Nate Robinson Says Doc Rivers Denied Him A $1.5 Million Bonus, Which He Could Have Used To Save His Own Life

Nate Robinson once lost out on $1.5 million because of Doc Rivers, and he could have used that money to help save his life.

Robinson and Rivers crossed paths as members of the Boston Celtics for parts of the 2009–2011 seasons (they would both be members of the Clippers in 2015 as well). During his tenure in Beantown, Robinson recalled that one of the stipulations in his contract was that if he played a certain number of games, he would earn a significant bonus.

However, Robinson recalled on an episode of "The OGs" podcast with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller that in one of those seasons, Rivers intentionally prevented him from earning that bonus.

"I’ve still got a little beef with Doc," Robinson said. "I had in my contract where I made like $2 million or $1.5 million, something like that if I played a certain amount of games. Doc Rivers gives me a DNP [did not play] the game where I needed one more game to get $1.5 million… I never even asked him, but I know he did that s–t on purpose."

Nate Robinson Could Have Used That Money To Buy A New Kidney

Although he can’t confirm Rivers (who now coaches the Milwaukee Bucks) did that intentionally, I can understand Robinson’s lingering disappointment. Even though he made millions by playing in the NBA, losing that much money because of a coach’s oversight does stink.

Furthermore, the money could have come in handy for the three-time Dunk Contest champion. In an interview with the Daily Mail published earlier this week, Robinson revealed that he’s in desperate need of a kidney transplant. The 39-year-old added that the only reason he’s alive at the moment is because he's on dialysis. 

Rivers (left) and Robinson (right, seen here in 2010) crossed paths in Boston. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

"Some people’s body reject dialysis. And thank God that mine accepts it and I can live… if I didn’t go to dialysis, I wouldn’t live probably longer than a week or two," Robinson said. "So it’s serious, can’t miss a day. I go in for four hours, three days a week, four hours a day. And they clean my blood to get my toxins out. And they help me out a lot because that’s how I’m living."

I’m sure $1.5 million would have covered the cost of the new kidney. Maybe he can call Rivers and cash in a favor.