As the NBA playoffs commence, players from playoff teams will collectively share $35.7 million in bonuses, an increase of $1 million from the previous season. The Oklahoma City Thunder, having finished the regular season with a record of 64-18, are favorites to win the championship and could earn a maximum of $12.8 million. The playoff pool is distributed based on team performance, with players on the best-performing teams receiving larger shares. Notably, the payout for the NBA champion has surged by 79% to $8.55 million due to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which has led to an overall increase in playoff earnings. In comparison, other major U.S. sports leagues like the NFL, NHL, and MLB offer significantly lower playoff bonuses, highlighting the NBA's lucrative financial structure. The average NBA salary exceeds $10 million, with top players like Stephen Curry earning $59.6 million this season.