In terms of financial security, the NBA is the place to be.

Jefferson’s $35 million average salary would put him 33rd in the league ahead of Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday and behind Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons, the latter of whom played just 15 games this year and is a shell of his old self.

And thanks to the league’s forthcoming television deals, player earnings will continue to climb.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić can collect up to $346.3 million over five seasons on his next deal after making the 2023-24 All-NBA team. Before too long, $300 million contracts and $70 million salaries will be the cost of securing the best players, and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic projected that the top earners might be in line to get $100 million a year by 2032-33.