2021 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 on July 29, 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 Cade Cunningham figures to sign a four-year deal worth in excess of $45MM, which represents the maximum allowable 120% of his scale amount. No. 30 pick Santi Aldama, on the other hand, would be in line for a four-year contract worth just over $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 earn 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 2021’s draft pick signings. This list will continue to be updated as more draftees sign their first NBA contracts:


First Round:

  1. Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, G, Oklahoma State: Signed
  2. Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, G, G League Ignite: Signed
  3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, F/C, USC: Signed
  4. Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes, F, Florida State: Signed
  5. Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs, G, Gonzaga: Signed
  6. Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey, G, Australia: Signed
  7. Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga, F, G League Ignite: Signed
  8. Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner, F, Michigan: Signed
  9. Sacramento Kings: Davion Mitchell, G, Baylor: Signed
  10. Memphis Grizzlies: Ziaire Williams, G, Stanford: Signed
  11. Charlotte Hornets: James Bouknight, G, UConn: Signed
  12. San Antonio Spurs: Joshua Primo, G, Alabama: Signed
  13. Indiana Pacers: Chris Duarte, G, Oregon: Signed
  14. Golden State Warriors: Moses Moody, G/F, Arkansas: Signed
  15. Washington Wizards: Corey Kispert, F, Gonzaga: Signed
  16. Houston Rockets: Alperen Sengun, C, Turkey: Signed
  17. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Murphy, G, Virginia: Signed
  18. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tre Mann, G, Florida: Signed
  19. Charlotte Hornets: Kai Jones, F/C, Texas: Signed
  20. Atlanta Hawks: Jalen Johnson, F, Duke: Signed
  21. Los Angeles Clippers: Keon Johnson, G/F, Tennessee: Signed
  22. Indiana Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, F, Kentucky: Signed
  23. Houston Rockets: Usman Garuba, F, Spain: Signed
  24. Houston Rockets: Josh Christopher, G, Arizona State: Signed
  25. New York Knicks: Quentin Grimes, G, Houston: Signed
  26. Denver Nuggets: Bones Hyland, G, VCU: Signed
  27. Brooklyn Nets: Cameron Thomas, G, LSU: Signed
  28. Philadelphia 76ers: Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee: Signed
  29. Brooklyn Nets: Day’Ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina: Signed
  30. Memphis Grizzlies: Santi Aldama, F/C, Loyola (MD): Signed

Second Round:

  1. Washington Wizards: Isaiah Todd, F, G League Ignite: Signed

    • Four-year, $6.89MM contract. First three years guaranteed.
  2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, F, Villanova: Signed
    • Four-year, $7.89MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
  3. Los Angeles Clippers: Jason Preston, G, Ohio: Signed
    • Three-year, $4.46MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
  4. New York Knicks: Rokas Jokubaitis, G, Lithuania: Will play overseas
  5. New Orleans Pelicans: Herb Jones, F, Alabama: Signed
    • Three-year, $5.32MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
  6. New York Knicks: Miles McBride, G, West Virginia: Signed

    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
  7. Charlotte Hornets: JT Thor, F, Auburn: Signed

    • Four-year, $6.64MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
  8. Chicago Bulls: Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois: Signed
    • Two-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
  9. Sacramento Kings: Neemias Queta, C, Utah State: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  10. Utah Jazz: Jared Butler, G, Baylor: Signed

    • Two-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
  11. San Antonio Spurs: Joe Wieskamp, F, Iowa: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  12. Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Livers, F, Michigan: Signed
    • Three-year, $4.46MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
  13. Portland Trail Blazers: Greg Brown, F, Texas: Signed

    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
  14. Brooklyn Nets: Kessler Edwards, F, Pepperdine: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  15. Boston Celtics: Juhann Begarin, G, France: Will play overseas
  16. Toronto Raptors: Dalano Banton, G, Nebraska: Signed
    • Two-year, minimum-salary contract. First year fully guaranteed. Second year partially guaranteed.
  17. Toronto Raptors: David Johnson, G, Louisville: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  18. Atlanta Hawks: Sharife Cooper, G, Auburn: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  19. Brooklyn Nets: Marcus Zegarowski, G, Creighton: Signed G League contract
  20. Philadelphia 76ers: Filip Petrusev, F, Serbia: Will play overseas
  21. Los Angeles Clippers: Brandon Boston, G, Kentucky: Signed
    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
  22. Detroit Pistons: Luka Garza, C, Iowa: Signed
    • Two-way contract (later converted to standard deal).
  23. Philadelphia 76ers: Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky: Signed
    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First year guaranteed. Second year partially guaranteed.
  24. Milwaukee Bucks: Sandro Mamukelashvili, C, Seton Hall: Signed

    • Two-year, two-way contract.
  25. Oklahoma City Thunder: Aaron Wiggins, G/F, Maryland: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  26. Charlotte Hornets: Scottie Lewis, G, Florida: Signed
    • Two-way contract.
  27. Detroit Pistons: Balsa Koprivica, C, Florida State: Will play overseas
  28. New York Knicks: Jericho Sims, F, Texas: Signed
    • Two-year, two-way contract.
  29. Brooklyn Nets: RaiQuan Gray, F, Florida State: Signed G League contract
  30. Milwaukee Bucks: Georgios Kalaitzakis, G, Greece: Signed

    • Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First year partially guaranteed.
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