Over $700 Million Handed Out In Contracts To Multiple Players Ahead Of Extension Deadline

The final day before the 2024-25 season tips off on October 22 was also an extension deadline for various players around the NBA. A lack of an extension right now could leave the door open for free agency next summer. Multiple valuable stars around the NBA have finalized their futures on their respective teams, with over $700 million being handed out in contracts to nine players. 

Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets) - Five years, $185 million

Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic) - Five years, $150.5 million

Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks) - Five years, $150 million

Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets) - Four years, $133 million

Trey Murphy (New Orleans Pelicans) - Four years, $112 million

Jalen Green (Houston Rockets) - Three years, $106 million

Corey Kispert (Washington Wizards) - Four years, $54 million

Jaden Hardy (Dallas Mavericks) - Three years, $18 million

These players join a small list of max rookie extensions which were already handed out earlier in the offseason to players such as Franz Wagner, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, and Scottie Barnes (Five years, $224 million). 

Combining their contract values with the players who signed earlier today and the likes of Moses Moody last night, over $1.5 billion in contracts have been handed out ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Notable Players Who Didn't Sign Extensions

There are two major names people are discussing in terms of players who couldn't agree on a new contract before the 6 PM deadline today. Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors and Cam Thomas of the Brooklyn Nets are the two most notable names to have not signed a rookie extension this summer, with both players likely betting on themselves in a prove-it season. 

Kuminga averaged 16.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists last season but is expected to have a much more advanced role on the franchise this season. With Kuminga's value hard to gauge at the moment, it's in the interests of both the Warriors and the player to have a prove-it year where he can establish the level of play he has reached. 

There's still a chance Kuminga signs the same rookie max that was handed out to the likes of Cunningham, Barnes, Wagner, and Mobley. For that to happen, he needs to emerge as a bonafide second star behind Stephen Curry. Anything less and we likely see them haggle over the price of the contract until free agency starts next year.

Cam Thomas averaged 22.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists last season, with the Nets star expected to be in a similar situation as Kuminga. While Thomas has proven his ability as a microwave scorer, he will have the ultimate green light this season on the tanking franchise. 

A season where he averaged over 25 points can allow him to command a bigger extension than whatever is on the table right now, so this will be a fascinating year for the scorer himself. He'll have to show some growth beyond just being a pure scorer to justify a max extension, but he'll have plenty of opportunity to show the range of his game this season.