G League base salaries to receive slight increase

The NBA G League will increase its base player salaries from $35K to $37K this season, adding another $2K per player, sources told Hoops Rumors.

Players previously made $7,000 per month — or $35K per season — numbers that will see slight growth starting with the 2021-22 season. More increases could come in future years, especially with G League players forming their own union in 2020.

Although many G League observers believe players should receive more, these salaries have come a long way from past years. In 2014, for example, salaries were broken down into three groups: tier A ($25K), tier B ($19K) and tier C ($13K) — far lower than today.

Some players can also receive bonuses from their Exhibit 10 contracts, which rewards them up to $50K if they spend at least 60 days with their team’s G League affiliate. Theoretically, a player could earn $87K when combining their Exhibit 10 bonus (if the full $50K is included) and G League salary.

A total of 29 teams will be participating in the G League campaign this season, 28 of which are affiliated with an NBA team. This doesn’t include the G League Ignite, which is entering its second year. A record 45% of players on 2020-21 opening-night NBA rosters held G League experience.

This year’s G League season is set to start on Friday, October 29, while the draft will commence on Saturday, October 23. After spending last year’s shortened season in a “bubble” at Walt Disney World, the league will also return to a 50-game schedule.