2026 NBA Draft Pick Signings
Free agent and trade news has generated the biggest NBA headlines over the last couple weeks, but teams around the league are also taking care of the rookies they drafted on June 23 and 24, signing them to their first NBA contracts. Because cap holds for first-round picks count for 120% of the rookie scale amount instead of 100%, 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 AJ Dybantsa is in line for a four-year deal worth nearly $67MM, which represents the maximum allowable 120% of his scale amount. No. 30 pick Koa Peat, on the other hand, is eligible for a four-year contract worth just over $15MM.
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. The NBA’s latest Collective Bargaining Agreement introduced a new salary cap exception for second-rounders, which will allow teams to sign those players to contracts of up to four years with a starting salary worth up to the equivalent to the minimum for a two-year veteran. In the past, such a deal would have required cap room or another exception, such as the mid-level.
Some second-rounders won’t sign standard NBA deals 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 2026’s draft pick signings. This list will continue to be updated as more draftees sign their first NBA contracts:
First round
- Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU: Signed
- Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas: Signed
- Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer, F, Duke: Signed
- Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson, F, UNC: Signed
- Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois: Signed
- Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville: Signed
- Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas: Signed
- Atlanta Hawks: Kingston Flemings, G, Houston: Signed
- Dallas Mavericks: Morez Johnson Jr., F, Michigan: Signed
- Milwaukee Bucks: Brayden Burries, G, Arizona: Signed
- Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan: Signed
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Aday Mara, C, Michigan: Signed
- Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament, F, Tennessee: Signed
- Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach, C, Washington: Signed
- Chicago Bulls: Dailyn Swain, G/F, Texas: Signed
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa: Signed
- Detroit Pistons: Ebuka Okorie, G, Stanford: Signed
- Charlotte Hornets: Christian Anderson Jr., G, Texas Tech: Signed
- Toronto Raptors: Allen Graves, F, Santa Clara: Signed
- San Antonio Spurs: Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky: Signed
- Memphis Grizzlies: Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers
- Philadelphia 76ers: Labaron Philon Jr., G, Alabama: Signed
- Atlanta Hawks: Zuby Ejiofor, F/C, St. John’s: Signed
- Los Angeles Lakers: Cameron Carr, G, Baylor: Signed
- Dallas Mavericks: Sergio de Larrea, G, Valencia: Signed
- San Antonio Spurs: Tarris Reed Jr., F/C, UConn: Signed
- Boston Celtics: Chris Cenac Jr., F/C, Houston: Signed
- Brooklyn Nets: Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State: Signed
- Sacramento Kings: Alex Karaban, F, UConn: Signed
- Phoenix Suns: Koa Peat, F, Arizona: Signed
Second round
- Houston Rockets: Bruce Thornton, G, Ohio State: Signed
- Four years, $9,264,648. First year guaranteed. Second and third years non-guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.
- Memphis Grizzlies: Richie Saunders, G/F, BYU
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Isaiah Evans, G, Duke: Signed
- Four years, $9,264,648. First three years guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas: Signed
- Four years, $9,264,648. First three years guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.
- Denver Nuggets: Trevon Brazile, F/C, Arkansas: Signed
- Four years, $9,264,648. First two years guaranteed. Third year non-guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.
- Los Angeles Clippers: Baba Miller, F/C, Cincinnati: Signed
- Four years, $9,612,515. First two years guaranteed. Third year non-guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.
- Miami Heat: Ryan Conwell, G, Louisville: Signed
- Three years, $6,346,496. First year guaranteed. Second year partially guaranteed ($1,147,185). Third-year team option.
- Indiana Pacers: Braden Smith, G, Purdue
- New York Knicks: Jack Kayil, G, Alba Berlin: Expected to play overseas
- Boston Celtics: Dillon Mitchell, F, St. John’s
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Otega Oweh, G/F, Kentucky: Signed
- Two-way contract (one year).
- San Antonio Spurs: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, G, Tennessee: Signed
- Two-way contract (one year).
- Brooklyn Nets: Tyler Bilodeau, F, UCLA: Signed
- Two-way contract (one year).
- San Antonio Spurs: Maliq Brown, F/C, Duke: Signed
- Two-way contract (one year).
- Sacramento Kings: Emanuel Sharp, G, Houston: Signed
- Three years, $6,346,496. First two years guaranteed. Third-year team option.
- Washington Wizards: Felix Okpara, C, Tennessee: Signed
- Two-way contract (one year).
- New York Knicks: Tyler Nickel, G, Vanderbilt
- Dallas Mavericks: Tobi Lawal, F, Virginia Tech: Signed
- Two-way contract (one year).
- Denver Nuggets: Bryce Hopkins, F, St. John’s
- Toronto Raptors: Jaden Bradley, G, Arizona: Signed
- Two-way contract (one year).
- Orlando Magic: Izaiyah Nelson, F/C, South Florida: Signed
- Two-way contract (two years).
- Atlanta Hawks: Henri Veesaar, C, UNC: Signed
- Four years, $9,264,648. First two years guaranteed. Third year non-guaranteed. Fourth-year team option.
- Detroit Pistons: Ugonna Onyenso, C, Virginia: Signed
- Two-way contract (two years).
- Golden State Warriors: Lajae Jones, G/F, Florida State
- Los Angeles Clippers: Nick Martinelli, F, Northwestern: Signed
- Two-way contract (two years).
- Dallas Mavericks: Vsevolod Ishchenko, G/F, Lokomotiv Kuban
- Los Angeles Clippers: Narcisse Ngoy, C, Poitiers Basket 86: Expected to play for Auburn
- New Orleans Pelicans: Jaron Pierre Jr., G, SMU
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Trey Kaufman-Renn, F/C, Purdue
- Milwaukee Bucks: Malique Lewis, F, South East Melbourne Phoenix
Mavericks Sign Second-Rounder Tobi Lawal To Two-Way Deal
The Mavericks have signed Tobi Lawal to a two-way contract, the team announced (via Twitter). Dallas selected the former Virginia Tech standout with the 48th overall pick in last week’s draft.
A 6’8″ forward from London, England, Lawal spent two seasons at VCU prior to transferring to Virginia Tech ahead of his junior season in 2024/25. He averaged 12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 27.6 minutes per game over his two seasons with the Hokies, with a shooting line of .552/.318/.696.
Lawal, a 23-year-old senior, is considered a somewhat raw prospect with explosive athleticism — he led the combine in both standing vertical (40″) and max vertical leap (45.5″). While he doesn’t have much self-creation ability and his shot is a work in progress, Lawal is an aggressive rim-runner and lob threat, particularly in transition.
Lawal’s two-way contract, which is non-guaranteed and doesn’t count against the salary cap, will pay him $679K in 2026/27, half of the rookie minimum. He can be active for up to 50 games as a rookie and won’t be eligible for the postseason unless he’s promoted to a standard contract at some point.
Mavericks Sign Sergio De Larrea To Rookie Contract
The Mavericks announced today (via Twitter) that they’ve officially signed 25th overall pick Sergio de Larrea to his rookie scale contract.
While most announcements of first-round picks signing their contracts are procedural, there was some uncertainty about whether Dallas would add the 6’5″ Spanish guard to its roster this year or whether he’d spent the 2026/27 season overseas as a draft-and-stash prospect. This transaction answers that question.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link), de Larrea signed for the full 120% amount of his rookie scale slot, which means he’ll earn $3.18MM as a rookie and up to $16.33MM over four years.
De Larrea, who was acquired by the Mavericks in a trade up from No. 30, has spent his career to this point playing in his home country for Valencia. He took on a regular role for the club over the past two seasons, averaging 9.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game across 28 domestic contests in 2025/26.
In addition to showing off some play-making skills with Valencia, de Larrea has shot the ball well, making 41.2% of his three-pointers in Liga ACB, EuroLeague, and EuroCup play since the start of the 2024/25 season. The 20-year-old is also a Liga ACB champion, as Valencia beat Barcelona for the 2026 title one day after de Larrea was drafted last week.
While we still see a handful of second-rounders become draft-and-stash prospects each year, it has become increasingly rare for a team to take that path with a first-rounder. The last player to be selected in the first round and not immediately sign with his NBA team was Leandro Bolmaro in 2020.
Thunder Sign Mara, Stirtz, Three Two-Way Players
The Thunder announced a series of signings on Friday in a pair of press releases, filling two spots on their standard roster and all three of their two-way slots.
Joining the team’s projected 15-man regular season roster are first-round picks Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, who officially signed their first NBA contracts. As outlined in our breakdown of this year’s rookie scale salaries, Mara figures to receive a $5.79MM first-year salary and $27.02MM over four years as this year’s No. 12 pick, while No. 16 pick Stirtz will earn $4.72MM as a rookie and up to $22.82MM in total on his four-year deal.
Mara, a 7’3″ center who won a national title at Michigan this spring, will join a loaded frontcourt that also features Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, and Thomas Sorber. As for Stirtz, the Thunder gave up two future second-round picks to move up one spot from No. 17 to make sure they got him. The 6’4″ guard excelled as a shooter and play-maker for Iowa over the last two seasons.
The Thunder have also signed the following three players to two-way contracts, per the team:
- Otega Oweh, G: The Kentucky wing, who hit one of the most memorable buzzer-beaters in this year’s NCAA tournament, averaged 18.6 points and 1.8 steals per game as a senior. He was the 41st overall pick in last week’s draft after Oklahoma City traded down from No. 37.
- Brooks Barnhizer, G/F: As a rookie, the 2025 second-round pick averaged 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per game across 40 appearances off the bench for Oklahoma City. He received a two-way qualifying offer earlier this week and likely simply accepted that deal.
- Josh Dix, G: The former Creighton shooting guard went undrafted last week and quickly agreed to a two-way deal with the Thunder. That agreement is now official.
Oweh, Barnhizer, and Dix will be eligible to be active for up to 50 regular season games and won’t be playoff-eligible as long as they remain on their two-way contracts.
[RELATED: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Two-Way Contract]
The Thunder now have 13 players on guaranteed contracts and three on two-way deals, with Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams set to sign new contracts after the moratorium lifts. While Oklahoma City figures to shuffle non-guaranteed training camp invitees on and off the roster in the coming months, the team’s major offseason work may be done — unless the front office still plans to be active on the trade market.
Spurs Sign All Four 2026 Draft Picks
The Spurs have signed first-round picks Jayden Quaintance (No. 20 overall) and Tarris Reed Jr. (No. 26) to their rookie scale contracts, the team announced today in a press release.
San Antonio has also officially signed second-rounders Ja’Kobi Gillespie (42nd) and Maliq Brown (44th), per the team’s announcement. Both of those players received two-way contracts.
As our rookie scale salaries for 2026 first-round picks shows, Quaintance will receive $3.9MM as a rookie and can earn up to $18.9MM over four years, assuming he received the standard 120% of rookie scale amount.
The former Arizona State and Kentucky big man could be sidelined to open his debut NBA season due a right knee injury, which requires a second surgery to clean up his meniscus. The plan is for Quaintance to be with the Spurs’ Summer League team as it travels to the California Classic and then on to Las Vegas, but he obviously won’t play, as Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News tweets.
Reed, who starred as a senior center at UConn, will earn $3.1MM next season and $15.8MM over the duration of his rookie scale deal. As with Quaintance, the first two years of Reed’s contract are guaranteed, while the third and fourth seasons are team options.
The two-way contracts signed by Gillespie and Brown will give them the ability to be active for up to 50 NBA games in ’26/27. They’ll earn a non-guaranteed $679K next season and won’t be eligible to compete in the playoffs unless they’re converted to standard deals at some point.
San Antonio entered the offseason with an eye on improving its frontcourt depth, and it did so by selecting Quaintance and Brown, the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and acquiring the draft rights to Reed in a trade with the Nuggets. The Spurs also re-signed Harrison Barnes and added another veteran forward in Tobias Harris in free agency.
Gillespie, the lone guard of the group, will provide backcourt depth for Spurs team loaded at point guard.
AJ Dybantsa Among First-Round Picks To Sign On Thursday
Five first-round picks have signed their rookie scale contracts throughout the day on Thursday.
A couple of the players are expected to take part in the Salt Lake City and California Classic Summer Leagues, which will take place before the Las Vegas Summer League, so their teams are taking the opportunity to get them under contract ahead of practices this week and their SL debuts over the weekend.
In past years, we’ve devoted full stories to each of the 30 first-round picks signing his rookie scale contract, but since most of those deals are a mere formality and the salary terms are predetermined, we’ll likely try relaying most of them in round-up form this year, like we’ve done below. That only figures to change if there’s something unusual to note about a particular signing, such as a player accepting below the usual 120% of his rookie scale amount.
Here are the players who have signed their rookie scale contracts on the first day of the new league year, per the NBA’s transaction log and/or announcements from their teams. We’ve included their tentative contract details (based on 120% of the rookie scale) and links to our stories from when they were drafted last week.
- AJ Dybantsa (Wizards): First-year salary of $14.7MM; four-year total of $66.9MM (story)
- Kingston Flemings (Hawks): First-year salary of $7.3MM; four-year total of $33.4MM (story)
- Morez Johnson Jr. (Mavericks): First-year salary of $6.8MM; four-year total of $30.7MM (story)
- Allen Graves (Raptors): First-year salary of $4.1MM; four-year total of $19.7MM (story)
- Cameron Carr (Lakers): First-year salary of $3.3MM; four-year total of $16.8MM (story)
Rookie Scale Salaries For 2026 NBA First-Round Picks
With the NBA’s salary cap set at $164,961,000 for the 2026/27 league year, the rookie scale has been set as well. The rookie scale locks in the value of contracts for first-round picks.
In each 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 almost 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 2026’s first-round picks. If a first-round pick signs a rookie scale contract in 2026/27, it will be for the amount below — unless he accepts a deal worth less than the maximum allowable 120% (in which case, we’ll update these numbers).
These salary figures will only apply if the player signs in 2026/27. If a player doesn’t sign an NBA contract this year, his rookie deal will look a little different in future seasons.
Rookie scale contracts are guaranteed for the first two years, with team options on the third and fourth years. Those option years are represented in italics below.
Here’s the 2026 breakdown:
| No. |
2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | 2029/30 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $14,748,000 | $15,485,760 | $16,223,040 | $20,457,253 | $66,914,053 |
| 2 | $13,195,320 | $13,855,320 | $14,515,320 | $18,318,334 | $59,884,294 |
| 3 | $11,849,760 | $12,441,840 | $13,034,880 | $16,476,088 | $53,802,568 |
| 4 | $10,683,720 | $11,217,960 | $11,752,320 | $14,866,685 | $48,520,685 |
| 5 | $9,674,760 | $10,158,240 | $10,641,960 | $13,483,363 | $43,958,323 |
| 6 | $8,787,000 | $9,226,440 | $9,666,000 | $12,256,488 | $39,935,928 |
| 7 | $8,021,640 | $8,422,920 | $8,823,600 | $11,205,972 | $36,474,132 |
| 8 | $7,348,680 | $7,716,120 | $8,083,680 | $10,282,441 | $33,430,921 |
| 9 | $6,754,800 | $7,093,080 | $7,430,640 | $9,466,635 | $30,745,155 |
| 10 | $6,417,360 | $6,738,000 | $7,058,520 | $8,999,613 | $29,213,493 |
| 11 | $6,096,240 | $6,401,280 | $6,706,200 | $8,899,127 | $28,102,847 |
| 12 | $5,791,680 | $6,081,480 | $6,371,160 | $8,779,458 | $27,023,778 |
| 13 | $5,502,000 | $5,777,280 | $6,052,200 | $8,648,594 | $25,980,074 |
| 14 | $5,227,200 | $5,488,560 | $5,750,160 | $8,515,987 | $24,981,907 |
| 15 | $4,965,480 | $5,213,760 | $5,461,920 | $8,373,123 | $24,014,283 |
| 16 | $4,717,320 | $4,953,240 | $5,189,400 | $7,960,540 | $22,820,500 |
| 17 | $4,481,280 | $4,705,440 | $4,929,360 | $7,571,497 | $21,687,577 |
| 18 | $4,257,480 | $4,470,000 | $4,683,120 | $7,202,639 | $20,613,239 |
| 19 | $4,065,720 | $4,268,880 | $4,472,640 | $6,887,866 | $19,695,106 |
| 20 | $3,902,760 | $4,097,880 | $4,292,880 | $6,619,621 | $18,913,141 |
| 21 | $3,746,760 | $3,934,320 | $4,121,760 | $6,565,964 | $18,368,804 |
| 22 | $3,597,120 | $3,776,760 | $3,956,760 | $6,508,870 | $17,839,510 |
| 23 | $3,453,360 | $3,626,160 | $3,798,360 | $6,445,817 | $17,323,697 |
| 24 | $3,315,360 | $3,481,080 | $3,646,800 | $6,378,253 | $16,821,493 |
| 25 | $3,182,280 | $3,341,280 | $3,500,880 | $6,305,085 | $16,329,525 |
| 26 | $3,076,920 | $3,230,520 | $3,384,480 | $6,102,217 | $15,794,137 |
| 27 | $2,988,120 | $3,137,640 | $3,287,400 | $5,930,470 | $15,343,630 |
| 28 | $2,969,520 | $3,118,560 | $3,266,880 | $5,896,718 | $15,251,678 |
| 29 | $2,948,280 | $3,095,640 | $3,243,120 | $5,853,832 | $15,140,872 |
| 30 | $2,926,800 | $3,073,080 | $3,219,840 | $5,811,811 | $15,031,531 |
2026’s first-round picks:
- AJ Dybantsa (Wizards)
- Darryn Peterson (Jazz)
- Cameron Boozer (Grizzlies)
- Caleb Wilson (Bulls)
- Keaton Wagler (Clippers)
- Mikel Brown Jr. (Nets)
- Darius Acuff Jr. (Kings)
- Kingston Flemings (Hawks)
- Morez Johnson Jr. (Mavericks)
- Brayden Burries (Bucks)
- Yaxel Lendeborg (Warriors)
- Aday Mara (Thunder)
- Nate Ament (Bucks)
- Hannes Steinbach (Hornets)
- Dailyn Swain (Bulls)
- Bennett Stirtz (Thunder)
- Ebuka Okorie (Pistons)
- Christian Anderson Jr. (Hornets)
- Allen Graves (Raptors)
- Jayden Quaintance (Spurs)
- Karim Lopez (Grizzlies)
- Labaron Philon Jr. (Sixers)
- Zuby Ejiofor (Hawks)
- Cameron Carr (Lakers)
- Sergio de Larrea (Mavericks)
- Tarris Reed Jr. (Spurs)
- Chris Cenac Jr. (Celtics)
- Joshua Jefferson (Nets)
- Alex Karaban (Kings)
- Koa Peat (Suns)
Pistons Sign Second-Rounder Ugonna Onyenso To Two-Way Deal
The Pistons have signed Ugonna Onyenso to a two-way contract, per NBA.com’s transactions log.
A 7’0″ center from Nigeria, Onyenso was the 53rd overall pick in last month’s draft. He was technically drafted by the Rockets, who traded the 53rd selection to New York when they moved up to No. 31 to acquire Bruce Thornton; the Knicks later traded the rights to Onyenso to Detroit for cash.
As a senior with Virginia in 2025/26, Onyenso averaged 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and an ACC-best 2.9 blocks in just 18.6 minutes per game across 36 appearances. The big man, who played two seasons of college ball at Kentucky and one at Kansas State prior to transferring to the Cavaliers, was named to the All-ACC Defensive Team last season.
Onyenso possesses a massive 9’5″ standing reach and was viewed as one of the top rim protectors in the 2026 class. However, his offensive game is considered fairly limited, which explains why he never averaged more than 18.8 minutes per game in a single season during his four years in college.
Onyenso will earn about $679K on his two-way contract, which is non-guaranteed and doesn’t count against the salary cap. He can be active for up 50 NBA games as a rookie and won’t be eligible to compete in the playoffs unless he’s promoted to the standard roster. NBA teams can have up to three players on two-way deals, and Onyenso will be Detroit’s second, joining Isaac Jones.
Peterson, Acuff Among First-Rounders To Sign On Wednesday
Several players selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA draft officially signed their rookie scale contracts throughout the day on Wednesday.
Many of those players are expected to take part in the Salt Lake City and California Classic Summer Leagues, which will take place before the Las Vegas Summer League, so their teams are taking the opportunity to get them under contract ahead of practices this week and their SL debuts over the weekend.
In past years, we’ve devoted full stories to each of the 30 first-round picks signing his rookie scale contract, but since most of those deals are a mere formality and the salary terms are predetermined, we’ll likely try relaying most of them in round-up form this year, like we’ve done below. That only figures to change if there’s something unusual to note about a particular signing, such as a player accepting below the usual 120% of his rookie scale amount.
Here are the players who have signed their rookie scale contracts on the first day of the new league year, per the NBA’s transaction log and/or announcements from their teams. We’ve included their tentative contract details (based on 120% of the rookie scale) and links to our stories from when they were drafted last week.
- Darryn Peterson (Jazz): First-year salary of $13.2MM; four-year total of $59.9MM (story)
- Darius Acuff Jr. (Kings): First-year salary of $8MM; four-year total of $36.5MM (story)
- Yaxel Lendeborg (Warriors): First-year salary of $6.1MM; four-year total of $28.1MM (story)
- Zuby Ejiofor (Hawks): First-year salary of $3.5MM; four-year total of $17.3MM (story)
- Alex Karaban (Kings): First-year salary of $2.9MM; four-year total of $15.1MM (story)
- Koa Peat (Suns): First-year salary of $2.9MM; four-year total of $15MM (story)
Second-Round Pick Exception Details For 2026/27
As we first outlined in 2023 when it was introduced as a new addition to the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the second-round pick exception allows NBA teams to sign their second-round picks to standard contracts without requiring cap room or another exception (such as the mid-level) to do so.
Like the rookie scale exception, the second-round pick exception isn’t limited to a single use. It can be deployed as many times as needed in a given league year.
The second-round exception can be used to sign a player to either a three-year contract that includes a third-year team option or a four-year contract that features a fourth-year team option.
Teams have made good use of the new exception over the past few years, with just about every second-round pick who gets a standard contracts now being signed using the second-round exception.
The values of the second-round pick exception change every year along with the NBA’s minimum salary scale, so with this year’s second-rounders starting to sign, it’s worth updating the numbers to ensure they’re accurate for 2026/27.
Here are the details for ’26/27:
Three-year deal
- The first year can be worth up to the minimum salary for a player with one year of NBA experience.
- The second and third years are worth the second- and third-year minimum salaries for a rookie.
- The third year is a team option.
As our chart of minimum salaries shows, in 2026/27, the maximum three-year salary for a contract with this structure would be just shy of $7.2MM. Here’s the year-by-year breakdown (option year in italics):
| Year | Salary |
|---|---|
| 2026/27 | $2,185,116 |
| 2027/28 | $2,294,370 |
| 2028/29 | $2,694,363 |
| Total | $7,173,849 |
While the second- and third-year salaries will remain static in any three-year contract signed using the second-round exception, the first season can be as low as the rookie minimum ($1,357,763). A three-year deal that starts at that minimum amount would be worth a total of $6,346,496.
Four-year deal
- The first year can be worth up to the minimum salary for a player with two years of NBA experience.
- The second year can be worth up to the second-year minimum salary for a player with one year of experience.
- The third and fourth years are worth the third- and fourth-year minimum salaries for a rookie.
- The fourth year is a team option.
In 2026/27, the maximum four-year salary for a contract with this structure would be nearly $10MM. Here’s what it looks like from year to year (option year in italics):
| Year | Salary |
|---|---|
| 2026/27 | $2,449,421 |
| 2027/28 | $2,571,895 |
| 2028/29 | $2,694,363 |
| 2029/30 | $2,918,152 |
| Total | $10,633,831 |
As with the first year of the three-year deal, the first two seasons of the four-year contract don’t necessarily have to start this high. They could be as low as $1,357,763 for year one and $2,294,370 for year two, for a four-year total of $9,264,648. A pair of second-round picks have already signed contracts believed to be worth that amount.
In any deal that uses this four-year contract structure, the salary increase between the first and second season can’t exceed 5% if the second season is above the minimum. For instance, a team wouldn’t be permitted to negotiate a contract that starts at the rookie minimum ($1,357,763) and jumps to $2,400,000 in year two, even though that second-year salary comes in below the maximum allowed.
Players who are signed using the second-round pick exception don’t count against a team’s cap between July 1 and July 30 of their first season.
That rule allows teams to preserve all the cap room they need until July 31 without having to worry about their second-rounders cutting into it, as well as positioning those players to sign their first NBA contracts before taking part in Summer League games.