What do you consider "making it in the NBA"?

[Ineverplayedthegame]

Obviously an All-Star has made it.
A multi-year starter or rotation player has made it.
If you get that second contract you made it.
But what if you were drafted in the 1st round but shuttled between the Dleague and just sat at the end of the bench and never got that second contract.
What if you're a 2nd round or UDFA who primarily plays Dleague who has occasional short stints with various teams.
What if you got a 10 day contract.
The NBA pension vests after just 3 seasons. So there's that.
I guess my standard would be when you are no longer a NBA player you don't have to work because of money.

 

[mj2k10]

I would peg it at around 500 games played, though that obviously varies, as some guys never reach it because of injuries, yet get paid big bucks for years on end.

A player who hits 500 games had to play at least 7 full seasons, and had value in some form in the league.

The average number of guys per draft who go on to hit that mark is slightly above 20, and 20 legit, long-term NBA players per year seems about right to me. For the real impact guys, I'd say it's more like 800. Those are the guys who have decade+ careers, and includes all the best players except those unfortunate enough to have their careers cut short by injury. There are only about 10-12 of those on average drafted every year.

 

[BigKari]

Somebody posted a chart recently of the percentage of players in the league for each number of years. I can't remember how it broke down, but the number of players that have been playing for 5 or more years I think was less than 30% of the league. If you can stick around for even 5 years and put away enough money to live off of for retirement you've made it. Of course there are still very few players that realize how small their chances are of playing 5-10 years in the NBA.

I happen to know that De'Sean Butler once spent 850 dollars at McDonalds one night. That was 1/1000th of his salary for the year. Even worse he spent 20,000 at a club in one night, over 2% of his yearly salary. When he flamed out of the league after 2 seasons he had almost nothing.

 

[ganner918]

Getting to a second contract is definitely making it. Getting both team options picked up on your first round rookie contract and playing 4 years, making at least ~$5M is making it.

 

[ganner918]

Somebody posted a chart recently of the percentage of players in the league for each number of years. I can't remember how it broke down, but the number of players that have been playing for 5 or more years I think was less than 30% of the league. If you can stick around for even 5 years and put away enough money to live off of for retirement you've made it. Of course there are still very few players that realize how small their chances are of playing 5-10 years in the NBA.

I happen to know that De'Sean Butler once spent 850 dollars at McDonalds one night. That was 1/1000th of his salary for the year. Even worse he spent 20,000 at a club in one night, over 2% of his yearly salary. When he flamed out of the league after 2 seasons he had almost nothing.

Antoine Walker blew like $100M, stupid is stupid. If you make $5M, you've made it. If you blow it, you're stupid.

 

[420grover]

I'd say anybody making over 6 figures to play a game has made it.

 

[Born and raised Big Blue]

Retiring after three years

 

[BlueBomb]

Simple for me: Signing a second contract. That means you get past three years, most likely.

 

[truebluewildcat]

Second contract and not bouncing to and from the d-league.

 

[blubo]

A $million after taxes the first year i would consider having "made it."

 

[shidler]

Getting a multi year guaranteed contract. Even if it is a rookie contract.

 

[JFCats22]

Second contract

 

[rick64]

Different depending on your skill, talent and determination. Chuck Hayes was not a highly skilled or talented player. But he worked hard, rebounded and played defense. He played what 9-10 years in the league. I'd say he made it in the NBA.

 

[Deli owl]

Hitting the 1 million dollar plateau. By then you can play over seas or whatever.

 

[JFCats22]

Different depending on your skill, talent and determination. Chuck Hayes was not a highly skilled or talented player. But he worked hard, rebounded and played defense. He played what 9-10 years in the league. I'd say he made it in the NBA.

Hayes made $31 million in the NBA. Hell yeah he made it.

 

[nascarforthedead]

Lasting long enough to get a NBA pension.

 

[*CatinIL*]

"Making it in the NBA" is more than just money IMO.
I agree with others that said a second contract and I would also say not bounce between the league and the d-league.

 

[Gothic1960]

1. Get drafted. make team
2. Get that 2nd contract
and you're good to go if you go any financial acumen IMHO

 

[swflakat]

I'd say make it to second contract. That means you have played around three years, showed your worth in some way and are on board for another 3-4. Mark Pope played in 153 games in his NBA career as mostly career backup over 6 seasons. He made bank during that time even if he didn't make an impact.

 

[ganner918]

Hitting the 1 million dollar plateau. By then you can play over seas or whatever.

The rookie minimum is over $800,000. If you're drafted first round, you're guaranteed $2M over 2 years.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Second contract.

Last 5-8 years as a starter or key contributor.

 

[Deli owl]

The rookie minimum is over $800,000. If you're drafted first round, you're guaranteed $2M over 2 years.

Yup

 

[throatpoker]

A Lambo and sniffing coke off a former miss universe's ass

 

[poppycat]

I'd say anybody making over 6 figures to play a game has made it.

Yes, when you consider so many have no other skill
past factory work or some other 30/50 K per yr job.