Cooper Flagg, the projected number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, hasn’t even played a single minute of college basketball yet, but his future financial outlook is already generating a buzz. With the NBA salary cap projected to continuously rise significantly, Flagg could be in line for a record-breaking rookie max contract.
The NBA’s salary cap is expected to see a 10% increase per year, fueled by lucrative media deals and a booming global market. This skyrocketing cap space coincides with the arrival of Cooper Flagg, a generational talent with superstar potential.
If the projected cap increases hold true, Flagg could be eligible to sign a five-year maximum contract worth a staggering $395 million in just four years, with an average annual salary of $80 million. This would shatter previous rookie max contract records and redefine financial expectations for top draft picks.
If the cap increases by 10% a year like it’s projected, Cooper Flagg will sign a five-year maximum contract that could be worth as much as $395M four years from now.
$80 mil a year on average. These numbers are gonna get ridiculous. https://t.co/agS9QG8CTX
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) July 9, 2024
Regardless of Flagg’s individual success, his potential contract signifies a potential shift in the NBA’s financial landscape. With ever-increasing cap space and a focus on young stars, rookie max contracts could continue to climb to unprecedented heights. Flagg’s situation may be the first domino to fall, ushering in a new era of astronomical salaries for top draft picks.
