Tonight the 2016 NBA Draft will begin with the Philadelphia Sixers drafting Ben Simmons of LSU. Simmons will likely sign a 2 year, $12 million guaranteed contract (including 2 team options) with the Sixers which is based on 120% of the NBA Rookie Scale*. He will earn approximately $5.9 million for the 2016-2017 season. Due to the extremely large cap increase from $70 million to $94 million, Simmons' $5.9 million will result in being 6.28% of the cap maximum. By comparison other first overall selections have earned between 8.2% and 9.6% compared to the associated cap maximum.
Here is a look back at the 1st overall selections since 2000 and their signed financials, including the percentage of the of the first year cap was with respect to the cap maximum of that year.
| Year | Player | POS | DRAFT Team | 2 YEAR Signed | FIRST YEAR CAP | % of CAP MAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Ben Simmons | SF/PF | PHI | $12,072,000 | $5,903,160 | 6.28% |
| 2015 | Karl-Anthony Towns | C | MIN | $11,663,760 | $5,703,600 | 8.15% |
| 2014 | Andrew Wiggins | SF |
CLE | $11,269,320 | $5,510,640 | 8.74% |
| 2013 | Anthony Bennett | PF | CLE | $10,888,200 | $5,324,280 | 9.07% |
| 2012 | Anthony Davis | PF | NOH | $10,520,040 | $5,144,280 | 8.86% |
| 2011 | Kyrie Irving | PG | CLE | $11,007,960 | $5,144,280 | 8.86% |
| 2010 | John Wall | PG | WAS | $10,670,000 | $5,144,280 | 8.86% |
| 2009 | Blake Griffin | PF | LAC | $10,340,710 | $4,983,430 | 8.64% |
| 2008 | Derrick Rose | PG | CHI | $10,007,280 | $4,822,800 | 8.22% |
| 2007 | Greg Oden | C | POR | $9,673,680 | $4,662,000 | 8.38% |
| 2006 | Andrea Bargnani | C | TOR | $9,340,080 | $4,501,200 | 8.47% |
| 2005 | Andrew Bogut | C | MIL | $9,006,480 | $4,340,520 | 8.77% |
| Year | Player | POS | DRAFT Team | 3 YEAR Signed** | FIRST YEAR CAP | % of CAP MAX |
| 2004 | Dwight Howard | C | ORL | $13,479,600 | $4,179,720 | 9.53% |
| 2003 | LeBron James | SF | CLE | $12,961,080 | $4,018,290 | 9.17% |
| 2002 | Yao Ming | C | HOU | $12,442,680 | $3,858,240 | 9.58% |
| 2001 | Kwame Brown | C | WAS | $11,924,280 | $3,697,440 | 8.70% |
| 2000 | Kenyon Martin | PF | NJN | $11,405,760 | $3,536,640 | 9.96% |
*The NBA Rookie Scale is a pre-determined formula that was set when the CBA was agreed upon. 2005-Present 1st Round rookies sign a 2 year guaranteed with 2 team option years.
**1998-2004 the NBA Rookie Scale had 3 years guaranteed at signing with 1 team option year.