Recap Of 2027/28 Rookie Scale Option Decisions

In addition to these 11 players, 2024 first-round pick Dillon Jones had his 2027/28 rookie scale team option voided back in October 2025 when he was waived by Washington. That means at least 12 first-rounders from the 2024 and 2025 drafts won’t play out their full rookie scale contracts — and that could number could grow before next year’s deadline, if more 2025 first-rounders who had their third-year options picked up this year don’t have their fourth-year options exercised.

It’s probably safe to assume the increasing number of players who aren’t making it to the fourth year of their rookie contracts is linked to a league-wide wariness about the tax and apron penalties introduced in the NBA’s latest Collective Bargaining Agreement.

That’s especially true for teams like the Timberwolves, Thunder, Nuggets, and Knicks, who are operating in apron territory and can’t afford to spend well above the minimum on players like Williams, Topic, Holmes, and Dadiet, who have yet to produce effectively and consistently at the NBA level.

Still, not every one of these teams is facing a challenging 2027/28 cap situation. Even though Salaun’s $10.4MM fourth-year option was the priciest one on this list, I still thought there was a chance Charlotte might pick it up. The Hornets don’t project to be up against the luxury tax line next season, and front offices are sometimes reluctant to give up on players they drafted. Salaun was Jeff Peterson’s first draft pick back in 2024, but the decision not to guarantee the French forward another $10MM+ for next season signals that Peterson is wary of throwing good money after bad.

While I didn’t think Salaun’s option was a lock to be declined, it didn’t come as a shock when the Hornets did so. The only real surprise among this group for me was the Jazz’s decision to turn down their fourth-year option on Collier. That option came in below $5MM, Utah isn’t overly cap-strapped going forward, and Collier has shown some promise as a play-maker.

But with Darryn Peterson now in the mix, Collier’s role figures to decline this season, especially since he has been inconsistent in other areas of his game, including shooting and defense. With that in mind, I get why the Jazz felt comfortable passing on the option.

For what it’s worth, three of the four players who had their 2027/28 options voided as a result of being waived since July have landed two-way contracts with new teams. Carter has joined the Celtics, Knecht signed with the Knicks, and Clayton worked out a deal with the Mavericks. Dillingham is the only one of those four who has yet to find a new home.

Exercised options:

Fourth year:

Note: These players will become eligible for rookie scale extensions in July of 2027. If they’re not extended, they’ll be on track for restricted free agency in 2028.

These 19 players who had their fourth-year options exercised, along with the 11 listed in the section above who had their fourth-year options declined, were drafted in the first round in 2024.

Third year:

Note: Teams will have to make fourth-year option decisions for 2028/29 on these players by November 1, 2027.

• Cooper Flagg, Mavericks ($15,208,680)

As usual, nearly every player with a third-year rookie scale team option had it picked up, with 29 of 30 exercised. As noted above, Clayton was the only player from the 2025 draft class who didn’t have his option for 2027/28 exercised.

For a team-by-team breakdown of this year’s rookie scale option decisions for the 2027/28 season, along with full stories on each decision, you can check out our tracker.