The highest-paid NBA coaches and how they compare to players

Posted by author November 25, 2024 NBA

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Coley Cleary – USA TODAY Sports

Last week, Sportico released its list of the highest-paid coaches in American sports, with NBA coaches well represented and led by the Warriors’ Steve Kerr.

However, their yearly earnings pale in comparison to NBA players, with coaches’ salaries more closely matching those of rank-and-file players in the league.

Check for yourself below:

1. Steve Kerr (Golden State): $17,500,000

Apr 16, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks towards the team bench after a foul call during action against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter during a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Closest player in salary: Malik Monk at $17,405,203 (No. 99 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 4 behind Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green

Career winning percentage: 65.6 percent

2. Gregg Popovich (San Antonio): $17,000,000

Jan 7, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacts in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Closest player in salary: Rui Hachimura at $17,000,000 (No. 101 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 4 behind Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes

Career winning percentage: 62.7 percent

3. Erik Spoelstra (Miami): $15,000,000

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra looks down after calling a timeout during the second half of game one of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) — BOSTON, MA – APRIL 21: Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra looks down after calling a timeout during the second half of game one of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Closest player in salary: Isaiah Stewart at $15,000,000 (No. 112 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 6 behind Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier and Duncan Robinson

Career winning percentage: 58.6 percent

3. Tyronn Lue (LA Clippers): $15,000,000

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers watches play during the second half of game three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on April 26, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) — DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 26: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers watches play during the second half of game three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on April 26, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Closest player in salary: Isaiah Stewart at $15,000,000 (No. 112 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 4 behind Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Norman Powell

Career winning percentage: 58.8 percent

5. Michael Malone (Denver): $12,000,000

May 19, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone calls out in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in game seven of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Closest player in salary: Coby White at $12,000,000 (No. 140 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 5 behind Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter and Aaron Gordon

Career winning percentage: 56.2 percent

6. Doc Rivers (Milwaukee): $11,000,000

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts to an officials call during the first half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Fiserv Forum on October 10, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) — MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 10: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts to an officials call during the first half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Fiserv Forum on October 10, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Closest player in salary: Maxi Kleber at $11,000,000 (No. 152 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 6 behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis

Career winning percentage: 58.6 percent

6. Tom Thibodeau (New York): $11,000,000

Jan 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Closest player in salary: Maxi Kleber at $11,000,000 (No. 152 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 7 behind Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson

Career winning percentage: 57.5 percent

8. Mike Budenholzer (Phoenix): $10,000,000

Nov 8, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Closest player in salary: Mike Conley at $9,975,962 (No. 164 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 6 behind Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen

Career winning percentage: 60.4 percent

9. Rick Carlisle (Indiana): $9,000,000

Nov 1, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle reacts to a play against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Closest player in salary: Goga Bitadze at $9,057,971 (No. 179 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 7 behind Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith and TJ McConnell

Career winning percentage: 53.2 percent

10. Mike Brown (Sacramento): $8,500,000

Nov 11, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown yells out to players during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Closest player in salary: Georges Niang at $8,500,000 (No. 186 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 7 behind Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray

Career winning percentage: 60.4 percent

10. Jason Kidd (Dallas): $8,500,000

Nov 14, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd watches the game against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Closest player in salary: Georges Niang at $8,500,000 (No. 186 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 8 behind Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber and Naji Marshall

Career winning percentage: 52.2 percent

10. Nick Nurse (Philadelphia): $8,500,000

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 08: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Wells Fargo Center on March 08, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) — PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 08: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Wells Fargo Center on March 08, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Closest player in salary: Georges Niang at $8,500,000 (No. 186 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 4 behind Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey

Career winning percentage: 56.9 percent

13. Quin Snyder (Atlanta): $8,000,000

Oct 28, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder on the sideline during the game against the Washington Wizards during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Closest player in salary: Kevon Looney at $8,000,000 (No. 196 in the NBA)

Team ranking: No. 8 behind Trae Young, Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher and Larry Nance Jr

Career winning percentage: 56.4 percent

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: The highest-paid NBA coaches and how they compare to players