With the NBA’s salary cap set once again at $109,140,000 for the 2020/21 league year, the rookie scale has been set as well. The rookie scale locks in the value of contracts for first-round picks.
In every NBA league year, rookie scale amounts are assigned to each first-round slot, from No. 1 through No. 30. Teams can sign their first-rounders to as little as 80% of that rookie scale amount, or up to 120% of that figure. While that rule theoretically affords teams some flexibility, first-round picks virtually always sign contracts worth 120% of their rookie scale amount, and unsigned first-rounders have a cap hold worth 120% of their rookie scale amount.
Listed below are the salary figures that represent 120% of the rookie scale amounts for 2020’s first-round picks. Players will sign for these amounts unless they accept a deal worth less than the maximum allowable 120%. If they do, we’ll adjust their amounts below. Rookie scale contracts are guaranteed for the first two years, with team options on the third and fourth years.
Here’s the 2020 breakdown:
| Player | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | $9,757,440 | $10,245,480 | $10,733,400 | $13,534,817 | $44,271,137 |
| James Wiseman | $8,730,240 | $9,166,800 | $9,603,360 | $12,119,440 | $39,619,840 |
| LaMelo Ball | $7,839,960 | $8,231,760 | $8,623,920 | $10,900,635 | $35,596,275 |
| Patrick Williams | $7,068,360 | $7,422,000 | $7,775,400 | $9,835,881 | $32,101,641 |
| Isaac Okoro | $6,400,920 | $6,720,720 | $7,040,880 | $8,920,795 | $29,083,315 |
| Onyeka Okongwu | $5,813,640 | $6,104,280 | $6,395,160 | $8,109,063 | $26,422,143 |
| Killian Hayes | $5,307,120 | $5,572,680 | $5,837,760 | $7,413,955 | $24,131,515 |
| Obi Toppin | $4,862,040 | $5,105,160 | $5,348,280 | $6,803,012 | $22,118,492 |
| Deni Avdija | $4,469,160 | $4,692,840 | $4,916,160 | $6,263,188 | $20,341,348 |
| Jalen Smith | $4,245,720 | $4,458,000 | $4,670,160 | $5,954,454 | $19,328,334 |
| Devin Vassell | $4,033,440 | $4,235,160 | $4,437,000 | $5,887,899 | $18,593,499 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | $3,831,840 | $4,023,600 | $4,215,120 | $5,808,435 | $17,878,995 |
| Kira Lewis Jr. | $3,640,200 | $3,822,240 | $4,004,280 | $5,722,116 | $17,188,836 |
| Aaron Nesmith | $3,458,400 | $3,631,200 | $3,804,360 | $5,634,257 | $16,528,217 |
| Cole Anthony | $3,285,120 | $3,449,400 | $3,613,680 | $5,539,771 | $15,887,971 |
| Isaiah Stewart | $3,121,080 | $3,277,080 | $3,433,320 | $5,266,713 | $15,098,193 |
| Aleksej Pokusevski | $2,964,840 | $3,113,160 | $3,261,480 | $5,009,633 | $14,349,113 |
| Josh Green | $2,816,760 | $2,957,520 | $3,098,400 | $4,765,339 | $13,638,019 |
| Saddiq Bey | $2,689,920 | $2,824,320 | $2,959,080 | $4,556,983 | $13,030,303 |
| Precious Achiuwa | $2,582,160 | $2,711,280 | $2,840,160 | $4,379,527 | $12,513,127 |
| Tyrese Maxey | $2,478,840 | $2,602,920 | $2,726,880 | $4,343,920 | $12,152,560 |
| Zeke Nnaji | $2,379,840 | $2,498,760 | $2,617,800 | $4,306,281 | $11,802,681 |
| Leandro Bolmaro * | |||||
| RJ Hampton | $2,193,480 | $2,303,040 | $2,412,840 | $4,220,057 | $11,129,417 |
| Immanuel Quickley | $2,105,520 | $2,210,640 | $2,316,240 | $4,171,548 | $10,803,948 |
| Payton Pritchard | $2,035,800 | $2,137,440 | $2,239,200 | $4,037,278 | $10,449,718 |
| Udoka Azubuike | $1,977,000 | $2,075,880 | $2,174,880 | $3,923,484 | $10,151,244 |
| Jaden McDaniels | $1,964,760 | $2,063,280 | $2,161,440 | $3,901,399 | $10,090,879 |
| Malachi Flynn | $1,950,600 | $2,048,040 | $2,145,720 | $3,873,025 | $10,017,385 |
| Desmond Bane | $1,936,440 | $2,033,160 | $2,130,240 | $3,845,083 | $9,944,923 |
* Bolmaro isn’t expected to sign his rookie contract this season.
Why is there such a drop from Flynn to bane?
I messed that up — was still operating from last year’s numbers, when the No. 30 pick (Kevin Porter) didn’t get the full 120%. It’s been fixed, thanks.
Fans would like to know the cap space for each team
It has not been updated by any websites? Tough
That brings the Warriors payroll for their 8 highest paid players up to $160M, and probably another $10M for everyone else makes it around $170M which is almost $40M over the tax line. And if they decide to use the MLE that number will be even higher.
And they’ll still be better than Houston
Golden State will win 35-40 games, at best.
The Rockets will be competing for the #1 seed in the West.
I am thinking that a lot fewer of these picks will et the full 120% of rookie scale this year. Teams have the pandemic-related financial shortage to think of, plus the thinking that this crop of rookies is weaker than most. Whether or not that is true is immaterial, it is believed by many. I don’t think we are talking 80% by any means, but I could see some of these offers coming in around the 100% mark. Most of these players would pretty much have to sign them because next year’s class is going to be viewed as stronger and a lot of these late first rounders would not be first rounders in next year’s class.