Former NBA players competing in France’s Betclic Élite earn annual salaries ranging from roughly €100,000 to €800,000, with veterans like Patty Mills and Frank Ntilikina featuring on top-flight rosters, according to reports. While French basketball continues drawing high-profile talent from North America, the pay scales vary sharply based on club budgets and individual sporting ambitions.
Tony Parker and ASVEL Lead Spending Among French Clubs
Following the financial retrenchment at AS Monaco, Tony Parker’s ASVEL squad has stepped up as a primary destination for proven talent. MaxiBasket estimated that Parker earns €250,000 per season in his debut campaign as head coach, marking the highest salary for any bench boss in the French top division. Parker has used those resources to assemble a roster featuring former San Antonio Spurs teammate Patty Mills, who won an NBA championship alongside Parker in 2014. Mills commands a €800,000 annual salary—tied with teammate Joel Bolomboy as the second-highest earner in the league behind Paris Basketball star Nadir Hifi, who clears €1 million.
Mills has delivered on that investment in EuroLeague play, averaging 15.9 points while shooting 47.9% from beyond the arc. At 38 years old, the veteran guard paces himself during domestic league fixtures. Fellow ASVEL newcomer Jae Crowder agreed to a significant pay reduction after logging over 800 NBA games and earning $71 million over his career. Crowder will pocket €250,000 for the 2026-27 season, matching the salary of TyTy Washington. Washington arrived in Lyon via the Los Angeles Clippers to jumpstart his European career after being selected 29th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Paris Basketball Constructs a Roster Around Former NBA Guard Frank Ntilikina
Paris Basketball has similarly leaned into North American experience, positioning itself as a central hub for former NBA players. Maxime Lefèvre arrived from the Minnesota Wolves coaching staff to take charge as head coach, commanding a €200,000 annual salary that ranks him second among league managers. On the floor, French guard Frank Ntilikina earns €600,000 per year following stints with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets. Ntilikina’s return to France marks his first domestic appearance since his formative years at Strasbourg.
Paris bolstered its perimeter rotation by retaining Jared Rhoden for €500,000 per season and adding TJ Warren at the same price point. Warren missed substantial time due to injuries during the previous campaign but has flashed his scoring ability when available. Tyson Etienne joined the capital club on a €400,000 annual contract, followed by former Brooklyn Nets forward Alize Johnson at €350,000.
Patrick Beverley pursued a different path by signing with Boulazac rather than a traditional EuroLeague contender. Despite securing roughly $82 million across 13 NBA seasons, Beverley accepted a €160,000 salary to join the Pro B side, prioritizing a specific sporting project over a maximum payday. That figure sits roughly five times lower than Patty Mills’ earnings at ASVEL and represents a fraction of Beverley’s peak NBA wages. Beverley has contributed 12.7 points and 4.3 assists per game in domestic competition. Meanwhile, Tony Snell took his talents to Cholet on an estimated €100,000 contract to compete in the Basketball Champions League.
Worth a look