The announcement of the All-NBA Teams on Wednesday marked the conclusion of the NBA awards season and set the stage for significant financial gains for several standout players. These honors not only recognize individual excellence but also have substantial implications for the financial futures of the selected players, particularly through mechanisms like the Derrick Rose Rule and super-max eligibility.
Tyrese Haliburton: With his first All-NBA selection, Tyrese Haliburton is set to benefit from the Derrick Rose Rule, which allows players with between four and six years of experience to earn a maximum salary starting at 30% of the salary cap, up from 25%. This boosts the projected value of his contract extension from approximately $204 million to around $245 million. Fortunately for the Indiana Pacers, they are financially positioned to handle this increase, with Haliburton being their only player currently slated to earn more than $20 million next season.
Anthony Edwards: Similarly, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves will see his salary rise due to his All-NBA selection. However, Minnesota is in a more precarious financial situation, with a projected salary of $185.7 million for next season, covering only 11 players. Edwards’ raise will push the team past the second salary cap apron, complicating their financial strategy, especially amid ongoing ownership issues.
Luka Doncic: Though Luka Doncic is not eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason, his back-to-back All-NBA selections ensure his super-max eligibility next offseason. This sets him up for a potential extension worth over $346 million, solidifying his financial future with the Dallas Mavericks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA): SGA is in a similar position to Doncic, having made consecutive All-NBA teams and thus qualifying for a super-max extension next offseason. His extension could be even more lucrative than Doncic’s due to his lack of a player option in the 2026–27 season, starting at 35% of the projected 2027–28 cap. Given the anticipated rise in the salary cap due to the NBA’s new media rights deal, SGA could become the first NBA player to earn $80 million annually, with projections suggesting he could make $81.4 million in the 2030–31 season.
Other All-NBA Selections: Most other All-NBA honorees, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Domantas Sabonis, and LeBron James, are already at or near the 10-year experience threshold, automatically making them eligible for the 35% max contracts.
Jayson Tatum: Jayson Tatum, having earned All-NBA selections in 2022 and 2023, is eligible for a super-max extension this offseason worth a projected $315 million over five years.
Jalen Brunson: Unlike his peers, Jalen Brunson, who signed with the New York Knicks as a free agent, is ineligible for a super-max deal. He can sign a standard veteran extension projected at $156 million over four years or wait to potentially re-sign for $270 million over five years next offseason.
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