How much is an NBA minimum contract?
Any team, at any payroll, can sign players to the league minimum (scaled by years of service). It's the only signing tool that never hard-caps you — which is why deep-apron contenders live on minimums. Bonus fine print: a vet with 3+ years of service on a ONE-year minimum counts on the cap, tax, and aprons only at the 2-year minimum — the league reimburses his team the difference.
2023 CBA · Art. VII §6(i), §3(f)
The 2026-27 minimum scale (selected rows)
The deemed-minimum quirk
A veteran with 3+ years of service signing a one-year minimum only charges the team the 2-YOS figure ($2,449,421) — the league reimburses the rest, so aging vets aren't priced out of jobs. Those contracts are booked at the deemed charge automatically.
Common questions
Can hard-capped teams sign minimums?
Yes — the minimum exception remains available regardless of cap, tax, or apron status.
See it enforced, not just explained.
Build a trade or signing and the sim rules on it, with the relevant citation when one applies.