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Most NBA players make so much money that they actually have no clue what to do with it. Sadly, without a proper financial adviser, young pros often spend every check that enters their bank account, knowing another will arrive in a couple of weeks.
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From treating friends to showing the women a good time, it’s not surprising to hear of NBA players struggling to make ends meet after their playing years end, having spent their salaries on trivial things instead of investing it. Former NBA champion Glen Davis has seen this firsthand and knows how generosity can burn a huge hole in a player’s bank account.
Survivor’s remorse
Most NBA players didn’t have a silver spoon in their mouths; most had to scratch and claw their way out of rough neighborhoods and put themselves in a position to reach the next level. At times, they never made it out on their own, often getting assistance from the community or the people they grew up with.
And as they start making it up, they usually bring the same group of friends with them – something that Allen Iverson famously did and unfortunately paid a dear price for. Davis asserted that learning how to say “no” is a tool that would bode well for every professional athlete.
“You come from poverty. Everybody’s trying to get their hand on the pot. You know, you got to start saying no and being okay. It’s hard, right? Because some of us that come from there got survival’s remorse,” Davis
“So now we want to bring everybody from the hood with us. Mhm. But that cost you $60,000.”
Given the fact that NBA players earn more than $100,000 per game, $60,000 might not seem like a lot. However, these things accumulate. In addition, given how fluid the league is, one can never know when an injury might occur and derail a player’s career and earning potential.
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“I’m going to play another four years. What I thought, you know, right? But now you get injured.Now you got to adjust, right? Can’t live like how you used to live,” Davis stated.
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Think about the long game
It’s understandable how most players can’t look at the long game when they’re earning millions per month. But as Davis learned, after his career was set back by a foot injury that sidelined him for the NBA after only eight seasons, things can happen, and players must prepare for any eventuality.
“You can’t go on the yachts in Miami for the weekend. You can’t, you know, you can’t see a fine little girl and buy her a book bag or, you know, a pocketbook. Oh, you just gave her $25,000 ’cause she’s sexy. You can’t do those things no more, right?” Davis asserted.
NBA players can earn enough money to last them a lifetime. However, they must learn how to be fiscally responsible from the get-go. Whether that’s living within their means by setting a budget or taking business or accounting courses to learn how to manage investments properly, players must keep the long game in mind when it comes to their resources.
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This story was originally published September 16, 2026 at 5:02 AM.