Top 8 Richest NBA Players in History

by Jeremy Block - 4/15/2025

Richest NBA players LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers

Some hoopers cash their checks and call it a day. Others treat the NBA like step one in a master plan to capitalize in the business world. And then there’s this group — the chosen few who turned a basketball into a billion-dollar baton pass. These players aren’t just rich athletes; they’re brand empires with sneakers, food chains, tech portfolios, and in one case, Forbes Magazine under their belts.

This list isn’t about how many rings they’ve got or how many ankles they’ve broken. It’s about net worth — and how these guys took their careers off the court and springboarded them into profit-packed ventures. From jump shots to private jets, here are the eight richest NBA players in history, ranked by who’s got the fattest bank account.

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Michael Jordan Net Worth: $3 Billion

No surprise here — Michael Jordan didn't just change the game, he monetized it like a Wall Street shark in sneakers. Jordan's Nike deal birthed an entire subculture, and the Air Jordan line is still outselling everyone decades later. To this day, his shoes aren’t just collectibles, they’re generational assets.

And sure, let’s forget his resume on the court, which has helped: 6× NBA champion, 5× MVP, 10 scoring titles, and a career average of 30.1 points per game, one of the highest in league history. But it’s the billion-dollar sale of his Hornets ownership that turned MJ from “GOAT” to “CEO of Everything.”

LeBron James Net Worth: $1.2 Billion

You can love him or hate him, but you can’t say that LeBron James isn’t a financial mastermind. Between his lifetime Nike deal and his stake in production company SpringHill, James has already built a post-playing empire while still dropping triple-doubles.

On the court? James has already racked up four championships, four MVPs, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer title with more than 39,000 career points and counting. He’s one of the few players whose game aged like wine. And, appropriately enough, he owns a wine label to prove it.

Magic Johnson Net Worth: $1.1 Billion

Smooth on the court, smoother in the boardroom. On the court, Magic was handing out assists like free samples. Off it? He’s the one calling the plays and taking the shots. His early investment in Starbucks turned into a massive win, and now he owns pieces of everything from the LA Dodgers to esports teams.

Before he was stacking millions off the court, Magic was a 5× NBA champ, 3× MVP, and the leader of the 'Showtime' Lakers. He finished with 11.2 assists per game, still the highest career average in NBA history. When it comes to vision, Magic’s always been five steps ahead — whether on the court or in the business world.

Junior Bridgeman Net Worth: $600 Million

This is the name that always makes people do a double take. Junior Bridgeman wasn’t a headline player in the NBA. However, in the investment world, he has legends beat. After his playing days, Bridgeman went deep into the fast food game, owning hundreds of Wendy’s and Chili’s franchises and running it like a seasoned mogul.

Stat-wise, he put up a solid career: 13.6 points per game over 12 seasons, mostly with the Milwaukee Bucks. No All-Star nods, no titles, but he did become the sixth man of financial dominance.

Shaquille O’Neal Net Worth: $400 Million

Shaquille O’Neal was never about playing small, and his investments reflect that. The Hall of Fame center has stakes in everything from Five Guys, Krispy Kreme, Papa John’s to a bunch of companies you probably didn’t even know he was part of. Big guy, big moves — he's the definition of going all in.

Oh, and on the court? Let’s not forget ‘Big Diesel’ is four-time NBA champion, 15× All-Star, 28,596 career points, and enough shattered backboards to qualify for disaster relief. He even earned a doctorate in education, because why not? He’s also performing at festivals all around the world as a DJ. It’s clear that O’Neal has been playing chess, while others are still learning how to dribble.

Vinnie Johnson Net Worth: $400 Million

The Microwave was known for heating up fast on the court, but it turns out his real glow-up came after basketball. Vinnie Johnson took his post-NBA years and built an auto parts empire. His company, Piston Automotive, became a major supplier for Ford, GM, and Stellantis.

During his playing days, he was the ultimate spark plug off the bench. He averaged 12 points per game over 13 seasons and won two titles with the Bad Boy Pistons. He may not have filled the stat sheet nightly, but he sure filled his portfolio after retirement.

Hakeem Olajuwon Net Worth: $300 Million

While some legends fade quietly into retirement, Hakeem Olajuwon took his smooth footwork and applied it to real estate. And honestly, he might be better at that than he was at basketball. The former Rockets big man scooped up prime Houston property like it was a clearance rack and turned it into a mini empire.

On the court, Olajuwon was just as consistent: 2× NBA champ, 1 MVP, 12× All-Star, and the league’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 3,830. The Dream didn’t just shake defenders — he shook hands with realtors and turned that finesse into a fortune.

Grant Hill Net Worth: $250 Million

Quietly, confidently, and without ever needing to scream "look at me," Grant Hill built one of the most underrated post-NBA fortunes out there. While injuries limited what could’ve been an even more dominant on-court career, he played 19 seasons, made 7 All-Star appearances, and averaged 16.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

Off the court? He played it even smarter. Hill locked in a massive lifetime deal with Fila, bought ownership stakes in the Atlanta Hawks, and got into real estate and media investments. He even co-owns a production company and started his own marketing management company, Hill Ventures. Smooth, professional, calculated, just like his game, but with a lot more commas on the checks.

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Start:	April 15, 2025 @ 11:00 PM
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