The Brooklyn Nets have finalized a rookie-scale contract with first-round selection Joshua Jefferson, the team confirmed Thursday in a press release.
The 6’9″ forward, chosen 28th overall in last month’s draft, could not sign immediately because his draft rights were tied to a four-team trade that became official Friday. Minnesota selected Jefferson on Brooklyn’s behalf before shipping his rights to the Nets in the deal that also brought Julius Randle to Barclays Center.
League salary projections place Jefferson’s first-year earnings at approximately $2.97 million and $15.3 million over the standard four-year term.
Jefferson played four collegiate seasons, opening his career at Saint Mary’s and securing a starting role as a sophomore. He transferred to Iowa State for his final two years and started 70 games from 2024 to 2026. As a senior, he averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 30.9 minutes while hitting 34.5 percent of his 3.1 three-point attempts per game, earning a spot on the Associated Press All-America Second Team.
Nets Summer League coach Dutch Gaitley told reporters he hopes Jefferson will make his debut Saturday against Atlanta.
With Jefferson under contract, 28 of the 30 first-round picks from the 2026 draft have now signed. Memphis selections Cameron Boozer and Karim Lopez remain unsigned as the Grizzlies lack available spots on their 21-man offseason roster.
Source: Hoops Rumors
