We already covered the NBA’s 10 Best Value Contracts in a previous piece. Now, it’s time to look at some of the worst value contracts in the league. Full disclosure: Opposite of the best contracts, it’s getting harder and harder to find 10 bad or even questionable contracts. More and more these deals trend towards a “Kind of get it, but don’t like it” thought vs being a truly bad deal.

A few notes:

• Unlike the Best Values, you will see max contracts and max extensions here. Some of them are just sort of mind-boggling in terms of long-term committed salary.
• No rookie scale contracts will appear here. Even if we think the pick was bad, the contract is what it is with rookie scale deals.
• This is a worst value list, so role and production vs contract factor in greatly. The same is true of not only the size of the contract (both per year and in total), but the length of the contract too. And the player’s age is a major factor as well.
• No expiring contracts, nor contracts that are turning into expiring deals next season will be here. So, you won’t find Ben Simmons or Lonzo Ball on this list. As history has taught us, once a contract is an expiring contract, it always has some level of trade value.
• This list factors in right now and looking forward. In all cases, total money will include this season, plus what’s remaining on the deal.

Got all that? On to the list!

Honorable Mentions

It was hard enough to find 10 contracts we felt deserved to be here. This time around, we’re not going to include any honorable (dishonorable, maybe?) mentions. They’d all be a stretch, as you’ll see when we get to the final few deals we are including.

On to the 10 Worst Values Contracts!

10 Worst Values Contracts

1. Bradley Beal – Phoenix Suns

Four years, $207.7 million (player option in 2026-27)

This contract was questionable when it was signed, and it’s only gotten worse. Beal isn’t worth an AAV of over $50 million per season. His production isn’t at that level, and he also can’t stay healthy. In addition, the player option here makes this even worse, as Beal has control over what happens in what will be his age-33 season. If that wasn’t enough, he still has his no-trade clause.

2. Jordan Poole – Washington Wizards

Four years, $123 million

It’s kind of funny that the players at the top of this list were effectively traded for each other. Poole’s track record of good health and the fact that he makes nearly $85 million less than Beal is why he comes in below him on the list. But don’t get it twisted, Poole’s production doesn’t match his contract. And, we’ve discovered again, that he’s better in a bench role. $30.75 million AAV is an awfully big contract for a reserve.

3. Zach LaVine – Chicago Bulls

Four years, $178.1 million (player option in 2026-27)

Continuing a trend of shooting guards on tough contracts, we have LaVine. This one is mostly about health. LaVine has missed a lot of this season, and he’s now built a history of knee/leg/foot issues. That’s scary considering how much money he’s owed. And, last but not least, he apparently still wants a trade. That’s a whole lot of negatives going on.

4. Andrew Wiggins – Golden State Warriors

Four years, $109 million (player option in 2026-27)

Wiggins has fallen off since the 2022 NBA Finals. After playing a huge role in the Warriors title that year, Wiggins has missed a lot of time due to off-court matters. We wouldn’t hold that against him as much if he was productive when he did play, but he hasn’t been. That’s a tough combo to swallow. And Golden State still has three more fully guaranteed years left after this one, and Wiggins will turn 30 years old midway through next season. That’s tough to deal with.

5. Khris Middleton – Milwaukee Bucks

Three years, $95 million (player option in 2025-26)

Middleton’s deal would be fine, if he wasn’t visibly breaking down. He’s suffered through three consecutive injury-plagued seasons now. Middleton has also slipped considerably as a defender. As an offensive player, he’s now best as a complementary guy vs being a primary one. That’s good because the Bucks have stars to carry the load. But it doesn’t make Middleton’s contract look any better.

6. Jerami Grant – Portland Trail Blazers

Five years, $160 million (player option in 2027-28)

Grant’s contract is fine right now. It’s probably fine next year too. It’s the final three seasons at over $102 million where things might turn sideways. Grant recently turned 30 years old. That means he’ll be a 34-year-old wing that relies on athleticism at the end of this contract. That’s very worrisome.

7. Draymond Green – Golden State Warriors

Four years, $100 million (player option in 2026-27)

If Green could be relied on to be on the floor, this contract would probably be fine. But between getting himself in consistent trouble with the league, and a mounting injury history, it’s unlikely Green will play many more than half of the maximum games he could on this deal. In addition, he’s openly talked about how retirement is looming. That’s not great for a Warriors team that needs Green to play, and play well, through the life of this contract.

8. Nikola Vucevic – Chicago Bulls

Three years, $60 million

This is where it starts getting really hard to find truly bad contracts. Vucevic’s deal isn’t really all that bad. It’s just sort of…unnecessary. Vucevic is still a nightly double-double guy, but his efficiency is starting to slip. A lot of that is Vucevic being more reliant on his jumper than ever. If that continues, and there aren’t any signs it won’t, the Bulls are under water with this deal.

9. Karl-Anthony Towns – Minnesota Timberwolves

Five years, $257 million (player option in 2027-28) (includes four-year, $221 million extension)

The last two contracts on this list are extensions that don’t seem likely to age very well. Towns is still a terrific offensive weapon, but it’s never been clearer that he can’t anchor the defense for a contender. That means he has to play power forward, and Towns isn’t the same matchup nightmare there as he is as center. In addition, this season is the second in a row where Towns has missed considerable time with a leg injury. Last season it was a calf injury, this year it’s a torn meniscus. That’s worrisome for a guy who hasn’t even started his $221 million long-term extension yet.

10. Damian Lillard – Milwaukee Bucks

Four years, $207.3 million (player option in 2026-27) (includes two-year, $112.9 million extension)

Lillard is still performing at a high level…most of the time. However, the occasional 3-for-17 clunkers are creeping in more and more often. And Lillard’s defense has gone from bad to really bad. Neither of those things are likely to reverse, as Lillard will be 34 years old at the start of next season. And, look, we get it. Lillard got this contract based mostly on past performance. That’s how it works for the late-career max guys. But that doesn’t mean the Bucks won’t be working around this contract when Lillard is making well over $50 million when he’s 35 and 36 years old.

Scottie Scheffler wins THE PLAYERS Championship. Scheffler earns $4.5 million million bringing his 2024 on-course earnings to $10.9 and his career on-course earnings to $53.5 million. 

THE PLAYERS Championship Top 10 Payouts

Full Results

2024 Earnings Leaders Update

Full List

The NBA has gotten better about handing out value contracts. It’s become increasingly harder and harder to limit this list to just 10 deals. Some of that is the rapid growth of the salary cap, but a lot is teams are being smarter who gets big money.

A few notes before we get to the list:

• You won’t see any max contracts on here, nor max extensions. Even if you think it’s fair to pay a player $100 million per season, that’s not allowed. (Well, at least not yet. Wait about five more years or so.) That means that no matter how good it looks that teams got some players to ink max deals, they won’t show up here.
• No rookie scale contracts will appear here either. Like a max deal, it’s nearly impossible to do better than teams already do on these deals. No Second Round Pick Exception deals either.
• Also, we’re not including anyone signed to a Minimum Exception deal. Those are largely a circumstantial thing. Plus, they run only two seasons at most, so the value is limited.
• This is a best value list, so role and production factor in greatly. The same is true of not only the size of the contract (both per year and in total), but the length of the contract too. No one-year steals will show up here.
• This list factors in right now and looking forward. In all cases, total money will include this season, plus what’s remaining on the deal.

Got all that? On to the list!

Honorable Mentions

Oklahoma City Thunder

A whole team? Yup, a whole team! Now, to be fair, the Thunder’s salary cap sheet features a whole bunch of key players on rookie scale contracts. And, yes, they’ll start getting expensive here in the next few years, as those players sign extensions. But for now, Oklahoma City is one of the best teams in the NBA and they have a remarkably clean cap sheet. That’s scary for the rest of the league.

Wendell Carter Jr. – Orlando Magic

Carter has been terrific for Orlando, but he has missed considerable time with injuries. That’s the only thing holding him back from making the top-10.

Ayo Dosunmu – Chicago Bulls

 Dosunmu provides starter-level production for roughly half to the Non-Taxpayer MLE. Sure, he might move back to the bench if the Bulls other guards get healthy. But, even then, Dosunmu would still be on a great contract, and are you really betting on Chicago’s guards getting and staying healthy?

On to the 10 Best Value Contracts!

10 Best Value Contracts

1. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks

Three years, $76.3 million (player option in 2025-26)

Brunson is the Knicks leader and has become the team’s heartbeat in under two full seasons. He’s stayed pretty healthy throughout his career, so that gives Brunson a level of reliability for New York. He’s also incredibly productive, and his game has translated to winning. And, a key for a team that has added a lot of salary and will continue to do so, Brunson’s deal declines from this season to next by nearly $1.4 million. Also, Brunson has been so good, that we’re willing to overlook that player option which likely makes next season a contract year.

2. Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies

Three years, 75.8 million

Jackson is one of the best defenders in the NBA. This season, he’s shown he can anchor the frontcourt defense, as he’s had to play at the five more than ever. Jackson has also had to take on a bigger offensive role this season, with so many other Grizzlies injured. He’s lost some efficiency, but Jackson has shown he can handle more creation and playmaking. Like Brunson, his deal also declines year over year. That’s huge for Memphis, who has locked into a lot of long-term money for players on extensions.

3. Kawhi Leonard – LA Clippers

Four years, $195.3 million

This one is cheating a little bit. Leonard is on a max contract this year, and he will be next season too. But the last two years of Leonard’s deal are below the max he could have signed for. That’s good value for the Clippers. This season, Leonard has largely stayed healthy and he’s played well enough that he’s going to appear on a lot of MVP ballots. For less than the max, even a couple of years from now, that’s great value.

4. Domantas Sabonis – Sacramento Kings

Five years, $216.6 million

Sabonis’ deal is actually going to come in a bit less than above, as not being named an All-Star this year cost him some bonus money. That only makes his contract a better value. Sure, the final two seasons, when Sabonis will be in his early-30s, could turn a little sour. But we’re going to bet that this double-double machine will keep being an underrated big man through the life of his contract.

5. Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans

Five years, $197.2 million

Alright, this one is full-on cheating. Williamson is on a max deal, but there’s a reason we’re including him here. Due to clauses that the Pelicans smartly included in Williamson’s deal, his contract isn’t fully guaranteed. If he has a reoccurrence of injuries and/or weight issues, New Orleans can get out of the contract with relatively little owed. We don’t expect that to happen, as Williamson looks good physically and is playing as well as he ever has. But having that protection is huge for the Pelicans or another team, if New Orleans were to ever trade Williamson.

6. Coby White – Chicago Bulls

Three years, $36 million

When this deal was signed last summer, it looked like a fair value. Nearly a year later, this contract is a great value for the Bulls. White should be garnering a lot of Most Improved Player love. He started playing better at the end of last season, and that’s carried over. White’s improvement into a legitimate starting guard is a big reason the Bulls don’t need to panic about Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine’s uncertain futures.

7. Herb Jones – New Orleans Pelicans

Four years, $53.8 million

Herb Jones is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. Actually, he may be THE best perimeter defender in the NBA. That alone would make a deal that comes in under the Non-Taxpayer MLE amount a great value. But Jones has improved as an offensive player each season too. This year, he’s shot over 43% from deep. If he shoots that well, while maintaining DPOY levels of defense, Jones will have broken the 3&D mold and rewritten whatever ceiling was previously put on his potential.

8. Austin Reaves – Los Angeles Lakers

Four years, $53.8 million (player option in 2026-27)

Reaves is a touch behind Jones on this list, because Jones has filled his role a little bit better and Reaves has a player option on the final season of his deal. But Reaves is still a tremendous value for the Lakers. A little shine has come off of Reaves since last season, but it shouldn’t have. He’s still a tremendously efficient shooter and scorer, but Reaves has also improved as a playmaker too. And he does all of that for less than the Non-Taxpayer MLE.

9. Mikal Bridges – Brooklyn Nets

Three years, $69.9 million

We’re knocking Bridges down behind Jones and Reaves only because he makes more than them, and his deal runs one year shorter. That means Bridges is in line to get paid before either Jones or Reaves, and he’ll get a bigger contract too. This season has been messy for both Bridges and the Nets, but he’s still a terrific player. For far less than the max, several teams have done way worse than Bridges. Even as his efficiency and defense has slipped just a bit, Bridges remains a great value. If the Nets improve the talent around him, Bridges will get back to being the two-way star we all loved a year ago.

10. Jarrett Allen – Cleveland Cavaliers

Three years, $60 million

Allen probably should have gotten more All-Star consideration. He’s one of the best defensive centers in the NBA, as he owns the paint and the glass. Allen is also a better offensive player than he usually gets credit for. He’s become a good passer and he’s one of the best play finishers in the league too. For $20 million per season, it’s hard to find many better values at the center position, or in the league period.

The first 24-48 hours of the NFL Free Agent Frenzy is always a whirlwind, and with it come a flurry of contract reports. Now that the dust has settled a bit, we’ll dive into every free agent contract with a total value of at least $30M, detailing the guaranteed portion of the deal, and a more practical set of terms for each.

Kirk Cousins (QB, Falcons)

4 years, $180,000,000

The largest total value contract in free agent history comes with $100M guaranteed, $90M at signing, and $62.5M cash in 2024. It’s a 2 year, $100M contract out of the gate, with 3 years, $135M in place for practical purposes. Early $10M roster bonuses in 2026 & 2027 offer early payment or team decision making at the back end of this contract. At $45M per year, Cousins is now the 8th highest average paid QB, while his $100M guaranteed ranks 12th.

Christian Wilkins (DT, Raiders

4 years, $110,000,000

Wilkins joins the Raiders on $57.5M fully guaranteed at signing (2nd among DTs), with another $25.25M set to lock in next March. This is a 3 year, $84.25M contract for practical purposes, with no early vesting guarantee or roster bonus in the final 1 year, $25.75M. The deal makes Wilkins the 3rd highest average paid interior defender.

Robert Hunt (G, Panthers)

5 years, $100,000,000

Carolina spent big to bolster their offensive line this week, handing Hunt $44M fully guaranteed at signing, with another $10M set to lock in next March. Technically the Panthers could walk away from this contract after 2 years, $54M, but a 3 year, $63M outcome is much more practical. The final 2 years, $37M are extremely fluffy, offering no early vesting guarantee or roster bonus. Hunt is now tied as the 3rd highest average paid guard in football, while his $63M of practical guarantee is most all-time at the position.

Calvin Ridley (WR, Titans)

4 years, $92,000,000

Ridley secures $46.9M fully guaranteed at signing through the 2025 season, and $3M of his 2026 compensation locks in next March. In this regard, there's a world where Tennessee buys him out in March of 2026 at 2 years, $50M, but it's more practical that Ridley sees 3 years, $69.75M on this deal. This becomes far & away the largest free agent WR contract to post this offseason.

Jonathan Greenard (DE, Vikings)

4 years, $76,000,000

Following an outstanding walk season in Houston, Greenard attempts to fill the shoes vacated by Danielle Hunter in Minnesota. Early reports tag a $42M full guarantee on this contract, but the full structure has not yet been announced. The $19M per year average currently ranks 16th among edge defenders.

Xavier McKinney (S, Packers)

4 years, $67,000,000

As with nearly all Packers’ contracts, McKinney’s only upfront guarantee stems from a $23 million signing bonus. The 24-year-old gets over $25M cash in 2024, but the remaining 3 years, $42M becomes a year-to-year decision for Green Bay. $8.5M March roster bonuses in each of 2025 & 2026 offer a little stability in the next few offseasons. At $16.75M per year, McKinney’s contract makes him the 5th highest average paid safety in football.

Leonard Williams (DE, Seahawks)

3 years, $64,500,000

Williams returns to Seattle at a reported $43.85M guarantee, though just $26.15M of that is fully guaranteed at signing. While it’s highly likely that the 30-year-old sees at least 2 years, $47.85M out of this new deal, it’s possible for Seattle to walk away after just 1 year, $27M. 

Mike Onwenu (G, Patriots)

3 years, $57,000,000

The Patriots retained their 2020 6th round pick for at least another 2 years, $39.5M. $36.5M of that is fully guaranteed at signing, leaving 1 year, $17.5M of “fluff” on the back end of this contract. At $19M per year, Onwenu is now the 5th highest average paid guard in football, while his $36.5M of full guarantee chimes in at 8th overall.

Damien Lewis (G, Panthers)

4 years, $53,000,000

Lewis joins Carolina on a $26.2M full guarantee through the 2025 season, making the final 2 years, $26M of this contract completely up in the air. At $13.25M per year, the Panthers now have two of the Top 16 average paid & guaranteed guards in football.

Bryce Huff (OLB, Eagles)

3 years, $51,100,000

The Eagles made Huff a Top 20 paid edge defender on this 3 year contract that reportedly includes $34M fully guaranteed. Full details aren’t yet available, but a double bonus structure 2 year guarantee seems to fit the Philly bill here.

Jonah Jackson (G, Rams)

3 years, $51,000,000

Jackson secures $25M fully guaranteed at signing, which includes half of his 2025 compensation. The other half locks in next March, setting him up for 2 years, $34M for practical purposes. The final $17M on this deal is up in the air, though an $8M March 2026 roster bonus helps push things along. At $17M per year, Jackson is the 10th highest average paid guard in football.

Arik Armstead (DE, Jaguars)

3 years, $51,000,000

Armstead was designated a Post June 1st release by San Francisco this week, but wasted no time locking in a healthy deal elsewhere. Full details are still TBD, but it’s safe to assume there’s a near $35M guarantee on this contract.

Lloyd Cushenberry (C, Titans)

4 years, $50,000,000

Cushenberry represents a solid upgrade to the middle of Will Levis’ line, securing $26M fully guaranteed at signing, with another $4M locking in next March. It's a 2 year, $30M contract from the onset, with 2 years, $20M up in the air thereafter. Cushenberry now ties for the 4th largest average salary among centers, while his $30M practically guaranteed ranks 2nd.

Danielle Hunter (ED, Texans)

2 years, $49,000,000

One of the strongest deals to hit the books this week, Hunter secured $48M fully guaranteed over the next 2 seasons. Only a pair of annual $500,000 per game active bonuses set him apart from a fully guaranteed contract here. The 30-year-old will see $29.5M cash this year, & $19.5M in 2025.

Josh Jacobs (RB, Packers)

4 years, $48,000,000

Aaron Jones out, Josh Jacobs in, and in true Packers fashion, it’s a 1 year guarantee, plus three years of we’ll see. Jacobs secures a $12.5M signing bonus, and $14.8M total in 2024. The remaining 3 years, $33.2M of this contract go year-to-year, though an early March roster bonus ($5.9M) likely secures this deal as 2 years, $23M - but it doesn’t have to. The $12M APY on this contract makes Jacobs the 6th highest average paid running back.

Patrick Queen (LB, Steelers)

3 years, $41,000,000

The first real head-scratcher on the list. Queen was the top off-ball linebacker on the open market, putting up a huge season alongside Roquan Smith in Baltimore. He joins linebacker U on essentially a 1 year, $13.84M contract (as the Steelers do not guarantee future salary in their contracts). The remaining 2 years, $27.16M of this contract will be year-to-year. Queen chimes in as the 6th highest average paid off-ball linebacker with this deal.

Darnell Mooney (WR, Falcons)

3 years, $39,000,000

Mooney leaves Chicago for Atlanta to begin the Kirk Cousins regime. The former 5th round pick secures $26M fully guaranteed at signing on this contract, making the next 2 years, $27M a virtual lock. The remaining 1 year, $11.98M for 2026 is up in the air. Mooney ties Gabe Davis as the 22nd highest average paid WR with this deal.

Gabriel Davis (WR, Jaguars)

3 years, $39,000,000

Despite identical terms, Davis secured $2M less guaranteed, & $1M less to be earned through 2025 than Darnell Mooney signed for in Atlanta. Still, the Jags may have scored a value signing here, as Davis will step into that WR1B role recently vacated by Calvin Ridley - who just secured $50M guaranteed in Tennessee. Davis’ contract is a 2 for $26M deal, with $13M of fluff.

Grover Stewart (DT, Colts)

3 years, $39,000,000

Stewart returns to the Colts on a $25.7M guarantee, though only $17.9M of that is fully guaranteed at the time of signing. Still, with ? of his 2025 compensation locked in right now, we’ll consider this a 2 year, $26.75M contract for practical purposes, with the remaining $12.25M up in the air. A $13M APY for Stewart ranks him 18th among interior defenders.

Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles)

3 years, $37,750,000

Barkley secured good money from a good team - a rare win for the running back position on the open market. All of the $24.5M due across the next two seasons is fully guaranteed, and $1.5M of his 2026 salary is locked in at the time of signing as well. It’s a 2 year, $26M fully guaranteed contract for one the higher ceiling playmakers in all of football. The $12.5M APY makes Barkley the 4th highest average paid running back in football.

Chidobe Awuzie (CB, Titans)

3 years, $36,000,000

Awuzie joins a Tennessee team that has been as aggressive as any to start the new league year. He slots in as the projected starting LCB for 2024, scoring $19M fully guaranteed on his new contract. It’s a 2 year, $24M deal for practical purposes, with the remaining $12M (his age 31 season), a veritable option for now. Awuzie’s near $23M practical guarantee ranks 15th among signed cornerbacks.

Azeez Al-Shaair (LB, Texans)

3 years, $34,000,000

The Texans’ new middle linebacker comes in at $21.5M fully guaranteed at signing, including $13M for the upcoming season. It’s a 2 years, $22.5M contract for practical purposes, with the final $11.5M up in the air.

Dorance Armstrong (DE, Commanders)

3 years, $33,000,000

Armstrong & also newly signed Dante Fowler Jr. project to start on the edge of the Commander’s line. The 26-year-old secured $16.1M fully guaranteed at signing, all in 2024, making this a glorified 1 year, $16.8M contract until further notice. Armstrong’s $6M salary for 2025 becomes fully guaranteed next March, so there will be an early decision to be made at that point.

Justin Jones (DT, Cardinals)

3 years, $31,165,000

Jones leaves the Bears for the Cardinals, who hand out an extremely aggressive 79% guarantee at signing on this contract. All of Jones’ 2024 & 2025 salaries are fully guaranteed, as well as $5M of his 2026 salary. If Arizona wants to walk away after 2025, they’ll owe him that $5M as a buyout, securing at the very least, $26.8M of this contract.

Frankie Luvu (LB, Commanders)

3 years, $31,000,000

Luvu & Bobby Wagner should help redefine this Commander’s linebacking core for the upcoming season, with new Head Coach Dan Quinn clearly making it a focal point of the offseason. Washington could make this a 1 year, $15M contract and nothing more if they need, but for practical purposes this should work out to 2 years, $22M at the bare minimum. The remaining $9M on this contract is up for grabs, though $1M of it comes in the form of a March 2026 roster bonus.

Jonah Williams (OT, Cardinals)

2 years, $30,000,000

The Cardinals released longtime OT D.J. Humphries in correspondence with this move, putting Williams and youngster Paris Johnson in line to bookend the O-Line in 2024. Williams secures $19M fully guaranteed at signing, and while Arizona could technically make this a 1 year, $19.61M contract, it's highly likely that he either sees both years of this deal, or is extended out of it after the 2024 season.

Kenny Moore (CB, Colts)

3 years, $30,000,000

The powers that be made it clear that Moore had signed the “largest ever contract for a nickel”, yet still haven’t disclosed the guaranteed figure for the deal. Generally speaking this isn’t a great sign, but crazier things have happened. 

Jon Runyan (G, Giants)

3 years, $30,00,000

Runyan leaves Green Bay on a $17M guarantee with the Giants, including more than half of his 2025 salary. The projected starting right guard for NY should see 2 years, $20.75M out of this contract, with $9.25M up in the air thereafter.

The NWSL 2024 season is here and the opening day rosters are set:

ANGEL CITY FC

Goalkeepers (3): Angelina Anderson, DiDi Hara?i?, Hannah Stambaugh

Defenders (10): Madison Curry, Elizabeth Eddy, Vanessa Gilles (LOAN), Sarah Gorden, Merritt Mathias, Paige Nielsen, Megan Reid, Ali Riley, Jasmyne Spencer, Gisele Thompson, M.A. Vignola

Midfielders (7): Meggie Dougherty Howard, Kennedy Fuller (U-18), Madison Hammond, Amandine Henry, Clarisse Le Bihan, Lily Nabet, Rocky Rodríguez

Forwards (6): Messiah Bright, Claire Emslie, Jun Endo (SEI), Katie Johnson, Sydney Leroux, Casey Phair (U-18), Christen Press (SEI), Alyssa Thompson  

Press Release

BAY FC

Goalkeepers (3): Emmie Allen, Melissa Lowder (SEI), Katelyn Rowland, Lysianne Proulx

Defenders (10): Jen Beattie, Jordan Brewster, Caprice Dydasco, Savy King, Alyssa Malonson, Emily Menges, Kiki Pickett, Kayla Sharples

Midfielders (7): Joelle Anderson, Dorian Bailey, Caroline Conti, Deyna Castellanos, Maya Doms, Jamie Shepherd

Forwards (6): Tess Boade, Scarlett Camberos, Rachell Hill, Racheal Kundananji, Alex Loera, Princess, Asisat Oshoala

Press Release

CHICAGO RED STARS

Goalkeepers (3): Alyssa Naeher, Sydney Schneider, Mackenzie Wood  

Defenders (8): Hannah Anderson, Camryn Biegalski, Sami Feller (SEI), Natalia Kuikka, Taylor Malham, Tatumn Milazzo, Maximiliane Rall, Sam Staab 

Midfielders (8): Julia Bianchi, Jenna Bike, Chardonnay Curran, Bea Franklin, Sarah Griffith, Sophie Jones, Leilanni Nesbeth, Cari Roccaro 

Forwards (8): Ally Cook, Ava Cook, Nádia Gomes, Shea Groom, Penelope Hocking, Jameese Joseph, Ally Schlegel, Mallory Swanson 

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HOUSTON DASH

Goalkeepers (3): Emily Alvarado, Jane Campbell, Savannah Madden

Defenders (6): Allysha Chapman (ML), Madelyn Desiano, Jyllissa Harris, Natalie Jacobs, Katie Lind, Courtney Petersen, Sarah Puntigam, Croix Soto 

Midfielders (7): Andressa Alves, Belle Briede, Sophie Hirst, Elin Rubensson, Sophie Schmidt, Havana Solaun, Barbara Olivieri

Forwards (7): Michelle Alozie, Ryan Gareis (ML), Paulina Gramaglia (LOAN), Cece Kizer, Yuki Nagasato, Diana Ordóñez, Avery Patterson, María Sánchez, Amanda West

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KANSAS CITY CURRENT

Goalkeepers (3): AD Franch, Hope Hisey, Jordan Silkowitz

Defenders (10): Stine Ballisager Pedersen, Elizabeth Ball, Hanna Gla (SEI), Lauren, Hailie Mace, Gabrielle Robinson, Izzy Rodriguez, Regan Steigleder, Ellie Wheeler, Mallory Weber (SEI)

Midfielders (8): Sophia Braun, Debinha, Vanessa Dibernadro (SEI), Bayley Feist, Claire Hutton, Lo’eau LaBonta, Claire Lavogez, Desiree Scott (SEI), 

Forwards (7): Temwa Chawinga, Michelle Cooper, Kristen Hamilton, Alex Pfeiffer (U-18), Nichelle Prince, Alexa Spaanstra, Bia Zaneratto, 

Press Release

NJ/NY GOTHAM FC

Goalkeepers (2): Michelle Betos, Cassie Miller, Abby Smith (SEI)

Defenders (10): Maycee Bell, Bruninha , Tierna Davidson, Kristen Edmonds, Mandy Freeman, Sam Hiatt, Maitane , Jenna Nighswonger, Kelley O’Hara, Taryn Torres

Midfielders (6): Sinead Farrelly, Rose Lavelle, Nealy Martin, Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan, Emily Sonnett, McCall Zerboni (SEI)

Forwards (7): Crystal Dunn, Esther , Svava Guðmundsdóttir, Midge Purce, Taylor Smith, Katie Stengel, Ella Stevens, Lynn Williams

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NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

Goalkeepers (3): Marisa Bova, Hensley Hancuff, Casey Murphy

Defenders (10): Malia Berkely, Sydney Collins (IR), Julia Dorsey, Kaleigh Kurtz, Estelle Johnson (ML), Maya McCutcheon, Feli Rauch, Talia Staude, Ryan Williams, Jenna Winebrenner

Midfielders (11): Rikako Kobayashi (SEI), Riley Jackson, Manaka Matsukubo (LOAN IN), Landy Mertz, Narumi Miura, Denise O’Sullivan, Brianna Pinto, Victoria Pickett, Clara Schilke (SEI), Meredith Speck (SEI), Dani Weatherholt

Forwards (7): Mille Gejl (LOAN),Haley Hopkins, Tyler Lussi, Kerolin Nicoli (SEI), Ashley Sanchez, Bianca St-Georges, Olivia Wingate

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ORLANDO PRIDE

Goalkeepers (4): Kaylie Collins (LOAN), McKinley Crone, Sofia Manner, Anna Moorhouse

Defenders (9): Tori Hansen (LOAN), Celia, Carrie Lawrence, Bri Martinez, Haley McCutcheon, Megan Montefusco (SEI), Emily Sams, Rafaelle, Kylie Strom

Midfielders (8): Angelina, Evelina Duljan, Morgan Gautrat, Ally Lemos, Cori Dyke, Luana, Kerry Abello, Viviana Villacorta (SEI)

Forwards (10): Adriana, Amanda Allen, Barbra Banda, Simone Charley (SEI), Julie Doyle, Alex Kerr, Mariana Larroquette, Marta, Ally Watt, Summer Yates

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PORTLAND THORNS FC

Goalkeepers (4): Kat Asman, Bella Bixby (ML), Shelby Hogan, Lauren Kozal

Defenders (8): Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Marie Müller , Meaghan Nally, Isabella Obaze , Nicole Payne, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn

Midfielders (6): Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming , Olivia Moultrie, Gabby Provenzano (SEI), Hina Sugita , Olivia Wade-Katoa

Forwards (6): Janine Beckie, Izzy D’Aquila, Payton Linnehan, Christine Sinclair, Sophia Smith, Morgan Weaver

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RACING LOUISVILLE FC

Goalkeepers (3): Jordyn Bloomer, Katie Lund, Olivia Sekany

Defenders (6): Abby Erceg, Ellie Jean, Lauren Milliet, Carson Pickett, Elli Pikkujämsä , Arin Wright

Midfielders (9): Jordan Baggett, Ary Borges , Savannah DeMelo, Marisa DiGrande, Kayla Fischer, Taylor Flint, Jaelin Howell, Yuuka Kurosaki , Maddie Pokorny

Forwards (8): Elexa Bahr, Milly Clegg, Parker Goins, Uchenna Kanu, Linda Motlhalo, Emma Sears, Reilyn Turner, Kirsten Wright

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SAN DIEGO WAVE

Goalkeepers (3): Hillary Beall, Morgan Messner, Kailen Sheridan

Defenders (8): Abby Dahlkemper, Sierra Enge, Naomi Girma, Hanna Lundkvist, Kristen McNabb, Kaitlyn Torpey, Kennedy Wesley, Christen Westphal

Midfielders (3): Danny Colaprico, Savannah McCaskill, Emily van Egmond

Forwards (9): Amirah Ali, Melanie Barcenas (U-18), Elyse Bennett, Kyra Carusa, Makenzy Doniak, Sofia Jakobsson, Mya Jones, Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw

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SEATTLE REIGN FC

Goalkeepers (3): Claudia Dickey, Laurel Ivory, Maia Pérez

Defenders (9): Lauren Barnes, Ryanne Brown, Alana Cook, Shae Holmes, Sofia Huerta, Julia Lester, Jimena López (LOAN), Phoebe McClernon, Lily Woodham

Midfielders (10): Olivia Athens, Jess Fishlock, Angharad James, Luany (LOAN), Maddie Mercado, Sam Meza, Quinn, Ji So-Yun, Nikki Stanton, Olivia Van der Jagt

Forwards (6): Emeri Adames (U18), Bethany Balcer, Jordyn Huitema, Tziarra King, Veronica Latsko, McKenzie Weinert

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UTAH ROYALS FC

Goalkeepers (3): Mandy Haught, Carly Nelson, Cristina Roque

Defenders (7): Madison Pogarch, Imani Dorsey, Lauren Flynn, Zoe Burns, Kaleigh Riehl, Addisyn Merrick, Kate Del Fava

Midfielders (5): Mikayla Cluff, Dana Foederer , Emily Gray, Agnes Nyberg , Frankie Tagliaferri

Forwards (7): Brecken Mozingo, Michele Vasconcelos, Cameron Tucker, Ify Onumonu, Paige Monaghan, Hannah Betfort, Ally Sentnor

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WASHINGTON SPIRIT

Goalkeepers (3): Nicole Barnhart, Lyza Bosselmann, Aubrey Kingsbury 

Defenders (6): Annaïg Butel , Gabrielle Carle , Anna Heilferty, Casey Krueger, Tara McKeown, Kate Wiesner 

Midfielders (6): Croix Bethune, Courtney Brown, Hal Hershfelt, Paige Metayer, Heather Stainbrook, Andi Sullivan 

Forwards (9): Ashley Hatch, Civana Kuhlmann (SEI), Makenna Morris, Brittany Ratcliffe, Chloe Ricketts (U18), Trinity Rodman, Ouleymata Sarr , Lena Silano, Riley Tanner 

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Chris Jones & the Kansas City Chiefs agreed on a blockbuster extension Sunday night that puts to bed any question about his immediate future.

Total Value

At 5 years, $158.75M, this contract becomes the 13th highest total value deal currently on the books in the NFL, sliding in between Daniel Jones’ deal in NY, & Derek Carr’s contract in New Orleans. In terms of non-quarterback contracts however, this contract chimes in 2nd only to Nick Bosa’s $170M blockbuster in San Francisco.

The 5 year term takes Jones through his age 34 campaign,setting this contract up to be a potential career-finisher for the future Hall of Famer.

Average Annual Salary

At $31.75M per year, Chris Jones’ new deal makes him the 18th highest average paid player in the NFL (for a minute). Only Nick Bosa and his mega deal in San Fran surpasses this number right now.

Highest Average Paid Non-QBs

1. Nick Bosa, $34M
2. Chris Jones, $31.75M
3. Aaron Donald, $31.6M
4. Tyreek Hill, $30M
5. T.J. Watt, $28M

Only Donald, who was 30 years old at the time of his extension, compares in terms of age when speaking to these numbers. Nick Bosa was 26, T.J. Watt was 27, Tyreek Hill was 27 when they penned their most recent extensions.

Furthermore, the cash flow of this deal is structured to pay out a true $31.7M over the first 3 seasons (the practical portion of this contract). This also aligns with Donald’s deal, who secures $95M over 3 seasons, for a true $31.6M per year.

Nick Bosa’s contract, which comes with a 4 year practical guarantee, drops down to a $30.4M adjusted APY when portioning off this section of the contract.

BONUS STRUCTURE

The Chiefs kept things fairly neat and tidy here. Jones secures a single $30M signing bonus (spread out over the full 5 seasons for salary cap purposes). He then offsets his compensation in both 2025 ($15M) & 2026 ($16M) with early March roster bonuses. These bonuses are highly likely to be converted to signing bonus for cap saving purposes in the weeks leading up to each respective offseason.

Additionally, Chris Jones will secure an extra $100,000 per year by completing the necessary offseason workout programs.

GUARANTEE STRUCTURE

Jones secures an outstanding $60M fully guaranteed at signing on this contract, stemming from a $30M signing bonus, a $1.25M salary in 2024, a $15M roster bonus due next March, and a $13.75M salary for the 2025 season.

Next March, $35M of his 2026 compensation (a $16M roster bonus & $19M salary) will become fully guaranteed. That balance is guaranteed for injury at the time of signing (a not-insignificant for a player in his 30s).

This $95M represents the practical guarantee balance on this contract, spread over the next 3 seasons. The contract also contains an additional $6M of salary guarantee, but Jones must be on the roster in March of 2027 to secure the $3M early vesting lock, then on the roster in March of 2028 to secure another $3M of early guarantee for that upcoming season salary. While these guarantees help in forcing the team to make a decision, they don’t hamper the franchise from being able to move on from the player in that given year, so we don’t treat this $6M as practical guarantee for this reasoning. 

CASH FLOW

Had the Chiefs slapped a franchise tag on Jones this February, it would have accounted for $32.14M (120% of his 2023 compensation). Jones scores a little bit less than this for the upcoming season, set to earn $31.35M in 2024. It’s a small price to pay for another $64M guaranteed thereafter.

Annual Cash Payouts

1. $31.35M
2. $28.85M
3. $35.1M
4. $28.35M
5. $35.1M

Cumulative Cash Payouts

1. $31.35M
2. $60.2M
3. $95.3M
4. $123.65M
5. $158.75M

The 3-year payout is the number to pay attention to here, as it represents the 2nd most earned across this span for any non-QB in NFL history (Nick Bosa, $98.5M). Jones barely surpasses Aaron Donald’s $95M mark here (not accidentally).

CAP FLOW

Once Chiefs fans see this contract breakdown, only one number will stand out initially: $7.35M. That’s the cap hit for 2024 under these new terms. Well - sort of. Keep in mind that the structure of Jones’ 1-year deal for 2023 came with unlikely to be earned incentives that if met, would need to be accounted for on the Chiefs’ 2024 cap table. That adds an additional $4M to this year’s accounting, meaning Jones technically carries an $11M hit for KC this season.

From there, the numbers jump significantly, starting with a $34.85M cap hit in 2025. However, if the NFL salary cap jumps to $270M in 2025, this hit will only represent around 13% of that balance, a potentially tenable situation for the Chiefs.

Annual Salary Cap Hits

1. $7.35M
2. $34.85M
3. $41.1M
4. $34.35M
5. $41.1M

If the contract remains untouched (no cap conversions), KC will hold $12M of dead cap ahead of the 2027 season against a $34.35M cap hit, offering up $22M of potential savings. It should be largely expected that the team converts some of Jones’ future compensation (possibly only the roster bonuses) into signing bonus to aid in roster construction over the next 2 seasons.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

All of Spotrac’s predictions & analysis surrounding this contract chimed in at 3 year deals. It’s important to remember that while this contract is posted as a 5 year deal, it’s essentially a 3 year, $95M contract for practical purposes.

With that said, Jones has surpassed all expectations of a “team-friendly” “compromising” contract to remain in Kansas City. Aaron Donald’s deal, based on both age, production, & leverage, was long considered a bit of a 1 of 1 across the league. Does Jones deserve to surpass him in all regards financially speaking?

Yes. Even if the numbers on the stat line or the analysis from PFF don’t necessarily back it up - the finances of the NFL do. When Aaron Donald signed his extension in Los Angeles, the league salary cap was $208.2M. This means Donald’s $31.6M APY represented a 15.1% allocation of the league cap at the time of signing. Fast forward to 2024, and Jones’ $31.75M only represents 12.5% of the upcoming $255.4M league cap.

This is why NFL contracts keep forging forward. Players don’t necessarily have to produce (or even contain ceilings that could see them potentially producing) at the highest level of their respective position group. Math matters, and in the case of Chris Jones & the Chiefs, longevity, production, a window of contention, & a hell of a money jump across the league - all equaled a monster pay day for #95 going forward.

Scottie Scheffler wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Scheffler earns $4 million bringing his 2024 on-course earnings to $6.4 million and his career on-course earnings to $49 million. 

Arnold Palmer Invitational Top 10 Payouts

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Brice Garnett wins the Puerto Rico Open. Garnett earns $720,000 million bringing his 2024 on-course earnings to $720k and his career on-course earnings to $7.44 million. 

Puerto Rico Open Top 10 Payouts

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Abraham Ancer wins the fourth LIV Golf event of 2024 at Hong Kong earning himself $4 million. Ancer's career LIV Golf earnings (individual + team) is now at $11.42 million.

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NBA transaction season is more or less complete. The trade deadline is more than a month behind us. The Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline (that’s a mouthful!) has also passed. There are a few veterans likely to catch on with teams, as players can be signed all the way through the last day of the regular season, which includes signing by playoff teams. (As long as a player was waived by March 1, he’s eligible to be on a playoff roster.)

Of course, we’ll have lots of 10-day contracts to come. And it’s possible a two-way player or two might still be converted/signed to a standard deal, even if the deadline to sign a replacement two-way player has also passed.

But there’s another form of signing that can happen all the way through June 30.

There are 31 players around the NBA that are still eligible to sign veteran extensions. In order to be eligible to extend in this league year, through June 30, a player has to be on an ending contract (either straight expiring or with an option that can be declined for next season).

That removes stars like Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, De’Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo. They’ll have to wait until the summer to talk extensions, with Tatum, Fox and Adebayo potentially looking at Designated Players deals. Tatum has already qualified and Fox and Adebayo, if they were to make All-NBA. Mitchell is ineligible for the so-called super max extension, as he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Players have to be traded while still on their rookie scale contract to be eligible to sign a Designated Player extension or contract.)

There are also several other potential extension candidates who will have to wait until the summer to reach an agreement. This list includes players like Brandon Ingram, Lauri Markkanen Derrick White. Because they all have contracts (without options) that extend into 2024-25, they’ll have to wait until the summer to start extension talks.

However, of the remaining 31 extension-eligible players, there are several interesting situations to monitor. Let’s dive in!

Atlanta Hawks

No extension-eligible players

Boston Celtics

Jrue Holiday (extend-and-trade limited until April 1, if he declines his 2024-25 player option)

Holiday has already hinted that Boston feels like home for him and his family. The Celtics didn’t pay a steep price to acquire Holiday to let him walk. Yes, Boston has an expensive roster already and those bills will only grow when Jayson Tatum signs his super max extension and when Derrick White is extended.

But the Celtics are going to take care of Holiday. Look for Holiday to sign a long-term deal (he can add up to four new years on April 1 if he declines his option), but at a lower number than the $39.4 million he’s set to carry for next season. Think something in the range of $120 million over four years in new money and years. Boston might even frontload the deal, to lessen the cap/tax hit in the later years.

Xavier Tillman Sr. (extend-and-trade limited)

Tillman is unlikely to extend with the Celtics. As he was acquired at the trade deadline, Tillman can only add two new years at 5% raises. That’s not enough for him to forgo a chance at unrestricted free agency.

Brooklyn Nets

No extension-eligible players

Charlotte Hornets

Davis Bertans (extend-and-trade limited, if he declines his 2024-25 player option)

Bertans has played, and played well, for Charlotte. He’s shown he’s still got some game left in him. But the Hornets aren’t likely to be interested in extending Bertans.

J.T. Thor (“Dinwiddie Extension” candidate, if team declines his 2024-25 option)

Last season, it looked like Thor was developing into a potential rotation guy. However, he hasn’t improved enough for the Hornets to consider an extension as this point.

Chicago Bulls

Lonzo Ball (if he declines his 2024-25 player option)

There’s no chance Ball declines his $21.4 million option for next season. And there’s even less of a chance the Bulls extend him if he does.

DeMar DeRozan

 Both DeRozan and the Bulls have said they have interest in an extension. There aren’t a lot of signs of DeRozan slowing down either. He’s not exactly the same player he was, but he’s adapted his game enough to cover for anything he’s lost. This one might end up getting shelved until after the postseason, but Chicago seems like they want to keep DeRozan in the fold. Bet on something getting inked before DeRozan hits free agency in July.

Cleveland Cavaliers

No extension-eligible players

Dallas Mavericks

No extension-eligible players

Denver Nuggets

No extension-eligible players

Detroit Pistons

Evan Fournier (if team declines his 2024-25 option)

No extension is happening here. The real question: Will Detroit pick up Fournier’s option for next season? $19 million is a good chunk of cap space to punt, but if the Pistons feel like they won’t need it in free agency, they could pick up Fournier’s option. He’s been playing rotation minutes off the bench, and he’d be $19 million in expiring and tradable salary through the 2025 trade deadline.

Golden State Warriors

Klay Thompson

Outside of Jrue Holiday and DeMar DeRozan, Thompson is arguably the most fascinating player on this list. He’s played better since the Warriors moved him to the bench. Thompson seems to have embraced that role too.

Now, how much is he willing to sacrifice salary-wise to stay with the only franchise he’s ever know? Golden State can’t bring Thompson back for anything near the $43.2 million he’s making this year. Not with their stated goals of reducing their overall salary/tax commitments moving forward. Look for both sides to eventually find middle ground on a new deal sooner or later.

Houston Rockets

No extension-eligible players

Indiana Pacers

Doug McDermott (extend-and-trade limited)

McDermott could add two years and about $29.6 million via an extension. That’s too rich for a backup shooting forward. But could the Pacers, who prefer to keep their own acquired players when they can, find agreement with McDermott on something in the two-year, $20 million range? That’s certainly possible.

Pascal Siakam (extend-and-trade limited)

The Pacers can “only” offer Siakam an extension of two years and $81.6 million. That’s a lot of per-year money for Siakam, but he’s not going to go for that. Not when at least a four-year, $181.9 million contract could be on the table in free agency. Maybe Siakam won’t max out, but he’ll get more in total money (from Indiana or another team) by waiting until he’s a free agent in July.

LA Clippers

Brandon Boston Jr. (“Dinwiddie Extension” candidate)

Boston hasn’t shown enough in limited minutes for the Clippers to warrant an extension.

Paul George (if he declines his 2024-25 player option)

Many thought an extension for George was fait accompli after Kawhi Leonard extended. It hasn’t happened just yet, but it still seems like a good bet to get done. One potential challenge? Leonard took less than he could have, both in years and money. Is George willing to leave anything on the table?

Los Angeles Lakers

No extension-eligible players

Memphis Grizzlies

Luke Kennard (if the team declines his 2024-25 option)

Memphis has been aggressive in extending their own players. But Kennard is in a different place. He’s not necessarily a core rotation player for the Grizzlies moving forward. And this roster has gotten very expensive. A bigger thing to watch is if Memphis even picks up Kennard’s $14.8 million option for next season. If someone has to go to cut costs, he’s the easiest choice.

Miami Heat

No extension-eligible players

Milwaukee Bucks

No extension-eligible players

Minnesota Timberwolves

Jordan McLaughlin

An extension for McLaughlin seems unlikely. Despite showing flashes at various points during his Wolves tenure, McLaughlin has never fully grabbed the backup point guard role.

Monte Morris (extend-and-trade limited)

Even though Morris is limited to extending for two years and $21.1 million, that could be enough. Minnesota has a mounting payroll that is going to see them in uncharted territory with the luxury tax. That could put a pause on extending Morris to backup the recently-extended Mike Conley. But there is something to be said for locking in players on fair-value deals. Two-years, $21.1 million would be under the Non-Taxpayer MLE amount for Morris. Keep an eye on this one.

New Orleans Pelicans

Naji Marshall (“Dinwiddie Extension” candidate)

We saved explaining the idea of what we call the “Dinwiddie Extension” for Marshall, because he’s actual candidate to sign it. In Marshall’s case, because he’s coming off a minimum deal, he’s eligible to sign a different form of veteran extension.

Instead of being confined to a percentage of his previous salary, Marshall could extend for up to four years, with the first-year salary and subsequent 8% raises being based off the league’s average salary. In Marshall’s case, he could extend for a deal that would pay him up to $75 million over four years. That’s too rich for a bench wing, especially given New Orleans long-term salary commitments already. But something like $25 million over three years (a bit more than Miles McBride got from the New York Knicks) could make sense for both Marshall and the Pelicans.

Jonas Valanciunas

Before the season even started, Valanciunas said he wanted to sign an extension with New Orleans. He’ll turn 32 years old soon, but Valanciunas has turned in another productive, efficient season. The Pelicans don’t have anyone in the fold to replace Valanciunas. As it stands, he’ll be the best available center in free agency.

New Orleans is carrying $150 million in salary already for next season, but they should try to get something done with Valanciunas. They’ve got enough clearance under the tax line to sign him to a short-term extension. Something like $30-32 million over two years feels like a fair deal for both sides.

New York Knicks

OG Anunoby (extend-and-trade limited until June 30, if he declines his 2024-25 player option) 

Anunoby is a fascinating case, because of a number of reasons. First is timing. Anunoby is limited to signing a two-year, $40.1 million extension right now. (Note: any extension for Anunoby means he’s declining his $19.9 million player option for 2024-25). That’s not enough. But because the Knicks traded for him on December 30, they can just squeeze in a bigger extension on June 30, right before the start of free agency.

This one might end up one those announcements by a reporter where we aren’t sure if the player and team are extending or if we’re talking about a new contract. This is similar to the extensions signed by Harrison Barnes and Nikola Vucevic last year, right before free agency opened up hours later. Either way, Anunoby is staying with the Knicks, whether it’s an extension or a new contract.

Alec Burks (extend-and-trade limited) 

Unlike Anunoby, Burks was acquired too late to squeeze in a big extension before the start of free agency. He’s limited to two years and $22.6 million in an extension. That’s not bad value for Burks, but it’s unlikely the Knicks are going to make that kind of commitment without the second season either being partial or non-guaranteed, or a team option.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Gordon Hayward (extend-and-trade limited)

Hayward and the Thunder aren’t likely to sign an extension. He’d have to sign something so team-friendly, that it probably doesn’t make sense for him to do that. And Hayward hasn’t shown enough yet for Oklahoma City to commit salary and a roster spot to him. It’s more likely that Hayward will head to free agency, and the Thunder will have around $30 million in cap space to play with this summer.

Orlando Magic

Markelle Fultz

It’s been a journey for Fultz and the Magic. Orlando gave him a three-year, $50 million extension in 2021 based mostly on potential. In the three years since, Fultz has played in 105 games and hasn’t improved enough to get another extension. The Magic also have younger guards that they are committed to now. The real question is if Fultz will be back in Orlando at all next season.

Philadelphia 76ers

Tobias Harris

This is the part where Sixers fans get the cold sweats and start to rock back and forth nervously. Harris has been a fine player on his current deal. But he’s been paid a lot more than a just fine player. Given Philadelphia’s public pronouncements about big plans with their 2024 cap space, there’s no chance Harris is extended.

Buddy Hield (extend-and-trade limited)

Hield could sign a two-year, $42.7 million extension right now. Hield and the Sixers could even put in the same bonus structures, that could push him up to $47.6 million in total money over the same two seasons. But, like Harris, the allure of 2024 cap space makes it unlikely Hield will extend at all.

K.J. Martin (extend-and-trade limited until May 1, then “Dinwiddie Extension” candidate)

Martin hasn’t had the breakout season that we thought might eventually come. And, say it with me, the Sixers cap space plans mean no extension is getting done here.

DeAnthony Melton

Melton is in an interesting spot. He’s got a $15.2 million cap hold for next summer. To this point, we’ve continued to factor his cap hold into the 76ers 2024 cap space projections. However, recent back issues have kept Melton on the shelf for several games. If Philly wants him, they could extend him for less than his cap hold, and actually increase their cap space. But it’s now looking more like the 76ers will renounce Melton to maximize their cap space. That obviously means that there’s no extension coming.

Phoenix Suns

Grayson Allen (“Dinwiddie Extension” candidate)

Allen has been great for the Suns. He’s leading the NBA at 47.5% shooting from behind the arc. He’s held up defensively and he’s been a nice additional ball-mover and playmaker for Phoenix. There are two factors in extending Allen at play. First, he’s a good player who the Suns would like to keep in the fold. Second, extending him now would make his deal a really nice piece of salary-matching in any future trades.

Because he makes less than the average salary, Allen is eligible for what we call the “Dinwiddie Extension”. That’s up to four years and $75 million. That’s probably a bit rich, but is $48-$60 million and a $12-15 million AAV out of bounds for Allen and the Suns? That feels good for both sides.

Royce O’Neale (extend-and-trade limited)

O’Neale has given Phoenix exactly what they hoped for as a 3&D wing. Sure, it’s a limited sample with the Suns, but this is who O’Neale is. He’s eligible to sign for two years and $20.5 million. That feels just about right for both O’Neale and Phoenix.

Portland Trail Blazers

No extension-eligible players

Sacramento Kings

No extension-eligible players

San Antonio Spurs

Cedi Osman (“Dinwiddie Extension” candidate)

Osman could get the “Dinwiddie Extension” of up to $75 million over four years. That’s obviously not going to happen. In fact, it’s unlikely Osman and the Spurs will extend his deal at all. He’s been pretty good in a limited role in San Antonio, but look for the Spurs to continue to put a priority on developing their younger wings over keeping Osman in the fold.

Toronto Raptors

Gary Trent Jr.

The Raptors are in transition. They traded away both Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, which seemed to set the team on a path to having cap space this summer and rebuilding to an extent. But Toronto extended Kelly Olynyk recently, which kind of countered that. If the Raptors can find a fair value for Trent ($60 million over four years?), they might keep him in the fold long-term. If that’s not workable, Toronto has acquired enough other wings that letting Trent walk could be in the cards.

Utah Jazz

Talen Horton-Tucker (“Dinwiddie Extension” candidate)

The Jazz aren’t going to extend Horton-Tucker. They are likely to renounce him this summer to maximize their cap space. And they can’t do it right now, but effective July 1, look for Utah to use a large chunk of that cap space to renegotiate-and-extend Lauri Markkanen.

Washington Wizards

Richaun Holmes (if he declines his 2024-25 player option)

Holmes isn’t going to give up a guaranteed $12.9 million for next season, unless he can recoup that much and more on a long-term extension. The Wizards aren’t in a place where that makes sense. No extension will get done here.