Rookie salaries have increased dramatically over the years. In the early 1980s, the top rookies were making less than $1 million per year. Today, the top rookies are making over $10 million per year. NBA?s salary structure for rookies is based on a scale depending on the salary cap. For the 2023-24 season, the league has informed that the salary cap is projected to be $134 million, significantly impacting the rookie scale and their earnings. The salary cap is $10.4M higher than last season. Based on these projections, Victor Wembanyama will be the highest earner as a rookie.

Upon being drafted, he was immediately hailed as the most promising rookie since LeBron James, who has the highest salary as a rookie this year. Right after him is the Blazers? Scoot Henderson. Henderson is a significant player for the Blazers trying to rebuild after Damian Lillard’s trade.?

Wembanyama and Henderson?s per year salary in their first season.?

The selection of #1 overall draft pick Wemby, is projected to be earning more than $55 million in salary over his first four seasons. The first two seasons are guaranteed while his other two come with a player option. He is earning a base salary of $12.2 million in his first year.?

That makes it the third-highest salary in the San Antonio Spurs. His rank as the top earner in the team will only get better at number 2 by next year. That would also make him the highest-earning rookie in NBA history. The previous highest rookie salary was of Paolo Banchero in 2022, who made over $11.9 million.

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Other NBA rookie salaries?

Amen and Ausar Thompson are the next two highest earners. Amen is valued at more than $40M for four years. Ausar?s annual salary in his rookie season is $7,997,420.?

Anthony Black of the Wizards will earn $7,245,480 in the first season just as his salary. Mavericks rookie Taylor Hendricks will see is projected to be earning $25,350,716 by his fourth year.

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