The highest-paid U.S. sports stars in 2018, ranked

New York Mets v Miami Marlins — Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Major sports contracts keep getting bigger.

Thanks to big-money broadcasting deals, the most talented superstars in the world continue to break the bank. We've compiled a ranking of the highest-paid athletes in the United States — per Spotrac — for the 2018-2019 NFL and NBA seasons along with the 2018 MLB season.

The power-hitting outfielder is in the second season of a four-year, $110 million deal with the New York Mets. Cespedes' deal also includes a full no-trade clause.

24. Paul Millsap: $29.23 million

Denver Nuggets v Utah Jazz — Gene Sweeney Jr. / Getty Images

In the 2018-2019 NBA season, Millsap will be in the final campaign of a two-year, $61 million contract with the Nuggets. Denver does have a team option that would pay the basketball star an even $30 million in 2020.

23. Matt Ryan: $29.25 million

Divisional Round - Atlanta Falcons v Philadelphia Eagles — Patrick Smith / Getty Images

In the 2018 offseason, Ryan signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons to become the NFL's first player to average $30 million per season.

(TIE) 18. Albert Pujols: $30 million

Texas Rangers v Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Back in 2012, Pujols departed the St. Louis Cardinals for the Angels on a 10-year, $240 million contract. The Angels will pay the likely Hall-of-Fame baseball player through 2021, and his pact includes a full, no-trade clause, among other incentives.

(TIE) 18. Miguel Cabrera: $30 million

Detroit Tigers v Colorado Rockies — Dustin Bradford / Getty Images

The Tigers slugger is currently in the third season of an eight-year, $248 million contract with Detroit. The two-time MVP is signed through 2023, and his deal includes a two-year vesting option if Cabrera finishes in the top 10 in MVP voting in 2023.

(TIE) 18. Jake Arrieta: $30 million

Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves — Getty Images

Prior to MLB spring training, Arrieta signed a three-year, $75 million pact with the Philadelphia Phillies that includes a player opt-out after the 2019 season.

(TIE) 18. David Price: $30 million

Divisional Round - Houston Astros v Boston Red Sox - Game Three — Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

Price is currently in the third season of a seven-year, $217 million pact with the Boston Red Sox. The left-handed pitcher is able to opt out of his deal after the current season.

(TIE) 18. Kevin Durant: $30 million

2017 NBA Finals - Game Five — Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

In the offseason, Durant signed a two-year, $61.5 million contract extension with the Golden State Warriors. The deal includes a player opt-out after the 2018-2019 NBA season.

17. James Harden: $30.42 million

Los Angeles Clippers v Houston Rockets - Game Seven — Scott Halleran / Getty Images

In the 2018 NBA campaign, Harden will be in the final year of a four-year, $117.96 million pact. The Houston Rockets superstar has already signed a four-year, $169.3 million extension that starts in 2019.

16. Mike Conley: $30.5 million

San Antonio Spurs v Memphis Grizzlies - Game Three — Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

The Memphis Grizzlies guard will be in the third season of a five-year, $152.6 million deal inked in 2016. Conley has an early-termination option following the 2020-2021 NBA season.

15. Paul George: $30.56 million

Oklahoma City Thunder v Golden State Warriors — Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

Instead of departing via free agency, George signed a hefty, four-year, $136.91 million contract extension to remain with the Thunder. The five-time All-Star has a player option for the 2021 campaign.

14. Kyle Lowry: $31.2 million

Toronto Raptors v Denver Nuggets — Matthew Stockman / Getty Images

Lowry will enter the second season of a three-year, $100 million deal with the Toronto Raptors in 2018.

13. Gordon Hayward: $31.21 million

Charlotte Hornets v Boston Celtics — Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

In Hayward's first season with the Boston Celtics, the star forward suffered a leg injury that cost him the entire campaign. The former Jazz basketball player will make more than $31 million in his second season of a four-year, $127.83 million deal that was signed in 2017.

12. Blake Griffin: $32.09 million

Memphis Grizzlies v Detroit Pistons — Leon Halip / Getty Images

During the 2017 NBA offseason, Griffin signed a five-year, $171.2 million pact with the Clippers. Months later, Los Angeles traded the star forward to the Pistons, activating a 15 percent trade bonus in his contract. Griffin will now make slightly more than $32 million in the 2018 NBA season.

11. Clayton Kershaw: $33 million

League Championship Series - Chicago Cubs v Los Angeles Dodgers - Game One — Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

In 2014, Kershaw inked a seven-year, $215 million deal with the Dodgers. The left-handed pitcher will earn $33 million in 2018, and he'll be able to opt out of the pact in the upcoming offseason.

10. Mike Trout: $33.25 million

Boston Red Sox v Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Arguably baseball's best player, Trout is in the third season of a six-year, $144.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The two-time MVP's salary jumped from $19.25 million in 2017 to $33.25 million this season.

(TIE) 7. Chris Paul: $35.65 million

Houston Rockets v Golden State Warriors - Game Four — Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

Prior to the season, Paul inked a four-year, $159.73 million contract extension to remain with the Rockets. The nine-time All-Star is signed through the 2021 campaign.

(TIE) 7. Russell Westbrook: $35.65 million

Oklahoma City Thunder v Boston Celtics — Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

2018 will be the first year of Westbrook's massive five-year, $205 million pact with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The dynamic point guard will be eligible to hit the free-agent market following the 2023 season.

(TIE) 7. LeBron James: $35.65 million

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers-Media Day — Getty Images

The biggest acquisition of the offseason, James joined the Lakers on a four-year, $153.31 million deal. James' contract includes a player opt-out after the 2020 NBA season.

6. Stephen Curry: $37.46 million

Oklahoma City Thunder v Golden State Warriors - Game Seven — Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

During the 2018-2019 NBA season, Curry will be in the second season of a five-year, $201.2 million extension with the Golden State Warriors. He'll be a free agent after the 2022 season.

5. Alex Smith: $40 million

Denver Broncos v Washington Redskins — Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

After being traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Redskins in the offseason, Smith signed a four-year, $94 million contract extension with Washington that included a $27 million signing bonus. The deal gives the quarterback a $40 million payday in 2018.

4. Aaron Donald: $40.89 million

Los Angeles Rams v Arizona Cardinals — Christian Petersen / Getty Images

The Rams' star defensive lineman signed a massive six-year, $135 million contract extension prior to the 2018 regular season. Donald's deal includes $86.89 million in guarantees.

3. Khalil Mack: $41 million

Seattle Seahawks v Chicago Bears — Getty Images

After the Raiders dealt Mack to the Bears, the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year inked a six-year, $141 million contract extension with Chicago. Mack's pact makes him the highest-paid defensive player in the league.

2. Jimmy Garoppolo: $42.6 million

San Francisco 49ers v Los Angeles Rams — Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

During the NFL offseason, Garoppolo signed a five-year, $137.5 million contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers. Averaging $27.5 million per season, the Niners quarterback will make $42.6 million in 2018 because of a $35 million roster and signing bonus.

1. Aaron Rodgers: $66.9 million

Green Bay Packers v Dallas Cowboys — Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

The highest-paid U.S. athlete in 2018, Rodgers signed a four-year, $134 million extension to remain with the Packers. The two-time MVP has a total of $98.7 million guaranteed.