An unusual number of players who were eligible to sign rookie scale extensions prior to Monday’s deadline inked new deals. A total of 14 players received rookie scale extensions in 2023, blowing away the previous single-year record of 11.
However, nearly half of the 27 eligible players didn’t sign a contract and thus will head to restricted free agency, if they are extended qualifying offers by their respective teams after the season. Otherwise, they’ll be unrestricted free agents next summer.
Perhaps the biggest name on the list is Sixers star guard Tyrese Maxey, though that comes with an asterisk. The Sixers front office and Maxey mutually agreed to put off an extension so that Philadelphia could maximize its cap room next summer.
Immanuel Quickley and Patrick Williams are two of the other big-time names on the list who didn’t reach agreements with their teams. While the Knicks and Quickley’s reps — as well as the Bulls and Williams’ reps — held extension talks as the deadline neared, they couldn’t come to terms on the numbers.
Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn (Raptors), Saddiq Bey (Hawks), James Wiseman and Killian Hayes (Pistons), Kira Lewis (Pelicans), Chuma Okeke (Magic), Isaac Okoro (Cavaliers), Aleksej Pokusevski (Thunder) and Obi Toppin (Pacers) are the other eligible players who didn’t sign extensions.
A full list of the players who did, or did not, sign rookie scale extensions this offseason can be found here.
Quickley and Maxey actually play so it would be understandable for them to get the money being tossed around. Quickley has a chance at 6th man so I think that could boost his contract worth. Maxey in the East may make All Star game so that boost him.
Love IQ. But holding off on an early extension was a win for the NYK FO. The team is still in a rebuild, and the FO needs whatever flexibility it can retain. Maybe a win-win, where IQ continues to ascend and does better than he would have this year. Here or elsewhere, I’d be fine with that too.
Were the Knicks in a rebuild when they gave Barrett the early extension as opposed to letting the market dictate his price?
RJ is not the same as Quickley. Hes a 6th man at best on this roster.
Of course they were. I was also against that early extension (and almost all other early extensions of RSC’s). But RJ’s extension was more understandable because of the different circumstances. Among them was the very different pseudo market. RJ’s extension was always unlikely to hurt their flexibility and (despite his medicore year) it hasn’t.
Maxey likely gets a max contract next year.
Always liked Williams. Seems Bulls are not committed to him. I would start him at SF right now with Knicks.
Quickley has come a long way for me. He is a guy who works on his game. It’s why Thibs likes him. I absolutely believe he can start in this league. And has the stats to back it up as a starter. With Jalen here in his prime. He’s best for Knicks as a trade asset. McBride can backup Jalen, I believe he’s ready. Every PG needy team should be looking at Quickley imo.
I can’t see going thru this year without a major trade. But this Knicks team right now. Needs a backup to Randle. Love Sims, he’s best as a center. Quickley getting off to a good start. May make teams come after him. Time is now for Knicks …….
Depends on a few things. Bulls standings, his health, and if he becomes an offensive force. If hes overperforming they could very well deal him at the deadline depending on where they are in the standings. Both he and DeRozan could be moved.
If they move LaVine though, I think they keep him and see what the market dictates.
If hes hurt, they could retain him cheaply.
Like this for bulls. Should be a make or break year for pat, I’d rather have this year to assess how much to pay him if I’m them