2013-10-29

Beginning this week, arenas will open for business, sneakers will be laced and legions of fans will flock courtside to see some of the finest athletes in the world take to the hardwood in pursuit of the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Basketball is officially back and to tip off the start of the 2013 NBA season, realtor.com offers its own summer league retrospection. The offseason brought another whirlwind of draft picks, free-agent signings and trades – however, we’ve tracked the hottest moves in NBA player homes. So, throw on your favorite jersey and take a seat: Here are 26 of the top NBA real estate stories of the year.

Michael Jordan’s Mansion Woes
There wasn’t much Michael Jordan could not do on the basketball hardwood. However, the same cannot be said about the Chicago Bulls legend’s real estate ventures, in particular, his Chicago-area mansion. MJ’s massive manse originally came to market in February 2012 for a whopping $29 million. As one would expect, the Highland Park property was the stuff of legend — a sprawling 56,000-square-foot compound befitting the greatest basketball player who ever lived. However, it failed to attract interest and saw its price adjusted by $8 million in January. Fast-forward to this October and the home of “His Airness” is now headed for the auction block.

Kevin Durant Wheels and Deals
Kevin Durant made waves just before the start of the NBA season when he listed his estate in the suburbs of northwest Oklahoma City. Durant purchased the residence in 2011 for $1.799 million and asked $1.95 million when he put it on the market in September. The listing came after the Thunder superstar paid $1.769 million for a pair of brownstones in Deep Deuce, a neighborhood located just a few blocks away from Chesapeake Energy Arena. The two residences, which will be combined into one 7,400-square-foot spread, is also a short walk away from Durant’s new Bricktown restaurant, which is set to open later this year.

Stephen Curry’s Bay Area Penthouse

After purchasing a posh penthouse in November 2012, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is looking to sell his unit at The Ellington, Jack London Square’s only high-rise building. The All-Star guard is currently shopping the property for $1.695 million. Located just 11 minutes away from Oracle Arena, Curry’s modern abode offers three bedrooms, four bathrooms and approximately 2,084 square feet of living space. The property is a corner unit apartment and features floor-to-ceiling windows, three balconies and a patio with a gas fire pit.

Kobe Bryant’s Mansion Has a Shark Tank
Kobe Bryant made some noise when he listed his Newport Coast mansion for a whopping $8.6 million in October. Of the intimate details of the property that we learned, none stood out more than the revelation that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar has a shark tank inside the two-story home — most of us were expecting a giant terrarium given that Kobe’s moniker is, after all, the ‘Black Mamba’. Another selling point, which seems to be an up-and-coming trend in athlete real estate: the in-house hair salon.

John Wall’s Indoor Hardwood
Washington franchise player and recently anointed 80-million-dollar man, John Wall, isn’t letting his newfound riches go to waste. The Wizards’ point guard dropped $4.9 million on a Potomac mansion over the summer. So what does Wall’s new two-acre property have to offer? How about a full sports wing complete with fitness room, steam room, tennis court, volleyball court, putting green, shuffleboard AND an indoor basketball complex – basically the perfect setup for one of D.C.’s brightest young athletes.

Kevin Garnett Eyes Mansion Sale
With his time in Boston having come to a close, New Jersey Nets forward-center Kevin Garnett sought to part ways with his modern mansion. Garnett originally purchased the Concord property in September 2007 for $4.625 million following the 6-foot-11 player’s trade to Boston by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team that drafted him out of high school. Currently listed for $4.85 million, Garnett’s contemporary waterfront mansion offers a total of five bedrooms, seven bathrooms and approximately 11,000 square feet. Inside, sunlit interiors feature custom finishes and luxury touches. A fully furnished lower level has a wine cellar, a media room with five flat screen TVs, and a “gym fit for a champion.”

Agent Zero’s Sharknado
A few days after the SyFy Network unleashed its half-shark/half-tornado movie monstrosity on the world, former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas decided to release a Sharknado of his own. Briefly back on the market this summer was Agent Zero’s shark tank mansion, a 9,000-square-foot estate the player had built during his playing days with the Washington Wizards. Arenas commissioned the building of his All-Star manse after inking a massive $111 million contract with the Wiz. It includes, among other things, a world-class grotto, high-end entertainment equipment and — you guessed it — multiple shark tanks.

Lamar Odom Takes Miami
Whether Lamar Odom will earn an NBA paycheck this season remains in question, but the embattled basketball player stands to pull in $17,000 a month if he can find a tenant for his Miami mansion. Odom acquired the palatial Pinecrest property for $3 million in the summer of 2009, when the then-free-agent forward was being courted heavily by the Miami Heat. Odom eventually re-upped with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $33 million contract, but evidently opted to keep the South Beach home.

Jose Calderon’s Maverick Move
It did not take long for one of the newest Mavericks to settle into Dallas in style. Fresh from inking a four-year, $29-million contract with the Dallas-based franchise, Jose Calderon has closed on a trophy home in University Park. The Mavs’ point guard, who will start opposite Monta Ellis in the team’s revamped backcourt, paid $2.35 million for the “Santa Barbara sleek,” which features hardwood flooring, a chef’s kitchen and approximately 6,320 square feet.

Danny Granger Selling in L.A.
As his Pacers teammates were busy waging war against LeBron James & Co. in the Eastern Conference finals, Indiana forward Danny Granger looked to bounce pass a Los Angeles property from his real estate portfolio. Granger originally purchased the contemporary property for $3.715 million from Kevin Williamson, best known as screenwriter for a few of the Scream movies and the guy who came up with the idea for the James Van Der Beek teen drama vehicle Dawson’s Creek. He previously tried to lease the Hollywood Hills property in late 2012, asking $25,000 monthly, and currently asks $4 million for the 5,140-square-foot home.

Luol Deng’s Town Home Loss
Luol Deng parted ways with a North Shore town home this offseason, selling the Northbrook apartment that he purchased his rookie season at a loss. The former Duke standout originally bought the three-bedroom home for $672,000 in 2004, the same year he was selected 7th overall in the NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns and immediately dealt to the Bulls. He put the 2,511-square-foot home on the market in 2010 for $639,000, only to drop his asking price by $104,000 just six months later. The property resurfaced in May with an asking price of $499,000 and eventually sold in September for $474,000.

Thabo Sefolosha Deals
Just down the street from Deng, former Chicago Bulls and current Oklahoma City Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha completed a deal of his own. Sefolosha, who was drafted 13th overall in 2006 by Philadelphia and promptly dealt to Chicago, purchased the 2,511-square-foot town home in Northbrook that year for $630,000. Like Deng, the crafty defender also took a significant loss on the property, selling the three-bedroom, three-bathroom unit for $180,000 less than what he originally paid.

Boris Diaw: NBA Landlord
Already known as one of basketball’s most versatile players, Boris Diaw sought to play the landlord position after offering up his desert dwelling to the tune of $11,000 a month. Diaw originally paid $3.6 million in 2008 for the 1.61-acre property in Paradise Valley. At the time of purchase, the French-born player was entering the second year of a five-year, $45 million extension he signed with the Phoenix Suns. Roughly seven months later, Diaw and his massive contract were dealt to the Charlotte Bobcats in a five-player trade.

Ray Allen’s 50K Rental

Speaking of leases, the Heat’s two-year rental, Ray Allen, opted to rent and not buy during his time in South Beach. The epic sharpshooter is reportedly paying $50,000 a month on an incredible Mediterranean villa in Coral Gables. Spanning 11,533 square feet, the oasis features a Spanish-style design, dark hardwood flooring and built-ins, and a spectacular pool overlooking a prime slice of private beachfront.

 

Daniel Gibson’s Bejeweled Basketball
Daniel Gibson is probably the only person other than TJ Ford’s mother to prominently display a TJ Ford jersey in his home. He also has a sparkly, bejeweled basketball. We know this because the NBA free agent is selling his Ohio home, which holds all of these precious, precious treasures. Gibson, whose five-year, $21 million contract with the Cavs expired at the end of the year, previously expressed an interest in returning to the only NBA team he has ever known. However, it appears that the 6-foot-2 guard is taking no chances after listing his Westlake property for $1 million. No word on whether the life-size Daniel Gibson cutout is included in the deal.

Kenyon Martin’s Pecan Orchard

How many NBA power forwards can say they own a pecan orchard? At least one, and his name is Kenyon Martin. The former No. 1 overall pick stands to make more than three times his 2012-2013 salary with the New York Knicks if he can find a buyer for his mansion in Dalworthington Gardens, TX. K-Mart is asking $5 million for the massive, 8-acre property, which boasts 15,000 square feet to go along with fine luxuries ranging from the pecan orchard to a four-lane bowling alley and an epic outdoor fountain with bronze dolphins.

Shane Battier Buys Very Shane Battier Home
Miami Heat forward Shane Battier bought a home and sold a home this NBA offseason. Battier’s new home is one of the original five Florida pioneer village homes, according to the listing. Built in 1926, the round baller crib is found near the 15th hole at the Riviera Country Club and features a chef’s kitchen, wraparound balconies and a prime outdoor entertaining area with a black-bottom pool, cabana and gardens. The purchase came after Battier hoisted his Coconut Grove residence on the market with an asking price of $1.895 million. The home later sold for $1.7 million.

Jermaine O’Neal Lists a Mansion
Jermaine O’Neal was ready to cash in his chips in August when he put his Henderson, NV, home on the market. The move came after the NBA big man signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Golden State Warriors. O’Neal previously listed the home during the 2011 NBA lockout for $3.55 million, the same amount he paid for the property in 2007. The NBA veteran is now poised to lose a considerable amount of money on the house after relisting it for just under $3 million.

Little General’s Texas-Sized Offering
Avery Johnson may have been known as the Little General during his playing days, but there is nothing little about his home in Spring, TX. The retired San Antonio Spurs guard and NBA coach hoisted his own trophy property onto the real estate market this summer, listing the 14,396-square-foot property for the Texas-sized price of $9 million. The price has since been adjusted to $7.95 million. From a stately wood-paneled office to basketball court-themed bedrooms, Avery’s manse is, without a doubt, Naismith Award-worthy.

Charles Oakley Takes Loss in Chicago
The toughness of Charles Oakley on the hardwood was never questioned and he was one of the greatest NBA enforcers there ever was. His real estate prowess? Well, that’s another story. The former Bulls and Knicks power forward got more than his $879,900 asking price for the Chicago unit – $900,000. However, it was the retired star’s 2005 purchase price – $1.1 million – that ultimately landed Oakley in the loss column.

Sherman Douglas’ Fine Art
It is not quite the same thing as finding a long-lost Van Gogh painting in your attic, but we offer our friends at Busted Coverage a hat tip for unearthing this Mona Lisa reprint found in Sherman Douglas’ living room. The Syracuse legend and retired NBA player’s home first came to market in 2011 with a price of $3.475 million. However, it looks as though Douglas may have overvalued his piece of real estate art – the brick-lined manor has relisted for $2.85 million – a difference of $625,000. The Potomac property features a “center hall,” a tasteful paneled library and a lower level that opens to a pool, spa and outdoor kitchen.

Mitch Richmond’s Epic Water Slide

Add Mitch Richmond to the list of athletes who know what’s up when it comes to pools and water features. The legendary Sacramento Kings shooting guard is selling his massive Calabasas spread, which is how we came to know that Richmond has everything one could want in an outdoor leisure setup. Richmond’s 2.25-acre backyard oasis begins with a generous veranda with a fireplace and entertainment center. Coupled with its wood and stone appointments, five fireplaces and a palatial master suite, Richmond’s luxe estate appears to be worth every penny of its $9 million asking price.

The Jet Taking Off From Encino

Moving from one former basketball star to another, Kenny “The Jet” Smith is preparing for takeoff from his Encino home after listing the property for $2.795 million in July. Smith, a two-time NBA champion and “Inside the NBA” analyst, purchased the property in 2011 for $1.85 million. The very suburban offering has a total of six bedrooms, eight baths, its own movie theater and an “explosive sound system.”

 

James Posey’s Villa Returns
James Posey’s villa in Coconut Grove returned to the market at a discount this offseason. Posey, a two-time NBA champion, who won titles with the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, purchased the tri-level Mediterranean in ‘The Cloisters’ in 2005 for $2.17 million. He previously listed the residence last year for $2.195 million and now asks $1.9 million, a discount of $295,000, for the 5,090-square-foot home. Looking over Peacock Park and Biscayne Bay, Posey’s South Beach spread offers three bedrooms and three baths and is accessible via a private elevator.

Sean Elliott Lowers Price
Former Spurs legend Sean Elliott can’t catch a break when it comes to selling his San Antonio home. Eliott’s lush, Bohemian-themed property, which ranks No. 2 on the city’s top 100 water users, originally hit the market with a price tag of $4 million. However, after the home languished on the market for nearly a year, the retired big shot artist has dropped his asking price by $250,000. Set on a prime 4.7-acre lot, Elliott’s five-bedroom, six-bathroom spread features artistic vaulted ceilings, waterfalls, fruit trees and everything else you would expect of an athlete utopia.

Mike Dunleavy, Sr., Lists a Luxury Unit
Former Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers coach and NBA player Mike Dunleavy Sr. caught the real estate bug this offseason, putting his apartment in the Century City neighborhood of Los Angeles on the market. Dunleavy paid $4.5 million for a unit at “The Century,” a 42-story luxury high-rise designed by Robert  A.M. Stern, located at 1 W. Century Drive and originally listed the property for $6.9 million. He since adjusted the price to $6.775 million in October. Spanning 4,660 square feet, the fourth-floor unit has a gourmet kitchen, a living room with a wet bar, and rows of floor-to-ceiling windows offering expansive views of Los Angeles. The master suite comes complete with a private deck, spa-like bath and a massive closet.

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