Ron Baker Contract Overview
Ron Baker is a former NBA guard whose contract history reflects the typical path of a late second-round pick chasing roster spots. He signed a rookie scale deal with the New York Knicks after being selected 36th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, which included guaranteed salary tied to the league minimum for first-year players NBA Rookie Scale Contracts. His earnings were modest compared to high-profile rookies, but the deal provided a stable base while he developed into a defensive specialist.
Baker later secured a partially guaranteed contract with the Wizards, where his salary increased in line with veteran minimum thresholds and performance incentives Spotrac NBA Salary Data. His final NBA contract was a one-year deal with the Knicks, structured around a veteran minimum salary with limited guarantees, reflecting his role as a depth piece rather than a rotation starter.
Ron Baker Salary and Earnings Breakdown
Year-by-Year NBA Earnings
During his rookie season with the Knicks, Ron Baker earned the league minimum salary for a player with two years of experience, which was approximately $1.4 million for the 2017-18 campaign Basketball Reference Ron Baker Stats. His subsequent seasons saw slight increases as he moved up the rookie scale tiers and later transitioned to veteran minimum deals.
In the 2018-19 season, Baker signed a one-year contract with the Wizards that paid him a base salary of roughly $2.3 million, with additional incentives tied to playing time and team performance Hooptroop NBA Contracts">Hooptroop NBA Contracts. His final NBA season earnings were in the range of the veteran minimum, around $2.6 million, before he moved on to pursue opportunities overseas and in the G League.
Ron Baker Career Contract Milestones
Draft and Early Contract
Ron Baker was selected 36th overall by the Knicks in the 2016 NBA Draft, signing a four-year rookie scale contract that included team options for the third and fourth years 2016 NBA Draft Picks. The contract was structured with standard rookie scale percentages, limiting his initial earnings but providing upside based on playing time and performance.
Later Career and International Moves
After his final NBA contract expired, Baker signed with the Dallas Mavericks for a brief stint, followed by a contract with the Israeli team Hapoel Jerusalem EuroLeague Player Contracts">EuroLeague Player Contracts. His international earnings were not publicly disclosed in detail, but reports indicated he received a competitive salary consistent with a veteran guard role in a top European league.