9 Formerly Rich NBA Players Who Fell Victim to Shocking Financial Frauds—Their Stories Will Leave You Speechless!
The Dark Side of NBA Glory: Stories of Financial Fraud and Fallen Stars
In the dazzling world of the NBA, where millions of dollars flow and legends are born, not all that glitters is gold. Behind the scenes, some players have fallen prey to greed, desperation, and poor choices, leading them into the shadows of financial fraud and scandal. This is the story of those broke NBA stars who chased money through illegal schemes, forever changing their legacies.
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Kawhi Leonard: The $28 Million No-Show Endorsement Scandal
In September 2025, investigative journalist Pablo Torres shook the basketball world with a bombshell report. Kawhi Leonard, a star known for his calm demeanor and clutch performances, was accused of orchestrating a scheme to bypass the NBA’s salary cap. Leonard signed a staggering $28 million, four-year endorsement deal with Aspiration, a green bank in Los Angeles. But this wasn’t an ordinary deal.
Aspiration’s contract with Leonard’s company, KL2 Aspire LLC, promised $7 million annually, requiring no actual promotional work. Leonard could refuse any company request and still get paid. Even more suspicious, the payments would stop if Leonard left the Clippers or retired, directly tying the money to his NBA tenure. Despite the massive payout, Leonard never appeared in commercials, social media posts, or public events for Aspiration.
Clippers owner Steve Balmer had invested $50 million in Aspiration before the deal, and the team announced a $300 million partnership with the bank shortly after. Many believe this web of financial ties was designed to funnel extra money to Leonard outside the salary cap rules. Aspiration later filed for bankruptcy, and its co-founder pleaded guilty to defrauding investors. The Clippers and Balmer deny any wrongdoing, claiming they were victims of a larger fraud.
Terrence Williams: Architect of a $4 Million Healthcare Fraud
Terrence Williams entered the NBA with promise, drafted 11th overall in 2009. But after years on the court, his legacy took a dark turn. Between 2017 and 2020, Williams masterminded a healthcare fraud scheme that cost the NBA’s health and welfare plan nearly $4 million. He recruited former players to submit fake medical and dental claims using forged invoices from clinics across the country.
Williams didn’t stop there—he impersonated a health plan employee and used intimidation to enforce kickbacks from players, pocketing at least $230,000 himself. His empire crumbled when federal authorities caught up with him. In 2023, Williams pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, ordered to repay $2.5 million.
Big Baby Davis: From NBA Champion to Convicted Fraudster
Ronald “Big Baby” Davis once stood atop the NBA world, winning a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and earning over $32 million in his career. But financial troubles after retirement, including child support and failed investments, pushed him into Williams’s fraudulent healthcare scheme.
Davis submitted false dental claims, including impossible overlaps with other players’ claims, exposing the fraud. In 2024, he was convicted and sentenced to 40 months in prison, marking a tragic fall from grace for the beloved big man.
Will Bynum and Tony Allen: Complicity and Redemption
Will Bynum, a scrappy point guard with $22 million in career earnings, deliberately submitted fraudulent claims totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars and paid kickbacks to Williams. Convicted for conspiracy to make false statements, Bynum served 18 months in prison.
Tony Allen, known as the “Grindfather” for his relentless defense and leadership, shocked fans by joining the scheme alongside his wife. Unlike others, Allen accepted full responsibility, cooperated with authorities, and avoided prison, receiving probation and community service. Yet, his reputation was forever tarnished.
Sebastian Telfair and Darius Miles: Squandered Potential and Criminal Choices
Sebastian Telfair, once a basketball prodigy, and Darius Miles, a promising high school phenom turned NBA star, both struggled financially after their careers. Telfair denied wrongdoing but was convicted for submitting false claims, facing additional prison time for violating supervised release.
Miles’s story is particularly tragic—earning nearly $62 million but losing it all to extravagant spending and bad investments, he turned to the same healthcare fraud scheme in desperation. His case highlights the dangers young athletes face without financial education and guidance.
Joe Smith: The Salary Cap Scheme That Cost Millions
Joe Smith’s story exposes how teams sometimes bend rules for financial gain. Drafted first overall in 1995, Smith turned down a massive extension, expecting a lucrative free agency. The Minnesota Timberwolves, constrained by the salary cap, secretly signed him to low contracts with a promise of a future $86 million deal.
The plan backfired when legal disputes exposed the written agreement, leading to severe penalties: hefty fines, loss of draft picks, and voided contracts. Smith lost millions and spent his career bouncing between teams, never reaching his full potential.
The 1985 NBA Draft Lottery: A Conspiracy That Haunts the League
Long before these player scandals, the NBA faced accusations of rigging the 1985 draft lottery to benefit the New York Knicks and secure superstar Patrick Ewing. Allegations claimed the Knicks’ envelope was chilled or marked, allowing Commissioner David Stern to select it deliberately.
Though no definitive proof emerged, the controversy led to changes in the lottery system and remains one of the most enduring conspiracies in sports history, reminding fans how financial incentives can cast shadows over the game’s integrity.
Final Thoughts
These stories serve as cautionary tales about the perils of wealth without wisdom, the corrupting power of financial desperation, and the lengths some will go to chase money beyond the rules. Behind the glamour of the NBA lies a complex web of human struggles, where fame and fortune sometimes lead to downfall.
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