The Brooklyn Nets have exercised a team option on the contract of former Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson, who in 2025-26 will begin his third season with the NBA team.
According to Spotrac.com, the 24-year-old Wilson will earn a base salary of $2,221,677 in 2025-26 while carrying a cap hit of $2,221,677 and a dead cap value of $88,075. The contract is not fully guaranteed; however, Wilson — the Nets’ second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft — is a rotation player and considered part of the team’s future as its rebuild continues.
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound native of Denton, Texas is guaranteed $88,075 following the pickup of his contract option. He is guaranteed $381,695 if he is with the team on opening night and the contract will be fully guaranteed if he’s with the team on Jan. 10, 2026.
Wilson will be a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season, unless the team elects to sign him to an extension first.
Wilson started on KU’s 2022 NCAA title team. With Brooklyn, he averaged 9.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in 79 games during the 2024-25 season. He started 22 times and averaged 25.7. minutes per contest.
Wilson hit 39.7% of his shots, including 33.7% of his 3-point attempts. He hit five 3s and scored 18 points with four rebounds and four assists while playing 37 minutes in the season finale, a loss to the New York Knicks. He also had 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a win over Washington.
The Nets went 26-56 a year ago.
“Wilson scored in double figures in three straight games to close out the season, while also making four or more 3-pointers in each contest,” wrote CBSsports.com. “His 3-point shooting was a promising development as he increased his volume from 1.7 attempts per game in his rookie year to 4.5 attempts per game while also slightly upping his accuracy from 32.4% to 33.7%.”
Wilson has indicated he will play in the 17th annual Rock Chalk Roundball Classic exhibition game, which is set for 7:30 p.m. July 10 at Free State High School in Lawrence. All proceeds from the exhibition will help provide financial support for area families of children battling cancer. Information about the Roundball Classic is available at the event’s website.