NBA players and their lifestyles have always been extravagant, thanks to the lucrative multi-million dollars that they receive from their respective NBA teams. However, such multi-million dollar deals are given only to star players or important role players who directly contribute to a team’s victories, and overall business.
When players make that ‘big jump’ in their career, from a regular NBA player to an ‘important’ NBA player, their current contracts get immediately changed. The NBA teams ensure that the player stays with them by luring them with lucrative financial deals. In a recent podcast, a former Warriors star recollects his first massive splurge amid his 14-year NBA career.
Ex-Warriors Star’s Massive Splurge
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Jason Richardson is an ex-Warriors star, who played in the NBA from 2001 to 2015. He is a two-time NBA Dunk Contest champion, and was one of the best dunkers of the 2000s. In a recent “Knuckleheads Podcast” episode, one of the co-hosts asks Jason Richardson what was the first thing he bought after his first ‘big’ paycheck. Jason Richardson replies, “Cadillac Escalade 310.” The ex-Warriors star explains that he did enjoy the car but “It’s $40,000 car worth a $175,000 because of the taxes from the companies and stuff…”
The former two-time Dunk Champion was all smiles when he talked about the Cadillac Escalade even though it may have not been the most financially sound purchase. However, he is not the only NBA superstar to have gone on an insane money-spending spree after their first big ‘payday’.
Other NBA Stars With Their First Big Paycheck
Today, Shaquille O’Neal is known for his incredible business acumen and his strong financial decisions. However, that was not the case when Shaq just joined the NBA. After getting his first-ever big ‘pay-check’, the 7-foot-tall Lakers legend did the unthinkable. Within an hour of his first professional signing in 1992, he went on a shopping spree and splurged more than $1 million. In his first purchase, he bought a $150,000 Mercedes Benz for himself and another one of the same for his father. He then followed that up with a smaller Mercedes Benz worth $100,000 for his mother. Shaquille O’Neal bought three Mercedes Benzes at once and used the rest of his money to pay off all of his parents’ debts.
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Another former NBA Player who had a big money splurge with his first ‘big pay-check’ was Gilbert Arenas. Arenas bought a Cadillac Escalade with a ton of upgrades including suede detailing throughout, as well as six TVs! His rookie salary before his draft was $845,000 and this single purchase of his was easily over $200,000.
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What are your thoughts on Jason Richardson’s purchase with his first big paycheck? Let us know in the comments below!
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