After defeating the New York Knicks 146-122 on Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Bucks are two wins away from winning the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament. In addition to the glory of being the first-ever champion of a tournament that appears to be here to stay, the Bucks could also find themselves richer if they win, as the winner will receive $500,000 in prize money and other cash incentives.
This may not seem like much to NBA top 1% earners like Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, but it seems to have motivated some. However, Antetokounmpo’s social commentary on the NBA In-Season Tournament financial reward will resonate with many fans who can only dream of earning NBA stars’ monthly salaries.
Are we getting paid? We got money? When TNT’s Jared Greenberg told Antetokounmpo that each Bucks player will earn $100,000 after reaching the semifinals, he seemed shocked. “The rich get richer.”
Rich grow richer; while the monetary prize is identical for all players, veteran minimum and two-way contract players will find these cash incentives life-changing. After all, the NBA In-Season Tournament victors will earn $850,000 each, comparable to what some NBA players make in a year.
That salary is roughly comparable to what Bucks prospects Andre Jackson Jr., Chris Livington, and AJ Green will make this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and the Bucks’ biggest earners may end up splitting the rewards with lower-paid players and staff.
Since practically everyone in the NBA is rich, Antetokounmpo is right that the rich get richer, as is the case worldwide.