There is plenty of news about five- and six-digit contracts during the height of the NBA free-agency season. But who are the richest of the rich in the NBA? According to wealth analysis firm Wealth-X, longevity is a key factor to NBA players' net worth.
Top 10 Wealthiest NBA Players Slideshow
10. Tracy McGrady: $80 million
McGrady hardly counts as an NBA player anymore -- his court time this season consisted of just over 30 garbage time playoff minutes with the San Antonio Spurs. But T-Mac accumulated serious wealth from his superstar days with the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets. Plus, as Yao Ming's ex-teammate, he has always been wildly popular in China, where he played last year with the Qingdao Eagles.
9. Carmelo Anthony: $80 million
Anthony lacks the jewelry of his fellow 2003 top-five draft picks (even Darko Milicic has a championship ring), but he's doing just fine financially. 'Melo has an endorsement deal with Nike's Jordan Brand, among others, and his visibility has increased playing for the New York Knicks.
8. Dwyane Wade: $85 million
Wade used to rock Converse shoes and then switched to Nike Jordan Brand. Last year, he made the bold move of ditching the footwear titan for Chinese brand Li-Ning, which also offered him an equity stake in the company. Wade has been an advertising fixture, with the T-Mobile "Fave Five" series and recent Gatorade commercial alongside Kevin Durant to his credit.
7. Dirk Nowitzki: $90 million
Nowitzki has no agent and traditionally shies away from endorsements, but he's done well for himself business-wise. The longtime Dallas Mavericks star is entering the third year of a four-year, $80 million contract.
6. Vince Carter: $95 million
The years of "Vinsanity" have long since passed, but Carter is holding on to his prominent profile from that era. He earned lucrative contracts from the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets plus endorsement deals for his high-flying ways.
5. Ray Allen: $100 million
Despite becoming a role player for the Miami Heat, Allen remains in the spotlight thanks to his series-saving and possibly LeBron James-legacy-saving three-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals. His endorsement deals are minor, but a 17-year career of high salaries and a starring film credit in Spike Lee's "He Got Game" have boosted Allen's financial portfolio.
4. Tim Duncan: $100 million
Like Nowitzki, Duncan has never been one for the advertising world. He's also a regular in the NBA postseason and a 16-year veteran, so the potential marketing dollars don't matter much. Duncan wrapped up a seven-year, $122 million contract in 2010.
3. LeBron James: $130 million
James is only a 10-year veteran, but "The King" is a two-time defending champion and currently occupying his own stratosphere of marketability. He is endorsed by some of the world's largest corporations, including Nike, McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Samsung. Though James took a slight pay cut to sign with the Miami Heat in 2010, he still makes around $20 million annually off that contract.
2. Kevin Garnett: $190 million
With 18 years under his NBA belt, Garnett is the longest-tenured player on this list. The three-year, $34 million deal he signed with the Boston Celtics in 2012 made him the highest-earning player in NBA history, with contracts totaling over $328 million. "The Big Ticket" should continue to earn his nickname next year with his new team, the Brooklyn Nets.
1. Kobe Bryant: $220 million
With a trifecta of longevity, contractual riches and marketing stardom, Bryant is the runaway winner. He signed a seven-year, $136.4 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004, surpassing Garnett's six-year, $126 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves as the richest in league history (though not in annual value). Bryant's sponsorship image has recovered fully after his sexual assault case temporarily derailed it. He is incredibly popular internationally, especially in China post-Yao and McGrady.
-- Follow Alex Leichenger on Twitter @AlexLeich.
