'You don't miss what you can't see': financial guru's advice to Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams after his $142m OKC Thunder contract

Steven Adams. Photo / Getty Images

The sums are mouth-watering.

Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams has just signed a four-year deal worth $142 million with Oklahoma City Thunder.

It should be enough to set him and his family - whom he has previously said he wants to help financially - up for life.

Image 1 of 8: Rotorua's Sid Adams with his 12-year-old son Steven Adams. Photo / Stephen Parker

But losing it all is not impossible if he makes bad decisions, a financial adviser has warned.

Martin Hawes, of Summer KiwiSaver, said frittering away $142m might sound preposterous, but plenty of sports stars and Lotto winners had lost their fortunes in a few short years.

His main advice to Adams was to pretend his contract was only worth $10m a year, rather than $35m. That way, after tax, he could probably invest about $15m a year.

Good financial advice would help him make the most of his fortune, and setting aside a certain amount for investment each year would set him up for life.

That was what he needed, Hawes said.

"He's only as good as his next hamstring tear or Achilles rupture, or loss of form.

"Pretending his contract is for $10m, it's a mind trick. You don't miss what you don't see."
Other priorities were to keep the vultures - lured by his fortune - at bay.

That meant sticking close to those he had known the longest.

"Keep your feet on the ground. Come back to New Zealand often, see your old and real friends, and family. Keep in touch."

New Zealand Rugby Players' Association chief executive Rob Nichol said he expected Adams had plenty of people helping him manage his finances.

His main advice was for Adams to stick with his principles, and stick with what was working.

"Don't make any major changes or decisions, because what you're doing now is obviously working for you."

Image 1 of 8: Rotorua's Sid Adams with his 12-year-old son Steven Adams. Photo / Stephen Parker