It’s the first week of November and Adam Silver’s success initiative from last season is making its return. And it can financially aid the Lakers rooks Bronny James and Dalton Knecht. The NBA’s In-Season tournament, a series of gripping regular season games will hold its first matchday tomorrow. A slate of historical matchups awaits the fans, but the throne-holders won’t make their debut. The Los Angeles Lakers, a franchise akin to legacy hoisted the first banner at the Crypto.com arena. Now, the Purple and Gold will be back to defend the title.

Last season, Anthony Davis’ dominant Final and LeBron James claiming MVP honors were the highlights. But this year, an array of storylines are attached to the club. The Akron Hammer could play the tournament with his elder son Bronny James. Fellow rookie Dalton Knecht could face his first intense NBA environment. But if they do succeed in repeating, how will the two first-year players benefit?

As we know, the NBA Cup entices teams with the financial reward that awaits the winner. Both James and Knecht have guaranteed NBA contracts worth millions. Still, the incentive to win is moving. If the Lakers do manage to repeat, every player on the roster will receive $514,971. That’s almost half of James’ rookie season salary and also a significant increment for Knecht, who makes $3.7 million.

But that’s not all. Making the NBA Cup Finals gets every player $205,988, an appearance in the Semifinals will pay $102,994 and if a team exits in the first elimination round, every player will receive a $51,497 cash bonus. Hence, the stakes are high, especially for those who aren’t the highest earners in a league that generates billions.

It managed to breed a highly competitive landscape last year and Silver is hoping to mirror and elevate the product during its second season.

Who does the NBA Cup reward really benefit?

To those not in the NBA, half a million dollars is an absurd amount of money. But it’s pocket change for the elite players in the NBA. LeBron James and Stephen Curry, who each will earn more than $50 million, aren’t in dire need of the money. However, they were still just as motivated. For James, who led the Lakers to victory, he had the other players in mind.

Namely, the sum is life-changing for marginal contracts such as Cam Reddish or even two-way players. Just take the case of Celtics center Neemias Queta. He was on a two-way contract last year. For them, a win is an additional $250,000, nearly the sum of their salary. “Obviously, it’s some extra money, something to help your family, whatever it is. But at the end of the day, it’s not the money that makes us want to get to the tournament. It’s just the prestige of getting the first one,” he said about the In-Season Tournament.

Knowing that very well, the Lakers’ star tandem of Davis and James went to the depths of their reservoir for their teammates. AD dropped 41 in a lob-sided Finals victory over the Pacers and LeBron James stayed consistently spotless. But it wasn’t just the prospect of helping their NBA family make some extra cash that had them charged up.

Top Stories

A’ja Wilson, Bam Adebayo Issue Strong Statement Against Rachel Nichols’ Question About Couple’s Privacy

“Why Wouldn’t I?”- LeBron James Defies JJ Redick’s Directive, Takes FT Off Luka Doncic

Caitlin Clark Surpasses LeBron James, Stephen Curry With 136,000 PSA Announcement

Dillon Brooks Goes Missing After LeBron James Gets “Last Laugh” in Heated Lakers-Suns Finish

NBA World Turns On Victor Wembanyama After Subtle Dig at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC

For the ones regarded as the league’s finest, it became a chance to compete at the fullest early into the season. “This doesn’t have a regular-season feel at all. I’m used to playing LeBron whatever he plays, 30, 35 minutes. It felt like he and [Anthony Davis] never came off the floor. It was like a playoff-type deal,” Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton said about facing the Lakers in the Finals.

Even the likes of Kevin Durant admitted to there being excitement among his friends and family for the knockout stages in Vegas. The NBA Cup has managed to awaken the drive of every player, whether it’s through monetary rewards, playing under the lights of Las Vegas, or a postseason environment.

And with a start this high, NBA fans can’t wait for the anticipated matchup to begin every Tuesday and Friday.