The 2025 NBA Draft made history the moment Cooper Flagg’s name was called first at Barclays Center, but it’s the No. 2 overall pick who’s commanding the loudest headlines.
The San Antonio Spurs selected Dylan Harper, an elite talent from Rutgers, and while his skills are undeniable, it’s his rookie contract that’s turned heads across the league.
Moments after Commissioner Adam Silver welcomed Harper to the NBA, the 19-year-old inked a staggering four-year deal worth $56.1 million, complete with team options. His guaranteed earnings in just the first two years are a jaw-dropping $25.4 million.
In a flash, Harper became one of the wealthiest rookies in league history and surpassed his father Ron Harper‘s total career earnings before ever stepping on an NBA court.
Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion and one of the more versatile guards of his era, made approximately $35 million over the course of his 15-year career. That’s $21 million less than what Dylan will make on his initial rookie contract alone. The generational contrast between their financial realities speaks volumes about the NBA’s economic transformation.
The numbers highlight how dramatically the NBA’s economics have changed
Even when adjusting Ron Harper‘s career earnings for inflation, which comes out to roughly $63 million in today’s dollars, Dylan‘s rookie deal still feels seismic. To put it further in perspective: Ron‘s highest single-season salary came in 1998 with the Chicago Bulls, when he earned $5.28 million. He never reached that figure again, despite contributing to championship teams with both the Bulls and Lakers.
The elder Harper averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game across stints with the Cavaliers, Clippers, Bulls, and Lakers.
Ron isn’t alone in this lopsided comparison. Dennis Rodman, another five-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, made around $27 million total over his career. Charles Barkley, who was an MVP, 11-time All-Star, and one of the most dominant power forwards the game has seen, finished his playing career with just over $40 million in earnings.
That’s not even enough to match what Harper will earn over the next four years, assuming he completes his rookie contract without exercising his team options.
The driving force behind this massive leap in compensation is the NBA’s ballooning revenue, primarily due to its upcoming $76 billion media rights deal.
With an anticipated surge in salary cap figures and team payrolls, even rookies are benefiting from revenue streams that once only elite superstars tapped into.
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