Taking a look at Talen Horton-Tucker’s NBA contract
Chris Jorgensen/Iowa State Daily
Iowa State freshman Talen Horton-Tucker celebrates after making a three-point shot during the first half against Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament. Horton-Tucker lead all scorers with 21 points.
July 15, 2019
NBA rookie Talen Horton-Tucker signed his entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on July 15 after being selected in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft.
Horton-Tucker, who was drafted 46th overall, signed a fully-guaranteed two-year contract worth $2.4 million, according to Michael Scotto from The Athletic.
For the 2019 NBA draft, the last player drafted in the first round, or 30th overall, has a rookie scale worth $1.6 million in their first year. The rookie scale is the baseline for drafted players and teams to negotiate the yearly salary for the player. A team and player can agree to pay 120% of the scale or as low as 80% for the players yearly salary.
For the first overall pick Zion Williamson, his scale for his first season was above $8.1 million. Since Horton-Tucker was drafted 46th overall, it’s important to note the steady decrease in the rookie scale the lower you are drafted.
In the first round, the scale decreases by roughly 10% for each pick. Ja Morant, who was drafted second overall, has a first-year rookie scale worth $7.2 million.
While there is a dropoff in salary between the first and second rounds, it isn’t as significant as the drop from first overall to 30th overall.
If a player signs a guaranteed contract, they are guaranteed the league minimum, which was $838,464 last season, meaning Horton-Tucker will be making well above the league minimum next season.
Two other former Cyclones will be making more next season in Monte Morris and Georges Niang.
Morris signed a three-year contract worth over $4.6 million prior to last season and will be making over $1.5 million next season for his yearly salary with the Denver Nuggets. Morris averaged 10.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season and even received votes for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Niang will be making over $1.6 million next season, which will be the second year of a three-year contract, worth $5 million overall, he signed with the Utah Jazz. Last season, Niang averaged four points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.
