Report: New CBA includes 2-way D-League contracts, higher rookie scale
The National Basketball Association's reported new collective bargaining agreement will have a profound impact on both the wages of rookie players, as well as the Developmental League.
A "significantly higher" rookie contract scale would be instituted in the CBA, as well as two-way contracts between the NBA and D-League that would add playing jobs for the union, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
All salaries for first-year players are determined by the CBA, and guaranteed for the first two seasons for first-round talent with team options in years three and four. The amount of money they can make is related to their overall draft position, and can be as little as 80 percent of the scale or as much as 120 percent.
Agents are reportedly pushing for increases above the 120 percent, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge.
Current NBA Rookie Scale
| Pick | 1st Year | 2nd year | 3rd year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.9M | $5.1M | $5.3M |
| 2 | $4.4M | $4.5M | $4.7M |
| 3 | $3.9M | $4.1M | $4.3M |
| 4 | $3.5M | $3.7M | $3.8M |
| 5 | $3.2M | $3.3M | $3.5M |
| 6 | $2.9M | $3M | $3.1M |
| 7 | $2.6M | $2.7M | $2.9M |
| 8 | $2.4M | $2.5M | $2.6M |
(Courtesy: RealGM.com)
Two-way contracts would essentially allow teams to add roster spots beyond the 15th man to use on players sent down to the D-League. Players would make more money as a result.
The NBA and NBPA have until Dec. 15 to opt-out of their current 10-year deal that was reached in 2011. It's expected that a new deal will be reached prior to that time, though.