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

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.

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.

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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