NBA Extension Season: A Delicate Negotiation Game
The NBA extension season reaches its peak, a period that one agent described as “the torture chamber.” The deadline for most eligible players to sign their extensions is Monday at 6 p.m. ET. Despite the usual pessimism, agreements and commitments often arise at the last moment. The current situation is characterized by considerable pessimism, influenced by the continuous adaptation to the salary “apron” system, which forces teams to be more cautious with long-term spending. In addition, the 2027 free agent class is shaping up to be one of the most stellar in history, with players like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, and Anthony Davis, among others, potentially available to sign with any team. The decisions made in the coming days will not only affect the current negotiations, but will also influence the landscape of next summer’s free agency. Below, we analyze some of the most relevant situations.Will Kevin Durant be able to extend his contract with the Rockets?
The Rockets, under the direction of General Manager Rafael Stone, have demonstrated excellent salary management, which will influence Kevin Durant’s contract situation and also the contract extension of Tari Eason. With Fred VanVleet, who will likely exercise his contract option for $25 million for next season, the Rockets have around $70 million to secure both Durant and Eason and stay below the dreaded “second apron” of the luxury tax.If negotiations were as simple as “giving Kevin all the money possible”, as happened with Jimmy Butler’s extension with the Golden State Warriors, the deal would have already been finalized. Houston is expected to try to reach agreements with both players and stay below the second apron next summer. Durant and his agent, Rich Kleiman, remain optimistic about the possibility of reaching an agreement with the Rockets. However, it seems that Houston is not offering the maximum of two years and 120 million dollars to which Durant is eligible. Although Durant has expressed his desire to stay in Houston, negotiations could depend on what happens with Eason and how the Rockets manage the “apron”.
The Balance Between Present and Future for the Miami Heat
Tyler Herro, after an All-Star season, is interested in extending his contract with the Heat, but so far there have been no substantial conversations and an agreement seems unlikely. Despite the fact that Herro could be the most logical player to extend, the situation does not seem favorable. As for Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, it is also unlikely that they will sign long-term deals. Powell, who was traded by the Clippers, could get a short contract if anything. Wiggins has a player option for $30 million for the 2026-27 season. The Heat’s strategy is influenced by the aforementioned class of free agents in 2027. Maintaining flexibility for that high season allows them to reconfigure their roster around Bam Adebayo and aim to compete for the title. Therefore, although a deal with Herro or Powell is not ruled out, it is difficult to imagine Miami giving up their salary cap space until they have a good reason to do so.When a Major Contract Hinders Expansion
Austin Reaves has little chance of signing a contract extension, and it is very likely that he will waive his player option for $14.8 million for next season. Reaves has one of the best value contracts in the NBA due to extension rules. Players can only get 140% of their current salary in an extension, which means Reaves could get a deal of approximately $89 million in four years. His market value will be much higher. The Lakers have all his rights and are the favorites to re-sign him, but everyone understands why he won’t sign now. Coby White, also in this situation, will not extend his contract now either. White will earn $12.8 million this season and has exceeded the expectations of his contract. Like Reaves, he is limited in how much he can sign for now. His extension is limited to about $18 million if he were to re-sign with Chicago now. His market value will also surely be higher. LeBron James’ free agency has garnered a lot of attention, but it could be even more interesting to see what happens with Reaves when he reaches free agency next summer. If Reaves waits, he could get a starting annual salary of more than $40 million next season, after earning less than that in the first three years of his current contract. Reaves has been a great success story since joining the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Coby White, for similar reasons, is also in an advantageous position. Even after the Bulls closed the four-year, $100 million deal with Josh Giddey earlier this summer, they still have approximately $75 million in available cap space next summer to keep White and reshape the roster around him, Giddey, and the team’s two lottery picks, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue.A Busy Offseason Could Lead to a Busy Season in Atlanta
There is mutual interest between the Hawks and Kristaps Porzingis in extending his contract, but both parties feel comfortable waiting to see how the season progresses. The same timeline applies to Trae Young, whose situation is more intriguing. Young has a player option for $49 million for next season. In the “apron” era and with the Hawks having to invest in younger players, Young finds himself in an intermediate position. The Hawks are also negotiating with Dyson Daniels. The Hawks could reach a deal with Daniels, finalize deals for Young and Porzingis next summer, and stay below the aprons. This would give them the opportunity to do what all teams in the league try to do, and what few teams, besides the Oklahoma City Thunder, have successfully achieved under the new CBA: develop and maintain depth in the squad.Update on the Costly Balance in New York
The Knicks have had some conversations about extending Mitchell Robinson’s contract, but there is still no progress towards an agreement. Robinson is in the final year of a contract that pays him $13 million this season. Towns has three years remaining on his contract, including this season, although 2027-28 is a $61 million player option. He has expressed his desire to stay in New York long-term, but there is no urgency from either side to finalize a new deal.One of the reasons the Knicks would be reluctant to extend Towns or Robinson is that they are already playing a complicated game of limbo with the second “apron”. The Knicks have repeatedly shown that they will maintain as much roster flexibility as possible. Even the extension they signed this summer, with Mikal Bridges, allows him to be traded before the February 5 trade deadline, if the Knicks so decide.
