One week before the NBA trade deadline, while many teams are keeping roster spots open for transaction flexibility, NBA veteran Tony Snell has been unable to find a home for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign, sources told Yahoo Sports.
The official deadline was 11:59 PM ET for Snell to sign with one of the league's 30 teams for the remainder of the season. That would have allowed Snell to accrue a 10th year of service for the Players Association's Retiree Benefits Program — beyond his only current qualification — which would cover health care for his entire family, including his two sons, Carter, 3, and Kenzo, 2, who have both been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
For many teams with open spots in the league, signing Snell to a record-breaking contract would have carried additional luxury tax implications.
There is a significant distinction at play, as a year of service is typically added for other salary purposes — such as players' eligibility to sign two-way contracts or the percentage of the maximum salary they are allowed to sign — by serving just one day on an NBA roster. League sources told Yahoo Sports that several teams would have signed Snell to a 10-day contract this week, if that was all that was needed to satisfy Snell's 10th season. But for the retiree benefits plan, as written in the collective bargaining agreement, there is a strict requirement that players be on an NBA roster for the rest of the season by February 2, or that the player has played 50% of the season. games.
Union members first receive pension and medical benefits after three years of NBA service. Upon completion of Season 7, players like Snell are given bigger plans with distinct benefits.
Snell remains a veteran piece for the Maine Celtics, Boston's affiliate, shooting 4-of-6 from long range for 12 points on Wednesday.
With all the national attention generated from the Snell story, which included Charles Barkley discussing Snell's situation on TNT Thursday night and the fact that several clubs were willing to extend his contract by 10 days, there is optimism that Snell could find himself in the NBA. . List at the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
“Coffee ninja. Web fan. Hipster-friendly beer enthusiast. Professional creator.”