Highest Paid Basketball Players (2011)

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