Growing Concern Over Player Salaries in the NBA

In recent years, NBA player salaries have soared to unprecedented levels, raising alarms among team executives who are beginning to feel the impact of these rising numbers. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, teams are experiencing what he describes as "real sticker shock" as player salaries align closely with historical cap percentages from previous seasons.

The Rise of Non-All-Star Salaries

The concern, as highlighted by Fischer, extends beyond the league’s elite players. One unnamed team executive expressed that the financial landscape has changed dramatically, stating, "The money has gotten so monstrously big" even for non-All-Star players. As a result, there is increasing anxiety within the league regarding the demands of players—once again, not necessarily All-Stars—who are seeking contracts worth $30 million per season.

Statistics from Basketball-Reference show that the average NBA salary for the 2025-26 season is projected to be $14.1 million, reflecting a steady increase since 2017, which coincides with the yearly rise in the salary cap. This trend suggests that as teams continue to open their wallets to secure star talent with maximum contracts, other players might feel the repercussions if salary budgets become constrained in the future.