.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
The 2026 NBA Draft is finally here, and a new batch of rookies will enter the league hungry to make a name for themselves.
While financials aren't usually a fan's first thought for each rookie that's drafted, compared to where they land on draft night and why, there are some interesting details that correlate to where a player gets drafted.
This year, the first overall pick will make $69 million across a four-year deal, while the final pick of the first round will make $15.5 million.
Here's a look at how much each 2026 rookie will take home depending on where they get drafted.
2026 NBA DRAFT HQ: Live picks tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Best players still available
How much do first-round draft picks make in NBA?
There are 30 first-round picks in the NBA Draft, and each player drafted in the opening round will make a different amount of money depending on when they are picked. For example, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft will earn a four-year contract valued at around $69 million, while the player drafted at No. 30 will sign a four-year, $15.5 million deal.
Rookie contracts are typically given with a duration of four years for first-round picks. Technically, a team does retain the option to keep the player after their second and third seasons, according to AS.
In 2026, the No. 1 overall pick will earn a four-year salary of $69 million, according to Spotrac. In their rookie season, they will make $15.2 million. Heading into their fourth and final year on that deal, the 2026 first pick will earn $21 million.
On the other side, the last pick of the first round will make $15.5 million across four seasons, including $3 million in their first season. At the fourth year, they can take home $5.9 million.
MORE 2026 NBA DRAFT NEWS:
- Ranking top 60 players in 2026 NBA Draft
- Safest picks in 2026, including Cam Boozer and Bennett Stirtz
- Nate Ament, Jayden Quaintance lead riskiest draft prospects
NBA salary by draft pick
Here's a look at the expected total contract value and Year 1 salary for the first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, according to Spotrac.
| Pick | Contract value | Year 1 salary |
| 1 | $69,003,336 | $15,208,560 |
| 2 | $61,754,203 | $13,607,400 |
| 3 | $55,482,355 | $12,219,840 |
| 4 | $50,035,729 | $11,017,320 |
| 5 | $45,330,803 | $9,976,800 |
| 6 | $41,183,243 | $9,061,440 |
| 7 | $37,612,922 | $8,272,080 |
| 8 | $34,474,684 | $7,578,120 |
| 9 | $31,704,992 | $6,965,760 |
| 10 | $30,125,362 | $6,617,640 |
| 11 | $28,980,481 | $6,286,680 |
| 12 | $27,867,300 | $5,972,520 |
| 13 | $26,791,235 | $5,673,720 |
| 14 | $25,761,857 | $5,390,400 |
| 15 | $24,763,972 | $5,120,520 |
| 16 | $23,532,928 | $4,864,560 |
| 17 | $22,364,820 | $4,621,200 |
| 18 | $21,257,017 | $4,390,440 |
| 19 | $20,310,173 | $4,192,680 |
| 20 | $19,503,712 | $4,024,680 |
| 21 | $18,942,247 | $3,863,760 |
| 22 | $18,396,395 | $3,709,440 |
| 23 | $17,864,614 | $3,561,240 |
| 24 | $17,346,930 | $3,418,920 |
| 25 | $16,839,371 | $3,281,640 |
| 26 | $16,287,511 | $3,173,040 |
| 27 | $15,822,480 | $3,081,360 |
| 28 | $15,727,868 | $3,062,280 |
| 29 | $15,613,602 | $3,040,320 |
| 30 | $15,500,706 | $3,018,240 |
How much will second-round picks make in the 2026 NBA Draft?
There is no set amount that a second-round pick must make in the NBA, according to FanSided. Parameters are set for first-round rookies to make a predetermined amount of salary based on where they were drafted. This is called the rookie scale, and it was established in the 1995 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Last year's minimum contract for a rookie was valued at $1.27 million, so it's safe to assume the number will hover around there or above.
English (US)