2019 NBA Draft Pick Signings

Free agent news has dominated NBA headlines over the last few days, but teams around the league are also taking care of the rookies they drafted last month, signing them to their first NBA contracts. Because cap holds for first-round picks count for 120% of the rookie scale instead of 100% in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, there’s little incentive for teams to wait to lock up their first-rounders.

For first-round picks, rookie contracts are fairly rigid, having essentially been predetermined. The NBA’s rookie-scale structure dictates that first-rounders will be signed to four-year deals, which include two guaranteed years, then team options in years three and four.

The value of those contracts depends on where a player was drafted. This year, No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson receives a four-year deal worth in excess of $44MM, which represents the maximum allowable 120% of his scale amount. No. 30 pick Kevin Porter Jr., on the other hand, will sign a four-year contract worth just shy of $10MM.

The full breakdown of this year’s first-round rookie salaries and contracts can be found right here — if you see a first-rounder listed below as “signed,” you can assume his contract looks like that, unless otherwise indicated.

Second-round picks, meanwhile, aren’t assured of two guaranteed seasons, though some players will receive them. Teams can sign second-rounders to whatever amount they choose, using cap room or various exceptions. Those players who immediately join their NBA teams figure to get a minimum salary or something slightly above the minimum. We’ll make a note of contract details for second-rounders below, as they become available.

Finally, some second-rounders – and perhaps even some first-rounders – won’t sign NBA deals immediately. They may get two-way contracts, play in the G League, or head overseas to refine their games while their NBA teams retain their rights. We’ll make note of that below too, wherever it’s applicable.

Here’s a breakdown of 2019’s draft pick signings. This list will continue to be updated as more draftees sign their first NBA contracts:

First Round:

  1. New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, F (Duke): Signed
  2. Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, G (Murray State): Signed
  3. New York Knicks: R.J. Barrett, F (Duke): Signed
  4. Atlanta Hawks: De’Andre Hunter, F (Virginia): Signed
  5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland, G (Vanderbilt): Signed
  6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jarrett Culver, G (Texas Tech): Signed
  7. Chicago Bulls: Coby White, G (UNC): Signed
  8. New Orleans Pelicans: Jaxson Hayes, C (Texas): Signed
  9. Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura, F (Gonzaga): Signed
  10. Atlanta Hawks: Cam Reddish, F (Duke): Signed
  11. Phoenix Suns: Cameron Johnson, F (UNC): Signed
  12. Charlotte Hornets: PJ Washington, F (Kentucky): Signed
  13. Miami Heat: Tyler Herro, G (Kentucky): Signed
  14. Boston Celtics: Romeo Langford, G/F (Indiana): Signed
  15. Detroit Pistons: Sekou Doumbouya, F (Guinea): Signed
  16. Orlando Magic: Chuma Okeke, F (Auburn): Won’t sign until 2020
  17. New Orleans Pelicans: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G (Virginia Tech): Signed
  18. Indiana Pacers: Goga Bitadze, C (Georgia): Signed
  19. San Antonio Spurs: Luka Samanic, F (Croatia): Signed
  20. Philadelphia 76ers: Matisse Thybulle, F (Washington): Signed
  21. Memphis Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, F (Gonzaga): Signed
  22. Boston Celtics: Grant Williams, F (Tennessee): Signed
  23. Oklahoma City Thunder: Darius Bazley, F (Princeton HS (OH)): Signed
  24. Phoenix Suns: Ty Jerome, G (Virginia): Signed
  25. Portland Trail Blazers: Nassir Little, F (UNC): Signed
  26. Cleveland Cavaliers: Dylan Windler, F (Belmont): Signed
  27. Los Angeles Clippers: Mfiondu Kabengele, C (Florida State): Signed
  28. Golden State Warriors: Jordan Poole, G (Michigan): Signed
  29. San Antonio Spurs: Keldon Johnson, F (Kentucky): Signed
  30. Cleveland Cavaliers: Kevin Porter Jr., G (USC): Signed
    • Will receive less than 120% of the rookie scale amount.

Second Round:

  1. Brooklyn Nets: Nicolas Claxton, C (University of Georgia): Signed
    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
  2. Miami Heat: KZ Okpala, F (Stanford): Signed
    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
  3. Boston Celtics: Carsen Edwards, G (Purdue): Signed
    • Four-year, $6.46MM contract. First three years guaranteed.
  4. Atlanta Hawks: Bruno Fernando, C (Maryland): Signed
    • Three-year, $4.7MM contract. Fully guaranteed.
  5. New Orleans Pelicans: Didi Louzada, G/F (Brazil): Will play overseas
  6. Charlotte Hornets: Cody Martin, F (Nevada): Signed
    • Three-year, $4.47MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
  7. Detroit Pistons: Deividas Sirvydis, G/F (Lithuania): Will play overseas
  8. Chicago Bulls: Daniel Gafford, C (Arkansas): Signed
    • Four-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
  9. Golden State Warriors: Alen Smailagic, F/C (Serbia): Signed
    • Four-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
  10. Sacramento Kings: Justin James, G (Wyoming): Signed
    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
  11. Golden State Warriors: Eric Paschall, F (Villanova): Signed
    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
  12. Washington Wizards: Admiral Schofield, F (Tennessee): Signed
    • Three-year, $4.3MM contract. First two years guaranteed. Third year partially guaranteed.
  13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jaylen Nowell, G (Washington): Signed
    • Four-year, $6.63MM contract. First year guaranteed.
  14. Denver Nuggets: Bol Bol, C (Oregon): Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  15. Dallas Mavericks: Isaiah Roby, F (Nebraska): Signed
    • Four-year, $6.73MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
  16. Los Angeles Lakers: Talen Horton-Tucker, F (Iowa State): Signed
    • Two-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
  17. New York Knicks: Ignas Brazdeikis, F (Michigan): Signed
    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
  18. Los Angeles Clippers: Terance Mann, F (Florida State): Signed
    • Four-year, $6.2MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
  19. San Antonio Spurs: Quinndary Weatherspoon, G (Mississippi State): Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  20. Utah Jazz: Jarrell Brantley, F (Charleston): Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  21. Boston Celtics: Tremont Waters, G (LSU): Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  22. Charlotte Hornets: Jalen McDaniels, F (San Diego State): Signed
    • One-year, minimum-salary contract. Non-guaranteed.
  23. Utah Jazz: Justin Wright-Foreman, G (Hofstra): Signed
    • Two-way contract
  24. Philadelphia 76ers: Marial Shayok, G/F (Iowa State): Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  25. Sacramento Kings: Kyle Guy, G (Virginia): Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  26. Brooklyn Nets: Jaylen Hands, G (UCLA): Will play in G League
  27. Detroit Pistons: Jordan Bone, G (Tennessee): Signed
    • Two-way contract
  28. Utah Jazz: Miye Oni, G (Yale): Signed
    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First year guaranteed.
  29. Toronto Raptors: Dewan Hernandez, F/C (Miami): Signed
    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First-year partial guarantee of $500K.
  30. Sacramento Kings: Vanja Marinkovic, G (Serbia): Will play overseas
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