Who are the highest-paid NBA head coaches this season? Let’s dive into the masterminds who are earning the most money annually.
Highest-Paid NBA Coaches and Their Estimated Annual Salaries
The NBA is widely regarded as one of the most successful sports leagues in the world. The league is generating approximately $14 billion annually. Given that factor, the association has enough to pay its players a hefty amount.
However, it appears that NBA coaches also receive a generous amount in salary. Here’s a full list of the highest-paid NBA coaches and how much they make annually:
1) Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
- 2026 salary: $17.5 million
It’s no surprise that Steve Kerr is the highest-paid coach in the NBA. Throughout his years serving as the Golden State Warriors’ head coach, Kerr has produced four championship victories.
On top of his gold-winning résumé, Kerr is also responsible for leading the Warriors to a historic 73-9 record in the 2015-16 season, eclipsing the Chicago Bulls’ legendary 72-10 record.
Despite his recent backlash among fans, the Warriors organization remains loyal to the man who’s put the team back on the map and has rewarded him with a solid amount of salary.
2T) Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
- 2026 salary: $15 million
Similar to Warriors head coach Kerr, the Miami Heat are generously paying Erik Spoelstra for the success he’s brought to the team over the years. While it’s been over a decade since Spoelstra and the Heat last won a championship, there’s no denying how effective he is as a coach.
Back in 2020, Spoelstra led the Heat to the NBA Finals against LeBron James, the man who was responsible for winning him two championships in 2012 and 2013. Their NBA Finals appearance in the infamous NBA Bubble proved that Spoelstra still had what it took to lead his team to success.
2T) Tyronn Lue, LA Clippers
- 2026 salary: $15 million
Tyronn Lue can be considered an elite-level coach in the league today. While his LA Clippers aren’t necessarily doing well this season, he was given the contract due to his past experiences.
During James’ legendary run with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2010s era, Lue helped lead the team to one title victory in 2016 out of the team’s four consecutive appearances from 2015 to 2018.
4T) Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks
- 2026 salary: $11 million
Doc Rivers has been a questionable coach for the Milwaukee Bucks as of late. This is due to the Bucks placing 11th in the Eastern Conference this season.
Nevertheless, Rivers is still one of the highest-paid coaches simply for being himself. Rivers is a decorated coach who has produced one championship victory in his career in 2008, when he was still the head coach for the Boston Celtics.
In all fairness to Rivers, while the Bucks have been a mess all season, he led his current team to some kind of success last season. Rivers and the Bucks won the 2024 NBA Cup.
4T) Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks
- 2026 salary: $11 million
Despite being fired as the New York Knicks’ head coach, Tom Thibodeau was one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. Honestly, it was well deserved. In the 2020-21 season, he led the Knicks to their first playoff appearance in eight years, resulting in his Coach of the Year award victory.
Then, last season, before getting fired in the summer of 2025, Thibodeau led the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years.
6) Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers
- 2026 salary: $9 million
Rick Carlisle is a tenured coach in the league. In 2002, he won Coach of the Year as the Detroit Pistons’ head coach.
Then, in 2011, he led the Dallas Mavericks to a championship victory over a stacked Miami Heat. Finally, Carlisle made another finals appearance last season, this time with the Indiana Pacers.
While his Pacers haven’t been remarkable this season, this is due to the lack of talent on the roster. It’ll be interesting to see how far he’ll lead the Pacers next season when Tyrese Haliburton makes his return.
7T) Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers
- 2026 salary: $8.5 million
Similar to coaches Carlisle and Rivers, Nick Nurse has had a tenured career and was brought in by the Philadelphia 76ers in hopes of shaping the team into title contenders.
Back in 2019, he won the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors. Then, in the following season, he won the 2020 Coach of the Year award. However, now as the 76ers’ head coach, he has yet to lead the team to success.
7T) Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
- 2026 salary: $8.5 million
Jason Kidd will forever be recognized as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. However, now as an NBA coach, he has yet to prove to be among the league’s elite masterminds in the game.
While Kidd technically has won one championship as a coach, he served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Looking at his head coaching career, his most remarkable achievement was when he set the NBA record as the first rookie coach to win a Game 7 in the playoffs while on the road.
9T) JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers
- 2026 salary: $8 million
JJ Redick is the newest coach on the list. While he made his debut as a head coach only last season, he has proven to be an effective leader for the Lakers. Last year, he notched 50 wins in his rookie season.
In more recent news, Redick and the Lakers are currently enjoying a nine-game winning streak and are looking strong enough to secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference this season.
9T) Quin Snyder, Atlanta Hawks
- 2026 salary: $8 million
Last on this list is Quin Snyder. While not necessarily a championship-winning coach, he is one of the most tenured coaches in the league today. His contributions to many teams since 1992 have earned him the right to be paid a hefty amount, solidifying his place as one of the highest-paid coaches in the league right now.
