The clash between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup Final on Tuesday night is a battle for a trophy, bragging rights, and a massive, life-changing financial windfall for the winning roster. Both teams have NBA championship aspirations come May and June, but come Tuesday have a chance for a mid-season reward.
This structure is precisely what the NBA designed: to guarantee maximum effort from every player, from the high-earning superstar down to the 15th man on the bench, ensuring the final is contested with the ferocity of a high-stakes playoff environment.
The final in Las Vegas, won't impact either New York's or San Antonio's regular-season record, the players themselves will be fighting for a direct cash payout that eclipses the bonus for winning the Stanley Cup or the Super Bowl.
Here's what the Knicks and Spurs will be fighting for alongside the title of "NBA Cup champions."
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NBA Cup prize money
The financial stakes in the 2025 NBA Cup have been raised again, as prize money automatically increases annually based on the growth of the league's Basketball-Related Income (BRI), per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The total pool for the Knockout Rounds is now over $18 million in this year's tournament.
Having already clinched $212,373 per player just by reaching the final stage in Las Vegas, the stakes are now doubled in the final: the champion will walk away with a total of $530,933 each, meaning the victor earns an additional bonus of over $300,000 in a single, non-regular-season game.
For the Knicks' roster, a half-million-dollar bonus represents an extraordinary raise for players on the lower end of the salary scale, such as those on two-way or minimum contracts. Similarly, for the young Spurs team, many of whom are still on rookie-scale deals, the difference between finishing runner-up and champion could be the equivalent of nearly half a year’s salary for some.
Each player on a standard NBA contract whose team reaches the Knockout Rounds receives a tiered payout. For players on two-way contracts, the payout is 50% of the figures listed below.
| Stage Reached | Payout Per Player (Standard Contract) |
| Win Championship | $530,933 |
| Reach Championship Game (Runner-up) | $212,373 |
| Reach Semifinal Game | $106,187 |
| Reach Quarterfinal Game | $53,093 |
Head coaches receive the same per-player amount as their team members, while assistant coaches divide a bonus pool that amounts to 75% of the head coach's total payout.
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What NBA Cup prize money means for players
For the majority of players in the league—those on minimum contracts, rookie-scale deals, or two-way contracts—the prize money represents a massive and crucial increase in annual earnings.
A championship bonus of $530,933 for winning the Cup represents over 40% of the annual salary for a player on a league minimum deal (approximately $1.27 million in the 2025-26 season). This is truly life-changing money that can be used to pay off debts, make major purchases, or provide a substantial financial cushion.
The impact is even more profound for players on two-way contracts. While they receive a half-share of the prize money (approximately $265,467 for a champion), their base two-way salary is roughly half the rookie minimum (around $636,435 in 2025-26). The half-share bonus can represent over 41% of their expected yearly earnings, often doubling their income for the season.
For big-name players, of course, adding on some extra money is a motivator, but there's also a side of competitiveness.
Wemby when asked if the NBA Cup prize money was a motivating factor 💰😂
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 13, 2025
"Poor Vic needs more money."
(Via @spurs) pic.twitter.com/rj9Eyr4Sjv
Stars like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who have led teams to the title in the tournament's past, have emphasized the joy of winning for their minimum-salary and two-way teammates. The equal distribution of a massive sum fosters immense team camaraderie and provides a clear, shared financial goal that unites the entire roster.
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