Ideally, you want to be selected at a high draft position for many reasons, not least of them maximizing earnings during your career.
If that doesn’t happen, it’s not the end of the world because you can still make a ton of money starting from a lower position in the NBA ladder. If you don’t believe us, take a look at this graphic.
But who exactly have been the top earners in the NBA at each draft spot? Well, just check below.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Career earnings: $531,322,273
Highest salary rank: No. 1 in 2017
Draft year: 2003
Runners up
Kyrie Irving (2011): $315,811,186 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 12 in 2023
Anthony Davis (2012): $311,521,148 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 15 in 2017
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $457,119,040
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2017
Draft year: 2007
Runners up
LaMarcus Aldridge (2006): $215,090,968 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 11 in 2016
Tyson Chandler (2001): $189,644,026 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 30 in 2015
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $374,374,274
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2017
Draft year: 2009
Runners up
Bradley Beal (2012): $319,772,793 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 5 in 2025
Al Horford (2007): $289,228,232 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2017
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $400,637,385
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2020
Draft year: 2005
Runners up
Russell Westbrook (2008): $348,303,546 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2017
Mike Conley (2007): $286,557,558 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2017
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $343,862,398
Highest salary rank: No. 1 in 2001
Draft year: 1995
Runners up
Kevin Love (2008): $276,212,518 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 11 in 2016
Dwyane Wade (2003): $199,499,205 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 10 in 2016
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $329,998,763
Highest salary rank: No. 7 in 2024
Draft year: 2012
Runners up
Danilo Gallinari (2008): $205,014,876 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 38 in 2018
Marcus Smart (2014): $121,332,399 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 83 in 2023
John Hefti-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $413,605,898
Highest salary rank: No. 1 since 2018
Draft year: 2009
Runners up
Harrison Barnes (2012): $201,981,290 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 15 in 2017
Eric Gordon (2008): $184,699,961 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 23 in 2015
Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $184,599,665
Highest salary rank: No. 11 in 2015
Draft year: 2006
Runners up
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (2013): $126,459,338 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 54 in 2018
Jamal Crawford (2000): $124,283,187 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 56 in 2011
Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $282,005,770
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2017
Draft year: 2009
Runners up
Gordon Hayward (2010): $272,742,175 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 4 in 2018
Dirk Nowitzki (1998): $255,371,800 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2013
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $356,300,737
Highest salary rank: No. 6 in 2025
Draft year: 2010
Runners up
CJ McCollum (2013): $250,449,242 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 19 in 2018
Brook Lopez (2008): $220,774,768 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 11 in 2016
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $285,425,777
Highest salary rank: No. 9 in 2021
Draft year: 2011
Runners up
Myles Turner (2015): $140,436,434 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 23 in 2023
Domantas Sabonis (2016): $140,379,554 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 26 in 2025
Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $171,960,004
Highest salary rank: No. 24 in 2021
Draft year: 2013
Runners up
Thaddeus Young (2007): $149,729,113 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 67 in 2016
Alec Burks (2011): $92,878,624 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 82 in 2016
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $328,237,108
Highest salary rank: No. 1 in 2011
Draft year: 1996
Runners up
Devin Booker (2015): $217,371,965 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 6 in 2025
Zach LaVine (2014): $207,839,957 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 16 in 2024
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $139,919,452
Highest salary rank: No. 36 in 2022
Draft year: 2017
Runners up
Michael Porter (2018): $115,253,645 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 34 in 2024
Marcus Morris (2011): $108,481,302 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 80 in 2020
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $328,471,638
Highest salary rank: No. 6 in 2025
Draft year: 2011
Runners up
Giannis Antetokounmpo (2013): $284,880,292 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 7 in 2023
Steve Nash (1996): $146,936,620 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 33 in 2010
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Career earnings: $194,727,756
Highest salary rank: No. 23 in 2020
Draft year: 2011
Runners up
Terry Rozier (2015): $135,085,372 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 53 in 2020
Jusuf Nurkic (2014): $107,098,304 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 94 in 2023
Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $290,154,591
Highest salary rank: No. 14 in 2018
Draft year: 2009
Runners up
Jermaine O’Neal (1996): $168,794,021 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2009
Josh Smith (2004): $116,294,581 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 32 in 2015
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
Career earnings: $131,940,553
Highest salary rank: No. 37 in 2015
Draft year: 2010
Runners up
Theo Ratliff (1995): $102,351,958 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 32 in 2006
David West (2003): $93,047,916 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 44 in 2014
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Career earnings: $276,450,726
Highest salary rank: No. 11 in 2020
Draft year: 2011
Runners up
Zach Randolph (2001): $199,124,765 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 10 in 2011
Gary Harris (2014): $116,062,615 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 52 in 2022
Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $145,856,244
Highest salary rank: No. 41 in 2017
Draft year: 2012
Runners up
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (1996): $125,423,723 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 8 in 2004
Caris LeVert (2016): $92,023,277 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 72 in 2021
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Career earnings: $138,576,839
Highest salary rank: No. 10 in 2006
Draft year: 1995
Runners up
Rajon Rondo (2006): $117,193,091 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 41 in 2015
Ryan Anderson (2008): $109,360,492 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 30 in 2017
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Career earnings: $90,034,582
Highest salary rank: No. 56 in 2022
Draft year: 2017
Runners up
Mason Plumlee (2013): $82,032,291 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 81 in 2018
Courtney Lee (2008): $75,428,153 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 92 in 2017
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $98,461,336
Highest salary rank: No. 31 in 2025
Draft year: 2017
Runners up
Tayshaun Prince (2002): $81,675,782 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 51 in 2011
Wilson Chandler (2007): $73,745,287 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 72 in 2016
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $278,461,690
Highest salary rank: No. 5 in 2019
Draft year: 2006
Runners up
Tim Hardaway Jr (2013): $153,858,652 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 50 in 2022
Serge Ibaka (2008): $141,750,412 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 38 in 2019
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $204,216,957
Highest salary rank: No. 26 in 2017
Draft year: 2008
Runners up
Clint Capela (2014): $135,443,968 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 61 in 2021
Gerald Wallace (2001): $102,825,613 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 59 in 2008
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $113,331,400
Highest salary rank: No. 40 in 2018
Draft year: 2008
Runners up
Taj Gibson (2009): $94,688,579 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 82 in 2018
Vlade Divac (1989): $93,120,635 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 3 in 1994
Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $261,348,195
Highest salary rank: No. 13 in 2023
Draft year: 2013
Runners up
Pascal Siakam (2016): $185,487,056 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 19 in 2022
Bogdan Bogdanovic (2014): $116,960,000 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 61 in 2021
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Career earnings: $168,282,460
Highest salary rank: No. 31 in 2011
Draft year: 2001
Runners up
Ian Mahinmi (2005): $84,155,699 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 47 in 2017
Jordan Poole (2019): $67,698,022 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 48 in 2024
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $100,876,511
Highest salary rank: No. 53 in 2025
Draft year: 2016
Runners up
Derrick White (2017): $80,286,124 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 80 in 2024
Cory Joseph (2011): $78,906,872 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 100 in 2021
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Career earnings: $312,683,265
Highest salary rank: No. 11 in 2020
Draft year: 2011
Runners up
Gilbert Arenas (2001): $163,061,257 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 3 in 2013
David Lee (2005): $94,282,468 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 21 in 2015
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Career earnings: $143,409,380
Highest salary rank: No. 61 in 2022
Draft year: 2011
Runners up
Nikola Pekovic (2008): $73,143,600 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 43 in 2014
Allen Crabbe (2013): $58,966,776 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 31 in 2017
Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
Career earnings: $155,332,815
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2011
Draft year: 1998
Runners up
Ivica Zubac (2016): $57,692,427 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 141 in 2023
Tomas Satoransky (2012): $39,000,000 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 119 in 2020
Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $105,390,288
Highest salary rank: No. 15 in 2017
Draft year: 2010
Runners up
Joe Harris (2014): $92,234,674 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 73 in 2021
Jalen Brunson (2018): $85,152,769 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 48 in 2023
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $146,109,736
Highest salary rank: No. 21 in 2014
Draft year: 2002
Runners up
Jae Crowder (2012): $72,283,986 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 117 in 2016
CJ Miles (2005): $50,687,919 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 144 in 2018
John Hefti-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $203,149,451
Highest salary rank: No. 38 in 2016
Draft year: 2012
Runners up
DeAndre Jordan (2008): $180,174,668 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 11 in 2016
PJ Tucker (2006): $90,470,854 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 126 in 2015
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $133,732,562
Highest salary rank: No. 49 in 2022
Draft year: 2016
Runners up
Ersan Ilyasova (2005): $69,885,122 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 83 in 2014
Omer Asik (2008): $69,702,436 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 23 in 2015
HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images
Career earnings: $74,408,867
Highest salary rank: No. 32 in 2004
Draft year: 1993
Runners up
Mehmet Okur (2001): $72,935,000 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 54 in 2012
Richaun Holmes (2015): $61,237,353 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 120 in 2022
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $127,164,774
Highest salary rank: No. 15 in 2017
Draft year: 2011
Runners up
Spencer Dinwiddie (2014): $90,041,628 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 60 in 2022
Steve Blake (2003): $36,946,977 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 156 in 2010
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Career earnings: $257,304,822
Highest salary rank: No. 14 in 2022
Draft year: 2012
Runners up
Jerami Grant (2014): $139,300,971 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 49 in 2024
Earl Watson (2001): $42,771,079 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 105 in 2010
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $104,008,681
Highest salary rank: No. 49 in 2010
Draft year: 2005
Runners up
Will Barton (2012): $81,869,184 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 85 in 2021
Josh Richardson (2015): $62,974,881 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 113 in 2021
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $249,759,769
Highest salary rank: No. 2 in 2025
Draft year: 2014
Runners up
Cuttino Mobley (1998): $67,463,250 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 68 in 2007
Bobby Simmons (2001): $50,395,842 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 53 in 2010
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $85,106,082
Highest salary rank: No. 78 in 2021
Draft year: 2011
Runners up
Patrick Beverley (2009): $82,500,901 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 90 in 2022
Stephen Jackson (1997): $68,866,243 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 58 in 2013
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $118,962,219
Highest salary rank: No. 77 in 2019
Draft year: 2004
Runners up
Michael Redd (2000): $101,991,325 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 5 in 2011
Isaiah Hartenstein (2017): $52,288,245 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 49 in 2025
Career earnings: $51,088,897
Highest salary rank: No. 81 in 2007
Draft year: 1996
Runners up
Brian Cardinal (2000): $39,334,595 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 101 in 2010
Mike Muscala (2013): $28,560,850 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 200 in 2018
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Career earnings: $155,990,919
Highest salary rank: No. 34 in 2016
Draft year: 2008
Runners up
Antonio Davis (1990): $87,740,000 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 20 in 2006
Louis Williams (2005): $87,208,319 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 111 in 2016
Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $126,192,601
Highest salary rank: No. 62 in 2024
Draft year: 2014
Runners up
Danny Green (2009): $104,606,233 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 76 in 2016
Norman Powell (2015): $102,862,988 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 87 in 2022
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Career earnings: $193,541,787
Highest salary rank: No. 3 in 2018
Draft year: 2006
Runners up
Maurice Williams (2003): $67,606,431 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 68 in 2011
Alvin Williams (1997): $41,720,992 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 88 in 2002
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $185,786,591
Highest salary rank: No. 11 in 2016
Draft year: 2007
Runners up
Terance Mann (2019): $28,231,283 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 146 in 2025
Isaac Austin (1991): $22,626,666 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 54 in 1999
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Career earnings: $38,758,139
Highest salary rank: No. 85 in 2014
Draft year: 2005
Runners up
James Jones (2003): $25,835,822 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 171 in 2010
Darius Songaila (2002): $25,337,931 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 148 in 2011
David Richard-Imagn Images
Career earnings: $29,833,765
Highest salary rank: No. 176 in 2024
Draft year: 2016
Runners up
Ryan Gomes (2005): $21,876,602 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 165 in 2012
Lavoy Allen (2011): $18,091,767 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 201 in 2016
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $79,272,208
Highest salary rank: No. 103 in 2014
Draft year: 2003
Runners up
Monte Morris (2017): $34,914,405 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 155 in 2022
Lawrence Funderburke (1994): $16,100,000 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 164 in 2004
Career earnings: $25,279,576
Highest salary rank: No. 184 in 2010
Draft year: 2002
Runners up
Vasilije Micic (2014): $15,446,000 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 190 in 2024
Jalen McDaniels (2019): $15,387,393 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 253 in 2025
Tim Defrisco /Getty Images
Career earnings: $45,045,948
Highest salary rank: No. 47 in 1996
Draft year: 1988
Runners up
Greg Buckner (1998): $29,653,476 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 185 in 2009
Charles Bassey (2021): $8,362,606 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 330 in 2023
Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Career earnings: $49,573,425
Highest salary rank: No. 69 in 2005
Draft year: 1996
Runners up
Mark Blount (1997): $44,649,672 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 86 in 2007
Zeljko Rebraca (1994): $20,290,000 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 149 in 2004
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $85,224,390
Highest salary rank: No. 87 in 2021
Draft year: 2009
Runners up
Luis Scola (2002): $47,153,438 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 70 in 2012
E’Twaun Moore (2011): $43,776,960 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 121 in 2017
Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Career earnings: $79,456,857
Highest salary rank: No. 56 in 2016
Draft year: 2005
Runners up
Ramon Sessions (2007): $36,276,568 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 133 in 2013
Chris Carr (1995): $4,140,000 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 257 in 1999
Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $129,539,615
Highest salary rank: No. 26 in 2013
Draft year: 1999
Runners up
Marcin Gortat (2005): $95,091,880 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 61 in 2015
Frank Brickowski (1981): $12,593,000 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 55 in 1996
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $15,648,668
Highest salary rank: No. 190 in 2024
Draft year: 2020
Runners up
Abdel Nader (2016): $7,917,045 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 348 in 2020
Jericho Sims (2021): $6,122,711 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 398 in 2025
Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $898,310
Highest salary rank: No. 400 in 2020
Draft year: 2019
Runners up
Jalen Harris (2020): $449,115 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 522 in 2021
D.J. Strawberry (2007): $427,163 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 440 in 2008
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Career earnings: $32,697,809
Highest salary rank: No. 99 in 2015
Draft year: 2011
Runners up
Sam Merrill (2020): $7,684,044 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 386 in 2025
Drazen Petrovic (1986): $4,190,000 in career earnings
Highest salary rank: No. 78 in 1991
