If anyone deserves compensation for their loss, it’s TJ. Frankly, I’m surprised he isn’t seeking more than $12 million.
Below are 2 lines from the attached chart of Rookie Salaries for the top 30 First Round 2024 draftees…showing TJ at #27. These salaries are guaranteed for 1st two years…teams choice for following 2 Yrs…, but this is basically assured incomes. I suspect his lawyers have looked at this data to argue what would have happened had TJ never been charged.
There’s no doubt his star was rising quickly before the charge became public…was even talk of his being player of the year …and certainly would have been an All American. Most references seem to put his draft number at somewhere from top 5 to easily top 15…a realist target of around #10 seems plausible especially given the way he finished (even with the charges hanging over his head)
Note the difference in 4 yr income being drafted #10 vs #27….right at $12 million. Not saying this is where they got the asking amount…just that it adds logic to his claim. I hope he gets it. Bottom line…the criminal charges cost him millions!
Draft # | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | Total |
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10 | $5,469,120 | $5,742,480 | $6,015,600 | $7,669,890 | $24,897,090 |
27 | $2,546,640 | $2,674,080 | $2,801,640 | $5,054,159 | $13,076,519 |
We break down the salaries the first-round picks from 2024's NBA draft will earn on their first contracts.
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