Brandon Clarke died in May from an accidental overdose. The former Memphis Grizzlies forward was in the middle of a four-year, $50 million deal that started in 2023. And on Thursday, a Front Office Sports report stated the Clarke estate would not be paid the $12.5 million remaining on his contract.
But multiple NBA sources confirmed to Yahoo Sports that Clarke's contract was completely protected in case of death. The $12.5 million is expected to be paid in full through life insurance.
"It was very disappointing to see the misinformation that was reported," Priority Sports agent Mark Bartelstein told Yahoo Sports. "Brandon's contract was fully protected for a God-forbid occurrence. So Brandon's family and his estate are fully protected in Brandon's contract."
NBA contracts by default are not guaranteed in case of death. But it can be via negotiation, as was the case between Clarke's representation and the Grizzlies.
In Clarke's contract, it was agreed the team would reimburse for life insurance to protect against the possibility of death. This is a customary approach to player contracts across the NBA that provides the most beneficial protection for a player that can be negotiated in a contract, because it provides tax advantages to the player.

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