NBA players are well-known for their lucrative contracts, as the $1.2 million minimum salary ranks highest among the four major U.S. sports. But not all professional basketball players earn the wages reserved for the best of the best.
The G League is the NBA’s version of the minors, with players scraping for a chance to play in the NBA. Most G League players earn $40,500 during a five-month season if they aren’t on two-way contracts or assignments.
Even high-profile draft picks like Bronny James have played in the G League to develop their skills and gain valuable court time.
James’s two-way contract will guarantee he will earn at least $578,600 as long as he plays in less than 50 games for the Lakers.
Here are the average salary figures for NBA G League Players:
Salary: $40,500
Average pay per game: $810
Average minimum salary for two-way contract players: $578,576
Each NBA team has a max of three two-way players. Players who aren’t on two-way contracts are signed directly to the G League. This allows any NBA team the opportunity to sign them if interested at any point during the season.
When an NBA team assigns a player to the G League, the player is on an NBA contract and that team has exclusive rights to recall that player at any time.
G League Ignite and the impact of NIL
G League Ignite was formed in 2019 to allow top prospects to develop and earn decent salaries. Former G League talents such as Jalen Green and Scoot Henderson earned $500,000 a year before they were drafted into the NBA.
The introduction of NIL into college sports and competition from upstart leagues such as Overtime Elite made it difficult to justify its existence. Last March, G League Ignite announced it was ending its operations.
Taking advantage of opportunities
G League players who aren’t top prospects, two-way players, or on assignment still have the chance to make it to the NBA. Each season, NBA teams call up standout players from the G League when roster spots open to injury or otherwise.
A unique example of a G League player capitalizing on opportunities in the NBA is Mac McClung. The three-time dunk champion made history at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, but he’s only played in five career NBA games.
McClung has more than doubled his career earnings by winning the dunk contests and earned recognition around the NBA while mainly playing in the G League.
According to the G League, more than 30 players have been signed to an NBA contract in each of the past nine seasons.
Players who earn full contracts will increase their salaries by at least 30 times depending on their years of experience and value to the NBA team.
G League Players FAQ
- How much do the G League players get paid?
- Players signed directly with the G League earn $40,500 annually. Players on a two-way contract or on assignment are signed to NBA contracts and can earn many different salaries. Rookies drafted by an NBA team and then assigned to the G League on two-way contracts earn a minimum of $578,576.
- What is the lowest NBA salary?
- The minimum salary for an NBA player for the 2024-2025 season is $1,157,153.
- How often do G League players make it to the NBA?
- In each of the past nine seasons, at least 30 players have been called up to an NBA team. For the 2023-2024 season, a record 50% of players on NBA rosters had G League experience.
- Can you go from the G League to the NBA?
- Yes, G League players have the opportunity to make it to the NBA. Players who had never been drafted to an NBA team but played in the G League and made it to the NBA include Alex Caruso and Duncan Robinson.
The data was compiled from NBA G League, Spotrac, Sports Illustrated, and NBC Sports LA.
