The Sacramento Kings continue to be one of the NBA’s most dynamic teams in 2025, both on the court and on the books. With big-name players, a reshaped roster, and rising league-wide salary caps, the Kings’ payroll is a hot topic this season. This in-depth, SEO-friendly article explores the average salaries, payroll structure, market factors, and the broader economic context for NBA salaries in 2025.
💰 Total Payroll & Average Salary
In 2025, the Sacramento Kings’ estimated total payroll falls between $169 million and $182 million, placing them around the middle of the NBA in team salary rankings.
Average Salary Breakdown:
Total payroll: $181.8 million
Roster size: Approx. 13–15 full contracts
Average salary: Roughly $14 million per player, though top stars earn significantly more.
Top Contracts:
Zach LaVine: $47.5 million
Domantas Sabonis: $42.3 million
DeMar DeRozan: $24.75 million
Malik Monk: $18.8 million
Keegan Murray: $11.1 million
📊 Key Factors Influencing Salary
1. Star Power and Role
Top-tier players like LaVine and Sabonis drive up the team’s average salary, while younger players and role contributors fill in the remaining cap space.
2. NBA Salary Cap Increase
The NBA increased its salary cap by 10% for the 2025–26 season. The cap rose from approximately $140.6 million to $154.6 million, with a luxury tax threshold of $187.9 million. The Kings are nearing that threshold, which limits further spending without tax penalties.
3. Roster Moves
Recent blockbuster trades have reshaped the team:
De’Aaron Fox was traded to San Antonio in exchange for Zach LaVine and draft picks.
DeMar DeRozan joined the Kings via a sign-and-trade in mid-2024.
These moves shifted the team toward a veteran-heavy salary structure.
📈 Salary by Experience & Role
Here’s how the team’s salaries break down based on player experience:
Superstars (LaVine, Sabonis): $40M–$50M
Veteran All-Stars (DeRozan): $24M–$25M
Established Starters (Monk, Murray): $10M–$19M
Role Players (Chris Duarte, Jevon Carter): $3M–$6M
Two-Way and Rookie Deals: $1M–$3M
🧠 Comparisons to Other Roles
To contextualize NBA earnings, here are rough salary comparisons for common roles:
Peloton Instructor: $80,000 – $150,000
Test Engineer: $75,000 – $100,000
Senior Lead Navigator (e.g., at Auxano Health): $90,000 – $110,000
Take-home on a $103K salary: After federal and state deductions, about $70,000–$76,000
Even a bench player in the NBA earns significantly more than most professionals in other industries.
🎓 Education, Experience, and Certifications
While education plays a role in many professions, in the NBA:
Talent, draft position, and performance outweigh formal education.
College basketball or international league experience is common.
Rookie scale contracts are standardized by draft position.
Performance incentives (All-Star selections, playoff wins) can significantly increase earnings.
🔮 Job Market Trends & Outlook
The outlook for NBA players remains strong due to:
Rising media revenue and international growth.
Expanded salary cap, giving teams more flexibility to pay top talent.
A shift toward superteams, concentrating payroll in a few high-value players.
For the Kings specifically, they are likely to face tough decisions in the next 1–2 seasons:
Whether to re-sign stars or move them to manage cap space.
Balancing high-cost veterans with developing talent on affordable contracts.
✅ Benefits Beyond Salary
NBA players, including those on the Kings roster, receive:
Guaranteed contracts (for most veteran players)
Performance bonuses and incentives
Health and dental insurance
401(k) retirement plans and pension benefits
Travel, housing stipends, and media exposure
These perks add significant value on top of the already high salaries.
🧾 Summary Table
Category | Amount / Range |
---|---|
Total Team Payroll | $169M – $182M |
Average Player Salary | $14M |
Top Player (LaVine) | $47.5M |
Rookie/Two-Way Salary | $1M – $3M |
NBA Salary Cap (2025) | $154.6M |
Luxury Tax Threshold | $187.9M |
🏁 Final Thoughts
The Sacramento Kings’ 2025 salary structure reflects a win-now mentality with major investments in star talent. While this creates short-term competitiveness, it also introduces long-term financial constraints. As the NBA salary cap continues to grow, teams like the Kings must strategically balance high-value veterans with affordable youth.
Understanding the economic dynamics behind these decisions provides insight not just into player earnings, but into how championship-caliber teams are built.