From a net worth of $116 million to the inability to pay child support, Kobe James's former teammates are in financial crisis

Imagine you've been an NBA champion, playing alongside the great Kobe Bryant, playing alongside another NBA totem, LeBron James, and not only that, but you've also earned great financial rewards and global fame. Former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Trevor Ariza has it all — from on-court success to a lavish lifestyle that includes luxury cars, mansions and private chefs. However, due to poor financial choices, he went from having $116 million to now being unable to afford child support.

Ariza began his professional basketball career in 2004 when he was drafted by the New York Knicks in the NBA Draft. After 18 seasons of stellar performance, he retired from the Lakers in 2022 and also won the NBA championship with Kobe Bryant in 2009. On the court, Ariza is an unstoppable superstar partner, but in life, he's in financial trouble.

Once upon a time, Ariza had it all — luxury sports cars, mansions, private chefs, and even a massive income of $116 million. However, due to a lack of sound financial planning, his wealth slipped like sand from his fingers. The one-time basketball star is now struggling to even pay child support.

Jacob Turner, a former MLB star, shared Ariza's story on social media, reminding people to avoid following his old path. Jacob points out that Ariza's biggest mistake was to build a lifestyle that can only be maintained if everything is perfect.

Jacob shared a detailed post on X describing Ariza's transition from a life of luxury to financial distress while reminding people to avoid repeating his mistakes.

Ariza earned a staggering $116 million in her career before retiring. For Jacob, the secret to sustainable financial stability is "no bad investments, consistent earning capacity, and returns that far exceed expectations." For superathletes, the antidote is "to build a lifestyle with a margin of safety." A lifestyle that doesn't require everything to be perfectly aligned. Jacob believes that a perfect race without savings will bring down every superstar.

Ariza has played for nine other teams in the NBA after being drafted by the Knicks in 2004. The pinnacle of his career was signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008 and winning the championship a year later. After playing for top teams such as the New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, and Sacramento Kings, he was drafted by the Lakers again last season. But with trouble at the wheel, he has no ball to play this summer.

Earlier this year, Ariza had to ask for a reduction in child support that he would pay to his ex-wife, Brie Anderson. After the settlement, the amount was reduced from $60,000 a month that Anderson had previously requested to $10,000.

In October, Ariza's ex-wife agreed to a settlement after Mr. Anderson insisted on a high sum of money, saying they lived in luxury together and that their children should continue to enjoy that lifestyle. However, Ariza claimed that his income has dried up and depleted his savings since leaving the NBA in 2022, saying he is cutting back on expenses. The former Lakers star said he no longer has a steady monthly salary and is living on a one-time payment of $418,000 from the NBA and $4,000 from property rentals.

As a result, the parties agreed to reduce child support to a low five-figure amount, and Anderson would not receive any spousal support from Ariza. His monthly expenses include $13,000 in mortgages, $13,000 in child support payments to his eldest son, Taji, $14,000 for multiple vehicles, and $19,000 for "other" expenses. The settlement includes Ariza to cover all of the child's school and medical expenses.

.data_color_scheme_dark{--weui-ORANGERED: #ff6146;--weui-BG-0: #111;--weui-BG-1: #1e1e1e;--weui-BG-2: #191919;--weui-BG-3: #202020;--weui-BG-4: #404040;--weui-BG-5: #2c2c2c;--weui-FG-0: rgba(255, 255, 255, .8);--weui-FG-HALF: rgba(255, 255, 255, .6);--weui-FG-1: rgba(255, 255, 255, .5);--weui-FG-2: rgba(255, 255, 255, .3);--weui-FG-3: rgba(255, 255, 255, .1);--weui-FG-4: rgba(255, 255, 255, .15);--weui-FG-5: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255, .1);--weui-RED: #fa5151;--weui-REDORANGE: #ff6146;--weui-ORANGE: #c87d2f;;--weui-YELLOW: #cc9c00;--weui-GREEN: #74a800;--weui-LIGHTGREEN: #3eb575;--weui-FIRE: #07c160;--weui-BLUE: #10aeff;--weui-INDIGO: #1196ff;--weui-PURPLE: #8183ff;--weui-WHITE: rgba(255, 255, 255, .8);--weui-LINK: #7d90a9;--weui-TEXTGREEN: #259c5c;--weui-FG: #fff;--weui-BG: #000;--weui-TAG-TEXT-RED: rgba(250, 81, 81, .6);--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-RED: rgba(250, 81, 81, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-ORANGE: rgba(250, 157, 59, .6);--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-ORANGE: rgba(250, 157, 59, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-GREEN: rgba(6, 174, 86, .6);--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-GREEN: rgba(6, 174, 86, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-BLUE: rgba(16, 174, 255, .6);--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-BLUE: rgba(16, 174, 255, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-BLACK: rgba(255, 255, 255, .5);--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-BLACK: rgba(255, 255, 255, .05)}.data_color_scheme_dark{--weui-BTN-ACTIVE-MASK: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255, .1)}.data_color_scheme_dark{--weui-BTN-DEFAULT-ACTIVE-BG: rgba(255, 255, 255, .126)}.data_color_scheme_dark{--weui-DIALOG-LINE-COLOR: rgba(255, 255, 255, .1)}.data_color_scheme_dark{--weui-BG-COLOR-ACTIVE: #373737}.data_color_scheme_dark{--weui-BG-6: rgba(255, 255, 255, .1);--weui-ACTIVE-MASK: rgba(255, 255, 255, .1)}.rich_media_content{color:#000000e5; font-size:17px; font-size:var(--articleFontsize); overflow:hidden; text-align:justify}.rich_media_content{color:#ffffffa6; color:var(--weui-FG-HALF)}.rich_media_content{position:relative; z-index:0}.wxw-img{vertical-align:bottom}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){body:not([data-weui-theme=light]) .rich_media_content img:not(.wx_img_placeholder){filter:brightness(.8)}}*{margin:0; padding:0}.rich_media_content *{max-width:100%!important; box-sizing:border-box!important;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box!important; word-wrap:break-word!important}.rich_media_content p{clear:both; min-height:1em}td p{margin:0; padding:0}body,.wx-root,page{--weui-BTN-HEIGHT: 48;--weui-BTN-HEIGHT-MEDIUM: 40; --weui-BTN-HEIGHT-SMALL: 32},.wx-root{--weui-FG-1: rgba(0, 0, 0, .55);--weui-ORANGERED: #ff6146;--weui-BG-0: #ededed;--weui-BG-1: #f7f7f7;--weui-BG-2: #fff;--weui-BG-3: #f7f7f7;--weui-BG-4: #4c4c4c;--weui-BG-5: #fff;--weui-FG-0: rgba(0, 0, 0, .9);--weui-FG-HALF: rgba(0, 0, 0, .9);--weui-FG-1: rgba(0, 0, 0, .5);--weui-FG-2: rgba(0, 0, 0, .3);--weui-FG-3: rgba(0, 0, 0, .1);--weui-FG-4: rgba(0, 0, 0, .15);--weui-FG-5: rgba(0, 0, 0, .5 05);--weui-RED: #fa5151;--weui-REDORANGE: #ff6146;--weui-ORANGE: #fa9d3b;--weui-YELLOW: #ffc300;--weui-GREEN: #91d300;--weui-LIGHTGREEN: #95ec69;--weui-FIRE: #07c160;--weui-BLUE: #10aeff;--weui-INDIGO: #1485ee;--weui-PURPLE: #6467f0;--weui-WHITE: #fff;--weui-LINK: #576b95;--weui-TEXTGREEN: #06ae56;--weui-FG: #000;--weui-BG: #fff;--weui-TAG-TEXT-RED: rgba(250, 81, 81, .6);-- weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-RED: rgba(250, 81, 81, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-ORANGE: #fa9d3b;--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-ORANGE: rgba(250, 157, 59, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-GREEN: #06ae56;--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-GREEN: rgba(6, 174, 86, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-BLUE: #10aeff;--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-BLUE: rgba(16, 174, 255, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-BLACK: rgba(0, 0, 0, .5);--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-BLACK: rgba(0, 0, 0, .05)}body,.wx-root{--weui-BG-6: rgba(0, 0, 0, .05);--weui-ACTIVE-MASK: rgba(0, 0, 0, .05)}@media screen and ( min-width:1024px){body:not(.pages_skin_pc){background:#191919; background:var(--weui-BG-2)}}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){body:not([data-weui-theme=light]).my_comment_empty_data{background-color:#111}}.wx-root,body{--weui-BTN-ACTIVE-MASK: rgba(0, 0, 0, .1)}.wx-root,body{--weui-BTN-DEFAULT-ACTIVE-BG: #e6e6e6}.wx-root,body{--weui-DIALOG-LINE-COLOR: rgba(0, 0, 0, .1)}.wx-root,body{--weui-BG-COLOR-ACTIVE: #ececec}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){.wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){-- appmsgExtra-BG: #121212}}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){.wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){--weui-ORANGERED: #ff6146;--weui-BG-0: #111;--weui-BG-1: #1e1e1e;--weui-BG-2: #191919;--weui-BG-3: #202020;--weui-BG-4: #404040;--weui-BG-5: #2c2c2c;--weui-FG-0: rgba(255, 255, 255, .8);--weui-FG-HALF: rgba(255, 255, 255, .6);--weui-FG-1: rgba(255, 255, 255, .5);--weui-FG-2: rgba(255, 255, 255, .3);--weui-FG-3: rgba(255, 255, 255, .1);--weui-FG-4: rgba(255, 255, 255, .15);--weui-FG-5: rgba(255, 255, 255, .. 1);--weui-RED: #fa5151;--weui-REDORANGE: #ff6146;--weui-ORANGE: #c87d2f;--weui-YELLOW: #cc9c00;--weui-GREEN: #74a800;--weui-LIGHTGREEN: #3eb575;--weui-FIRE: #07c160;--weui-BLUE: #10aeff;--weui-INDIGO: #1196ff;--weui-PURPLE: #8183ff;--weui-WHITE: rgba(255, 255, 255, .8);--weui-LINK: #7d90a9;--weui-TEXTGREEN: #259c5c;--weui-FG: #fff;--weui-BG: #000;--weui-TAG-TEXT-RED: rgba(250, 81, 81, .6);-- weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-RED: rgba(250, 81, 81, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-ORANGE: rgba(250, 157, 59, .1) 6);--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-ORANGE: rgba(250, 157, 59, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-GREEN: rgba(6, 174, 86, .6);--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-GREEN: rgba(6, 174, 86, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-BLUE: rgba(16, 174, 255, .6);--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-BLUE: rgba(16, 174, 255, .1);--weui-TAG-TEXT-BLACK: rgba(255, 255, 255, .5);--weui-TAG-BACKGROUND-BLACK: rgba(255, 255, 255, .05)}}@media(prefers-color-scheme: dark){..wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){--weui-BTN-ACTIVE-MASK: rgba(255, 255, 255, .1)}}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){.wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){--weui-BTN-DEFAULT-ACTIVE-BG: rgba(255, 255, 255, .126)}}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){.wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){-weui-DIALOG-LINE-COLOR: rgba(255, 255, 255, .1)}}@media( prefers-color-scheme:dark){.wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){-APPMSGCARD-BG: #1E1E1E}}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){.wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){--APPMSGCARD-LINE-BG: rgba(255, 255, 255, .07)}}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){.wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){--weui-BG-COLOR-ACTIVE: #373737}}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){. wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),,body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){--weui-BG-6: rgba(255, 255, 255, .1);--weui-ACTIVE-MASK: rgba(255, 255, 255, .1)}}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){.wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){--discussInput-BG: rgba(255, 255, 255, .03)}}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){.wx-root:not([data-weui-theme=light]),body:not([data-weui-theme=light]){--nickName-FG: #959595}}@media screen and (min-width:1024px){body:not(.pages_skin_pc) :root{-appmsgPageGap: 20px}}:root{--articleFontsize: 17px}:root{--sab: env(safe-area-input-bottom)}:root{--wxBorderAvatarRatio: 3}:root{--discussPageGap: 20px}:root{--appmsgPageGap: 20px}

div.autoTypeSetting24psection > p,div.autoTypeSetting24psection > section{margin-bottom: 24px;}