- PREMIUM
- HOME
- NFL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
- NBA
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Southeast
Atlantic
Southwest
Northwest
- MLB
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
AL West
AL East
NL West
NL East
- NHL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Atlantic
Pacific
- WNBA
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Eastern
- EPL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
- MLS
Transactions
Trending Players
Eastern
- ATL Atlanta UnitedAtlanta United FC
- MTL MontrealCF Montreal
- CLT CharlotteCharlotte FC
- CHI FireChicago Fire
- CLB Columbus CrewColumbus Crew
- DC UnitedD.C. United
- CIN CincinnatiFC Cincinnati
- MIA Inter MiamiInter Miami FC
- NSH NashvilleNashville SC
- NE RevolutionNew England Revolution
- NYC New York CityNew York City FC
- RBNY Red BullsNew York Red Bulls
- ORL Orlando CityOrlando City
- PHI UnionPhiladelphia Union
- TOR TorontoToronto FC
Western
- ATX AustinAustin FC
- COL RapidsColorado Rapids
- DAL DallasFC Dallas
- HOU DynamoHouston Dynamo
- LA GalaxyLA Galaxy
- LAFC Los AngelesLos Angeles FC
- MIN MinnesotaMinnesota United FC
- POR TimbersPortland Timbers
- RSL Real Salt LakeReal Salt Lake
- SD San Diego FCSan Diego FC
- SJ EarthquakesSan Jose Earthquakes
- SEA SoundersSeattle Sounders FC
- SKC Kansas CitySporting Kansas City
- STL St. Louis CITYSt. Louis CITY SC
- VAN WhitecapsVancouver Whitecaps FC
- NWSL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
- ACFC Angel City FCAngel City FC
- BFC Bay FCBay FC
- CHI Chicago Red StarsChicago Red Stars
- HOU Houston DashHouston Dash
- KC Kansas City CurrentKansas City Current
- GFC NJ/NY Gotham FCNJ/NY Gotham FC
- NC North Carolina CourageNorth Carolina Courage
- ORL Orlando PrideOrlando Pride
- POR Portland Thorns FCPortland Thorns FC
- LOU Racing Louisville FCRacing Louisville FC
- SD San Diego Wave FCSan Diego Wave FC
- SEA Seattle Reign FCSeattle Reign FC
- UTA Utah Royals FCUtah Royals FC
- WAS Washington SpiritWashington Spirit
- GOLF
Popular Pages
Trending Players
- TENNIS
ATP
WTA
- RACING
NASCAR CUP
FORMULA 1
- PVF
- OLYMPICS
NBA Max Contracts, Rookie Wages, & Free Agency
With the NBA Offseason rumor mill now full steam ahead, we'll take a moment to dive into the nuts and bolts of maximum contracts, which love them or hate them, continue to drive the league forward on an annual basis. There are just a few things to consider when considering a player at a maximum compensation level.
Years of Experience
First year salaries for maximum contracts are based on tiers of years of experience (0-6, 7-9, and 10+).
- 0-6 years of experience would qualify for 25% of the cap,
- 7-9 years of experience would qualify for 30% of the cap,
- 10+ years of experience would qualify for 35% of the cap
Contract Length & Salary Increases
The length of a maximum contract varies based on whether the player is re-signing with his current team, or signing a new contract elsewhere. Players re-signing with their current team can lock in a maximum contract of 5 years. A contract with a new team can only be a maximum of 4 years.
While the first year salary of a maximum contract is based on the slotted percentage of the league cap, the additional salaries are calculated based on a percent increase. Players re-signing with their current team have salary increases of 8% built in to the contract, while those signing to a new team receive only 5% increases.
Maximum Contract Breakdowns
All figures based on a $109M salary cap
New Team | Current Team | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YOE: 0-6 | Salary | Total | YOE: 0-6 | Salary | Total | |
1 | $27,250,000 | $27,250,000 | 1 | $27,250,000 | $27,250,000 | |
2 | $28,612,500 | $55,862,500 | 2 | $29,430,000 | $56,680,000 | |
3 | $29,975,000 | $85,837,500 | 3 | $31,610,000 | $88,290,000 | |
4 | $31,337,500 | $117,175,000 | 4 | $33,790,000 | $122,080,000 | |
5 | $35,970,000 | $158,050,000 | ||||
YOE: 7-9 | Salary | Total | YOE: 7-9 | Salary | Total | |
1 | $32,700,000 | $32,700,000 | 1 | $32,700,000 | $32,700,000 | |
2 | $34,335,000 | $67,035,000 | 2 | $35,316,000 | $68,016,000 | |
3 | $35,970,000 | $103,005,000 | 3 | $37,932,000 | $105,948,000 | |
4 | $37,605,000 | $140,610,000 | 4 | $40,548,000 | $146,496,000 | |
5 | $43,164,000 | $189,660,000 | ||||
YOE: 10+ | Salary | Total | YOE: 10+ | Salary | Total | |
1 | $38,150,000 | $38,150,000 | 1 | $38,150,000 | $38,150,000 | |
2 | $40,057,500 | $78,207,500 | 2 | $41,202,000 | $79,352,000 | |
3 | $41,965,000 | $120,172,500 | 3 | $44,254,000 | $123,606,000 | |
4 | $43,872,500 | $164,045,000 | 4 | $47,306,000 | $170,912,000 | |
5 | $50,358,000 | $221,270,000 | ||||
*based on a $109M league cap |
SuperMax Contracts
SuperMax contracts were built in to allow younger players who are producing at an elite level the opportunity to jump up a maximum contract tier, despite their lack of accrued years.
In other words, it allows players with at least 4 years of experience to jump up from the 25% pay scale, to the 30%, or players with 8-9 years of experience to jump up from 30% to 35%. Here are the rules to qualify for the SuperMax:
- The player was named to the All-NBA First, Second or Third team in the most recent season, or both of the two seasons that preceded the most recent season.
- The player was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the most recent season, or both of the two seasons that preceded the most recent season.
- The player was named the NBA Most Valuable Player in any of the three most recent seasons.
The 1+1 Contract
One of the more recent trends that LeBron James & Kevin Durant have started is to sign a 1 year contract that includes a player option for a 2nd season, commonly known as a 1+1 deal. This allows players the ability to make a lot of money (generally the max) in the first year, then complete control of their immediate future. As the league salary cap has continued to rise at a big clip ($10M annual), players have opted out of their 2nd year in order to sign a new contract based on the increased league cap figure.
However in the case of the now injured Kevin Durant in 2018-19, locking in the player option for 2019-20 was certainly to his benefit. Before the injury, it was a near certainty that Durant would opt-out of his current deal and explore the open market seeking a new maximum contract. Now injured, Durant holds control over how his next calendar year will play out.
Notable 2019 Free Agent Max. Contracts
It's important to note that these are just the maximum terms that are available. Players may choose to sign contracts shorter in length, and in the cases of players with 8 years of experience, will likely do so to allow themselves the chance to cash in at the 10 YOE level.
Player | Pos | Team | Status | YOE | Max 2019-20 Salary | Current Team Max Contract | New Team Max Contract |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kevin Durant | SF | GSW | Player Option | 12 | $38,150,000 | 5 years, $221M | 4 years, $164M |
Kawhi Leonard | SF | TOR | Player Option | 8 | $32,700,000 | 5 years, $190M | 4 years, $140M |
Jimmy Butler | SG | PHI | UFA | 8 | $32,700,000 | 5 years, $190M | 4 years, $140M |
Klay Thompson | SG | GSW | UFA | 8 | $32,700,000 | 5 years, $190M | 4 years, $140M |
Kyrie Irving | PG | BOS | UFA | 8 | $32,700,000 | 5 years, $190M | 4 years, $140M |
Kemba Walker | PG | CHA | UFA | 8 | $38,150,000 (TOR) $32,700,000 (New) |
5 years, $221M | 4 years, $140M |
Tobias Harris | SF | PHI | UFA | 8 | $32,700,000 | 5 years, $190M | 4 years, $140M |
Khris Middleton | SF | MIL | UFA | 7 | $32,700,000 | 5 years, $190M | 4 years, $140M |
D'Angelo Russell | PG | BKN | RFA | 4 | $27,250,000 | 5 years, $158M | 4 years, $117M |
Kristaps Porzingis | PF | DAL | RFA | 3 | $27,250,000 | 5 years, $158M | 4 years, $117M |
Drafted Rookie Contracts
The starting point for the NBA rookie wage scale was created in the current CBA for the 2017-18 season. From there, rookie wages have increased based on the percent increase of the league salary cap. That slotted figure is the "middle" point that a team can sign their rookie to, as every first round pick's salary can be as little as 80% of the slotted price, or up to 120% of that figure. Generally speaking, most high first rounders receive the full 120% value.
Rookie contracts are designed as 2 year deals, with club options in year 3 and year 4, & and qualifying offer (or restricted tender) available in year 5.
Players are available for an extension following the 3rd accrued season of their rookie contract, just like in the NFL. Here's how the 2 year contracts & projected 2019-20 cap figures look for the first 5 draft picks.
Pick | Team | Years | Dollars | 2019 Cap Hit |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | NOP | 2 | $19,976,760 | $9,744,720 |
2 | MEM | 2 | $17,874,000 | $8,718,960 |
3 | NYK | 2 | $16,050,840 | $7,829,640 |
4 | LAL (NOP) | 2 | $14,471,400 | $7,059,360 |
5 | CLE | 2 | $13,104,480 | $6,392,400 |
Related Links
- 2019 NBA Draft Tracker & Projected Contracts
- 2019 NBA Team Salary Cap Tracker
- 2019 NBA Free Agent Tracker
CATEGORIES
- NBA 95
- NFL 70
- GOLF 55
- NWSL 47
- MLB 26
- NHL 1
AUTHORS
- Michael Ginnitti NFL, MLB
- Keith Smith NBA
- Scott Allen Contributor
- Taylor Vincent NWSL
2024 NWSL Awards
Recapping the NWSL Award winners
2024 NWSL Season-Ending Injuries
Recapping the season-ending injuries that occurred during the 2024 NWSL season.
NFL 2025 Roster Bubble Candidates
Spotrac’s annual NFL Roster Bubble report identifies players that have the potential to be released, traded, or retire after the current 2024 season, including notable financial ramifications for each.
A Midseason QB Contract Review
With the midway point of the 2024 NFL season now in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to reassess where each starting quarterback stands in terms of their stability on the field, but also contractually speaking going forward.
Potential NFL Market Resetters
As we head into the second half of the 2024 regular season, the time to start collecting potential offseason contract decisions begins now. Spotrac starts that process with a look at players who are trending toward signing a contract that would reset their respective position’s market.
TRENDING PLAYERS
- 1 Daniel Jones (QB, NYG)
- 2 Ben Simmons (PG, BKN)
- 3 Zion Williamson (PF, NOP)
- 4 Jameis Winston (QB, CLE)
- 5 Deshaun Watson (QB, CLE)
TRENDING PAGES
- 1 NFL Free Agents
- 2 NFL Transactions
- 3 MLB Free Agents
- 4 MLB Transactions
- 5 NBA Trade Machine