NBA 2020-21 season to have an $898,310 minimum salary for unchanged $109m salary cap

Courtesy of the losses incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA will start the 2020-21 season with limited cap space. While many teams will have less cap space, some like the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks are projected to benefit from this cap. This also includes NBA luxury tax, which will reportedly be reduced as per decreases in the Basketball Related Income (BRI). 

Also read | NBA salary cap to take a $3M to $12M hit due to COVID-19, cap could remain at $109M

NBA 2020-21: What is the NBA minimum salary for the new season?

Mark your calendar! 👀🗓 pic.twitter.com/YIdADGEyFe

— NBA (@NBA)

Recently, Hoops Rumours calculated a probable minimum salary for players for the 2020-21 season.

Teams with cap space can opt for longer contracts, while teams exceeding the cap can sign players with the minimum salary exception for up to two years. As veterans, undrafted players and second draft players end up with a minimum salary, teams can add multiple players to their roster. Per the NBA's rules, an athlete's years of experience in the league determines his salary. 

Also read | NBA trade rumours: Jrue Holiday, Bradley Beal in focus with multiple teams interested

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE	MINIMUM PLAYER SALARY
0	$898,310
1	$1,445,697
2	$1,620,564
3	$1,678,854
4	$1,737,145
5	$1,882,867
6	$2,028,594
7	$2,174,318
8	$2,320,044
9	$2,331,593
10+	$2,564,753

Also read | Teams baffled as NBA luxury tax provides major advantage to Warriors ahead of new season

NBA is back.

NBA and NBPA agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

- Free-agent negotiations begin Nov. 20 at 6pm
- Signing period begins at 12:01pm ET on Nov. 22.
- Season opens on Dec. 22.
- 72-game schedule
- Salary cap: $109.140M
- Luxury tax: $132.627M

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness)

As per reports, the league often reimburses teams who finalize a deal with any veteran player to a one-year minimum salary contract. Hoops Rumours add that the contract will count "against" the cap for the amount of the players' minimum salary ($1,620,564 for two years). 

This means that if a team signs a veteran for even $2,564,753, the NBA will make up the difference. The team will only have to pay $1,620,564. However, this is only valid for one-year contracts and not multi-year deals. If the season has already begun, the player will receive a "pro-rated portion" of the minimum salary they are eligible for. Players who already are a part of multi-year deals will be earning a different amount than the one already calculated. 

Besides the salary cap & luxury tax remaining the same this season as they were in 2019-20, there will be a reduction in the luxury tax bill for teams at the end of the season based off the percentage BRI decreased from initial projections during the 2020-21 season, sources said.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps)

Also read | NBA to start free agency "as soon as possible" before December 1 training camp

(Image credits: AP)