Imagine paying someone millions to sit on their ass and do nothing.
Not only are they not working for you, they haven’t worked for you in years.
And yet here they are, collecting your cheques from the comfort of their own home/couch/tropical island.
This is the position many teams find themselves in right this second.
Let’s take a look at ten of the most notable guys who’re still collecting that sweet, sweet cash money, despite leaving the NBA years ago.
Deron Williams
Suckers who’re paying him: Brooklyn Nets
Money owed since getting waived: $16.5 million
Paid until: 2019-20
Last played in the NBA: 2016-17 (last played well in the NBA: circa 2012-13)
Kevin Garnett
Suckers who’re paying him: Boston Celtics (although I’m sure they’re not too mad after that title in 2008)
Money owed since retiring: $35 million
Paid until: 2022-23
Last played in the NBA: 2015-16
Josh Smith
Suckers who’re paying him: Detroit Pistons
Money owed since getting waived: $16.2 million
Paid until: 2019-20
Last played in the NBA: 2015-16 (not including his 12 whole minutes with the Pelicans last season)
Monta Ellis
Suckers who’re paying him: Indiana Pacers
Money owed since getting waived: $11.2 million
Paid until: 2021-22
Last played in the NBA: 2016-17
Anderson Varejao
Suckers who’re paying him: Portland Trail Blazers (somehow)
Money owed since getting waived: $7.6 million
Paid until: 2020-21
Last played in the NBA: 2016-17
Matt Barnes
Suckers who’re paying him: Sacramento Kings
Money owed since getting waived: $6.4 million
Paid until: 2019-20
Last played in the NBA: 2016-17
Larry Sanders
Suckers who’re paying him: Milwaukee Bucks
Money owed since getting waived: $9.3 million
Paid until: 2021-22
Last played in the NBA: 2016-17 (last played for Milwaukee in 2014-15)
Kevin Martin
Suckers who’re paying him: Minnesota Timberwolves
Money owed since getting waived: $2.7 million
Paid until: 2018-19
Last played in the NBA: 2015-16
Tim Duncan
Suckers who’re paying him: OK, they’re probably not suckers in this case.
Money owed since retiring: $3.8 million
Paid until: 2018-19
Last played in the NBA: 2015-16
Andrew Nicholson
Suckers who’re paying him: Portland Trail Blazers
Money owed since getting waived: $19.9 million (!!)
Paid until: The end of time (ok not really, but 2023-24 isn’t much better)
Last played in the NBA: 2016-17
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