阿里扎近况：40岁破产宣告，5年后才领退休金，儿子力争NBA_the_an_in

Sure, here's the rewritten passage in an entertaining writing style:

Ever wondered what $116 million means?

For most of us regular folks, that's a sum we might not even touch in a lifetime, even if we hit the lottery every day for decades. But for former NBA star Trevor Ariza, it's just the total amount he earned in salary over his 18-year career, not counting endorsements and business deals.

Now, you'd think with that kind of money, he could roll around in gold for the rest of his life. But recently, everyone was shocked to hear that at 40, Ariza filed for bankruptcy.

It sounds like a tale straight out of fiction. A guy who played 18 seasons in the NBA, won championships with Kobe Bryant, teamed up with Yao Ming, and was part of the \"Lob City\" Clippers, how does he end up bankrupt just three years after retiring? Before we dive into that, let's recall Ariza's role on the court.

He entered the league in 2004, a mid-first-round pick, starting out with the Knicks and then the Magic without much fanfare. The turning point came when he was traded to the Lakers in the middle of the 2007-08 season. Back then, the Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, lacked a wing defender who could shoot threes. Ariza perfectly filled that gap. That year, he won a championship with the Lakers, and his value skyrocketed. Later, he joined the Rockets, becoming one of Yao Ming's most reliable teammates. Then, as part of the \"3-and-D\" prototype, he became a key player for the peak Rockets challenging the Warriors.

His entire career was a model of a top-tier blue-collar player: tough defense, no complaints, deadly three-point shooting, and high attendance. Players like him are a treasure for any team. So, it's no surprise he signed such lucrative contracts. His total career earnings of $116 million even rank among the top 100 in NBA history.

But how did such a seemingly steady and diligent player end up playing his cards so poorly?

It all boils down to one word: \"spending.\"

According to the U.S. media outlet \"Clutch Points,\" Ariza's bankruptcy filing was directly due to being unable to afford his exorbitant monthly child support payments. He submitted a detailed list of his monthly expenses to the court, and it's shocking.

Let's do the math: $14,000 per month for two children with ex-wife Bri Anderson, $10,000 per month for another child, plus $4,000 per month in spousal support for her. Just these expenses alone add up to nearly $30,000 a month.

And it doesn't stop there. He also has several luxury cars, with monthly payments and insurance totaling $14,000, $5,700 for his children's basketball camps and related costs, and even personal care items like massages, haircuts, and nail maintenance costing over a thousand dollars each month. What's more, his bill also shows he gives his new girlfriend $2,500 in spending money every month.

Put it all together, and Ariza's basic monthly expenses exceed $80,000.

You might be wondering, what about his retirement income from his playing days? Unfortunately, most of that money evaporated in a prolonged and costly divorce battle with Bri Anderson. The property division alone severely depleted his assets. His retirement pension from the NBA, which was supposed to be his stable income source for the rest of his life, also has to be split with his ex-wife. This legal separation even includes a restraining order, requiring them to maintain a 50-foot distance during activities involving their children. It's not just a divorce; it's a feud.

He pleaded financial hardship to the court, claiming his bank account was overdrawn by $230,000, and his properties were heavily mortgaged, leaving him with a net worth of negative $4.7 million.

In fact, Ariza's tragedy isn't unique in the high-stakes world of the NBA.

A widely circulated statistic claims that about 60% of NBA players go bankrupt within five years of retiring. It's a frighteningly high figure. From Allen Iverson to Shawn Kemp to Antoine Walker, prominent names have fallen victim to poor financial management.

Why does this happen?

Firstly, there's the inertia of spending habits. A player in their early twenties suddenly becomes a multimillionaire, easily losing themselves in luxury goods, sports cars, parties, and a swarm of \"friends.\" When they retire and income dwindles, those spending habits are hard to curb. It's like a fast-moving car suddenly running out of gas, with brakes that no longer work.

Secondly, there are failed investments. Many players have limited financial literacy and are surrounded by so-called \"financial advisors\" looking to make a quick buck off them. Real estate, Bitcoin, opening restaurants—many jump into trendy projects that often lead to financial ruin. Ariza was reportedly hit hard by losses in real estate and cryptocurrency.

Lastly, and most fatally, there's complex personal lives and failed marriages. This is especially common among African-American athletes. High child support payments and astronomical divorce settlements can turn any millionaire into a pauper overnight. Many players, like James Harden and Kevin Durant, remain unmarried, jokingly referred to by fans as \"frugal.\"

Returning to Ariza, many Rockets fans still sympathize with him. In 2018, the team—featuring Harden, Chris Paul, Ariza, and PJ Tucker—went toe-to-toe with the Golden State Warriors in a seven-game Western Conference final, sadly losing out. Everyone thought they would bounce back the next year. However, that summer, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta refused to offer Ariza a reasonable contract renewal to save on luxury tax, directly leading to the departure of this defensive core.

This split became a turning point in the Rockets' transition from success to decline, and it marked the beginning of Ariza's turbulent final years. He bounced around teams like the Suns, Wizards, Kings, and Trail Blazers, never recapturing his core status and tactical value from his Rockets days. If the Rockets had kept him, perhaps both the team's history and his personal destiny would have been different.

Now, trapped in dire straits, Ariza is pinning his last hopes on the next generation.

His eldest son, Tajh Ariza, is already a high school basketball star, inheriting his father's excellent athletic abilities and basketball IQ. According to major draft prediction websites, Tajh is considered a top pick in the 2027 NBA draft, even having the potential to enter the top twenty.

Ariza now focuses much of his energy on nurturing his son, which explains the staggering $5,700 monthly basketball training bill in his daunting financial statement. This money now seems more like a gamble, a bet on securing his future. If his son successfully makes it to the NBA and signs a big contract, Ariza's economic crisis could naturally be resolved.

But what if things don't go as planned? If his son's development falls short or suffers an injury, how will Ariza cope?

He can only wait.

According to NBA rules, players must reach the age of 45 before they can start receiving retirement benefits. At 40, Ariza still has a whole five-year \"window\" to endure. During these five years, there will be no income, just endless bills. And even that retirement pension, not exactly generous, will be split with his ex-wife—barely a drop in the bucket compared to his current mountain of debt.

A man known for his toughness and intelligence on the court, at 40, finds himself living such a destitute and passive life.

When the spotlight fades, the cheers die down, the only thing a person can rely on is their own wit and planning. Ariza paid a steep price of $116 million to give everyone an expensive lesson in financial management. Sadly, the tuition for this lesson was painfully high.