Comparing Jase Richardson’s Rookie Contract to His Father Jason’s NBA Career Earnings: Is the Magic PG Making More Than the Slam Dunk Champ?

The Orlando Magic made headlines in the 2025 NBA Draft by selecting Michigan State guard Jase Richardson with the No. 25 pick. As the 19-year-old prepares to begin his NBA journey, it’s only natural to compare his early career to that of his father, former Slam Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson.

While there’s plenty of excitement around the rookie’s arrival, a natural question follows: how does his NBA start, especially financially, compare to the accomplished career of his father? The answer highlights just how much the league and its economics have changed over the years.

Evaluating Jase Richardson’s Rookie Deal Versus Jason Richardson’s Career NBA Earnings

Jase enters the͏ NBA͏ after one promising season͏ at Michigan State, where ͏he earned Big Ten͏ All-Freshman honors and ͏averaged 12.1 points per game while shooting ͏41.0% from beyond the arc. His role grew late in͏ ͏the season when the Spartans needed offensive energy.

“Richardson improved ͏significantly as the season moved ͏on, seizing the ͏opportunity to play a ͏bigger role in ͏the Spartans’ offense when they needed a jolt amid a͏ late͏-season slump,” ͏noted ESPN’s J͏ona͏than Gi͏vony.

Congratulations to Jase Richardson ’24 on being selected 25th overall in the 1st round of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic! Jase becomes the first Columbus Explorer EVER to be drafted into the NBA — a true trailblazer. #CPride #Adelante pic.twitter.com/9bFhz9N0bH

– Columbus High School (@ColumbusHS_Mia) June 26, 2025

As a rookie selected 25th overall, Jase is slotted to earn approximately $15.3 million over four years, with $2,983,320 coming in his first season, according to the NBA’s rookie scale. While a respectable sum for a late first-round pick, the figure is modest when compared to his father’s career earnings.

Jason carved out͏ a 13-year NBA career after ͏being ͏drafted fifth overall in 2͏001. He spent time with ͏five different teams and ͏accumulated total͏ career earnings estimated at ͏$104 million. Among his ͏most notable contracts were a six-year, $70 million deal with ͏the Golden State Warriors and a four-year͏, $24 million agreement with ͏the Magic. Even without adjusting for inflation, Jason’s earnings far surpass ͏what͏ Jase is currently projected to make.

Jase’s entry into the Magic organization also echoes family history. Jason played for the Magic between 2010 and 2012, making Jase the second son of a former Magic player to be drafted by the team in three years. (Jett Howard, son of Juwan Howard, was selected in 2023.)

Givony offered further ͏insight into Jase’s potential trajectory.

“His floor spacing, finishing craft and ͏role-playing qualities stand out͏, but he’ll need to mature as a playmaker as he͏ ͏transitions to the NB͏A͏,” Givony wrote.

It’s a different path from his father’s, whose career was defined more by high-flying athleticism than by playing a supporting role.

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With Cole Anthony’s departure, Jase brings the Magic the needed shooting and depth in their backcourt. He has a chance to carve out his own identity in Orlando, just as his father once did.

Financially, however, the current gap is undeniable. While Jase is just beginning his NBA chapter, his rookie contract is only a small fraction of his father’s career haul. Whether he closes that gap will depend on performance, growth, and longevity in the league.