Some NBA rookies hoped for extensions and others were dissatisfied. The 2022–2023 National Basketball Association season has officially begun. This also means that the time for rookie extensions has passed, and not all players from the 2019 class were able to reach an agreement before the deadline.
The top five choices in the 2019 NBA Draft have all signed new contracts with their respective teams. That means a maximum deal of $193 million over five years for Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and Darius Garland.
RJ Barrett Signed $120 Million Deal
In the meanwhile, RJ Barrett signed a deal for a total of $120 million over four years. These four agreements were made a little bit earlier in the summer than the others.
As for De’Andre Hunter, he was able to finalize a deal just before the clock ran out on Monday, signing a contract for $95 million over four years.
A few of the other participants took home significant amounts of money. Only two other players in the draught, namely Jordan Poole and Tyler Herro. They agreed to terms that were for a combined sum of more than $100 million. Poole’s agreement is for four years and $140 million, while Herro’s is for four years and $130 million over the same period.
The Player was Selected 29th Overall in The Draught
Keldon Johnson had his contract extended in the middle of July. The San Antonio Spurs gave him a contract for a total of $80 million over four years.
Outside of those eight players, just three more players consented to extension requests by the time the deadline passed. Kevin Porter Jr. agreed to terms with the Houston Rockets on a contract worth $82.5 million over four years.
The Memphis Grizzlies re-signed Brandon Clarke to a deal worth $52 million over four years, and Nassir Little extended his stay with the Portland Trail Blazers on a deal worth $28 million over four years.
Even while the agreements that were reached may appear to be the more significant story, the ones where the parties were unable to reach a compromise on an extension are the ones that bring the most interest to the table.
Cameron Johnson, who plays for the Phoenix Suns, Grant Williams, who plays for the Boston Celtics, PJ Washington, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets, and Matisse Thybulle.
He plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, are some of the biggest names in the NBA who did not sign extensions before the deadline. Next summer, all four will be eligible to enter restricted free agency.
According to reports, each of the players had been attempting to reach an agreement on a contract, but none of them were successful in doing so.
Finishing Up This Discussion
This might imply that Johnson and the Suns will have to engage in a game of chicken in restricted free agency with a player. And he was previously selected in the lottery for the second year in a row, after the summertime contract signed by DeAndre Ayton.
Concerning the Celtics, they will now have to give thought to re-signing Al Horford and Williams during the next summer’s free agency. Other famous players who did not agree to contract extensions include Coby White, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, and Rui Hachimura.
