Former NBA player Evan Turner reflected on his mindset heading into free agency, revealing how his expectations changed overnight despite initially being satisfied with the possibility of signing a $50 million contract.
Turner recalled speaking with his agent shortly before free agency began and receiving encouraging news about the offers they expected to receive.
At the time, the former NBA guard was comfortable with the idea of securing a deal worth approximately $50 million.
“I talked to my agent the night before it starts. He said, ‘We should be straight. We’ll have some dope stuff going. We gonna start at like $50 million.’”
Turner explained that his initial reaction was positive, and he had no hesitation about accepting a contract of that size.
“I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s perfect. I’ll do $50 million.’”
However, his perspective changed after he went to bed. Turner recalled waking up in the middle of the night and suddenly questioning whether the amount would actually satisfy him.
“And I just remember going to sleep and waking up in the middle of the night and being like, ‘Bro, if they give me $50 million, I’m gonna be mad…’”
Turner attributed the change in his thinking to his previous contract, explaining that he felt pressure to compensate for what he had earned earlier in his career.
At the same time, he recognized the importance of appreciating the financial opportunity in front of him rather than becoming overly focused on securing a larger deal.
“Like, in my head, ’cause I had to make up for the last one. But I also like, ‘No, be grateful.’”
