Gilbert Arenas Received Wizards Payments Five Years Post-Retirement

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, known for his dynamic playing style and controversial career, continued to receive a substantial paycheck long after his last game in the league, as revealed in an interview on Vlad TV. Despite retiring after the 2011-2012 season, Arenas was paid through 2016 under a lucrative contract with the Washington Wizards.

In 2008, Arenas inked a six-year deal worth $111 million with the Wizards, positioning him among the NBA’s top earners at the time. This contract notably extended payouts well beyond his active playing days. During his conversation with Vlad, Arenas discussed the financial arrangement, emphasizing that he “earned every dollar of it.”

Vlad humorously remarked on the situation, noting, “So for five years, you got to just sit around on your couch,” highlighting the unusual scenario of one of the highest-paid players not actively playing in the league.

Arenas’s tenure with the Wizards was particularly significant. He joined the team in 2003, a crucial period following Michael Jordan’s final retirement. The team’s owner, Abe Pollin, had high expectations for Arenas, who had previously played for the Golden State Warriors and later moved on to the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies.

On an episode of his podcast, No Chill with Gilbert Arenas, featuring ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Arenas recalled a pivotal conversation with Pollin. “I get the call from Abe Pollin. And he says, ‘Whatever you want, you did what you said you were gonna do. You got me out of my Jordan era, you turned this franchise around, and I owe you whatever you want,'” Arenas recounted.

Arenas’s impact on the Wizards was undeniable, making three All-Star teams and helping to keep the team competitive and relevant in the post-Jordan NBA landscape. His career, though marred by controversies, remains a testament to his significant contributions on and off the court.