Thabeet to D League

[The Pickle]

Do these guys really go on welfare, or are we just assuming that?

I would be shocked if they were on actual welfare. Broke? Yes. Welfare? Wow. I'm not sure about that.

EDIT: Tony Gwynn? Really? Isn't he still working as an analyst and part time hitting coach? I doubt he's on welfare.

Gwynn filed after his 6th season...

[muballer10]

For what, to be the number one pick?  He was #2 in last year's draft.

Salary for this year is $4.5 million.  Three year $13 million guaranteed.

If he never plays in NBA again, which I doubt, the guy is set for life. 

"IF" he ever plays in the NBA again? I highly doubt the Grizzlies are ready to write-off a $14M investment 3/4s of the way through a rookie season. Having said that, he is going to have a tough time finding meaningful minutes. You can't even really play the "oh well, he is young" card, because Marc Gasol is only 2 years older and miles ahead of Thabeet. Its tough keeping a "project" of a big guy on the floor to develop when you have a better version already - at nearly the same age.

Also, it mentioned in the article that Thabeet is the highest draft pick ever to suit up in the D-league, the next being Martell Webster with the 6th pick. I'm shocked there haven't been more complete whifs in the top 6 picks.

[MU B2002]

They probably have been bigger whiffs but the it could be the D-League wasn't an option back then.

[LA]

You have to think though that some teams simply won't send that high of a pick to the D league out of principle.

Also Martell Webster was only in the D league for about 2 weeks and he averaged 28 points or something stupid. I think it was more of a message to shape up rather than "you can't hang."

[martyconlonontherun]

I realize quite a few players have made some poor financial decisions but is the welfare comment really neccessary? I highly doubt there are too many former NBAers collecting welfare....bankrupt? Yes......welfare? No.

Agreed.
That was such a stupid argument, anyways. Well, he's going to blow the money anyways, so he wasn't smart in leaving early?

[The Pickle]

Agreed.
That was such a stupid argument, anyways. Well, he's going to blow the money anyways, so he wasn't smart in leaving early?

To be clear, that wasn't my argument...