I previously explained and estimated the value of max contracts this summer, but that was based on the projected salary cap.
Now that the cap has been set, we can determine actual max salaries.
Remember, a max salary is determined by experience and previous salary. Just two free agents – Dirk Nowitzki and Carmelo Anthony – had high enough 2013-14 salaries to exceed the max based on years of experience.
Here are the values of max contracts for Nowitzki, Melo and everyone else based on years of experience (updated with precise amounts the NBA provided teams):
0-6 years
| Year | Re-sign | Leave |
| One | $14,746,000 | $14,746,000 |
| Two | $15,851,950 | $15,409,570 |
| Three | $16,957,900 | $16,073,140 |
| Four | $18,063,850 | $16,736,710 |
| Five | $19,169,800 | |
| Total | $84,789,500 | $62,965,420 |
7-9 years
| Year | Re-sign | Leave |
| One | $17,695,200 | $17,695,200 |
| Two | $19,022,340 | $18,491,484 |
| Three | $20,349,480 | $19,287,768 |
| Four | $21,676,620 | $20,084,052 |
| Five | $23,003,760 | |
| Total | $101,747,400 | $75,558,504 |
10+ years
| Year | Re-sign | Leave |
| One | $20,644,400 | $20,644,400 |
| Two | $22,192,730 | $21,573,398 |
| Three | $23,741,060 | $22,502,396 |
| Four | $25,289,390 | $23,431,394 |
| Five | $26,837,720 | |
| Total | $118,705,300 | $88,151,588 |
Dirk Nowitzki (plans to sign three-year, $30 million contract)
| Year | Re-sign | Leave |
| One | $23,857,450 | $23,857,450 |
| Two | $25,646,759 | $24,931,035 |
| Three | $27,436,068 | $26,004,621 |
| Four | $29,225,376 | $27,078,206 |
| Five | $31,014,685 | |
| Total | $137,180,338 | $101,871,312 |
Carmelo Anthony (reportedly plans to re-sign with Knicks)
| Year | Re-sign | Leave |
| One | $22,458,402 | $22,458,402 |
| Two | $24,142,782 | $23,469,030 |
| Three | $25,827,162 | $24,479,658 |
| Four | $27,511,542 | $25,490,286 |
| Five | $29,195,922 | |
| Total | $129,135,810 | $95,897,375 |
If you’re wondering about LeBron James and Chris Bosh (and maybe even Dwyane Wade), the Heat’s stars can get the max for players with 10+ years experience.
