Highest Earning Rookie in 2023-24 Season: Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and Other 1st Year Players’ Salary Breakdown

Published 09/29/2023, 12:24 PM EDT

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.

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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.

On the other hand, Henderson’s salary for the 2023-24 NBA season is a whopping $9,770,904. His contract includes a team option for the 2027-28 season, which means the Blazers can choose to extend his contract for one more season at a predetermined salary. This is interesting because Henderson’s contract and the team’s expectations of him completely align. Winning champion Jrew Holiday and Henderson’s versatility could complement the team’s ambitions.

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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.

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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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Written by:

Chetan is an NBA content writer at Essentially Sports. Being an active basketball player since his school days, he has always been a dedicated follower of the NBA. His passion for the game has drove him to pursue a career in sports journalism.

Edited by:

Aishwary Gaonkar

Highest Earning Rookie in 2023-24 Season: Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and Other 1st Year Players’ Salary Breakdown

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

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Other NBA rookie salaries