With the NBA’s salary cap set at $154,647,000 for the 2025/26 league year, the rookie scale has been set as well. The rookie scale locks in the value of contracts for first-round picks.
In each NBA league year, rookie scale amounts are assigned to each first-round slot, from No. 1 through No. 30. Teams can sign their first-rounders to as little as 80% of that rookie scale amount, or up to 120% of that figure.
While that rule theoretically affords teams some flexibility, first-round picks almost always sign contracts worth 120% of their rookie scale amount, and unsigned first-rounders have a cap hold worth 120% of their rookie scale amount.
Listed below are the salary figures that represent 120% of the rookie scale amounts for 2025’s first-round picks. If a first-round pick signs a rookie scale contract in 2025/26, it will be for the amount below, unless he accepts a deal worth less than the maximum allowable 120% (in which case, we’ll update these numbers).
These salary figures will only apply if the player signs in 2025/26. If a player doesn’t sign an NBA contract this year, his rookie contract will look a little different in future seasons.
Rookie scale contracts are guaranteed for the first two years, with team options on the third and fourth years.
Here’s the 2025 breakdown:
| No. |
2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $13,825,920 | $14,517,480 | $15,208,680 | $19,178,145 | $62,730,225 |
| 2 | $12,370,320 | $12,989,040 | $13,607,760 | $17,172,993 | $56,140,113 |
| 3 | $11,108,880 | $11,663,880 | $12,219,840 | $15,445,878 | $50,438,478 |
| 4 | $10,015,680 | $10,516,560 | $11,017,560 | $13,937,213 | $45,487,013 |
| 5 | $9,069,840 | $9,523,080 | $9,976,560 | $12,640,302 | $41,209,782 |
| 6 | $8,237,640 | $8,649,600 | $9,061,680 | $11,490,210 | $37,439,130 |
| 7 | $7,520,040 | $7,896,240 | $8,271,960 | $10,505,389 | $34,193,629 |
| 8 | $6,889,200 | $7,233,720 | $7,578,240 | $9,639,521 | $31,340,681 |
| 9 | $6,332,520 | $6,649,560 | $6,966,000 | $8,874,684 | $28,822,764 |
| 10 | $6,016,080 | $6,316,680 | $6,617,160 | $8,436,879 | $27,386,799 |
| 11 | $5,715,120 | $6,001,080 | $6,286,920 | $8,342,743 | $26,345,863 |
| 12 | $5,429,520 | $5,701,200 | $5,972,760 | $8,230,463 | $25,333,943 |
| 13 | $5,157,960 | $5,416,080 | $5,673,840 | $8,107,917 | $24,355,797 |
| 14 | $4,900,320 | $5,145,360 | $5,390,640 | $7,983,538 | $23,419,858 |
| 15 | $4,655,040 | $4,887,720 | $5,120,400 | $7,849,573 | $22,512,733 |
| 16 | $4,422,360 | $4,643,520 | $4,864,920 | $7,462,787 | $21,393,587 |
| 17 | $4,201,080 | $4,411,200 | $4,621,200 | $7,098,163 | $20,331,643 |
| 18 | $3,991,320 | $4,190,520 | $4,390,320 | $6,752,312 | $19,324,472 |
| 19 | $3,811,560 | $4,002,000 | $4,193,040 | $6,457,282 | $18,463,882 |
| 20 | $3,658,800 | $3,841,680 | $4,024,440 | $6,205,686 | $17,730,606 |
| 21 | $3,512,520 | $3,688,320 | $3,864,000 | $6,155,352 | $17,220,192 |
| 22 | $3,372,240 | $3,540,600 | $3,709,320 | $6,101,831 | $16,723,991 |
| 23 | $3,237,480 | $3,399,480 | $3,560,880 | $6,042,813 | $16,240,653 |
| 24 | $3,108,120 | $3,263,400 | $3,418,800 | $5,979,481 | $15,769,801 |
| 25 | $2,983,320 | $3,132,360 | $3,282,000 | $5,910,882 | $15,308,562 |
| 26 | $2,884,560 | $3,028,560 | $3,172,920 | $5,720,775 | $14,806,815 |
| 27 | $2,801,280 | $2,941,440 | $3,081,840 | $5,559,639 | $14,384,199 |
| 28 | $2,783,880 | $2,923,560 | $3,062,640 | $5,528,065 | $14,298,145 |
| 29 | $2,763,960 | $2,902,080 | $3,040,320 | $5,487,778 | $14,194,138 |
| 30 | $2,743,800 | $2,880,960 | $3,018,480 | $5,448,356 | $14,091,596 |
2025’s first-round picks:
- Cooper Flagg (Mavericks)
- Dylan Harper (Spurs)
- VJ Edgecombe (Sixers)
- Kon Knueppel (Hornets)
- Ace Bailey (Jazz)
- Tre Johnson (Wizards)
- Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans)
- Egor Demin (Nets)
- Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors)
- Khaman Maluach (Suns)
- Cedric Coward (Grizzlies)
- Noa Essengue (Bulls)
- Derik Queen (Pelicans)
- Carter Bryant (Spurs)
- Thomas Sorber (Thunder)
- Yang Hansen (Trail Blazers)
- Joan Beringer (Timberwolves)
- Walter Clayton (Jazz)
- Nolan Traore (Nets)
- Kasparas Jakucionis (Heat)
- Will Riley (Wizards)
- Drake Powell (Nets)
- Asa Newell (Hawks)
- Nique Clifford (Kings)
- Jase Richardson (Magic)
- Ben Saraf (Nets)
- Danny Wolf (Nets)
- Hugo Gonzalez (Celtics)
- Liam McNeeley (Hornets)
- Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Clippers)
So for Round 1, the Timberpuppies save the new owners $20MM+ over 4 years by doing a Draft and Stash.