A review of the difference between the first and second rounds in one article. Yang Hansen can earn tens of millions if he chooses the first round

Many people don’t know what the difference between being selected in the first round and being selected in the second round of the NBA draft. Today, let’s talk about this topic carefully. It can be said that the difference between the first round and the second round is still very big, at least there is a huge difference in the contract. From four aspects to illustrate the difference between the two, as follows:

1. Contract treatment

First round pick was given the identity of "proud son of heaven" from the moment he entered the league. Take the 2024 No. 1 pick Risache as an example. The four-year, $57.2 million contract he signed when he entered the league is not only a salary guarantee, but also a solemn commitment to his future. This security contract means that even if the rookie performs less than expected, the team will have to pay most of the salary. For example, Chet Holmgren, the second-tier pick in 2023, was reimbursed for the entire season due to injury and could still get a salary of tens of millions of yuan.

And the contracts of second round picks are often full of uncertainty. Without the size and age rules of the contract, many second round picks can only sign a 1+1 two-way contract. What's even more cruel is that second-round picks often contain "non-guaranteed" clauses, and teams can cut them at any time before the regular season begins.

2. Team positioning

First round pick has been included in the long-term plan since joining the team. 2 The team not only equips it with exclusive trainers, but also designs a large number of ball-holding scenes for it in the tactical system. This "VIP treatment" stems from the team's high expectations for first-round picks - they are regarded as the cornerstone of team building in the next five years. It can be said that there is a high probability that the first round pick will have stable rotation time unless it is really too time-consuming, but the second round pick can only start with garbage time or the Development League.

The second round pick needs to climb up step by step from the bottom. Take Brownie as an example. If it weren't for the gimmick of father and son on the same stage, he would probably only be able to play garbage time. He might have to perform hard in every garbage time to get an occasional chance to play for a few minutes. The team's positioning for second-round picks is more inclined to "replenish combat power", which will be delegated to the Development League, and then players will be recalled only if they are injured.

3. Commercial value

The commercial value of the first round pick began to appear from the draft night. The 2024 No. 1 pick Risache not only signed the sneaker endorsement, but also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. His social media fans soared by 300% in one week after the draft. The team is also happy to build a personal brand for it. For example, Magic held an exclusive fan meeting for No. 1 pick, Kairo, to arrange for him to participate in various commercial activities.

The second round pick needs to prove yourself on the court before you can get a business opportunity. Van Vreet signed an endorsement contract with Li Ning after winning the Raptors; Jokic was not until he was elected as the MVP that he became the national tourism ambassador of Serbia. This "performance first and then return" model puts higher demands on the patience and perseverance of the second round pick.

4. It's too difficult to counterattack

There will definitely be people who say that they can make a comeback in the second round or undraft. Jokic is the most famous in the second round. In fact, Green of the Warriors is also the second round pick, as well as the Lakers' undraft Caruso, Reeves, etc. But such examples are really only a few, and more of the second rounds gradually disappear in the NBA. The starting point of the first round will be much higher than that of the second round!

I have said so much, but I am still concerned about Yang Hansen. Recently, many media have been bragging about it. Some even say that they may be selected as the No. 4 position in the first round, and some say that Yang Hansen is the strongest rookie since Yao Ming, and his business value is better than Flag... Just say one thing, Flag made $28 million in high school.

Since the announcement that 50 players have withdrawn from the election, it has been a foregone conclusion that Yang Hansen was selected. Moreover, under the publicity of agent Rich Paul, the market has been changing all the way. If Yang Hansen can be selected in the first round, taking the 30th pick as an example, he can sign at least a four-year, 14.09 million contract, which must be a 2+2 contract.

So, don’t brag about any commercial value first, and go to the first round! This is the most critical and direct key to whether you can stay in the NBA for a long time!