Okay, so, I’ve been digging into this whole NBA rookie contract thing, and let me tell you, it’s a bit of a maze. Today, I decided to focus on Jalen Hood-Schifino’s contract since he’s a hot topic after being picked up by the Lakers. I was curious, like, how much is this guy actually gonna make?
First, I hit up a bunch of different websites. They all were saying the same thing, that he’s got a 4-year deal with the Lakers. The total amount? Roughly $17.8 million. Not too shabby for a rookie, right?
Then I started breaking it down year by year. This season, 2023-24, he’s pulling in about $3.7 million. That’s his base salary. I was like, “Okay, that’s a solid start.”
- Year 1 (2023-24): $3.7 million
- Year 2 (2024-25): Also around $3.7 million, or maybe a tiny bit more, I saw some sites mention a 5% increase from the previous year.
- Years 3 & 4: These are probably team options, meaning the Lakers will decide later if they want to keep him on for those years. But the numbers are still in the millions for each year.
Next, I was trying to figure out how he ranks compared to other players. Turns out, he’s somewhere in the middle of the pack. Not the highest-paid, but definitely not the lowest. One site had him as the 281st best-paid player this year, and around the 129th best-paid guard. I mean it was not bad at all.
I also noticed something about a signing bonus, but it looked like it was $0. And there was a mention of a 2-year cash amount of about $7.6 million, which I guess is the guaranteed money for the first two years. Also something mentioned about a declined $4.06 million option for 2025-26, I am not sure what it means.
I tried to find out his net worth, and it seems to be around $17.8 million. This matches his contract, so it kinda makes sense. At least he has money to spend now!
What I learned
Honestly, I went in expecting it to be way more complicated, but it’s pretty straightforward once you get the basic numbers. Rookie contracts in the NBA are substantial, even if they’re not superstar-level yet. For Hood-Schifino, this deal with the Lakers is a massive start to his career. I can’t even imagine getting a contract like that at his age, I would probably have passed out. It sets him up nicely, and if he performs well, those team option years could mean even bigger bucks.
Overall, this was a fun little research project. It’s cool to see how these contracts work, and it gives you a new appreciation for what these young players go through. They’re not just playing a game; they’re also navigating some serious business deals right from the start of their professional lives.
