The Milwaukee Bucks have clinched their spot in the NBA Cup championship game, and for many of the team's younger, lesser-paid players, the excitement in the locker room isn’t just about the chance to win a trophy. It's also about the opportunity for their biggest payday of their careers. The Bucks will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup Final on Tuesday in Las Vegas, and for the players, the stakes go beyond just the victory.
The Reward: Significant Prize Money
The players on the winning team will each receive $514,971 from the league's Cup prize pool, a substantial sum for those on standard NBA contracts. For players on the losing team, the payout is still significant, with each receiving $205,988. Players on two-way contracts, like Ajay Mitchell of the Thunder, will receive half of those amounts, which is still a considerable increase compared to their usual game-day earnings.
For the superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, this amount might seem like a small fraction of their salary, but for many others in the league, it represents a life-changing sum of money. Antetokounmpo, who is earning about $48.8 million this season, acknowledged the importance of the prize, especially for younger players: “I try not to think about the money,” he said, adding, “No, it’s not accurate what I’m saying. I think about the money — but I think about the money when we talk about the young guys.”
A Life-Changing Amount for Younger Players
For players like Thunder’s two-way player Ajay Mitchell, who currently makes $578,577 this season, the reward is much more impactful. He noted, “Obviously, there’s a lot of money on the line, but my main focus is just on the win. It’s exciting to know that there’s money on the line, but the main focus is just winning another basketball game.” With a payout of over $500,000, Mitchell would significantly boost his career earnings, regardless of the outcome.
Other teams that were eliminated in the semifinals, including Atlanta and Houston, saw their players receive $102,994 each, while those who exited in the quarterfinals—such as New York, Orlando, Golden State, and Dallas—earned $51,497 each.Bucks Players’ Perspective on the Money
For Bucks players like reserve A.J. Green, who is making $2.1 million this season, the idea of adding $500,000 to his paycheck is extraordinary. He expressed disbelief, saying, “It is crazy. But that shouldn’t make you play any harder. It really shouldn’t.” Nonetheless, the financial incentive remains significant for the lesser-paid players, many of whom are still in the early stages of their careers.
Bobby Portis, who makes around $12.6 million this season, shared a thoughtful perspective on the money involved. Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, where the median household income is about $60,000, Portis reflected on the value of $500,000: “It’ll take guys a lifetime to make $500,000 where I’m from. So, I don’t take any dollar amount lightly.”
2024-25 NBA Cup: A Lucrative Prize Pool
For the 2024-25 NBA Cup, the prize pool has been increased slightly, offering more financial incentive for players. The prize structure rewards teams as they progress through the tournament:
NBA Cup Champion: $514,971 per player
Runners-up (Championship Losers): $205,988 per player
Semifinal Losers: $102,944 per player
Quarterfinal Losers: $51,497 per player
While the top stars, with their hefty contracts, may see this as an added bonus, for younger or lesser-paid players, the prize money can be transformative. Take Oscar Tshiebwe of the Utah Jazz, who played on a two-way contract last season. With a base salary significantly lower than most NBA players, the bonus from winning the NBA Cup could have nearly doubled his earnings — a significant financial boost for up-and-coming players.
