NBA Offseason 2025: Evaluating Top Extension Candidates

Gilgeous-Alexander met the criteria for a supermax contract (achieving All-NBA status in consecutive seasons) during the 2024 offseason. His eligibility was contingent on completing seven years of service, which he now has.

Now that he is eligible, the recently crowned MVP is expected to join the exclusive group of 13 players who have signed supermax deals since 2017.

A potential four-year, $293.4 million extension for Gilgeous-Alexander would set a new precedent, with an average annual salary of $73.3 million, the highest in NBA history. The $65.5 million salary for the first year of the extension would commence in the 2027-28 season.

While unlikely, there`s a scenario where Gilgeous-Alexander postpones signing an extension until the 2026 offseason because he was named MVP. Waiting would allow him to add a fifth season and an additional $86 million to his potential earnings this summer, potentially totaling a $379 million extension.

This season, Gilgeous-Alexander was the league`s leading scorer, averaging 32.7 points. He also achieved the fourth-longest streak in NBA history with 71 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points.

What to expect: Gilgeous-Alexander is likely to become the 14th player in NBA history to sign a supermax contract.

The Atlanta Hawks` approach to extension talks with Young will significantly influence the team`s future roster construction. On the surface, Young`s performance warrants the four-year, $229 million extension he is eligible for. This deal would replace his $48.9 million player option in 2026-27 with a $51 million salary. This season, Young led the league with 11.6 assists per game, the highest average since Russell Westbrook in 2020-21. His 200 assists in fourth quarters were the most recorded since John Stockton in 1996-97.

Arguments against offering a new contract revolve around roster composition and the team`s willingness to commit long-term to Young. Atlanta appears focused on building around younger talents such as Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher. Young recorded a career-low 53% shooting percentage at the rim and his second-worst effective field goal percentage this season. He also led the league in turnovers with 355.

Without an extension, Young could become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason if he declines his player option. The limited number of teams potentially interested if Atlanta were to trade him is another factor; only Brooklyn and Sacramento currently seem to have significant backcourt needs.

What to expect: Unless Young is amenable to a smaller contract (for instance, three years, $120 million), it seems improbable the Hawks will offer the 26-year-old All-Star a $229 million contract.

Kyrie Irving will likely be featured on two key lists this summer: top extension candidates and free agents to watch.

If Irving decides to opt in to his $43 million salary before June 24, he and the Mavericks can negotiate a new deal for up to four years and $267 million.

However, given that Irving turned 33 in March and teammate Anthony Davis`s contract runs for the next three seasons, it`s difficult to envision the Mavericks committing more than two years on an extension starting at $59 million.

What to expect: Irving is likely to opt out of his current contract and sign a new deal with the Mavericks.

Less than three years ago, following the Denver Nuggets` first NBA championship win, Jokic signed a five-year, $276 million supermax extension.

Now, the three-time MVP is eligible to extend his contract by an additional three seasons, worth $212 million. Since the player option in 2027-28 would be replaced by a new salary, the total new money added to his contract would amount to $152 million.

However, Jokic signing a new contract this offseason is not guaranteed. He was candid in his assessment of the current roster, stating it lacked the necessary depth to compete for a championship.

“We definitely need to figure out a way to get more depth,” Jokic commented after the Nuggets` seven-game loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. “It seems like the teams that have longer rotations, the longer benches, are the ones winning. You look at Indiana and OKC and Minnesota, and they have been great examples of that.”

Delaying the signing of an extension until closer to the October 21 deadline would increase pressure on the team`s ownership and management. Jokic could potentially earn an additional $81 million if he waits until the 2026 offseason.

What to expect: While an extra $152 million in guaranteed money is appealing, Jokic would financially benefit more by delaying his decision until closer to the October 21 deadline. He still has two years remaining on his current contract after next season.

The LA Clippers have strategically built their roster to be competitive immediately while preserving future financial flexibility.

Examples include Kawhi Leonard`s three-year extension signed in 2024 and James Harden`s short-term agreement. Ivica Zubac is the only player with guaranteed salary on the Clippers` books in 2027-28, owed $21 million.

Extension discussions with Powell will test the Clippers` future spending strategy. Powell is entering the final year of his contract, and there`s no doubt he has outperformed his $19.2 million salary. Before the All-Star break, he averaged 24.2 points, shot 49.6% from the field, and 42.8% from three-point range.

However, committing $30 million or more annually (he is eligible for a four-year, $128.5 million extension) should give the Clippers pause. Powell recently turned 32 and has participated in over 60 games only once in the last four seasons.

What to expect: If retaining Powell is a priority, a two-year, $50 million extension represents a compromise favorable to both parties. A $25 million annual salary in 2027-28 would still leave the Clippers with over $120 million in cap space for future free agency opportunities.

Without fault of either side, Reaves and the Lakers may find themselves in a holding pattern regarding a new contract.

In 2023, Reaves signed a four-year, $53.8 million contract with the Lakers, the maximum allowed at the time due to his free agency status. His $13.9 million salary in 2025-26 is less than both the average player salary and the non-taxpayer midlevel exception.

Two years later, this favorable contract could influence the guard`s decision to potentially enter free agency in the 2026 offseason. Due to his team-friendly salary, the maximum extension the Lakers can offer is four years, $89.2 million. The initial $19.9 million salary in the first year is 140% of the average player salary, the highest permitted under the CBA.

What to expect: Reaves should likely forgo signing an extension this offseason and explore free agency in 2026. Declining his $14.9 million player option in 2026-27 would provide him with more financial flexibility for a new contract with the Lakers.

With Jackson Jr. missing out on All-NBA honors this season, the Grizzlies will need to explore creative options for an extension for the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.

Because the rookie extension Jackson signed in 2021 declines over time, the maximum extension allowed is four years, $146.8 million. This figure is $150 million less than what he could potentially sign for with Memphis as a free agent in 2026, and $75 million less than he could receive from another team with sufficient cap space.

A feasible solution could be to renegotiate his $23.3 million salary using available cap space before extending him for an additional four seasons. For example, Memphis could utilize their $6.9 million in available room to increase his salary to $30.3 million. Following this, the Grizzlies would be permitted to extend him for another four years at $190 million. This season, Jackson Jr. joined Anthony Davis and Victor Wembanyama as the only players to average at least 20 points and 1.5 blocks during the regular season.

What to expect: A renegotiation followed by an extension is probable. For the first year of the extension to begin at $51 million (the maximum possible salary), Memphis would need approximately $14 million in cap room to increase his pay in 2025-26.

Extension talks concerning Morant are complex. There`s no immediate rush, as he still has three years remaining on the five-year, $197 million extension he signed in 2022. Concerns regarding his durability persist, as injuries and suspensions have limited Morant to playing a total of 120 games over the last three seasons. Extending a deal by two years and $128.4 million for a player frequently sidelined raises questions.

Despite these issues, there remains a belief that Memphis views the former All-Star as a foundational player for the future, not just for next season.

The 25-year-old achieved 18 consecutive games with 20 or more points this season, the third-longest streak of his career. However, Morant also recorded a career-high in turnovers and shot 45.4% from the field, his second-lowest percentage since being drafted in 2019.

What to expect: Memphis is likely to wait until next offseason to entertain extension talks, allowing the current season to play out.

An extension for Williamson appears improbable for two main reasons. Firstly, committing long-term to a player who has spent more time off the court than on it is a significant risk. Since being drafted in 2019, Williamson has participated in only 46% of regular-season games and has never played in the playoffs. He has exceeded 30 games played only twice.

Secondly, Williamson`s current contract terms diminish New Orleans` leverage if an extension were signed. His $39.4 million contract for next season ($7.9 million of which is protected) becomes fully guaranteed on July 15. The following two seasons ($42.2 million and $44.9 million) currently remain non-guaranteed. If Williamson were to sign a two-year, $128.4 million extension, his original contract would then become fully guaranteed.

What to expect: No extension is anticipated, and Williamson is likely to enter free agency in 2028.

Based purely on durability, Bridges is a strong candidate for a new contract. He is eligible to sign an extension of up to four years and $156.1 million this offseason.

Since entering the league in 2018, Bridges has not missed a single game. His average of 37 minutes per game this season was the highest of his career.

During the regular season, Bridges achieved 50% field goal shooting for the first time since his final year in Phoenix. This improved efficiency is partly due to his different role with the Knicks compared to his two previous seasons in Brooklyn. In New York`s second-round playoff series against Boston, Bridges shot 56.5% from the field and scored a total of 29 points in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Brunson`s team-friendly extension signed last summer facilitates Bridges receiving a new contract while allowing New York to maintain financial flexibility. The Knicks are projected to be $30 million below the second apron in 2026-27 if Bridges` extension begins at $34 million annually.

What to expect: The key question is whether the Knicks are willing to offer their fourth-best player an average salary nearing $40 million over the next four seasons. If they are, it`s difficult to imagine Bridges declining a $10 million pay raise next season and over $150 million in guaranteed money.

Towns continues to perform at an All-NBA level offensively and should therefore be considered for a new contract. This season, he joined Nikola Jokic as the only players to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 40% shooting from three-point range. Towns` 56 double-doubles were the third most in the league.

However, the situation becomes complicated here.

Towns is currently under contract for the next three seasons ($53.1 million, $57.1 million, and $61 million), with the final year being a player option. By adding an additional two years and $150 million through an extension, New York would be committing to pay a player in his mid-30s an average salary of $75 million.

What to expect: Given Brunson`s $43 million salary in 2027-28 could potentially increase to over $70 million (Brunson holds a player option that season), it`s unlikely New York will commit significant additional funds to Towns.

Among eligible players, none possesses more leverage than Devin Booker, largely due to Suns owner Mat Ishbia`s public declaration that Booker is not available for trade.

“Never happen,” Ishbia stated to ESPN regarding the possibility of trading Booker. “It`s silly. So here`s what I`ll tell you: I have Devin Booker in the prime. In order to win an NBA championship, you have to have a superstar. You have to have a great player.” For the eighth consecutive season, Booker averaged at least 25 points per game and shot over 45% from the field. His 75 games played were the most he has participated in since the 2016-17 season.

Despite having three years remaining on the $220 million supermax extension signed in 2022, Booker is eligible to add two more seasons. The $75 million average salary over these two years would be the highest in league history.

What to expect: A two-year, $150 million extension seems appropriate, reflecting the importance Phoenix places on building its team around the guard.

Kevin Durant`s future, along with that of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, is expected to be a dominant storyline this offseason.

With Durant`s current contract having just one year remaining, Phoenix must decide whether to continue building around Durant and Devin Booker or reset the roster and explore trade options.

Durant, who will turn 37 in September, is eligible to sign a two-year, $124 million extension with Phoenix. However, signing an extension at this salary would make him ineligible to be traded for six months.

“I want my career to end on my terms, that`s the only thing,” Durant mentioned last month on `The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.` “That`s the only thing I`m worried about. Because I see a lot of dudes that don`t get that opportunity, so I want to keep putting in that work to make that choice on my own.”

If Durant were traded, he could immediately sign a two-year, $111 million extension with his new team, or wait six months after the trade to sign the same two-year, $124 million extension he could sign with Phoenix.

What to expect: Similar to the end of Jimmy Butler III`s time with the Miami Heat, Durant might sign a two-year, $111 million extension with Phoenix and subsequently be traded.

Doncic and the Lakers can agree to a three-year, $160 million extension after the NBA Finals conclude. However, because he was traded on February 2, the Lakers must wait until August 2 if their goal is to extend him for the maximum allowed: four years and $229 million.

There are several possible variations for a new extension for Doncic:

A four-year, $229 million maximum deal, where the $51 million first-year salary for 2026-27 replaces his player option for that season. More likely is a three-year, $165 million extension that includes a player option in the third year. A shorter-term extension would allow Doncic to potentially re-enter free agency sooner and potentially recoup some of the $345 million he reportedly lost when traded from the Mavericks.

For his part, Doncic confirmed to ESPN`s Malika Andrews in an interview before the postseason that his intention is to remain with the Lakers. While there should be confidence in Doncic signing an extension, demonstrating what a roster built for the post-LeBron James era could look like is a major priority for the team.

What to expect: Doncic is likely to sign a three-year, $165 million contract with a player option for the 2028-29 season.

After being traded in February, Fox was clear that San Antonio was intended to be a long-term destination, not a temporary stop in his career.

“There was no f—ing list,” Fox told ESPN regarding trade discussions with his former team, the Kings, at the trade deadline. “There was one team. I wanted to go to San Antonio.”

Similar to Doncic, Fox can agree to an extension after the Finals conclude, but the number of years and total value are limited until a specific date. The three-year, $140.2 million extension he is eligible for increases to four years and $229 million starting on August 3.

What to expect: Fox is expected to sign a four-year, $229 million extension.

Following the season, Herro expressed that signing an extension with Miami is a high priority for him.

“The front office, the organization, the city, everyone knows how much I love Miami,” Herro told the Miami Herald. “I`ve been here since I was 18, 19. I`ve got two kids here.”

Beginning October 1, Herro becomes eligible to add a three-year, $149.7 million extension to the two years ($31 million and $33 million) remaining on his current contract. If no agreement is reached by October 20, Herro would then be eligible to sign a four-year, $206.9 million extension next offseason. He would become supermax eligible (five years, $380 million) if he were to be selected to an All-NBA team in the 2025-26 season.

Herro not only earned his first All-Star selection but consistently posted numbers near All-NBA caliber. For the fourth consecutive season, Herro averaged at least 20 points. In 2024-25, he had five games with at least 35 points, recorded a career-best 47.2% field goal shooting, and averaged 5.5 assists per game. While his on-court statistics are impressive, his history of struggling to stay healthy has been a concern. However, Herro played a career-high 77 games this past season. Miami lost all five games he missed.

What to expect: Guaranteed money is likely to be a key factor, leading Herro to sign a three-year, $149.7 million extension.