Author: Monojit Mandal
With the start of the NBA’s next collective bargaining agreement, the basketball industry is positioned for continued financial growth. The wave of new TV deals promises an increase in revenue across the league, resulting in higher salary caps and more expensive player contracts. Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics point guard, signed a five-year, $300 million contract this offseason, demonstrating the impact of the NBPA’s recent agreement with the league.
Although this sum is staggering – it equates to a weekly income of more than one million dollars over the next five years – it is only the beginning of the league’s financial trajectory.
As the league adjusts to these changes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder appears as a possible candidate to sign the first $400 million contract in the coming seasons, potentially setting a new standard by the end of the current CBA cycle. However, one question lurks in the midst of this change of scenery: what does this mean for the San Antonio Spurs?
The Spurs’ first-round pick, Victor Wembanyama, is definitely the center of attention as the team looks to revitalize its attack and rekindle hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. If he excels in this role, a suitable reward will be required – something Spurs probably won’t dispute.
Herein lies the conundrum: how much could Wembanyama earn on a rookie contract? Could he become the highest paid player in Spurs’ history?
In a nutshell, the answer to the last question is yes. The combination of Wembanyama’s potential effect and the unique dynamics of the San Antonio market could propel him into the ranks of the richest NBA prospects of all time, regardless of the size of the city.
CBS Sports carried out a study on the contracts provided for in the new CBA. Each season, NBA teams can increase their salary caps by 10%, considerably increasing the potential profits of the players in the squad, especially the superstars.
According to the study, “the first wave of supermax contracts, which should exceed $400 million, should materialize during the 2027-28 season”. Players with rookie contracts who will be eligible for free agency in the summer of 2028 will likely lead this trend.”
Notably, Wembanyama is not yet part of this group because he is still negotiating his rookie contract. However, this debate is based on conjecture.