NBA D League Salary 2023

The NBA D League, also known as the G League, is the official minor league of the NBA. It is a place where aspiring players can showcase their skills and talents, and where NBA teams can scout and develop potential prospects. The G League has 30 teams, each affiliated with an NBA franchise, and plays a regular season of 50 games from November to March, followed by playoffs in April.

NBA D League Salary 2023

One of the most common questions that fans and players have about the G League is how much do the players earn. In this article, we will answer that question and provide some additional information about the G League salary structure, benefits, and opportunities.

How much do G League players make?

According to the official G League website, the base salary for G League players for the 2023-24 season is $35,000. This is a significant increase from the previous seasons, when the base salary was $19,500 in 2019-20, $24,000 in 2020-21, and $30,000 in 2021-22.

However, the base salary is not the only source of income for G League players. They can also earn additional money from:

• Two-way contracts: These are contracts that allow players to split their time between the G League and the NBA. Two-way players can spend up to 45 days with their NBA team and earn a prorated portion of the NBA minimum salary for those days. For the 2023-24 season, the NBA minimum salary for a rookie is $1,012,500, which means that a two-way player can earn up to $495,000 for 45 days in the NBA.
• NBA call-ups: These are contracts that allow G League players to join an NBA team for a short period of time, usually 10 days or less. NBA call-ups are paid at a prorated rate of the NBA minimum salary for each day they are with the team. For example, if a G League player signs a 10-day contract with an NBA team in 2023-24, he will earn $27,500 for those 10 days.
• Exhibit 10 contracts: These are contracts that allow players to attend an NBA training camp and receive a bonus of up to $50,000 if they are waived by the NBA team and join their G League affiliate. Exhibit 10 contracts are usually signed by undrafted rookies or veterans who want to prove themselves in the preseason.
• Endorsements and sponsorships: These are deals that allow players to promote certain brands or products and receive compensation for their services. Endorsements and sponsorships can vary widely depending on the player’s popularity, marketability, and performance.

Therefore, depending on their situation and performance, G League players can earn anywhere from $35,000 to over $500,000 per season.

What are some of the benefits of playing in the G League?

Besides earning money, playing in the G League also offers some other benefits for players who want to pursue their basketball dreams. Some of these benefits are:

• Exposure and development: Playing in the G League gives players a chance to showcase their skills and talents in front of NBA scouts, coaches, and executives. It also gives them an opportunity to learn from experienced mentors and improve their game through coaching and training.
• Flexibility and freedom: Playing in the G League allows players to have more control over their careers and choices. They can sign with any team they want (unless they are on a two-way or exhibit 10 contract), they can negotiate their own contracts (within certain limits), and they can explore other options outside of basketball (such as education or entrepreneurship).
• Travel and adventure: Playing in the G League enables players to travel across the country and experience different cultures and lifestyles. They can also meet new people and make new friends along the way.

What are some of the challenges of playing in the G League?

Playing in the G League is not all roses and rainbows. It also comes with some challenges and difficulties that players have to overcome. Some of these challenges are:

• Competition and pressure: Playing in the G League means competing against hundreds of other players who have similar goals and aspirations. It also means dealing with high expectations and pressure from fans, media, coaches, and themselves.
• Uncertainty and instability: Playing in the G League involves a lot of uncertainty and instability. Players can be traded, waived, or called up at any time, without much notice or explanation. They can also face injuries, illnesses, or personal issues that can affect their careers.
• Lifestyle and sacrifice: Playing in the G League requires a lot of dedication and sacrifice. Players have to endure long hours of practice, travel, and games, often with little rest or recovery. They also have to balance their basketball commitments with their personal and family lives, which can be challenging.

Conclusion

The G League is a great platform for players who want to pursue their basketball dreams and earn money while doing so. However, it is also a tough and demanding environment that requires a lot of hard work, resilience, and passion. If you are interested in playing in the G League, you should do your research and weigh the pros and cons before making your decision.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

1. Q: How many players are in the G League?
   • A: There are 30 teams in the G League, each with a roster of up to 15 players. However, not all of them are active at the same time. Each team can have up to 13 players on the active list and up to two players on the inactive list. Additionally, each team can have up to two two-way players who can split their time between the G League and the NBA.
2. Q: How do you get into the G League?
   • A: There are several ways to get into the G League. The most common ones are:
     • Draft: The G League holds an annual draft in October, where teams can select eligible players who have not been drafted by an NBA team or who have not played in the NBA in the previous season. The draft consists of four rounds, with each team having one pick per round.
     • Free agency: Players who are not drafted or who are waived by an NBA or G League team can sign with any G League team as free agents. Free agents can negotiate their own contracts with teams, within certain limits set by the league.
     • Affiliate players: Players who sign an exhibit 10 contract with an NBA team and are waived before the start of the regular season can join their NBA team’s G League affiliate as affiliate players. Affiliate players receive a bonus of up to $50,000 if they stay with their G League team for at least 60 days.
     • Two-way players: Players who sign a two-way contract with an NBA team can split their time between the NBA and the G League. Two-way players can spend up to 45 days with their NBA team and earn a prorated portion of the NBA minimum salary for those days.
     • NBA assignments: Players who are under a standard NBA contract can be assigned to their NBA team’s G League affiliate for development purposes. NBA assignments can last up to three years for first-round picks and up to four years for second-round picks or undrafted players.
3. Q: How long is the G League season?
   • A: The G League season usually runs from November to March, followed by playoffs in April. The regular season consists of 50 games per team, with 25 home games and 25 away games. The playoffs consist of three rounds, with each round being a best-of-three series.
4. Q: What are some of the rules and regulations of the G League?
   • A: The G League follows most of the same rules and regulations as the NBA, with some minor differences. Some of these differences are:
     • Game length: A G League game consists of four quarters of 12 minutes each, compared to 48 minutes in an NBA game.
     • Fouls: A G League player is disqualified after committing six personal fouls or two technical fouls, compared to six personal fouls or one technical foul in an NBA game.
     • Timeouts: A G League team has seven timeouts per game, compared to eight timeouts in an NBA game. A timeout can last up to 75 seconds, compared to 100 seconds in an NBA game.
     • Free throws: A G League player shoots one free throw for all personal fouls (except flagrant fouls) that result in free throw attempts, regardless of whether the shot was made or missed. The free throw is worth either one, two, or three points depending on the type of shot attempted. This rule is designed to speed up the game and reduce stoppages.
5. Q: What are some of the awards and honors of the G League?
   • A: The G League recognizes and rewards its players and coaches for their achievements and performances throughout the season. Some of the awards and honors of the G League are:
     • MVP: The Most Valuable Player award is given to the player who is deemed to have had the most outstanding season in the league.
     • Rookie of the Year: