Well, after a sixteen-year career, Derrick Rose has finally decided to hang his boots. And his hoop journey was nothing short of inspirational. While everyone will remember him as the youngest MVP in league history and the biggest What If story, there is another reason his impact will be felt even after his playing days are over. Yes, with superstars like Anthony Edwards making millions, they have the Bulls legend to thank for their massive contracts. Because it might not have been possible without the ‘Derrick Rose Rule’.

It was right after D Rose bagged his MVP trophy that the league decided to bring the unique rule into effect. Well, it was because the point guard had exceeded expectations by winning the highest individual honor while still on his rookie contract in 2011.

So, to reward such young superstars who outplay their initial contracts and have four to six years of experience, the Derrick Rose rule makes them eligible for a max contract worth 30% of the salary cap instead of the usual 25%. Similarly, if a player has seven to nine years of experience, that number could increase to 35%.

But a player is required to fulfill at least one of these conditions to be eligible for the contract upgrade under the Derrick Rose rule:

• Become the Most Valuable Player in one of the past three seasons.
• Make an All-NBA team in the most recent or two of the last three seasons.
• Become Defensive Player of the Year in the most recent or two of the last three seasons.
• Get the All-Star starter nod by fans twice.

Although the rule was created because of Rose’s massive accomplishment, the CBA recognizes it as the “higher max criteria” for the “fifth-year eligible” superstars. However, it is widely known as the Derrick Rose rule in the basketball circuit. As the rule applies to every player on the rookie scale contract who is up for a four-year extension, that means even drafted or undrafted free agents and former second-round picks can benefit from this rule, if they fulfill one of the three aforementioned conditions. However, it is a rarity, as undrafted players or second-round picks seldom garner these accolades in the early years of their careers.

But there have been times when it has happened as Nikola Jokic, a former No. 41 pick, made the All-NBA team in his fourth season. Unfortunately, he could not benefit from the Derrick Rose rule despite being eligible, as he had agreed to an extension a year prior.

Even if a player is eligible for a contract bump, teams have the freedom to negotiate between the 25 to 30% range. Sure enough, several superstars including Pascal Siakam and Ben Simmons have agreed to a lower number (28%) on their extension despite fulfilling the conditions of the Rose rule. However, many superstars have received maximum benefit, thanks to Derrick Rose.

Luka Doncic set to join the same Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton club eligible for an extra $40 million because of the Derrick Rose rule

Well, D Rose winning MVP once has helped create a fortune for many young superstars. Tyrese Haliburton is among those lucky players who made his first All-NBA team last year, because of which the value of his extension went from $204 million to a whopping $260 million. Moreover, he nearly missed out on that opportunity as injuries risked him violating the new 65-game criteria. But he pushed through and fulfilled the minimum game rule, eventually becoming eligible for the Derrick Rose contract upgrade.

Similarly, Anthony Edwards also made his first All-NBA team this year and, as a result, became eligible for a potential $260 million extension with the Wolves. Despite the team’s financial constraints, they offered Ant-Man the max, as he is the future of the organization. Even media veteran Bobby Marks talked about the significance of the Derrick Rose rule in the two superstars’ massive extensions, “There is a reason why each of them saw extra $40 million in their contract, because of the Rose rule.”

Meanwhile, Luka Doncic, who has been making the All-NBA team for five straight years, also qualifies for the rule and he will be eligible for a record $346 million extension next summer. And considering he just led the Mavs to the finals, they are likely to offer him that number without hesitation. Even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has risen to superstardom in recent years while taking the Thunder to new heights, will be eligible for the supermax extension soon as he has received the All-NBA nod twice in two seasons.

While these are only a few superstars, surely there will be more names in the future who will see a massive upgrade in their salary because of their exceptional talent. And all of them can thank one player who made history thirteen years ago by becoming the youngest MVP ever. Derrick Rose!

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.