Dropping the Ball: A Recent History of NBA Players Who Went Broke

Image via Complex Original

In the most-anticipated NBA free agency offseason in history, everyone seems to be getting paid. (Darko Milicic getting 20 million? FOH.) But ballers beware: your loot can be lost a number of ways: Uncle Sam, baby mamas, shady investors, and assorted leeches are all waiting for their piece of your NBA contract. So, as the league

Estimated career earnings: $29 million

How he went broke: Caffey owed monthly child support payments to the eight mothers of his ten children. He was arrested in 2007 for failure to make child support payments and filed for bankruptcy later that year.

Complex says: Dude went hard in the paint and kept it raw—off the court, that is.

Estimated career earnings: $60 million

How he went broke: Besides the $30,000 in housing costs for his $4 million mansion which went into foreclosure in 2009, Curry also owed $580,000 on a loan in Vegas which had an 85% interest rate.

Complex says: Taking out a loan with an 85% interest rate is much like the Knicks

Career earnings: $63 million

How he went broke: Over $40,000 in monthly expenses including child support for his seven children (by five women) and a pre-nup settlement worth nearly $6 million caused Anderson to file for bankruptcy in 2005.

Complex says: One of Anderson

Estimated career earnings: $87 million

How he went broke: Coleman lost most of his earnings in failed real estate investments in Detroit and lavish spending including a collection of 40 Rolex and Breitling watches. He filed for bankruptcy in April of this year after owing creditors $5 million.

Complex says: Dude better hit up Hov and the Nets' crazy billionaire owner for a job.

Estimated career earnings: $96 million

How he went broke: After turning down a three-year, $21 million contract in his final season, Sprewell had two of his mansions foreclosed on, his $1.5 million yacht repossessed, and faced many lawsuits—including one for $200 million from an ex-girlfriend seeking alimony and child support.

Complex says: Spree should

Estimated career earnings: $110 million

How he went broke: Walker said he supported a 70-person entourage, made failed real estate investments in Chicago, and dropped thousands on a single hand while gambling with MJ. Walker's now playing professionally in Puerto Rico, owes $4 million to creditors, and faces felony check-fraud charges in Las Vegas.

Complex says: Walker's ex-fiance appeared on Basketball Wives this year and said they separated months earlier because she discovered his infidelity. And by "discovered his infidelity" she means: discovered he was broke as fuck.

Estimated career earnings: $120 million

How he went broke: Pippen lost most of the money earned during his 17-year career through bad investments, such as a $4 million Gulfstream jet that ended up needing $1 million in repairs.

Complex says: Pippen may always be known as Robin to MJ