For many former NBA players, retirement marks the beginning of a new chapter, one in which they can extend their finances and spend more time with their families. For others, life after basketball is just as challenging as life on the hardcourt, particularly due to financial disputes stemming from divorce or child support,
The league has seen its share of post-retirement legal battles involving former players and their previous wives, and the latest case is former NBA champion Trevor Ariza , who is being accused by his ex-wife, Bree Anderson, of failing to fulfill his child support obligations while continuing to enjoy an extravagant lifestyle with his current girlfriend.
The accusations add another chapter to an ongoing legal battle that has continued since Ariza retired in 2022. In her latest filing , Anderson claims Ariza failed to pay support required under the terms of their divorce.
In January 2024, a court ordered Ariza to pay $14,000 per month in child and spousal support. However, since then, Anderson alleges that the former Los Angeles Lakers still owed $36,0000 from their marital property split.
Aside from the missed payments, Anderson claims Ariza has not given any indication of his financial status for the court to analyze, following court filings that revealed the former forward now works as a trainer for people with disabilities , earning a $6,000-per-month salary.
Despite the mystery surrounding the true nature of Ariza's financial situation, Anderson also alleges that he and his new partner, Kristy, have continued to live a lavish lifestyle, including multiple trips this year to Turks and Caicos.
Anderson cited Kristy's Instagram stories featuring Rolex watches, Chanel handbags and other luxury items as proof that Ariza can provide the financial support he is required to give, but has since ignored.
Ariza has not responded to his ex-wife's allegations, while his new girlfriend has actually been posting more on her Instagram, seemingly taking shots at Anderson while still posting pictures with the 18-year NBA veteran.
The whole legal battle is the latest example of how past generations of league players have handled their finances after retiring. After being drafted in 2004, Ariza played with multiple franchises, including the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and the Lakers, with whom he won a championship in 2009.
Throughout his career, Ariza earned well over $110 million in salary alone, excluding endorsements and other business ventures. Now, he has claimed that his income has declined substantially and he is in a dire financial situation .
Although Ariza has not disclosed whether he has exhausted all his career earnings, he claims he generates income only through investments, primarily from Buffalo Wild Wings, from which he says he pulls in only $667 a month.
Ultimately, the court will have to determine whether Ariza has really failed to pay the ordered financial support to his ex-wife while continuing to live a lavish lifestyle with his new partner.
It's still quite imaginable how a player who earned millions upon millions during a long career entered a critical state financially, but it's not entirely out of the ordinary, given that he may just be one of many former players who have failed to capitalize on their career wealth post-retirement
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jun 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
