In the wake of his shocking and unfortunate passing, Brandon Clarke will not be paid for the final year of his current NBA contract.
According to Front Office Sports' Alex Schiffer, Clarke's $12.5 million salary for the 2026-27 season from his expiring four-year $50 million Grizzlies deal in 2022 won't be sent to his estate because it wasn't protected for death.
The Grizzlies terminated Clarke’s contract on July 3, approximately seven weeks after his death. His money won't count on the team's salary cap.
Although the big man had a life insurance policy, it remains unclear whether the circumstances surrounding his death could affect it.
Brandon Clarke died due to accidental combined effects of heroin and cocaine
Brandon Clarke passed away in May after authorities found him unresponsive at a Los Angeles residence.
He was 29.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner officially ruled that Memphis Grizzlies big man died from the accidental combined effects of heroin and cocaine. Law enforcement recovered drug paraphernalia on-site, where no signs of foul play emerged.
Selected as the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Clarke spent all his seven seasons in Memphis.
The Canadian center was a key part of the promising Grizzlies team led by Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., but a series of lower-body injuries derailed his young career. He appeared in just two games during the 2025-26 NBA season due to a severe right calf injury.
Clarke earned an estimated $49.6 million during his short NBA career before his death.