Of the players eligible for rookie scale extensions this offseason, Spurs forward Keldon Johnson became the first to sign a new deal worth less than the maximum. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report (Twitter link), Johnson’s new four-year contract will have a base value of $74MM, with $1.5MM in annual unlikely incentives that could push the total value of the deal to $80MM.
Johnson’s contract will serve as a point of comparison for many of the other extension-eligible players who will be negotiating with their respective teams this summer and fall, Fischer writes in a full story for Bleacher Report.
For instance, representatives for De’Andre Hunter figure to seek a similar deal for their client, though the Hawks may be reluctant to invest heavily in a player who has appeared in just 76 games in the last two seasons due to injuries. One cap strategist who spoke to Bleacher Report said Hunter’s injury concerns “are very real,” and sources tell Fischer that the 24-year-old and Atlanta are approximately $20MM apart in their discussions about a four-year extension.
Johnson’s extension with San Antonio is worth roughly the same amount annually as deals signed by sharpshooters like Davis Bertans, Duncan Robinson, and Joe Harris, and all four of those deals will be reference points when Cameron Johnson and the Suns discuss a new deal, according to Fischer, who suggests an extension for Johnson could easily surpass $15MM per year.
Here are a few more notes from Fischer on rookie scale extension candidates from around the NBA:
- There’s a sense that the Warriors may be best off waiting on an extension for Jordan Poole unless they can get a team-friendly rate this offseason, Fischer writes. “What’s the upside in locking him in now?” the team cap strategist said. “He’s not Luka Doncic or Donovan Mitchell, who’ve proven they can carry a team. He’s close. If he does it again, you pay him. But prior to this year he was a borderline rotation player.”
- Cap experts who spoke to Fischer believes that the Celtics‘ four-year extension for Robert Williams (worth $48MM, plus $6MM in incentives) will be a benchmark for their extension talks with Grant Williams. However, rival executives don’t think the C’s will want to spend much more on Grant than they did on Robert.
- The Trail Blazers and Nassir Little may both be motivated to work out a new deal this summer. As Fischer explains, Little could increase his value (and his price tag) in 2022/23 if he’s part of Portland’s new-look starting lineup, but his injury history might make him inclined to take a guaranteed payday sooner rather than later.
- There has been no traction on extension talks between the Sixers and Matisse Thybulle, sources tell Bleacher Report. Fischer also classifies Bulls guard Coby White as a player who is unlikely to sign an extension before the season.
2019 nba draft
The following players are all worth $60 million and more?
3. Knicks draft RJ Barrett
4. Lakers draft De’Andre Hunter
10. Hawks draft Cam Reddish
11. Timberwolves draft Cameron Johnson >> officially traded to the Suns
13. Heat draft Tyler Herro
20. Celtics draft Matisse Thybulle >> officially traded to the 76ers
21. Thunder draft Brandon Clarke >> officially traded to the Grizzlies
22. Celtics draft Grant Williams
25. Trail Blazers draft Nassir Little
28. Warriors draft Jordan Poole
29. Spurs draft Keldon Johnson
Dre fits our roster so perfectly it’s hard to imagine they don’t come to an agreement. Very similar to the situation in 09 or 10 when Marvin Williams got his extension. He was a perfect fit at the 3 & we couldn’t afford to let him go bc we didn’t have any way to replace him. Dre was healthy down the stretch this season, even as the rest of the team broke down. If he can stay reasonably healthy $20M/yr will be a bargain bc he def has ability to be 1 of the top wings in the East off & def. More importantly he’s a perfect fit for our team, especially if he gets more aggressive with Gallo/Kev/Lou/Cam gone & way more shots being available… Dre, John Collins, Jalen Johnson & AJ Griffin are a STRONG group of young forwards (ACC stand up) that we’ll have all locked up for the next 3+ yrs if we get a deal done with Dre. I got a strong feeling that Schlenk/Landry will do the right thing & Dre will re-up with the home team
If K. Johnson got 80 mm/4 years, then Hunter’s discussions should start north of there, even with the injury history. The latter is difficult to price into AAV, and is better dealt with by less than a full guarantee in the later years of the contract.
I’ll believe that GSW thinks that highly of Poole when they actually give him a contract that’s “close” to the ones DM and Luka got.
Dear Cavs,
Wtf is up with Sexton??? Bringing back Rubio, signing Robin Lopez and not resigning Sexton isn’t going to improve this team from last years. The team was 25th out of 30 teams in offense. I love Rubio for this team but a recovering from leh injury 35 yo point guard who had a 36% FG last year and likely won’t be available until December doesn’t inspire enthusiasm. I don’t see any way to meaningfully improve the offense than to bring Sexton back.
They will bring sexton back , give it time, they’re in a staring contest right now bc he has no other suitors. They will either compromise on a deal or he’ll take the QO
There’s no risk whatsoever of losing Poole. Warriors can take their time unless Poole is willing to sign for $80-90M for 4 yrs. Either way Poole will be motivated at heck for next season.
There is no way Grant Williams should be paid the same, or more, than Robert Williams.