I’m a former NBA star who signed a $26m contact in 2017 – I was made unemployed months later but I’m still getting paid

FORMER NBA star forward Andrew Nicholson has been out of the league since 2017 — but still continues to receive a paycheck from a team.

Nicholson was selected with the No. 19 overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.

Andrew Nicholson was drafted by the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2012 NBA DraftCredit: Getty

The Washington Wizards signed Nicholson to a four-year deal worth $26million in 2016Credit: Getty

Nicholson played 28 games for the Wizards before he was sent to the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadlineCredit: Getty
Across seven seasons (five in Orlando), he averaged six points and three rebounds per game.

In 2016, Nicholson signed a four-year, $26million deal with the Washington Wizards.

The Canadian big man played 28 games for the Wizards before he was sent to the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadline, who then waived him that summer.

The Portland Trail Blazers claimed Nicholson on July 25, 2017, but released him using the stretch provision before he suit up for the team.

As a result, Nicholson is due $2.8million each year from the Trail Blazers through the end of the 2023-24 season.

With his NBA career seemingly over, Nicholson made the transition to the Chinese Basketball Association, spending time with the Guangdong Southern Tigers, Fijian Sturgeons, and Guangzhou Loong Lions.

With the Loong Lions in 2019-2020, Nicholson averaged 26.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, but the team still struggled to a 10-36 record.

This month, Nicholson made headlines after Draymond Green ridiculed the former NBA player as the “most ridiculous player drafted over him.”

In turn, the former St. Bonaventure’s star addressed Green’s comments in an interview on the Hip Hop Hoops podcast.

“Honestly,” Nicholson said, “it is kind of unfortunate and I see it as an insecurity on his end.

“I didn’t know he was thinking about me for the last 11 years, I wasn’t thinking about him. I’m going to be honest with you.

“I was happy to see him succeed but I don’t know, maybe it is just the way I was raised, but I like seeing guys do well.”

Now 33 years old, Nicholson plays for the Chun Yu Bay Area Dragons in the Philippine Basketball Association.

During his time in the Philippines, Nicholson has embraced the culture and now owns two Filipino restaurants in his native Toronto.

“I love the culture,” Nicholson told Spin. “I love everything about it. It’s nice here, the food’s great. It’s a very good climate, so I’m just happy to be here.”

Nicholson last played in the NBA for the Nets in 2017Credit: Getty

Nicholson (pictured middle) was signed and waived by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2017 and is still being paid $2.6million each year until the 2023-24 seasonCredit: Getty