Top 5 Highest-Paid Coaches in the NBA

Who are the highest-paid coaches in the NBA? Let's look at the top annual salaries for NBA head coaches.

5. Monty Williams, Detroit Pistons: $13 million

Monty Williams reset the coaching market in the 2023 offseason after signing a six-year, $78.5 million contract with the Detroit Pistons to be their next head coach. Williams makes approximately $13 million per season. At the time, it was the largest coaching deal in NBA history.

In his first season, Williams struggled in Detroit, leading the Pistons to a 14-68 record. Despite good odds to win the NBA Draft Lottery, the Pistons fell to the No. 5 pick.

4. Ty Lue, Los Angeles Clippers: $14 million

On May 29, 2024, the Los Angeles Clippers extended head coach Ty Lue to a five-year, $70 million deal. Lue's annual salary is $14 million. Since becoming the Clippers coach in 2020, the Clippers have made the playoffs in three of four seasons, reaching the conference finals in 2021.

Before moving to Los Angeles, Lue served as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lue won the NBA Championship with the Cavs in 2016 after overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors.

3. Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat: $15 million

On January 9, 2024, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra signed a record-breaking eight-year contract extension worth more than $120 million. It's the most committed money in North American coaching history. With the extension, Spoelstra makes around $15 million per season.

Since becoming the head coach in 2008, the Heat have become a model NBA franchise. With LeBron James in Miami, Spoelstra led the Heat to four straight NBA Finals from 2010 to 2014, winning the title in 2012 and 2013. The Heat also made the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023.

2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs: $16 million

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is the NBA's all-time winningest coach. He's also paid like the best coach in the league. On July 8, 2023, Popovich agreed to a five-year contract extension worth more than $80 million. Popovich's annual salary comes to around $16 million. However, it does not factor in his salary as the Spurs' president of basketball operations.

Since becoming the coach in 1996, Popovich has won five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014). With Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs could become one of the best NBA teams soon.

1. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors: $17.5 million

On February 23, 2024, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr signed a massive two-year, $35 million contract extension through the 2025–26 campaign. At $17.5 million per season, Kerr is the highest-paid coach in the NBA.

In his first season as the Warriors head coach in 2014, Kerr won the NBA Championship. Kerr has gone on to win three more NBA titles (2017, 2018, and 2022).