Gilbert Arenas appeared on Kristine Leahy’s talk show Fair Game, where the former basketball player elaborated on how he made $62 million in just 17 games.
“It was funny to me when the media was laughing at me ‘cause I got amnestied,” he said, referencing his 2011 exit from the Orlando Magic. “I’m like, ‘Do you know they're gonna cut me and give me all my money?’ So, therefore, I’m gonna get all my money without actually doing anything. And you're laughing at me why?”
He then explained that he played in the 17 games because he chose to sign a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, instead of taking his money and quitting altogether. “Other than that, it would have been zero,” he said.
He added, “$62 million to sit on the couch? Sounds amazing to me.”
In 2010, Arenas was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Magic. After the NBA 2011 lockout, the Magic waived Arenas as the first casualty of a newly instituted amnesty clause. He then signed on to play with the Grizzlies for the 2011 to 2012 season.
Even though Arenas retired from the NBA in 2012, he probably still has game. Arenas hit 95 of 100 3-pointers for a $100,000 bet with former Wizards teammate Nick Young back in September. To that, Arenas said, “What did I shoot? Ninety-five out of 100, boy? I almost beat my old record—96 out of 100. Been sitting on my couch watching Netflix for the last four years, and I come out 95 out of a 100.”
