NBA Rookie Salaries: Average Pay for 2026 Draft Picks in the NBA

The NBA applies a rookie salary scale that ties each draftee’s earnings to his draft position and the league’s collective bargaining agreement. For the 2026 class, the top pick is slated to earn roughly $4.

5 million in the first year, while the last slot will receive about $1. 5 million.

These figures are reflected in the players’ guaranteed contracts and count toward each team’s salary cap for the season.