UConn in the NBA: Oct 24/25

[Supes]

Why not go overseas and make more money? His game is electric and would seem to thrive over there in that League with their style.

It's easier to get call-ups midseason if you're in the G-League, plus maybe he just wants to stay in America. Europe isn't going anywhere, my guess is he'll head overseas so he can make more money if he doesn't make it back to the NBA in the next ~2 years.

 

[Shine21]

Also, Simons is rumored to be on the trade block, too. That could open up minutes for him if he plays his cards right.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Hawk 20 off the bench rn

 

[superjohn]

Rich? No chance. Even if he saved, he has had very little income for a year to live.

He got a windfall, but no way is he set for life. He gonna have to earn. Taxes, agent fees, what he sworn when he was in nba. Unless he moving thrifty, I hope he is able to carve out a career and then rely on something else in his 30s.

He made $13 million in salary and had a multi year endorsement deal from Nike. He's set for life if he isn't a total with money.

 

[alphasigko]

I hope he has decided to get his act together and not waste the God given talent with which he was blessed.

 

[auror]

Google away for yourself but the links I looked at said more than half essentially go broke, bankrupt or have no meaningful money within two years leaving the league.

I'll leave you to fight the good battle between "most" and "some" if you'd like.

I think this is complicated but
1) most of these studies were down before 2010
2) the NBA has invested a lot of time and resources into educating young players about finances and the right kinds of financial adivsors following these damning studies
3) the culture of the league has evolved and most of them are better with money than they used to be
4) 50% of the league is on a contract right now that pays less than 13 million. There are a lot of minimum guys, 10 days, cup of coffee guys that eat into these stats. He made more money than most will in the league despite only playing 3 years so far.

But he still could have blown the money. We all saw the Doritos in the parking garage with the glock and $100k+ car.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Hawk 20 off the bench rn

He’s been diversifying his shot selection thus far which is great to see.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Spurs fans really love Castle. He’s gonna get early run off the bench 100%.

 

[UConnKev]

Well…that was quick…

 

[superjohn]

Well…that was quick…

It didn't make sense that any NBA team would sign him to anything.

I guess this was known, it releases him down to the G league team.

 

[Waquoit]

Google away for yourself but the links I looked at said more than half essentially go broke, bankrupt or have no meaningful money within two years leaving the league.

I'll leave you to fight the good battle between "most" and "some" if you'd like.

But it's not that they all piss it away. I saw where many of these players are bled dry by family.

 

[superjohn]

But it's not that they all piss it away. I saw where many of these players are bled dry by family.

Letting yourself get bled dry by family is also pissing it away.

 

[aceboon]

Well…that was quick…

it's probably transactional to assign him to the GLeague but I'll wait for confirmation. I remember that happening with Vital.

 

[Kitaman]

But it's not that they all piss it away. I saw where many of these players are bled dry by family.

family . . . . . . . and women. Players are gold digger targets. Their jackpot is having a child (a goal). Been that way for decades.

 

[cwh20]

But it's not that they all piss it away. I saw where many of these players are bled dry by family.

I can’t remember the athlete but he took not letting family, friends and hanger-ons bleed him dry to heart. He hired a “No” man right away. Uh yeah, good to see you. Oh, I hired a manager to help me with my money. You need to ask him. Of course he hired the manager to say no to pretty much everybody. I’d guess his mom got an allowance though. That was a pretty smart way to not be the bad guy or possibly give in to direct pressure.

 

[Samoo]

it's probably transactional to assign him to the GLeague but I'll wait for confirmation. I remember that happening with Vital.

That's what they are saying on the Blazers' web sites.

 

[The Yakk]

Not saying he should be poor and penniless, but a minimum of 50% of that is taken in taxes, insurance, agent fees, etc. Maybe it is up to 60% from what I have heard from other athletes. And most of it isn't a lump sum.

The hardest thing to do is live like you make $5 million a year when in fact, you only make $5 million a year for 4 years of a 40-year working career. His spending should be MUCH LESS than we think. You gotta be a miser IMO, to make it last.

We are looking at $9 million over four years. He has 40 more years of working. Now, let's say, because he is young, he spent half that money on houses, cars, expenses, taking care of fam and living expenses as a pro athlete.

So he should have what, 25% left for saving and investing? That gotta last him 40 years.

Right now, he is making ZERO, G League $40K. He losing money playing in the G League. So unless he watches expenses, he is going to be losing money every year he plays, what is he supposed to do for income when playing days are done? There is no way his income covers his expenses year over year. Not unless he saddles up and lives a middle class lifestyle.

Secondly, I used to work for a person who made millions. Every time we went out to dinner as a team that person would get the bill. Every Time. You think anytime James takes his friends, families out they paying?

Listen, I am not saying have sympathy, but Wall Street bonus people and real estate windfall recipients blow money just as fast.

If Hurley impressed on him to get a budget, and he is disciplined, he is fine. But this isn't Bobby Axe money.

Edit: When I was 22, I would have blown all the money. LOL.

LOL The "set for life" crowd probably a bunch of middle-aged dudes whose retirement goals are a lot lower than what James has earned to date.

In addition to ignoring all the above in JohnF's good analysis, they are probably assuming that inflation will be 0% for the next 50 years; and that James will never want to start a family or send a couple kids through college.

James definitely needs to keep earning, no doubt about that. I am betting he will figure it out, and when his playing days are over he will be able to mentor some other young knuckleheads.

 

[Storrs South]

 

[Deleted at users request]

Honestly, who cares about Donovan shooting 3s.

Here’s a list of the highest paid centers. Let me know how many of them shoot 3s compared to the ones that don’t. Especially the role players that don’t have offenses going through them and play strictly center (Minny made KAT a 4 and when Robinson comes back NYK may want the same).

The 25 Highest-Paid NBA Centers in 2026

Ten-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis leads the charge as the NBA's highest-paid center. He makes over $58 million per year.

frontofficesports.com

Donovan dominates the paint. The obsession with him proving he can shoot 3s is dumb. Catch lobs and get in the paint for offensive boards.

 

[giddyup]

Had he hung around for another year to develop in Hurley’s system as many thought he should maybe his career trajectory would have been better. Hope he grabs the brass ring this time. Always had the talent, just lacked resilience when big lights were on, IMO.

 

[NJHusky]

Honestly, who cares about Donovan shooting 3s.

Here’s a list of the highest paid centers. Let me know how many of them shoot 3s compared to the ones that don’t. Especially the role players that don’t have offenses going through them and play strictly center (Minny made KAT a 4 and when Robinson comes back NYK may want the same).

The 25 Highest-Paid NBA Centers in 2026

Ten-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis leads the charge as the NBA's highest-paid center. He makes over $58 million per year.

frontofficesports.com

Donovan dominates the paint. The obsession with him proving he can shoot 3s is dumb. Catch lobs and get in the paint for offensive boards.

Except that the top 3 guys on the list are all very good 3pt shooters. DC doesn’t need a 3 pt shot, but if he has it, why not use it?

 

[Deleted at users request]

Except that the top 3 guys on the list are all very good 3pt shooters. DC doesn’t need a 3 pt shot, but if he has it, why not use it?

If Clingan is going to be a 20+ PPG scorer than go for it. Those guys don’t just step out and shoot threes. They have full offensive games.

Unless Clingan is going to get a post game, dominant midrange like Joel and Jokic have, post moves, handle, etc. then I don’t see the point in focusing on it.

He’d be better suited in working on the post game or even a much easier to get 8’-15’ footer. Harteinstein just cashed out on having a 5’-8’ push shot lol

 

[caw]

He’s been diversifying his shot selection thus far which is great to see. View attachment 104225

They are running a lot of screens/picks to get him shots at the foul line. He still isn't really attacking the rim though.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Honestly, who cares about Donovan shooting 3s.

Here’s a list of the highest paid centers. Let me know how many of them shoot 3s compared to the ones that don’t. Especially the role players that don’t have offenses going through them and play strictly center (Minny made KAT a 4 and when Robinson comes back NYK may want the same).

The 25 Highest-Paid NBA Centers in 2026

Ten-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis leads the charge as the NBA's highest-paid center. He makes over $58 million per year.

frontofficesports.com

Donovan dominates the paint. The obsession with him proving he can shoot 3s is dumb. Catch lobs and get in the paint for offensive boards.

Bad take. Centers that can spread the floor and work in all areas are the ones that get paid and the ones that are best for their teams. Old school centers are being phased out.

 

[superjohn]

Except that the top 3 guys on the list are all very good 3pt shooters. DC doesn’t need a 3 pt shot, but if he has it, why not use it?

8 of the top 15 ranked centers in the NBA have a three point shot that is a major part of their game. It will be 9 of the top 15 ranked centers when KAT plays center for the Knicks this season.

 

[gtcam]

If he does get another chance, I hope he goes into with his head screwed on straight, however, all his past decisions don't portend well. To date, a true waste of God given talent.

 

[gtcam]

Had he hung around for another year to develop in Hurley’s system as many thought he should maybe his career trajectory would have been better. Hope he grabs the brass ring this time. Always had the talent, just lacked resilience when big lights were on, IMO.

An additional year would not have done squat. He was heading off the deep end and too many people were covering up his actions.
I do wish the best for the young man.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Bad take. Centers that can spread the floor and work in all areas are the ones that get paid and the ones that are best for their teams. Old school centers are being phased out.

Is that why Rudy Gobert got brought in so the center that shot 3s can be moved to the 4?

Lively and Gafford were huge parts to the Mavs run.

Hartenstein and Robinson were great on the Knicks.

I provided a list to look at. If you look at the 3 point shooting role playing centers, it’s actually THEM who are being phased out as they are in their upper 20s to 30s.

 

[DRBackup]

Some players piss it away, and the ones that do are famous for it. Most are, actually, careful enough (and some, like LeBron & KG, are/were notoriously cheap).

Anyway, Bouk made $13 million. He's gonna be fine in terms of money.

Allen Iverson made over $150M in his career and was B-R-O-K-E. The idea that Bouknight, who would have gotten no more then $6.5 after taxes is somehow immune to the exact behaviors that led Iverson to blow ten times as much money is patently ridiculous.

 

[DRBackup]

Rich? No chance. Even if he saved, he has had very little income for a year to live.

He got a windfall, but no way is he set for life. He gonna have to earn. Taxes, agent fees, what he sworn when he was in nba. Unless he moving thrifty, I hope he is able to carve out a career and then rely on something else in his 30s.

Indeed. I mean, what do you think the cost of living like an NBA player making $2M a year (after taxes) is ? Those things do not just disappear because your income source did. People generally live TO their means. Suggesting James Bouknight, of all people is an exception to that is also patently ridiculous.