Michael Cooper's Big Bucks: From NBA Star to Coach

Michael Cooper, a native of Pasadena, had a remarkable career with the Lakers, winning five championships. In January 2025, he achieved an honor every athlete dreams of – his jersey number, 21, was retired and displayed in the Lakers’ rafters, joining the likes of Magic Johnson and James Worthy. While Cooper’s stats might not stand out, his impact on the team was immense. He averaged 8. 9 points, 4. 2 assists, and 3. 2 rebounds per game. Cooper’s defensive skills earned him the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1987 and multiple selections in the All-Defensive teams.His dedication was highlighted by a $600, 000 per year contract in 1986, well above average for his time. Post-retirement, Cooper continued to shine, coaching the Los Angeles Sparks to WNBA titles and holding coaching positions at various schools and teams, contributing to his current net worth of $6 million.