Tyshawn Taylor: Brooklyn Nets Contract Breakdown

The Numbers:
2012-13: $473,604
2013-14: $788,872
2014-15: $1,115,243 (projected qualifying offer — see below)

Contract: Tyshawn Taylor signed a two-year contract worth the rookie minimum after the Brooklyn Nets bought his rights in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Nets bought the 41st overall pick for $2 million to acquire the senior point guard from Kansas, nearly double the amount they’ve actually guaranteed him.

Options: As a second-round pick in 2012, Tyshawn Taylor’s contract lasts for two seasons at the minimum salary. After next season, Taylor’s contract expires, and the Nets have a few options.

The most likely scenario is that they offer Taylor a qualifying offer, worth a little more than 1.1 million. If Taylor accepts the qualifying offer, he’ll be with the Nets for another season (barring a trade) and will become a restricted free agent in the 2015 offseason. If Taylor declines the qualifying offer, he becomes a restricted free agent immediately.

If the Nets do not tender Taylor a qualifying offer, it could be for one of two reasons: 1) they’re choosing to release him, or 2) they want to sign him with the Early Bird exception, which would allow them to sign Taylor for up to 104.5% of the league average salary in 2014-15. Barring a breakout sophomore season, that scenario won’t happen.

Qualifying offer note: Tyshawn Taylor’s qualifying offer could potentially be higher than $1.1 million if he meets the “starter’s criteria” — met by 1) either playing 2,000 minutes or starting 41 games in the final season of his contract, or 2) averaging those numbers in the final two seasons of his contract. This will only happen if Deron Williams jumps into a pit of fire or immediately retires from basketball to pursue his lifelong dream of ice fishing. But in the event that Taylor somehow meets these qualifications, his qualifying offer would jump to a little under $3.3 million.

Expectations: Taylor played in brief stretches during his rookie season, coupling good moments in extended time with lots of turnovers and some poor shot selection. It’s hard to gauge just exactly what’s in store for Taylor in his second season, but it will make or break whether the Nets tender him a qualifying offer.