Who got the first $100 million contract in the NBA?

The First $100 Million Man in the NBA

Juwan Howard made history in 1996 as the first NBA player to sign a $100 million contract — but the road to that record deal was anything but smooth. At the time, Howard was coming off an All-Star season with the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) and was one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. The Miami Heat swooped in with a bold 7-year, $105 million offer, which would have made headlines worldwide.

There was just one problem: the NBA said no.

Due to violations of the league’s salary cap rules, the league office voided the contract before it could take effect. It was a rare and dramatic move, underscoring how closely the NBA guarded financial fairness in the mid-90s. With the Miami deal dead, Howard eventually found a new home — not far from where he started. He signed with the Miami Heat... wait, no — actually, the Washington Wizards, where he re-signed under league-compliant terms.

Still, the spirit of that $100 million figure stuck. Howard became symbolic of a new era in NBA economics — one where superstars could command unprecedented money, setting the stage for the massive contracts we see today. While the exact $105 million Heat deal never officially counted, Howard is widely recognized as the first player to reach the $100 million threshold in a single contract.

Fun fact? Howard wasn’t just a trailblazer in salary — he’s also one of the few NBA legends who successfully transitioned into coaching, later leading the University of Michigan’s men’s basketball team. From record-breaking contracts to mentorship on the sidelines, Juwan Howard’s impact goes far beyond the paycheck.