Josh Smith Says $6.9 Million Salary Will Be 'Harder' on His Family

Josh Smith had an 8-figure NBA salary each of the last eight years, five in Atlanta, and three in Detroit. According to Basketball Reference, he’s made $93.9 million in his NBA career. Smith’s only 29, and should be in the League for at least a few more years.

Earlier this month, Smith signed with the Clippers for just $1.5 million, theoretically so he could contend for a title rather than collect a fatter paycheck on a bad team. But he’s also getting $5.4 million from Detroit – the Pistons cut him in the middle of last season, but still owe him the money, and it’ll be stretched out over the next several years – so Smith will be making $6.9 million during the 2015-2016 season.

Here’s what Josh Smith said at his introductory press conference this week:

"“At the end of the day, you know, I do have a family,” he said. “So it is going to be a little harder on me this year. But I’m going to push through it, you know.”"

This isn’t Latrell Sprewell “family to feed” territory, but it’s going to be widely mocked on the internet. Self-awareness is a good thing, Josh.