Sports Illustrated compiled its annual list of the 50 top paid athletes in sports (The Fortunate 50) and Celtics forward Kevin Garnett checks in at No. 7 with an estimated $32.8 million between salary and endorsements.That's the third highest in the NBA (only LeBron James at $44.5 million and Kobe Bryant at $34.8 million made more) and tops for the Boston market (Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is No. 9 at $30 million).
Garnett vaults back near the top after dipping to No. 15 on the 2010 list at $26.4 million. Not only did his salary jump up this year, but his endorsements spiked by $4 million (likely aided by a new shoe contract with ANTA and a new client in ZICO coconut water).
Celtics forward Paul Pierce is the only other Boston hoopster on the list, sneaking on at No. 49. Despite a slimmed down salary after signing a four-year deal last offseason, he checked in at $15.7 million overall with $1.8 million in endorsements.
(h/t: CelticsBlog)