The NBA has unveiled a new career path for elite, young basketball stars that could persuade them not to play in Australia's NBL, Europe or with a US college team.

The NBA G League, the organisation's second-tier league, will offer $US125,000 ($174,850) "select contracts" for a five-month season to elite players who are at least 18 years old.

The select contracts will compete with the NBL's Next Stars program set up to attract elite young players to Australia.

"Select contracts are an answer to the basketball community's call for additional development options for elite players before they are eligible for the NBA," NBA G League president Malcolm Turner said on Thursday.