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The NBA has always been a league which has made and benefited from its superstars. The likes of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are global superstars today because of the league and they in turn have brought in huge revenues to the league.Here, we take a look at the top 10 highest paid players in the NBA at the moment.
#10 Chris Paul
Chris Paul is a point guard who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA.
Paul has been an NBA Rookie of the Year (2006), a seven-time All-Star, an All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Total earnings: $22.7 millionSalary: $18.7 millionEndorsements: $4 million
#9 Dirk Nowitzki
Nowitzki is one of the league's greatest foreign players and the first European player to start in an All-Star Game as well as the first to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
The Dallas Mavericks' power forward is considered one of the greatest of all time in his position. Such credentials and performances from the German earns him a cool $22,721,381 a year.
Total earnings: $23.2 million
Salary: $22.7 millionEndorsements: $500,000
#8 Dwight Howard
An eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA team selection, five-time All-Defensive member, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Howard has been ranked consistently as one of the best in the league in rebounds, blocks, field goal percentage and free throw attempts, and has set numerous franchise and league records.
Howard moved from the LA Lakers to the Houston Rockets in 2014.
Total earnings: $26.5 millionSalary: $20.5 millionEndorsements: $6 million
#7 Amar\'e Stoudemire
Stoudemire is a 6-time NBA All-Star who currently plays for the New York Knicks as a power forward.
His off-court ventures include a record label, a clothing line, acting and a series of children's books for Scholastic Press.
Total earnings: $28.2 millionSalary: $21.7 millionEndorsements: $6.5 million
#6 Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony has enjoyed superstardom in the NBA ever since he entered it as a rookie in 2004-05. The New York Knicks' power forward set the Knicks' single-game scoring record with a career-high 62 points against the Charlotte Bobcats in 2014 at the Madison Square Garden.
In 2012, he broke the United States men's Olympic team's record for most points in a single game when he scored 37 points against Nigeria.
Total earnings: $30.4 millionSalary: $21.4 millionEndorsements: $9 million
#5 Dwayne Wade
The Miami Heat guard is one of the most popular stars in the NBA and was instrumental in the team's back-to-back NBA title wins.
Wade also led the USA's 'Redeem Team' to the Olympic Gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Total earnings: $30.7 millionSalary: $18.7 millionEndorsements: $12 million
#4 Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder small forward, has won three NBA scoring titles, the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, and an Olympic gold medal.
Durant was instrumental in the Thunder's run to the NBA Finals in 2012.
Total earnings: $31.8 millionSalary: $17.8 millionEndorsements: $14 million
#3 Derrick Rose
The Chicago Bulls point guard was voted Rookie of the Year in his first season in the NBA(2008).
In 2011, he received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, becoming the youngest player ever to win this award (age 22). He also joined Michael Jordan as the only Chicago Bulls to ever win the honor of NBA MVP.
Total earnings: $38.6 millionSalary: $17.6 millionEndorsements: $21 million
#2 LeBron James
LeBron James has made the past few years his own by winningtwo NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, two NBA Finals MVP Awards, two Olympic gold medals, an NBA scoring title, and the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
The Miami Heat forward is considered to be as good as any to have played the game and attracts huge sponsorship deals.
Total earnings: $61.1 millionSalary: $19.1 millionEndorsements: $42 million
#1 Kobe Bryant
The 'Black Mamba' is the face of the NBA and is considered one of the best players ever to have graced the league.
The Los Angeles Lakers' shooting guard tops the list of highest earners with an annual salary of $30,453,805. Kobe just signed a new 2-year deal which will ensure that he remains on top of this list in the near future.
Total earnings: $64.5 millionSalary: $30.5 millionEndorsements: $34 million
