NBA Teams Reportedly Concerned as Non-All Stars Seek 'Monstrously Big' Contracts

NBA player salaries have reached new heights in recent years, and teams are reportedly starting to grow concerned over the rising numbers.

NBA insider Jake Fischer hypothesized that NBA teams "are beginning to experience some real sticker shock on player salaries rising in lockstep with the equivalent cap percentages from previous seasons." However, this theory doesn't regard the league's top-tier players.

One team executive told Fischer, "The money has gotten so monstrously big" all the way down the roster, with non-All-Star players earning massive paydays. Fischer noted that this is creating "a rising trepidation throughout the league about players — we repeat: Not All-Stars — seeking $30 million per season."

According to Basketball-Reference, the average salary for the 2025-26 season is $14.1 million. The average has gradually increased since 2017, coinciding with the yearly rise in the salary cap.

As teams continue to shell out money to land star players with maximum contracts, other players around the league could start to suffer if there isn't enough cash to go around in the future.