Detailed Analysis of NBA Contract Extensions for 2025
The NBA’s 2025 free agent class promised to be historic, but new regulations in the collective bargaining agreements have changed the landscape. Key players like Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler III, Donovan Mitchell, and others, instead of seeking free agency, have been incentivized to secure their financial future sooner.
Since 2022, numerous veterans have extended their contracts, and this trend continues. The current offseason presents over 100 players eligible for extensions, including recent MVPs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. We analyze below the prospects of 16 prominent players.
Players Eligible for Supermax
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Eligible to sign: July 6Extension deadline: October 20
Gilgeous-Alexander, after meeting the criteria for the supermax, is expected to join the select group of players who have signed this type of contract since 2017. A four-year, $293.4 million extension is anticipated, with an unprecedented average salary of $73.3 million. His starting salary in 2027-28 would be $65.5 million. There is a possibility that he will wait until 2026 to add a fifth season and an additional $86 million, reaching a total of $379 million. Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring and had an impressive streak of games with over 20 points.
Expectation: Gilgeous-Alexander will become the 14th player to sign a supermax contract.
Candidates for Extensions in July
Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks)
Eligible to sign: July 6th Extension deadline: June 30, 2026The Hawks’ negotiations with Young will define the team’s future. Young is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension. He led the league in assists this season. However, the team has prioritized the development of young players. Young had a low field goal percentage and led the league in turnovers. If an agreement is not reached, he could become a free agent in 2026.
Expectation: It’s unlikely the Hawks will offer Young a $229 million contract.
Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks)
Eligible to sign: July 6th Extension deadline: June 30, 2026Irving could be a key candidate for an extension or a free agent to watch. If he exercises his contract option, both parties could negotiate an agreement of up to four years and $267 million. However, given his age and recent injuries, the Mavericks are unlikely to offer more than two years in an extension.
Expectation: Irving could opt out of his contract and sign a new deal with the Mavericks.
Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
Eligible to sign: July 8Extension deadline: October 21
Jokic, after signing a supermax extension in the past, can now add three seasons and $212 million to his contract. However, it is not certain that he will sign a new extension this summer. Jokic has expressed that the current team is not deep enough to win a championship. Waiting until the deadline could put pressure on management and allow him to earn an additional $81 million.
Expectation: Jokic could wait until close to the deadline to make a decision, as he still has two years remaining on his contract.
Norman Powell (Los Angeles Clippers)
Eligible to sign: July 6th Extension deadline: June 30, 2026The Clippers aim to be competitive while maintaining flexibility in the future. Powell is in the final year of his contract and has outperformed his current salary. He could sign a four-year, $128.5 million extension. However, committing to an annual salary of $30 million or more could be a challenge, as Powell is 32 years old and has played in over 60 games on few occasions in recent seasons.
Expectation: A two-year extension and $50 million could be a viable compromise.
Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers)
Eligible to sign: July 6th Extension deadline: June 30, 2026 Reaves and the Lakers could be at a standstill regarding a new contract. He signed a four-year, $53.8 million deal in 2023. Due to his current salary, the maximum extension the Lakers can offer is four years and $89.2 million.Expectation: Reaves could choose not to sign an extension and enter free agency in 2026.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
Eligible to sign: July 6th Deadline for extension: June 30, 2026Because Jackson wasn’t selected for All-NBA, the Grizzlies will need to get creative to offer him an extension. The maximum extension allowed is four years and $146.8 million. A viable solution is to renegotiate his salary and then extend his contract. For example, the Grizzlies could use their cap space to increase his salary and then extend it for an additional four years.
Expectation: A renegotiation and extension is anticipated.
Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
Eligible to sign: July 6Extension deadline: June 30 Conversations about Morant’s extension are complex. He still has three years left on his current contract. Injuries and suspensions have affected his playing time. However, Memphis still sees Morant as a key player for the future.
Expectation: Memphis could postpone extension talks until next offseason.
Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
Eligible to sign: July 6Extension deadline: October 20
It’s unlikely that Williamson will receive an extension, given his injury history and limited time on the court. He has played in only 46% of regular season games since being drafted. Furthermore, his current contract gives the Pelicans little flexibility if he signs an extension.
Expectation: There will be no extension and Williamson will enter free agency in 2028.
Mikal Bridges (New York Knicks)
Eligible to sign: July 6th Extension deadline: June 30, 2026Bridges is a strong candidate for a new extension, given his durability. He is eligible for an extension of up to four years and $156.1 million. His minutes per game this season were the highest of his career. Bridges’ improved efficiency is a result of his new role in New York. The Knicks will have considerable financial flexibility if Bridges’ extension starts at $34 million.
Expectation: The decision will depend on whether the Knicks are willing to offer Bridges an average salary of nearly $40 million over the next four years.
Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)
Eligible to sign: July 7Extension deadline: October 20
Towns continues to play at an All-NBA level offensively and should be considered for a new contract. However, he is under contract for three more seasons. Extending his contract could result in an average salary of $75 million for a player in his 30s.
Expectation: It’s unlikely the Knicks will commit financially to Towns.
Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Eligible to sign: July 6Extension deadline: October 20 Booker has a lot of influence. The Suns owner has publicly stated that Booker will not be traded. Booker has averaged at least 25 points per game for eight consecutive seasons. He is eligible to add two seasons to his current contract. A two-year, $150 million contract would be appropriate.
Expectation: A two-year extension and $150 million are expected.
Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
Eligible to sign: July 6th Extension deadline: June 30, 2026Durant’s future is a key topic. Phoenix must decide whether to build around Durant and Booker or restructure the team. Durant is eligible for a two-year extension and $124 million. However, if he extends, he will not be able to be traded for six months. Durant has expressed his desire to end his career on his own terms.
Expectation: Durant could sign a two-year, $111 million extension and then be traded.
Waiting for August
Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers)
Eligible to sign: After the NBA Finals, or August 2Extension deadline: June 30
Doncic and the Lakers can agree on a three-year, $160 million extension after the Finals. However, because he was traded on February 2nd, the Lakers must wait until August 2nd to extend him for the maximum allowed: four years and $229 million. There are several options for a new extension, including a three-year, $165 million deal with a player option for the third year. Doncic has confirmed that his intention is to stay with the Lakers.
Expectation: Doncic will sign a three-year, $165 million contract with a player option for 2028-29.
De’Aaron Fox (San Antonio Spurs)
Eligible to sign: August 3rd Deadline for extension: June 30, 2026 Fox has expressed his desire to remain in San Antonio. He can agree to an extension after the Finals, but is restricted in terms of years and total value. The three-year, $140.2 million extension increases to four years and $229 million starting August 3rd.Expectation: Fox will sign a four-year, $229 million extension.
Waiting for October
Tyler Herro (Miami Heat)
Eligible to sign: October 1st Deadline for extension: October 20thHerro has indicated that extending his contract with Miami is a priority. He is eligible for a three-year, $149.7 million extension starting October 1st. If an agreement is not reached, he could sign a four-year, $206.9 million extension in the next offseason. He is eligible for the supermax if he is All-NBA in 2025-26.
Expectation: Herro will sign a three-year extension for $149.7 million.
