Key NBA Moves: One Month After the 2025 Draft
A month before the 2025 NBA Draft, the free agency market has been turbulent, with moves that promise to reshape the league. From the selections of Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper by the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively, to the trades and signings of stars like Kevin Durant, Desmond Bane, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Myles Turner, the offseason has been full of action.
However, crucial decisions still need to be made. We analyze the most relevant contract extensions and restricted free agency situations of the 2025 offseason.
Will Luka Dončić renew his contract in August?
The situation of Luka Dončić, who arrived in Los Angeles six months ago in a shocking trade, is the most talked-about topic. August 2nd is the deadline for Dončić to sign an extension with the Lakers and secure his stay on the team. If he doesn’t sign, he will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, which would make him the most sought-after player on the market since Kawhi Leonard in 2019.
If Dončić decides to extend his contract, he could opt for a four-year, $222 million deal, which would tie him to the Lakers until the end of the decade. The other option, a short-term deal, could be a three-year, $160 million extension with a player option for the 2028-29 season. This last option would allow him to sign a contract in 2028 for 35% of the salary cap, which could translate into a five-year, $369 million contract.
When you have a guy like Luka calling… asking about you, trying to see where you are, to see if you want to join something special he’s trying to create here… That meant a lot.
Marcus Smart
Restricted Free Agents: What Does the Future Hold?
Restricted free agency is a complicated terrain, as demonstrated by the fact that 25 players signed rookie extensions in the last two years. Josh Giddey, Quentin Grimes, Jonathan Kuminga, and Cam Thomas are still waiting, affected by the lack of salary cap space in the league. Most teams, with the exception of the Brooklyn Nets, have no more than $14.1 million available for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Kuminga’s options are limited by the lack of overall spending and the possibility that the Golden State Warriors will be affected by the “first apron” if they sign and trade him. Grimes is in a similar situation, without a team due to the finances of the Philadelphia 76ers. If an agreement is not reached, the option is to sign the one-year qualifying offer. Giddey, Grimes, Kuminga and Thomas have until October 1st to sign their contracts.
Signing the qualifying offer has its pros and cons. Although they would be unrestricted free agents in the 2026 offseason, they would lose Bird rights if traded to a new team during the season. The last time a player signed the qualifying offer was Miles Bridges in 2023.
Other Key Contract Extensions
In addition to Dončić, several veterans are in talks to extend their contracts. Kevin Durant, recently traded to the Houston Rockets, can sign a two-year extension for a maximum of $118 million. De’Aaron Fox, who changed teams in February, and Trae Young, with one year remaining on his contract, are other important players to watch.
Other interesting players to watch include Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, P.J. Washington, Tyler Herro, Toumani Camara, and AJ Green.
Extensions for beginners to follow
Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., and Jalen Williams have already signed long-term extensions. In the coming months, attention will focus on the remaining 17 players eligible for extensions from the 2022 class.
Players like Dyson Daniels, Christian Braun, Tari Eason, Bennedict Mathurin, Mark Williams, Shaedon Sharpe, Keegan Murray, and Walker Kessler are names to watch. The financial flexibility of the Pacers and Nuggets could facilitate the signing of extensions for Braun and Mathurin.
The Pacers have been aggressive in signing extensions in the last two seasons, including Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and T.J. McConnell.
Where will Russell Westbrook play?
Each year, prominent veterans become available in the final phase of free agency. Ben Simmons, Malcolm Brogdon, Chris Boucher, and Gary Payton II have yet to sign. However, the most prominent name is Russell Westbrook, former MVP.
Westbrook, who has played on five teams in the last six seasons, averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists last season. His need to have the ball and his problems as a shooter make it difficult for him to fit in with contending teams. Although it’s hard to imagine him outside the NBA, the league will closely follow his situation.
