30 richest players in the NBA
By John Buhler
Al Jefferson
Center, Indiana Pacers
In his 13-year NBA career, center Al Jefferson is the master of spending three years with a team, getting paid, and then going somewhere else. The former No. 15 pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2004 NBA Draft has made a staggering $120,017,757 in his professional career.
Jefferson’s first deal was with the Celtics back in 2004 when he signed a three-year deal worth $4.5 million. Boston would exercise his team option for a fourth year worth $2.48 million in 2006. In summer 2007, Jefferson was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves where he would get his first big payday later that fall. Jefferson inked a fat five-year rookie extension worth $65 million.
In July 2010, Jefferson was traded from Minnesota to the Utah Jazz. He would play the next three seasons in Salt Lake City. Utah would later renounce his rights in July 2013, making him an unrestricted free agent July has been kind to Jefferson in terms of getting paid. He would then sign a three-year deal with the then Charlotte Bobcats worth $41 million.
After two years with the Bobcats/Hornets, Jefferson would exercise his player option for 2015-16 worth $13.5 million. Once that deal was paid out, Jefferson would hit free for a second time. He would garner a three-year deal worth $30 million with the Indiana Pacers in summer 2016.
Should Jefferson be able to play out his current three-year deal with the Pacers, he would stand to make roughly $139,787,578 before departing Indianapolis in his mid-30s. However, only $4 million of his 2018 money is guaranteed.
Overall, Jefferson has been an important near-All-Star level center throughout his NBA career. Teams like his ability to post-up and get buckets in the paint to help bring mediocre offensive teams along. However, his lumbering frame and lack of range as a shooter have not translated into staying power for many than three years with any team.