There’s no denying that NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman is the most eccentric player to ever step foot in the league.
As bizarre as his off-court actions were, he was beloved for his valuable contributions on the hardwood. Rodman was a consummate winner, collecting five NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.
He did whatever it took to win and took pride in doing the dirty work every second he was on the floor.
Rodman’s two biggest assets— his defense and rebounding—continues to be a sought-after trait even in today’s game. Teams were ready to pay a premium for his services.
In 13 years in the league, the 6-foot-7 forward accumulated $27 million in salary. That seems quite a low number by today’s standards, and it is worth somewhere around $43 million today after adjusting for inflation.
Here’s a breakdown of what “The Worm” raked in every year in the NBA.
Detroit Pistons (1986-1993) – Total earnings: $5,015,000
Dennis Rodman began his colorful career in the Motor City when the Pistons took him 27th overall in the 1986 Draft. He received $75,000 in his first year in the league. The rebounding savant fit in nicely with the Bad Boys and signed a two-year extension the following season. Rodman netted $160,000 in 1987-88 which spiked to $550,000 in ’88-’89.
The South Oklahoma State product signed another one-year extension to remain in Detroit that year. His earnings rose exponentially the following seasons, netting $880,000 dollars in ’90-’91 and $1,075,000 in ’91-’92.
He signed a one-year veteran extension in ’91 and received his biggest purse in his final year in Detroit in ’92-’93 when he collected $2,350,000.
San Antonio Spurs (1993-1995) – Total earnings: $4,950,000
Rodman’s tenure in Texas was rather short but it was indeed a lucrative one. The Spurs gladly took on the remaining three-years and $11.8 million left on his Pistons deal.
The defensive linchpin received $2,450,000 in ’93-’94 followed by a $2,500,000 paycheck the following year. With one year remaining on his deal, the Spurs decided to ship Rodman to the Bulls prior to the ’95-’96 season.
Chicago Bulls (1995-1998) – Total earnings: $16,100,000
Rodman indeed made his mark in the Windy City and he also cashed in the most there during his glorious three-year stay.
He finished off the remaining $2,500,000 on his deal in his first year in Chicago. After helping the Bulls win the title that year, Chicago rewarded Rodman with a pair of short-term yet extremely lucrative contracts.
They gave The Worm a well-deserved one-year $9 million contract to stay in Chicago in ’96-’97. Once that deal expired, they offered him another 1-year $4.5 million contract to finish off the Bulls’ second three-peat.
Los Angeles Lakers (1999) – Total earnings: $1,000,000
The Bulls embraced a rebuilt the following year as superstars Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen as well as head coach Phil Jackson all parted ways with the franchise. They released Rodman that same year and he found himself signing a pro-rated deal to play for the Purple and Gold.
Rodman only suited up for 23 games with the Lakers but he walked away with a cool million dollars for his troubles.
Dallas Mavericks (2000) – Total earnings: $441,176
If you think his tenure in LA was short, Rodman lasted just 12 games with the Mavs, which just so happened to be his hometown team. His stay was rife with controversy as always, including staying at owner Mark Cuban's pad during the stretch. That proved to be his final NBA paycheck, as he collected $441,176 before taking his act overseas.
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