February 4th 2024.
It seems that Tony Snell is still in need of a contract with an NBA team in order to reach his tenth year of service in the league. This milestone would grant him access to a better healthcare plan that would allow him to add his family, instead of his current plan that only covers himself. According to reports from Yahoo Sports, the NBA's collective bargaining agreement states that a player must either be signed to a team by February 2nd or have played in at least 50% of their team's games to qualify for their tenth season of service.
This situation has sparked a larger conversation about the American healthcare system, which often relies on employers to provide access to healthcare benefits. In this case, the employer is the NBA, and despite Snell's successful career and significant earnings, his family is not eligible for the premium healthcare benefits offered by the league. This has caught the attention of Charles Barkley, co-host of NBA on TNT, who has been vocal about his frustrations with the league's treatment of retired players.
Barkley has called on NBA teams to step up and help Snell, stating: "The NBA's been great to all of us sitting up here. And you guys are gonna be playing basketball forever making a gazillion dollars. I hope one of you guys signs Tony so his two autistic kids can get great medical care...I hope a team signs him for the rest of the season, because I don't know a lot about autism, I ain't gonna say that. But man, I know it's gotta be expensive to have two young kids with that situation. I'm hoping the NBA, we always talk about what a family we are, let's sign that kid for the rest of the season."
It was revealed in an interview on The Today Show in June of 2023 that Snell and his two young children are on the autism spectrum. Snell shared that he had recently been diagnosed and that it helped make sense of many aspects of his life. His wife, Ashley, also spoke about their journey to get their son Karter diagnosed, stating that he had shown signs from a young age, such as a love for basketball and certain repetitive movements.
Snell explained that his son's diagnosis led him to seek out his own diagnosis, stating: "I'm like, if he's diagnosed, then I think I am too...That gave me the courage to go get checked up." He described the diagnosis as a relief, finally understanding why he had always felt different and finding clarity in his life.
According to reports, there are several NBA teams with roster spots available that could potentially sign Snell to a standard contract, allowing him to qualify for the premium family health plan offered by the league. However, four of these teams are currently over the luxury tax, which means they would have to pay more for Snell's contract. These teams include the Lakers, Warriors, Celtics, and Heat. The remaining teams with available spots are the Bulls, Cavaliers, Pacers, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Trailblazers, and Wizards. Snell last played for the Pelicans in 2022, but with the upcoming trade deadline on February 8th, it may be challenging for teams to make room for him on their rosters.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract status, Snell remains hopeful that a team will pick him up and is willing to accept any role, even if it is a bench position. This situation has shed light on the importance of benefits and support for retired NBA players, especially those with families to take care of. It is a reminder that while the NBA may be a lucrative and glamorous profession, it is essential to take care of the players who have dedicated their careers to the league.
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