Tony Snell has 3 days to sign for NBA team and help two autistic kids with retiree benefits program

Snell's sons, Karter, 3, and Kenzo, 2, were both diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder recently.

Tony Snell has 3 days to sign for NBA team and help two autistic kids with retiree benefits program

Former NBA player Tony Snell wants to join an active NBA contract to receive retirement benefits for his autistic children (image via Open Source, X)

Former NBA player Tony Snell was a good 3-and-D player. His stint with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022 was his last NBA season. Snell has played in 9 NBA seasons in his career and wants to play for a 10th season. That contract, of course, needs to be signed within three days if he is to be eligible for the Players Association’s retiree benefits program.

Tony Snell has two kids with his wife Ashley. Snell’s sons, Karter, 3, and Kenzo, 2, were both diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder recently. This newfound realization has created a sense of urgency for the Snell family. Snell needs the Union’s premium medical plan to convert his whole family. That is only possible if he has played for 10 seasons in the NBA.

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Snell currently plays for the G-League’s Maine Celtics. G-League seasons do not count towards the NBPA’s retirement medical eligibility. If he is to get a full-season contract from a team, his wife and his sons will be a part of the medical cover.

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Currently, only Snell has medical cover from the Union. But that is not enough to cover the medical expenses he will incur for his two sons. Hence, a 10-day contract will also not suffice the eligibility criteria, and he has to get a full-season contract. Snell has only three days to sign with any team that comes his way.

Once Snell found out that both his sons had autism, he himself decided to take the test. When the reports came, they did not rattle him, as it was something he doubted all along. Snell was always the quiet kid in the corner as he recalls. Ashley first met Snell as he was sitting in the backyard all by himself during a party hosted by then-Chicago Bulls teammate Jimmy Butler, who was out front.

Tony Snell and a career defined by silent competitiveness

Tony Snell was drafted in the 2013 draft as the 20th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls. With additional stops for the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Pelicans rounded out his career. Accepting his time with the Bulls, Snell was a solid rotation player. Being called upon in playoffs was a testament to his abilities.

Tony Snell, wife Ashley with their two kids who have been diagnosed with autism
Tony Snell, wife Ashley with their two kids who have been diagnosed with autism (image via Instagram)

Snell’s numbers may not do the talking for his abilities. He was excellent as a wing defender and perimeter scorer. A career 3-point average of 39.6% is not bad by any standard. Currently, that number is good enough to be in the top 50 list of three-point scorers. So, Snell still has a lot to offer teams.

Elite perimeter defense combined with top-50 3-point shooting are desirable skills. Add to that his experience. Either one of the 30 NBA teams could come forward and sign Snell for the rest of their season. At least he is looking out for his family more than himself. That is enough motivation to not let the NBA team down.

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