2018 NBA Draft

When word broke on Thursday that Thunder second-round pick Kevin Hervey would play in the G League this season, it ensured that we now know the 2018/19 plans for all 60 of this year’s NBA draft picks.

The majority of this year’s draftees signed NBA contracts and will be on rosters this season, but that’s not the case for all of them. And even among those that received NBA deals, there are plenty of differences in the terms of their contracts.

Let’s break down the contract situations for all 60 of this year’s picks…

First-rounders:

Generally, at least one or two first-round picks become draft-and-stash prospects, but that didn’t happen this year. All 30 first-rounders signed standard NBA contracts and immediately joined their teams’ respective rosters.

All 30 rookie contracts for this year’s first-rounders include the standard two guaranteed seasons, with team options for years three and four. Assuming he plays out his entire four-year contract, Suns center Deandre Ayton – the No. 1 overall pick – would earn a total of $40MM+. On the other end of the spectrum, No. 30 pick Omari Spellman will make just over $9MM in his first four seasons with the Hawks.

Our full breakdown of the salary details for this year’s first-rounders can be found right here.

Second-rounders:

With no set rookie scale for second-round picks, this is where things get interesting. Teams are allowed to go over the cap with the rookie scale exception in order to sign first-rounders, but to lock up second-round picks, there’s no such exception. Those players must be signed using cap space, mid-level, bi-annual or room exceptions, or the minimum salary exception.

As such, the contract details for second-rounders who signed NBA deals look pretty different from player to player. Here’s a quick look:

Four-year contracts:

31. Elie Okobo, Suns ($6.12MM). First two years guaranteed.
33. Jalen Brunson, Mavericks ($6.11MM). First three years guaranteed.
36. Mitchell Robinson, Knicks ($6.57MM). First two years guaranteed.
40. Rodions Kurucs, Nets ($6.96MM). First three years guaranteed.
56. Ray Spalding, Mavericks ($5.72MM). First year guaranteed.

Three-year contracts:

34. Devonte’ Graham, Hornets ($4.07MM). First two years guaranteed.
35. Melvin Frazier, Magic ($4.13MM). First two years guaranteed.
37. Gary Trent Jr., Trail Blazers ($3.92MM). Fully guaranteed.
38. Khyri Thomas, Pistons ($3.92MM). First two years guaranteed.
39. Isaac Bonga, Lakers ($4.08MM). First two years guaranteed.
41. Jarred Vanderbilt, Nuggets ($3.92MM). First two years guaranteed.
42. Bruce Brown, Pistons ($3.92MM). First two years guaranteed.
45. Hamidou Diallo, Thunder ($3.92MM). First two years guaranteed.
47. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Lakers ($4.57MM). First year guaranteed.
48. Keita Bates-Diop, Timberwolves ($3.92MM). First two years guaranteed.
49. Chimezie Metu, Spurs ($3.92MM). First two years guaranteed.

Two-year contracts:

32. Jevon Carter, Grizzlies ($2.26MM). Fully guaranteed.
46. De’Anthony Melton, Suns ($2.37MM). Fully guaranteed.
50. Alize Johnson, Pacers ($2.26MM). First year guaranteed.

One-year contracts:

52. Vince Edwards, Rockets ($838K). Non-guaranteed.

With 20 second-round picks signing standard NBA contracts ranging from one year to four years, that leaves 10 second-rounders who ended up taking a different path. These players won’t start the season on 15-man NBA rosters, but their teams still hold their NBA rights.

Here’s what those players are doing:

Signed two-way contracts:

54. Shake Milton, Sixers
58. Thomas Welsh, Nuggets
59. George King, Suns
60. Kostas Antetokounmpo, Mavericks

Signed G League contracts (domestic draft-and-stash):

43. Justin Jackson, Magic
57. Kevin Hervey, Thunder

Playing overseas (international draft-and-stash):

44. Issuf Sanon, Wizards: Playing in Slovenia (Petrol Olimpija).
51. Tony Carr, Pelicans: Playing in Italy (Fiat Torino).
53. Devon Hall, Thunder: Playing in Australia (Cairns Taipans).
55. Arnoldas Kulboka, Hornets: Playing in Germany (Brose Bamberg).

Salary information from Basketball Insiders used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Free agent news has dominated NBA headlines over the last few days, but teams around the league are also taking care of the rookies they drafted last month, signing them to their first NBA contracts. Because cap holds for first-round picks count for 120% of the rookie scale instead of 100% in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, there’s little incentive for teams to wait to lock up their first-rounders.

For first-round picks, rookie contracts are fairly rigid, having essentially been predetermined. The NBA’s rookie-scale structure dictates that first-rounders will be signed to four-year deals, which include two guaranteed years, then team options in years three and four.

The value of those contracts depends on where a player was drafted. This year, No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton is in line for a four-year deal worth in excess of $40MM, which represents the maximum allowable 120% of his scale amount. No. 30 pick Omari Spellman, on the other hand, figures to get a four-year contract worth just over $9MM.

The full breakdown of this year’s first-round rookie salaries and contracts can be found right here — if you see a first-rounder listed below as “signed,” you can assume his contract looks like that, unless otherwise indicated.

Second-round picks, meanwhile, aren’t assured of two guaranteed seasons, though some players will receive them. Teams can sign second-rounders to whatever amount they choose, using cap room or various exceptions. Those players who immediately join their NBA teams figure to get a minimum salary or something slightly above the minimum. We’ll make a note of contract details for second-rounders below, as they become available.

Finally, some second-rounders – and perhaps even some first-rounders – won’t sign in the NBA immediately. They may get two-way contracts, play in the G League, or head overseas to refine their games while their NBA teams retain their rights. We’ll make note of that below too, wherever it’s applicable.

Here’s a breakdown of 2018’s draft pick signings. This list will continue to be updated as more draftees sign their first NBA contracts:

First Round:

1. Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton, C (Arizona): Signed
2. Sacramento Kings: Marvin Bagley III, F/C (Duke): Signed
3. Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic, G (Real Madrid): Signed
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr., F/C (Michigan State): Signed
5. Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young, G (Oklahoma): Signed
6. Orlando Magic: Mohamed Bamba, C (Texas): Signed
7. Chicago Bulls: Wendell Carter Jr., C (Duke): Signed
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Collin Sexton, PG (Alabama): Signed
9. New York Knicks: Kevin Knox, F (Kentucky): Signed
10. Phoenix Suns: Mikal Bridges, SF (Villanova): Signed
11. Los Angeles Clippers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G (Kentucky): Signed
12. Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges, F (Michigan State): Signed
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Jerome Robinson, PG (Boston College): Signed
14. Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr., F (Missouri): Signed
15. Washington Wizards: Troy Brown, SG (Oregon): Signed
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Zhaire Smith, SF (Texas Tech): Signed
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo, G (Villanova): Signed
18. San Antonio Spurs: Lonnie Walker, SG (Miami): Signed
19. Atlanta Hawks: Kevin Huerter, SG (Maryland): Signed
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Josh Okogie, SG (Georgia Tech): Signed
21. Utah Jazz: Grayson Allen, SG (Duke): Signed
22. Chicago Bulls (from Pelicans): Chandler Hutchison, G/F (Boise State): Signed
23. Indiana Pacers: Aaron Holiday, PG (UCLA): Signed
24. Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons, SG (IMG Academy): Signed
25. Los Angeles Lakers: Moritz Wagner, C (Michigan): Signed
26. Philadelphia 76ers: Landry Shamet, G (Wichita State): Signed
27. Boston Celtics: Robert Williams, C (Texas A&M): Signed
28. Golden State Warriors: Jacob Evans, G/F (Cincinnati): Signed
29. Brooklyn Nets: Dzanan Musa, SF (Cedevita): Signed
30. Atlanta Hawks: Omari Spellman, PF (Villanova): Signed

Second Round:

31. Phoenix Suns: Elie Okobo, PG (Pau-Orthez): Signed
    • Four-year, $6.12MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
      
32. Memphis Grizzlies: Jevon Carter, PG (West Virginia): Signed
    • Two-year, $2.26MM contract. Fully guaranteed.
33. Dallas Mavericks: Jalen Brunson, PG (Villanova): Signed
    • Four-year, $6.11MM contract. First three years guaranteed.
34. Charlotte Hornets: Devonte’ Graham, PG (Kansas): Signed
    • Three-year, $4.07MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
      
35. Orlando Magic: Melvin Frazier, SF (Tulane): Signed
    • Three-year, $4.13MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
36. New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson, C (Western Kentucky): Signed
    • Four-year, $6.57MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
      
37. Portland Trail Blazers: Gary Trent Jr., SG (Duke): Signed
    • Three-year, $3.92MM contract. Fully guaranteed.
      
38. Detroit Pistons: Khyri Thomas, SG (Creighton): Signed
    • Three-year, $3.92MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
39. Los Angeles Lakers: Isaac Bonga, SF (Frankfurt): Signed
    • Three-year, $4.08MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
      
40. Brooklyn Nets: Rodions Kurucs, F (Barcelona): Signed
    • Four-year, $6.96MM contract. First three years guaranteed.
      
41. Denver Nuggets: Jarred Vanderbilt, SF (Kentucky): Signed
    • Three-year, $3.92MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
      
42. Detroit Pistons: Bruce Brown, SG (Miami): Signed
    • Three-year, $3.92MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
43. Orlando Magic: Justin Jackson, F (Maryland): Signed G League contract
44. Washington Wizards: Issuf Sanon, G (Olimpija Ljubljana): Will play overseas
45. Oklahoma City Thunder: Hamidou Diallo, SG (Kentucky): Signed
    • Three-year, $3.92MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
46. Phoenix Suns (acquired from Rockets): De’Anthony Melton, G (USC): Signed
    • Two-year, $2.37MM contract. Fully guaranteed.
47. Los Angeles Lakers: Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, SG (Kansas): Signed
    • Three-year, $4.57MM contract. First year guaranteed.
      
48. Minnesota Timberwolves: Keita Bates-Diop, PF (Ohio State): Signed
    • Three-year, $3.92MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
49. San Antonio Spurs: Chimezie Metu, F/C (USC): Signed
    • Three-year, $3.92MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
      
50. Indiana Pacers: Alize Johnson, PF (Missouri State): Signed
    • Two-year, $2.26MM contract. First year guaranteed.
51. New Orleans Pelicans: Tony Carr, PG (Penn State): Will play overseas
52. Houston Rockets: Vince Edwards, F (Purdue): Signed
    • One-year, $838K contract. Non-guaranteed.
53. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devon Hall, SG (Virginia): Will play overseas
54. Philadelphia 76ers: Shake Milton, G (SMU): Signed
    • Two-year, two-way contract
55. Charlotte Hornets: Arnoldas Kulboka, SF (Capo D’Orlando): Will play overseas
56. Dallas Mavericks: Ray Spalding, PF (Louisville): Signed
    • Four-year, $5.72MM contract. First year guaranteed.
      
57. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Hervey, SF (Texas-Arlington): Signed G League contract
58. Denver Nuggets: Thomas Welsh, C (UCLA): Signed
    • Two-way contract.
59. Phoenix Suns: George King, SF (Colorado): Signed
    • Two-way contract.
60. Dallas Mavericks: Kostas Antetokounmpo, SF (Dayton): Signed
    • Two-way contract.

In a somewhat unusual development, not a single NBA veteran changed teams on Thursday night. While several trades were completed, all of those deals involved the rights to newly-drafted players, future draft picks, and/or cash.

Listed below are all the trades that were agreed upon at some point on Thursday. While most of these deals were made official during or after the draft, one won’t be finalized until June, which we noted below.

Here’s the full list:

Mavericks/Hawks

• Mavericks acquire the draft rights to Luka Doncic (No. 3 pick).
• Hawks acquire the draft rights to Trae Young (No. 5 pick) and the Mavericks’ 2019 first-round pick (top-5 protected).

Suns/Sixers

• Suns acquire the draft rights to Mikal Bridges (No. 10 pick).
• Sixers acquire the draft rights to Zhaire Smith (No. 16 pick) and the Heat’s 2021 first-round pick (unprotected).

Clippers/Hornets

• Clippers acquire the draft rights to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (No. 11 pick)
• Hornets acquire the draft rights to Miles Bridges (No. 12 pick), the Cavaliers’ 2020 second-round pick, and the Clippers’ 2021 second-round pick.

Hornets/Hawks

• Hornets acquire the draft rights to Devonte’ Graham (No. 34 pick).
• Hawks acquire the Hornets’ 2019 second-round pick and the Hornets’ 2023 second-round pick.

Trail Blazers/Kings

• Trail Blazers acquire the draft rights to Gary Trent Jr. (No. 37 pick).
• Kings acquire either the Timberwolves’ or Lakers’ 2019 second-round pick (whichever is more favorable), the Heat’s 2021 second-round pick, and cash ($1.5MM).

Pistons/Sixers

• Pistons acquire the draft rights to Khyri Thomas (No. 38 pick).
• Sixers acquire the Pistons’ 2021 second-round pick and the Pistons’ 2023 second-round pick.

Nuggets/Magic

• Nuggets acquire the draft rights to Jarred Vanderbilt (No. 41 pick).
• Magic acquire the draft rights to Justin Jackson (No. 43 pick) and either the Nuggets’ or Wizards’ 2019 second-round pick (whichever is less favorable).
  • Note: The Nuggets’ 2019 second-round pick would be sent to Milwaukee if it falls between 56-60, in which case the Magic would receive the Wizards’ second-rounder.

Thunder/Hornets

• Thunder acquire the draft rights to Hamidou Diallo (No. 45 pick).
• Hornets acquire the Thunder’s 2019 second-round pick and cash.
• Note: Trade won’t become official until the new league year, since No. 45 pick first has to be sent from Nets to Hornets.

Rockets/Jazz

• Rockets acquire the draft rights to Vince Edwards (No. 52 pick).
• Jazz acquire cash ($1.5MM).

Sixers/Mavericks

• Sixers acquire the draft rights to Shake Milton (No. 54 pick).
• Mavericks acquire the draft rights to Ray Spalding (No. 56 pick) and Kostas Antetokounmpo (No. 60 pick).

Note: Two other trades involving 2018 draft picks were agreed upon prior to draft day. We have separate stories on those Lakers/Sixers and Nets/Hornets swaps.