The ten highest paid players will earn $340 million all together this year through salary and endorsements. Seven of the ten play for either New York, Los Angeles or Chicago, while two others use a lack of income tax to their full advantage playing for the Miami Heat.

It should come as no surprise that the NBA’s highest paid player is Kobe Bryant, making $59.8 million in salary and endorsements this year. His salary of $27.8 million is $7 million higher than any other player in the league. He earns about $32 million from endorsements such as Nike, Mercedes Benz and Coca-Cola.

LeBron James comes in a close second, taking in $57.6 million. His salary of $17.6 million, however, is clearly well below that of Bryant.

Derrick Rose ranks third, earning $32.4 million. He made some of the most profitable moves in the NBA this season, with a $95 million contract extension with the Chicago Bulls and 13-year, $185 million Adidas deal.

Dwight Howard’s exit from the Orlando Magic is the most logical reason as to why he is as far as number 8 on the list, earning $26.5 million. Leaving the Magic caused both Coca-Cola and McDonald’s not to renew their sponsorship deals with Howard.

Teammate Pau Gasol closes out the list at number 10, raking in $21.5 million, mostly due to his $19 million playing salary.

Sean Levinson | Elite.