Report: Celts' 2nd-rounder Jackson to be paid more than some 1st-rounders
The Boston Celtics announced the signing of second-round pick Demetrius Jackson on Wednesday, but that news came with a twist.
Jackson signed a four-year, $5.5-million contract, a source confirmed to ESPN's Chris Forsberg - a significant amount of money for a player who was the 45th selection in June's draft.
In fact, at $1.45 million, Jackson is set to earn more money his rookie year than half a dozen first-rounders picked after No. 23. According to The Vertical, Jackson will be paid more than five other players on the Celtics roster, including 2015 first-round pick R.J. Hunter.
The situation is not new for Boston. Last summer, second-round pick Jordan Mickey earned more than some first-rounders.
The reason the imbalance is happening is twofold: Teams are becoming more protective of certain second-round picks - on more traditional deals, they can become unrestricted free agents after two seasons, with teams only having limited Bird Rights. In addition, a loophole's been created by the fact that rookie-scale contracts - which apply only to first-round picks - involve a set number that didn't rise along with everything else that skyrocketed in the NBA this year, namely TV contracts and the salary cap.
Jackson, a 21-year-old, 6-foot-2 point guard, averaged just under 16 points per game in his junior season at Notre Dame.