4 hours ago
6
February 26, 2025 | 08:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - When NBA conversations turn to coaches, it's no surprise that many highlight their immense talent and impact on player development. Not only are they experts at their craft, but some of the highest-paid NBA coaches also receive hefty paychecks that even rival those of the league’s players.
Exceeding US$8 million annually, NBA coaching salaries are a testament to the immense responsibility and expertise required to lead teams at the highest level.
List of the Highest-Paid NBA Coaches
Sportico has published its report on the highest-paid NBA coaches, and Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr leads the pack, with a staggering US$17.5 million for his average annual salary. Other top earners among NBA coaches include:
1. Steve Kerr - US$17.5M
Not only is Steve Kerr the NBA's most valuable player at US$9.14 billion, he also takes the crown among the highest-paid NBA coaches. Hired in 2014, his remarkable leadership has sent the Golden State Warriors to the brightest triumph of dominance, achieving four titles and six NBA Finals appearances in eight years.
2. Gregg Popovich - US$17M
A basketball legend, Gregg Popovich is recognized as the longest-tenured active coach in all U.S. major sports leagues. His profound impact on the game reached a historic milestone on April 13, 2019, when he became the NBA’s all-time leader in career wins with a total of 1,431. Popovich has been at the helm of the San Antonio Spurs for nearly 30 years now.
3. Erik Spoelstra - US$15M
Entering his 16th season as head coach of the Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra has solidified his reputation as the mastermind behind the team's success. Since Spoelstra took over on April 28, 2008, the HEAT have recorded the third-highest regular season winning percentage and fourth-highest postseason winning percentage, according to NBA.com.
4. Tyronn Lue - US$15M
On October 20, 2020, Tyronn Lue was named the 26th head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers. Lue’s remarkable impact was evident even during his debut season, where he guided the team to their first Western Conference Finals. Today, Lue has risen to prominence, marking his name as one of the highest-paid NBA coaches.
5. Michael Malone - US$12M
As the head coach of the Denver Nuggets, Michael Malone has been the driving force behind their victories since 2015. Under his leadership, the Nuggets have achieved a long list of milestones, including winning the 2023 NBA title and securing the 2nd seed in the Western Conference during the 2018-2019 NBA season.
6. Doc Rivers - US$11M
Doc Rivers has coached some of the NBA's most successful teams over the years, from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers. With a career full of accomplishments, including an NBA championship with Boston in 2008, Rivers has now cemented his reputation as one of the NBA's highest-paid coaches.
7. Tom Thibodeau - US$11M
Known for his gritty, defensive-minded coaching, Tom Thibodeau has left his mark on every team he’s coached, including the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks. For his brilliance, he earned the prestigious Coach of the Year award twice.
8. Mike Budenholzer - US$10M
Guiding the Phoenix Suns since 2024, he replaced Frank Vogel, who was fired after one season. Mike Budenholzer is perhaps best known for his time coaching the Milwaukee Bucks, where he led the team to an NBA championship in 2021.
9. Rick Carlisle - US$9M
Rick Carlisle’s coaching career spans decades, and he has been at the helm of the Indiana Pacers since 2008. His achievements are nothing short of impressive. Carlisle also cemented his place as one of 14 individuals to win an NBA championship as both a player and a head coach.
10. Jason Kidd - US$8.5M
A former NBA superstar, Jason Kidd is the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks and has firmly secured his place among the NBA's highest-paid coaches. Over the course of his career, Kidd has led four teams, including the Lakers, Bucks, and Nets.
The leadership of these NBA coaches affects everything from game strategy to team culture and, ultimately, the bottom line. If you’re inspired to explore further, be sure to check out the highest-paid NBA players here.
Editor’s Choice: Top 10 Tallest NBA Players in History, Meet the Giants of NBA
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Top 10 Tallest NBA Players in History, Meet the Giants of NBA
1 jam lalu
Height has always been a game-changer in the NBA, and these tallest NBA players ever have left a lasting impact on the sport.
Top 10 Highest-Paid CEOs in 2025: Number 1 is a Billionaire
15 hari lalu
Elon Musk holds the world's highest-paid CEO title in 2025. Examining beyond their paychecks, discover other successful leaders in business here.
Erick Thohir Seeks 10 Local Assistant Coach Candidates for Patrick Kluivert in the Indonesian National Team
36 hari lalu
PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir is seeking ten local coach candidates to assist the head coach of the Indonesian national team, Patrick Kluivert.
List of 53 Former Indonesian National Team Coaches Including Shin Tae-yong
49 hari lalu
Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) has officially sacked Shin Tae-yong from his position as Indonesia's national team coach.
10 Highest-Paid Female Athletes in 2024: Tennis Players Still Dominate
58 hari lalu
Check out the 10 highest-paid female athletes who earn their fortunes from prize money, salaries, payouts, bonuses, and sponsorships here.
Herve Renard's Profile: The Coach of Saudi Arabia Football Team
20 November 2024
Herve Renard is currently the head coach of the Saudi Arabian football team. Read more about Herv Renard's profile and career in brief here.
Top 10 Highest-Paid NBA Players in 2024, #1 is not LeBron James
19 November 2024
Stephen Curry is the highest-paid NBA player in 2024 with a salary of US$55.8 million. Check out the complete list here.
The Highest Paid Athletes in the World in 2024, Footballers Dominate
18 Agustus 2024
Explore the list of the highest paid athletes in the world for 2024, featuring record-breaking earnings and top sports stars.
NBA Muslim Players' Journey of Maintaining Performance During Ramadan
22 Maret 2024
NBA players are observing the holy month through fasting, prayer, and community, all while maintaining top performance on the basketball court.
FIBA World Cup 2023: 18,000 Spectators Recorded on First Day in Jakarta
26 Agustus 2023
Nearly 18,000 people flocked to the Indonesia Arena in Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium on the first day of the FIBA World Cup 2023.
