offering future odds on how the Lakers will fare for the 2022-23 season.

Most believe the Lakers will be somewhere around 46-48 wins (keep an eye out for Over/Unders) and that the Lakers will make the playoffs.

You can be a money-maker too … just not like these guys.

Here’s a quick look at the all-time top 5 wealthiest NBA players (as of July 2022).

1. Michael Jordan ($1.7 billion)

No surprise here. It’s gotta be the shoes (Nike), the underwear (Hanes), and basketball team ownership (Hornets).

2. LeBron James ($1.2 billion)

He’s everywhere which was by design. “It’s my biggest milestone. Obviously, I want to maximize my business,” James said to GQ of his potential billionaire status back in 2014. “And if I happen to get it, if I happen to be a billion-dollar athlete, ho. Hip hip hooray! Oh, my God. I’m gonna be excited.”

3. Magic Johnson ($600 million)

His skills on the court and his smile and pitchman perfection was the start, but he parlayed that into investments in brand names you might have heard of: Starbucks, Burger King and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

4. Junior Bridgeman ($600)

Now, this one for certain is a surprise as Bridgeman likely isn’t even a household name, even among so-called diehard NBA fans. Bridgeman, who never made over $350,000 a season during his 12-year career, once owned over 100 Wendy’s and Chill’s restaurants and then became the No. 1 bottler of Coca-Cola in Canada. He’s also the current owner of Ebony and Jet magazines.

5. Kobe Bryant estate ($600 million)

When Bryant and his daughter died tragically in a helicopter crash in 2020, his family inherited his $600 million fortune which the Lakers legend earned during his sensational 20-year career with the Lakers and his early $6 million investment in a small company named BodyArmor. Mamba Forever indeed.