SerpApi.Org
There has been a whole lot of talk lately about how much money NBA players actually make, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark decided to provide a breakdown and show his earnings on his YouTube channel. While doing so, Clark shared that every NBA player gets the same amount of money in licensing checks and that they got $385,000 in 2026.
“Another thing that we have is called an NBA licensing check,” Clark said. “So, every time you guys play 2K, buy cards from Fanatics, we have a new clothing brand for the NBPA that’s coming out called Players United. Anytime you guys spend money with any people that are sponsored with the NBA, we get paid for that.
“So, this year our licensing check was… $385,000,” Clark added. “That’s just for, like I said, 2K, spending money on cards, jerseys, like everything… The license, what it does is, instead of like LeBron James just making $30 million, all the players have came together and said we’re going to include everybody.
“So everybody gets an equal share,” Clark added. “No matter if you’re the top dog on your team or you’re the bottom dog, we all get the same amount of licensing checks. So that’s also a big, big plus.”
That’s definitely a good move on the National Basketball Players Association’s part. The likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry already make all the money in the world. This is a good way to spread the wealth to even those players at the end of the bench.
Now, Clark, whom the Timberwolves selected with the 53rd pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, actually did not get a licensing check for what was supposed to be his rookie season. He was a two-way player who missed the entire 2023-24 campaign due to a torn Achilles tendon, and players on those deals have to play or be active for 21 games.
Clark didn’t play at all, so he didn’t get paid. This check also only comes the year after, so the one that Clark got was for the 2024-25 season. It was his first licensing check, and here’s hoping he gets many more.
Clark would impress the Timberwolves on his return from his Achilles injury and was given a standard two-year contract in February 2025. They then re-signed the 24-year-old to a three-year, $10 million deal in July 2026.
“Obviously, it’s not $10 million,” Clark said. “It’s probably closer to like five, four depending on how everything works out, like my residency, moving to Nevada, trying to get out of California type thing. But yeah, still a lot of money. Very grateful to be in the position I’m in. Thankful to be still in Minnesota and everything. I just wanted to bring light to a situation that we are all well off, but we aren’t like ridiculously rich.
“And I feel like the stigma that comes with being an NBA player is the reason why a lot of guys burn through their money and have nothing when it’s left over,” Clark continued. “I live a pretty modest life. As you can see, I’m in a normal hotel right now looking for an apartment in Minnesota. But yeah, I’m not out here. I’m not Rolexed up. I’m not chained up because the type of money I’m dealing with is very blowthroughable.
“Now, I do understand I’m in a great position,” Clark added. “And I’m not complaining or nothing like that. I don’t want it to come across that way. I was just doing this for education purposes.”
Clark, who averaged 4.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game in 2025-26, wanted to make it clear he isn’t complaining about anything. We have seen Milwaukee Bucks guard Kyle Kuzma call out the players who complain about losing money to taxes and agent fees.
Clark just wanted to share what the reality was and is grateful to be in the position that he is.
