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Former NBA player Tony Snell has officially missed the ᴅᴇᴀᴅline to sign with an NBA team and qualify for the league’s premium lifetime healthcare plan to cover his family.
The 32-year-old has been playing for the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, since 2023. After spending nine years as a role player in the NBA, Snell was pushing for a return to the league in hopes of receiving retirement benefits given to players who play a minimum of 10 years.
After gaining sympathy and backing from the fanbase and NBA community, Snell officially missed the ᴅᴇᴀᴅline on Friday, February 2. As a result, he is ineligible to receive the benefits package needed to aid his sons’ autism treatment.
As the story gained more traction, NBA legend Charles Barkley pleaded for a franchise to sign Snell before the ᴅᴇᴀᴅline.
‘I’m hoping — you know, the NBA’s been great to all of us sitting up here — I hope one of you guys sign Tony so his two autistic kids can get great medical care,’ Barkley said during a segment of NBA on TNT.
Former Chicago Bulls swingman Tony Snell missed the ᴅᴇᴀᴅline to resign with an NBA team
Snell campaigned for return to the NBA to qualify for a health care plan that covers his sons
Snell and his sons have been diagnosed with Autism but his benefits only covers his treatment
After playing for nine seasons, Snell needs one more year in the NBA to get his family covered
‘It’s something I truly need,’ Snell told Yahoo! Sports in January. ‘Not only for myself, but for my wife and my kids.’
Snell revealed that he was also diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. While his years in the NBA can cover his own treatment, he needed one more season with a team for his sons to be covered.
‘I was not surprised, because I always felt different,’ Snell told NBC’s Today. ‘I was just relieved, like ‘Ahh, this is why I am the way I am.”
The NBA requires players to have three years of experience to qualify for individual lifetime health insurance. Once a player spends at least 10 years in the league, they become eligible for premium benefits which includes lifetime health insurance for family members.
Snell could still sign with an NBA team next season. However, the veteran has struggled to get minutes in Maine as the G League is structured to develop younger talents.
Snell has appeared in 14 games this season while averaging 4.1 points.
