What was Willis Reed’s net worth? Fortune of NBA legend explored as he passes away aged 80
Willis Reed’s net worth was estimated to be in the millions of dollars. The basketball legend spent 10 years in the NBA, earning many valuable contracts with the New York Knicks.
During his basketball career, Reed was a double-double machine and one of the toughest players to guard. However, he was paid nowhere as much as NBA players are paid in 2023. Despite this, Reed's contracts were quite valuable.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Willis Reed’s net worth was $5 million in March 2023.
The Knicks legend died Tuesday at the age of 80.
Besides being a player, Reed was also a coach and an executive.
Willis Reed’s net worth benefit from his basketball career
Standing at 6-foot-10, Reed dominated basketball courts and established himself as one of the NBA's best players shortly after entering the league. He was named an All-Star in each of his first seven seasons.
In his rookie season, Reed averaged 19.5 points and 14.7 rebounds per game. However, he only received $14,000 for his services. Adjusted for inflation, this money would be worth $135,000 in 2023.
To put this into perspective, the minimum contract for the 2022-23 NBA season is slightly more than $1 million.
In 1972, the New York Knicks legend was paid $252,000, which would have been around $1.8 million in 2023. Reed was definitely worth every single penny as he led the Knicks to two championships in three years.
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Willis Reed's net worth drastically increased thanks to his contracts as a player. However, he was much more than that. The Hall of Fame center also served as a coach and executive.
The basketball legend briefly coached the New York Knicks before taking control of the Creighton Bluejays for four years. He served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks and the Sacramento Kings, as well as head coach for the New Jersey Nets.
Reed was a successful executive
Reed coached the Nets for only one season before becoming the team's general manager and vice president. It's safe to say that Willis Reed’s net worth has also benefited from this job, despite his contract not being revealed.
He was very successful with the Nets, turning them into contenders. Reed eventually became a senior vice president of basketball operations, helping the Nets make the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.
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The basketball legend also served as the vice president of basketball operations for the New Orleans Hornets. He performed this role from 2004 to 2007.