The Thunder have signed Darius Bazley to his rookie-scale contract, according to the NBA.com transaction log. Assuming he makes 120% of the rookie scale, Bazley will take home approximately $2.3MM during the 2019/20 campaign, as our Rookie-Scale Salary post shows.
Contracts for first-round picks are four-year deals that are fully guaranteed for two seasons, followed by team options on the third and fourth year of the pact. Bazley’s full breakdown will look like this:
2019/20: $2,284,800
2020/21: $2,399,160
2021/22: $2,513,040 (Team Option)
2022/23: $4,264,629 (Team Option)
Bazley didn’t attend a university like a typical prospect. Bazley had a scholarship offer from Syracuse and he had a chance to join the G League. Instead, he spent the year on a $1MM internship with New Balance.
The Thunder will bring in the No. 23 overall pick after acquiring his rights on a draft-night trade with the Grizzlies. Oklahoma City traded away Paul George over the weekend and rumblings about a Russell Westbrook deal have surfaced. Depending on what moves GM Sam Presti opts to make during the remainder of the offseason, Bazley could be in line to see minutes immediately as a rookie.
Rumblings about RW deal?
The whole Bazley situation reminds me of Simons from Portland. Didn’t play college ball and had questions surrounding him. It’ll be interesting to see how he progresses
The future is bright with Shai and Bazley. Bazley reminds me of McGrady with the size and wingspan. He’s 6’9 and has incredible athleticism along with a turn around jumper already.
Sam Presti struck gold with this kid, can’t wait to see him and Gilgeous-Alexander play together.