If he invests correctly and isn't stupid with money, Birdman will never have to work again in his life after his NBA career is over. So he can if he wants to. Can't say that's a choice I would make, but whatever. I'll give him credit - he could have easily been one of those people who dropped completely off the radar so the fact that he's a solid player is a better-case scenario.
Spot on point #2.