The 2022-23 NBA season came to a close with the Denver Nuggets winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Now, front offices across the league turn their attention to roster construction in hopes of building their own championship roster.
The first step towards building a winning team is the NBA Draft. After all the picks are made on Thursday night, teams will be tasked with signing their picks and assembling their rosters in free agency.
Given the proximity of those two big events on the NBA calendar, you may be wondering how much money rookies earn after signing their contracts.
Below is a closer look at the deals that recent draftees can sign.
MORE: Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson headline list of green room invites
NBA rookie contracts and salaries, explained
After teams make their picks at the NBA Draft, contract negotiations typically don't take long because there is a rookie scale set before each season. The scale changes each year based on the salary cap, and a player's draft position dictates how much money they will make on their first contract (more on that below).
Teams may sign their first-round picks for any amount between 80 percent and 120 percent of the figure given on the rookie scale. Second-round picks and free agents aren't forced to sign contracts based on the rookie scale.
NBA rookie contracts and salaries for 2023 draft picks
The salary cap for the 2023-24 season has not yet been set, so the rookie scale has not yet been finalized. However, the NBA has informed teams that the 2023-24 salary cap is currently projected to be $134 million ($10.4M higher than the 2022-23 season). At the end of June, the NBA will release its official numbers for the 2023-24 season.
The NBA has informed teams that the 2023-24 salary cap is currently projected to be $134 million ($10.4M higher than this season), with $162M tax level, per sources. Both are $1M higher than previous projections.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 9, 2022
Using this projection, below are the rookie scale figures for the top 10 picks in this year's draft class.
(Full rookie scale figures available at RealGM.com)
| Pick | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 4th Year Option: Percentage Increased Over 3rd Year Salary |
| No. 1 | $9.98M | $10.48M | $10.98M | 26.1% |
| No. 2 | $8.93M | $9.37M | $9.82M | 26.2% |
| No. 3 | $8.02M | $8.42M | $8.82M | 26.4% |
| No. 4 | $7.23M | $7.59M | $7.95M | 26.5% |
| No. 5 | $6.54M | $6.87M | $7.20M | 26.7% |
| No. 6 | $5.98M | $6.24M | $6.54M | 26.8% |
| No. 7 | $5.43M | $5.70M | $5.97M | 27.0% |
| No. 8 | $4.97M | $5.22M | $5.47M | 27.2% |
| No. 9 | $4.57M | $4.80M | $5.03M | 27.4% |
| No. 10 | $4.34M | $4.56M | $4.77M | 27.5% |
NBA Mock Draft 2023: Scoot Henderson vs. Brandon Miller debate takes center stage in full two-round edition
NBA mock draft 2023
Here are the latest projected picks for the 2023 NBA Draft, according to TSN's Kyle Irving:
- 1. Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, C, Metropolitans 92 (France)
- 2. Hornets: Brandon Miller, F, Alabama
- 3. Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, G, G League Ignite
- 4. Rockets: Cam Whitmore, F, Villanova
- 5. Pistons: Jarace Walker, F, Houston
- 6. Magic: Amen Thompson, G, Overtime Elite
- 7. Indiana: Ausar Thompson, G/F, Overtime Elite
- 8. Wizards: Anthony Black, G, Arkansas
- 9. Jazz: Cason Wallace, G, Kentucky
- 10. Mavericks: Taylor Hendricks, F, UCF
Check out Irving's full mock draft here.
