Tony Snell was unable to find an NBA team to sign him heading into the weekend, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports.
Snell had a February 2 deadline to sign a contract for the remainder of the season. That would have allowed him to accrue a 10th year of service for the Players Association’s retiree benefits program, which would cover healthcare for his whole family. He has two young sons who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Multiple teams would have signed Snell to a 10-day contract if that was all that was required to satisfy Snell’s 10th season, Fischer adds. However, the criteria for accruing a year of service is stricter for the retiree benefits plan — a player needs to play at least 50% of the season’s games or sign a rest-of-season contract by Feb. 2.
Snell, who is currently playing the NBA G League’s Maine Celtics, did not play in an NBA game last season.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Former NBA player and Pistons community ambassador Earl Cureton died unexpectedly on Sunday morning at the age of 66, the Pistons’ PR department tweets. A 12-year NBA veteran, Cureton was part of two championship teams — the Sixers in 1982/83 and the Rockets in 1993/94. Cureton also played three seasons with the Pistons and spent time with the Bulls, Clippers, Hornets and Raptors.
- Jerome Allen will be the head coach for the USA AmeriCup qualifying team for its February games against Cuba, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets. He replaces Dave Joerger, who returned to the NBA as a Bucks assistant under Doc Rivers. The USA team is looking to qualify for the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup. Allen had been an assistant with the Pistons the past two seasons.
- There’s increased speculation that this year’s trade deadline will be relatively quiet, according to Mark Medina in a Sportsnaut.com story. Medina notes that many of the big names on the trade market before and during the season have already been moved. It’s unlikely any star players will be traded and a majority of teams don’t have a lot of incentive to make a bold move before the offseason.
Man that sucks for Snell.. luckily he’s very wealthy and I’m sure he can take care of his kids…. it reminds me of something the Marlins did for Mike Mordecai in baseball 15-20 years ago. He was around 20-40 ab’s for his 10th year of service to qualify for a full MLB pension…. the Marlins let him start a bunch of games in September to get those at bat’s. It was great of them.
Why does this keep being framed as a zero sum game with Snell? Can’t he accrue the service time say over this year and next? Also does it have to be a standard contract? As in 10 day contracts don’t help at all?
Feel like a team in the basement should have given him a contract just for the hell of it. Pistons couldn’t find a spot? Or wizards? Hornets? Spurs? I mean grizzlies have had nothing but injuries couldn’t do it? Little disappointed in nba teams honestly.
I’m all for players getting their money but the dude’s made over $50 million in his career, he should be able to take care of his family. If these teams give “find” a spot over a young player that’s on the bottom of the depth chart that’s taking money out of that players pocket who chances are need it more than he does.
He’s also only 32 and at most one year away from a college degree. Get that bachelor’s and get a good job that offers good insurance.
Yeah he has so many options it’s a bit of a stretch to paint this guy as if he needs this or his kids can’t get help. There are plenty of families barely able to make ends meet with kids with health issues or disabilities who will never make $5 million in their lifetime let alone $50.
Forgetting a couple things chuck.
1 taxes so cut 50 mill to 25 mill. So he’s making on average less than a mill a year over the course of his life.
2 your scenario does nothing to help the family in the event he dies early. Hope he lives a long life but could die at 36 46 56 having that life time health plans especially with kids with disabilities is a nice just in case
My Predictions on Stars Destination
DLo (to Bulls or Nets)
Vucevic (to Warriors or Magic)
DeRozan (to Lakers or Knicks)
Markkanen (to Hawks or Thunder)
Hayward (to Nets or Mavs)
I dont think Markanen will get traded.
The other trades could make sense, depending on the compensation.
DLo to the Bulls and Nets makes sense.
Vucevic to GS is what I have been saying, I don’t think Orlando is a good choice.
DeRozan puts NY to a title contender.
Hayward to the 76s I think he can be traded there. Idk about the Nets or Mavs
I have been saying Lauri and Kessler to OKC would put them over the top. OKC can put Chet at the PF and switch to C. Jazz trade Lauri and Kessler to OKC for Giddey, Poku, jaylin williams, Arron Wiggins with as many 1st as they can. Lauri is the same age as SGA and SGA cannot be surrounded by younglings
Bulls won’t make a move because they’re inept and clueless in the FO.
He made 52 million dollars in his career. I think he and the family will be okay.
One of the dumbest stories of the year, dude can easily afford great health insurance coverage with how much he made in his career.
New health insurance usually does not cover existing conditions..
So if he didnt have it before diagnosis and his boys are heavily autistic, it can cost quite a bit I guess in the US.
I understand he still tries to get that health insurance for his kids. This might be almost 200 years of healthcare costs for both kids combined. We are not talking about 1 million in healthcare costs…
It will eat into whatever is left of his 52 million career earnings.
There are only 6 teams out of contention: Detroit, Washington, Charlotte, San Antonio, Portland and Memphis.
Besides Toronto all other teams still have a shot at Playins and still might want to improve their rosters.
Play-in tournament made that there are less sellers and less good deals to be made.
Lifetime benefits for his entire family for only 10 years? Police, Fire, etc. Don’t get that! Give me a break. Basically wants NBA welfare.
Why do people run for congress. Lifetime benefits for just 4 years. Their retirement package is better than anyone in America.
RIP Earl the curl
I first heard about this Snell thing two weeks ago. Why wasn’t he making this a big deal at the beginning of the season? 52 million is alot really working in any form. some single mothers raise these types all by themselves making peanuts. He should of tried harder I guess. I felt bad at first but then realized he has made a lot and should of saved some. NBA is welfare now? Welfare NBA where only offense and weak mentally rule the league. Plus nobody cares about anyone anymore except themselves so he probably won’t get signed. The world is full of ignorance and selfish greedy people. The world is doomed. We only want 15 young guys running around jacking up threes, who cares about veterans and your elders SMH. The young generation has ruined everything and will continue. Everyone only cares about themselves but maybe someone will sign him. I would do anything for anyone but it gets old helping everyone when nobody will be there for you or will think of the next person
Tough time to be a free agent named Snell.
And 82-year old Matt Snell can’t get an NFL team to sign him, either.
RIP, Earl Cureton. Good player. Even though he played for rival teams of my favorites, I liked the guy.
Always thought Snell was a true professional and played hard when given minutes. It’s unfortunate he wasn’t able to catch on with a team this year but he did make over $50MM thanks in large part to the contract John Hammonds and the Bucks gave him. I’m sure he can afford private health insurance for his family or find a job outside of basketball which offers his family healthcare insurance.
I’m sure he has insurance already somewhere some how it may cost $2000 a Month. But he’s got insurance.