2025-26: 32.6 percent increase over 2024-25 salary There is some wiggle room since a player can sign for between 80 and 120 percent of the wage scale. For example, Anthony Edwards was allotted a little more than $8.1 million after the Minnesota Timberwolves took him with the No. 1 overall pick. He ultimately got $9.8 million for his first year, the maximum allowed. Suggs told CNBC Make It's Nicolas Vega in June he already has plans for his first big paycheck. "I really want to get a nice car, not even for myself, for my mom," he said. "She's got an Escalade that she's dreamed of and talked about almost every day. I really want to get that for her. I never could've gotten here all by myself."