The allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the salary cap with Kawhi Leonard have led to some questions about how NBA players get paid, and Anthony Davis actually shared some insight into that last year.
The Clippers are being investigated by the NBA after evidenced was uncovered that suggests they funneled money to Leonard via a phony endorsement deal with a tree-planing company. All of the discussion surrounding the scandal led to some comments from Davis resurfacing.
During a June 2024 appearance on the “Join the Lobby” podcast, Davis was asked what the payment structure is like for NBA players. He said players get paid on the 1st and 15th of each month like most professions, but they get to choose whether they want their salary spread out over six months or a full year.
“You get to decide. You don’t get to decide from a standpoint of when you’re getting paid. Obviously, the 1st and 15th (of the month) just like every other job, but you get to decide if you want all your money in 12 months or six months,” Davis said.
Davis added that he is unsure if players are even aware that they can receive their year’s salary in six months. He said whether that is a good idea or not depends on the player’s spending habits.
“It depends on who you are and how you are financially. Are you stable enough to go the entire summer without getting a check, or do you need to get money because you spend a lot of money?” Davis said. “Obviously, coming in, I think a lot of guys go 12 months. But if you’re older and you’re financially stable and you got bread, I’m cool for the summer time. Give me all my money.”
Anthony Davis explaining how NBA players get paid.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 16, 2025
So interesting. (via @jointhelobbypod) pic.twitter.com/cUz0LSBXQn
The question for Leonard, of course, is whether he was receiving indirect payments from the Clippers in order to sweeten his contract. It does not sound like those payments came in the form of a check on the 1st or the 15th.
Some newer evidence that surfaced in the Leonard scandal looks even worse for the Clippers, but team owner Steve Ballmer has maintained that neither he nor anyone else with the franchise had anything to do with Leonard’s endorsement deal.
Davis has made more than $330 million on the court during his career. It makes sense that he is comfortable receiving his annual salary in a sixth-month period, as he probably has more than enough money to cushion him for the six months he does not receive a regular paycheck.
