Copyright Heavy.
The Golden State Warriors have had plenty of milestones during the Stephen Curry era. Championships. MVPs. Records. But another is coming soon for Curry and former teammate Kevin Durant. According to Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico, both stars are set to join LeBron James in one of the rarest clubs in sports — the $1 billion club. By the end of the 2025–26 season, Curry and Durant are projected to surpass $1 billion in combined salary and endorsements. They’ll join James as the only active NBA players to reach that number. Curry’s Warriors Legacy Extends Beyond Basketball Curry’s influence has changed the way basketball is played. His impact off the court might be even bigger. The Warriors superstar has topped the NBA’s salary charts for nine straight seasons. This year, he’s earning an estimated $59.6 million. According to Spotrac, his career salary alone has reached about $470 million. That’s before adding his endorsements with Under Armour, Rakuten, and Google. Few athletes have built a brand as strong as Curry’s. He’s not just a generational player. He’s a global figure. Former Warrior Durant’s Path Shows the Power of Longevity Kevin Durant has taken a different road to the same place. His contracts with the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and the Warriors years cemented his financial legacy. Off the floor, his company Thirty Five Ventures has made major investments in media and tech. Durant’s business instincts have made him one of the league’s sharpest minds. Like Curry, he’s proven that being elite in basketball can open doors far beyond the game. LeBron James Set the Standard Curry and Durant now join LeBron James as the only NBA players to hit $1 billion while still active. Outside of basketball, just six others have done the same — Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer, Floyd Mayweather, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson. Even Michael Jordan didn’t cross that mark until after retirement. The modern NBA economy has changed everything. The Future of the NBA’s Financial Boom This might not be a rare milestone for long. As the salary cap rises, younger stars are set to cash in on even bigger deals. Bleacher Report’s Bryan Toporek estimated that Anthony Edwards could earn over $100 million in a single season by 2033 under future cap projections. By then, the $1 billion club might be a little more crowded. For now, Curry and Durant are part of an exclusive trio. Their impact on the Warriors’ dynasty changed basketball. Their off-court success is changing the business of it too.
