The NBA is a lucrative league for players and coaches alike, with some of the best minds in basketball earning millions of dollars per year. But who are the top earners among the NBA coaches in 2023? Here is a list of the top 5 highest-paid coaches in the league, based on their reported annual salaries.
1. Monty Williams – $10 million
Monty Williams became the highest-paid coach in NBA history in 2022, when he signed a five-year extension with the Phoenix Suns worth $50 million. Williams led the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance in 28 years in 2021, and was named the NBA Coach of the Year in 2022. However, he was surprisingly fired by the Suns in May 2023, after losing to the Denver Nuggets in the conference semifinals. Williams had three years and more than $20 million left on his contract.
2. Steve Kerr – $9.5 million
Steve Kerr is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, having won three championships with the Golden State Warriors in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Kerr also has the highest winning percentage among all NBA coaches with at least 400 games coached (.707). Kerr signed a five-year contract extension with the Warriors in 2018, worth around $47.5 million.
3. Gregg Popovich – $9 million
Gregg Popovich is the longest-tenured and most decorated coach in the NBA, having been with the San Antonio Spurs since 1996. Popovich has won five championships with the Spurs, and is the third-winningest coach in NBA history with 1,337 victories. Popovich also coached Team USA to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Popovich’s current contract with the Spurs runs through the 2022-23 season, and pays him around $9 million per year.
4. Doc Rivers – $8 million
Doc Rivers is one of the most respected coaches in the NBA, having won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008, and reaching the conference finals four times with different teams. Rivers joined the Philadelphia 76ers in 2020, after being let go by the Los Angeles Clippers. Rivers signed a five-year deal with the Sixers, worth around $40 million.
5. Erik Spoelstra – $7.5 million
Erik Spoelstra is one of the most innovative and consistent coaches in the NBA, having led the Miami Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2011 to 2014, winning two titles with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Spoelstra also guided the Heat to a surprise Finals run in 2020, despite being the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Spoelstra signed a four-year extension with the Heat in 2019, worth around $30 million.
Phoenix Suns sack coach Monty Williams after loss in NBA conference semifinals – Hindustan Times : Steve Kerr agrees to contract extension with Warriors – ESPN : Gregg Popovich’s new deal makes him second-highest paid coach behind Steve Kerr – CBS Sports : Doc Rivers agrees to become next head coach of Philadelphia 76ers – ESPN : Erik Spoelstra agrees to long-term extension to remain as Miami Heat coach – ESPN