This article lists the highest paid basketball players measured by 2011 salaries, according to data variously culled from Yahoo! Sports and spotrac. Monies earned from endorsements are not included in each player’s earnings. These salaries are contingent on a resolution of the 2011 NBA Lockout.
The median 2011 salary, age, and experience of these players are $16,500,000, 30-years-old, and 10 years, respectively.
By position, eight of the highest paid players are power forwards, six are centers, six are shooting guards, four are point guards, and three are small forwards.
After reading “Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011),” return to these links to read “Highest Paid Baseball Players (2011),” “Highest Paid Football Players (2011),” and “Highest Paid Hockey Players (2011).”
1. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Kobe Bryant
NBA Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: SG
Age: 33
Experience: 15 years
2011 salary: $25,244,000
2. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Rashard Lewis
NBA Team: Washington Wizzards
Position: PF
Age: 32
Experience: 13 years
2011 salary: $22,152,000
3. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Tim Duncan
NBA Team: San Antonio Spurs
Position: C
Age: 35
Experience: 14 years
2011 salary: $21,300,000
4. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Kevin Garnett
NBA Team: Boston Celtics
Position: PF
Age: 35
Experience: 16 years
2011 salary: $21,200,000
5. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Gilbert Arenas
NBA Team: Orlando Magic
Position: SG
Age: 29
Experience: 10 years
2011 salary: $19,269,308
6. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Dirk Nowitzski
NBA Team: Dallas Mavericks
Position: PF
Age: 33
Experience: 10 years
2011 salary: $19,092,873
7. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Paul Gasol
NBA Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: C
Age: 31
Experience: 10 years
2011 salary: $18,714,150
8. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Carmelo Anthony
NBA Team: New York Knicks
Position: PF
Age: 27
Experience: 8 years
2011 salary: $18,518,575
9. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Amare Stoudemire
NBA Team: New York Knicks
Position: C
Age: 28
Experience: 9 years
2011 salary: $18,217,705
10. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Joe Johnson
NBA Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: SG
Age: 30
Experience: 10 years
2011 salary: $18,038,573
11. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Vince Carter
NBA Team: Phoenix Suns
Position: SG
Age: 34
Experience: 13 years
2011 salary: $18,000,000
12. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Dwight Howard
NBA Team: Orlando Magic
Position: C
Age: 25
Experience: 7 years
2011 salary: $17,885,400
13. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Elton Brand
NBA Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: PF
Age: 32
Experience: 12 years
2011 salary: $17,059,726
14. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Zach Randolph
NBA Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: PF
Age: 30
Experience: 10 years
2011 salary: $16,500,000
15. (tie) Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Chris Paul
NBA Team: New Orleans Hornets
Position: PG
Age: 26
Experience: 6 years
2011 salary: $16,359,805
Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Deron Williams
NBA Team: New Jersey Nets
Position: PG
Age: 27
Experience: 6 years
2011 salary: $16,359,805
16. (tie) Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): LeBron James
NBA Team: Miami Heat
Position: SF
Age: 26
Experience: 8 years
2011 salary: $16,022,500
Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Chris Bosh
NBA Team: Miami Heat
Position: PF
Age: 27
Experience: 8 years
2011 salary: $16,022,500
17. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Dwayne Wade
NBA Team: Miami Heat
Position: SG
Age: 29
Experience: 8 years
2011 salary: $15,512,000
18. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Paul Pierce
NBA Team: Boston Celtics
Position: SF
Age: 33
Experience: 13 years
2011 salary: $15,333,334
19. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Andrew Bynum
NBA Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: C
Age: 23
Experience: 6 years
2011 salary: $15,157,667
20. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Antawn Jamison
NBA Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: SF
Age: 35
Experience: 13 years
2011 salary: $15,076,715
21. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Rudy Gay
NBA Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: PF
Age: 25
Experience: 5 years
2011 salary: $15,032,144
22. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Brandon Roy
NBA Team: Portland Trailblazers
Position: SG
Age: 27
Experience: 5 years
2011 salary: $14,940,153
23. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Chauncey Billups
NBA Team: New York Knicks
Position: PG
Age: 35
Experience: 14 years
2011 salary: $14,200,000
24. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Al Jefferson
NBA Team: Utah Jazz
Position: C
Age: 26
Experience: 7 years
2011 salary: $14,000,000
25. Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011): Baron Davis
NBA Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: PG
Age: 32
Experience: 12 years
2011 salary: $13,950,000
Source(s):
“NBA Team Rosters,” Yahoo! Sports
“Top Base Salaries,” spotrac
