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Kevin Pelton
NBA free agency has commenced, with teams acquiring stars and making adjustments to finalize their rosters for the 2025-26 season.
Noteworthy signings include: Myles Turner moving from the reigning Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers to the Milwaukee Bucks; maximum extensions for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaren Jackson Jr.; James Harden’s two-year contract with the LA Clippers; and LeBron James’ $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers.
As additional agreements are finalized, we are evaluating the transactions and considering the implications for the upcoming season and beyond.
Jump to a deal:
Booker’s maximum extension | Ayton to Lakers
Turner selects Bucks | SGA’s supermax
Grizzlies extend Jackson | LeBron’s opt-in
Finney-Smith to Rockets | Harden’s new contract
MORE: Trade evaluations | Offseason updates, gossip
Aug. 14: Bucks, Coffey finalize one-year agreement
Grade: B+
While there was considerable concern regarding the Bucks’ guard depth after releasing an injured Damian Lillard to stretch his remaining salary, this position wasn’t the one that hindered Milwaukee following Lillard’s injury in the first round of last season’s playoffs.
Instead, the Bucks struggled to garner output from their small forwards in a five-game defeat against the Indiana Pacers. Midseason acquisition Kyle Kuzma and Taurean Prince, who began the series on the wing, combined for an average of 10.8 points on 14-of-45 shooting before being replaced by the smaller wing pairing of AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. — both of whom are shooting guards by trade.
However, Milwaukee had not taken steps to remedy the small forward situation this offseason until now, bringing back Prince through a two-year contract featuring a player option for 2026-27. Personally, I would prefer adding Coffey, who averaged a career-high 24.3 minutes last season for the LA Clippers while shooting 41% from three.
There are factors that explain why Coffey remained available until mid-August. He strictly fills a role, with a career usage rate of 15%, and is one of the poorest rebounders in the league for forwards. Yet both of these weaknesses also apply to Prince (who had a 12.5% usage rate last season), and Coffey is over three years younger.
In the end, Coffey likely isn’t the answer for the Bucks at small forward either. If they seek playoff contention, anticipate Milwaukee addressing this position via trade. Nonetheless, Coffey is an affordable option to bolster the Bucks’ depth.
The potential casualty here could be former UConn champion Andre Jackson Jr. Milwaukee currently has 14 players signed under guaranteed contracts, including Jackson, whose salary is $800,000 guaranteed through opening night. The Bucks may now be forced to absorb a guaranteed deal to retain Jackson, who started 43 games last season but logged only five minutes in the playoffs.
Grade: A
The Celtics completed two interrelated transactions on Tuesday, trading Georges Niang to the Utah Jazz along with two second-round picks in exchange for rookie RJ Luis Jr., who is under a two-way contract. Effectively, Boucher takes Niang’s spot on the roster, a decision that saves around $6 million in salary and over $30 million in luxury taxes.
As a backup forward, Boucher could improve upon Niang’s contributions. I ranked him as the 22nd best free agent this summer. Among the other unrestricted free agents from the top 25, only Malik Beasley, currently under federal investigation for gambling charges, and Al Horford remain unsigned.
With Horford expected to join the Golden State Warriors once they settle a new contract for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, Boucher emerged as the best option realistically available. He shot 36% from three and 63% inside the arc last season, demonstrating elite efficiency while also proving capable of defending on the wing in robust second-unit lineups.
In Boston, I envision Boucher taking on a power forward role, aiding in spreading the floor for the Celtics’ non-shooting centers (Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman) and providing extra rim protection alongside Luka Garza.
It is unfortunate that Massachusetts native Niang misses out on a homecoming, but the financial motivation to move on was too substantial for Boston. Coupling this with the three-team trade that acquired Niang, the Celtics have successfully eliminated Kristaps Porzingis’ $30.7 million without giving much up besides the second-round picks.
It’s plausible that Boston could evade the luxury tax entirely this season. However, cutting the remaining $11.7 million in payroll would necessitate trading a second player along with backup forward Sam Hauser ($10 million salary) or moving Anfernee Simons ($27.7 million) for someone with a lesser salary.
Grade: Pass (extensions graded on a pass/fail scale)
Much has altered since the Spurs obtained Fox in what could have been the most significant trade during this year’s deadline, had Luka Doncic not cast a shadow over everything. Following the loss of Victor Wembanyama to deep vein thrombosis after just five games with Fox, San Antonio landed in the lottery and rose to No. 2, selecting Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper.
Harper’s inclusion complicates Fox’s future with the Spurs. Neither left-handed player is at their best off the ball due to inconsistent shooting from beyond the arc. Fox has connected on 35% of catch-and-shoot three-point attempts over the last five seasons, placing him in the 27th percentile among players with a minimum of 250 attempts during that period, per GeniusIQ. Harper, on the other hand, shot 33% from three-point range in his sole college season and was 1-of-8 in two NBA summer league games.
If Harper develops as the Spurs reasonably anticipate,
the franchise will face an important decision at point guard within two to three years, making the trade value of Fox’s contract an unusually significant factor in calculations.
Extending Fox is likely more advantageous than attempting to trade him now on an expiring contract. San Antonio was willing to part with multiple first-round picks for Fox partly because he indicated a willingness to extend with the Spurs by designating them as his preferred destination. While the Sacramento Kings had no obligation to grant Fox his request, they presumably received lower offers from teams viewing him primarily as a short-term option.
However, if they wait too long, San Antonio could see Fox’s value decrease due to this contract. A 30% max is already rich for Fox, who has only been an All-Star once, having also secured a place on the All-NBA third team in 2022-23 after steering the Kings into the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.
Even more concerning is that Fox’s skill set historically hasn’t aged well. Quickness has been fundamental to Fox’s rise among the NBA’s top point guards at 6-foot-3, particularly lacking elite shooting. Historical projections of players with similarities to Fox, led by Monta Ellis and Steve Francis, saw them exit the league swiftly in their 30s.
Expecting that kind of decline for Fox may be unrealistic considering the evolution of NBA offense now fosters more spacing for guards and there is potential for him to become a league-average three-point shooter. Fox did shoot 37% from beyond the arc in 2023-24 on a high volume (7.8 attempts per game) before dropping to 31% last season — lower than his career average.
Ultimately, by the conclusion of this contract — which carries him through age 32 — Fox is more likely to be an average starting point guard than an elite one. In the NBA’s apron era, we’ve witnessed similar contract misalignments create players that are challenging, if not impossible, to trade.
Contrasting with other teams who dispense extensions partly due to the impossibility of replenishing talent, the Spurs indeed had a feasible alternative avenue thanks to over $50 million in potential cap space in 2026. Simultaneously, it can be argued that Fox could have been the best prime free agent available, and San Antonio would lack the option of deferring the cap space to 2027, as Wembanyama will be on a max extension by that time.
Thus, this extension is likely a worthwhile move for the Spurs, despite Fox being more of their point guard for the present rather than the future. Another change for San Antonio since February is that future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul, who played alongside Fox, has joined the LA Clippers.
Fox will enter training camp with the ball in his hands and an opportunity to develop synergy with Wembanyama that the Spurs hope will drive them back to the playoffs this upcoming season. If successful, having both Fox and Harper could create a positive dilemma for San Antonio.
Grade: Pass (extensions graded on a pass/fail scale)
One reason the Lakers were well-positioned to sign Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks six months prior was that they could be relatively certain he wouldn’t choose to walk as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026. Lakers dominance remains intact.
The Lakers reportedly leveraged Doncic’s potential to leave to safeguard their remaining first-round picks from the trade package. Nevertheless, it soon became clear that even if he favored staying in Dallas, Doncic was open to extending beyond the current full season of his contract.
Due to constraints on extensions signed shortly before or after a trade, Doncic had to hold off on making it official until Friday, yet his willingness to assist the Lakers in recruiting free agents this offseason had already foreshadowed this outcome.
The only dramatic aspect here was how Doncic might structure his contract. Finalizing a three-year extension with a player option for 2028-29 strategically positions Doncic to compensate for the money he forfeited when the Mavericks dealt him away.
If he had remained in Dallas and signed a supermax extension, Doncic could have elevated his salary to 35% of the cap (projected at $57.9 million) in 2026-27, having already qualified through back-to-back All-NBA selections in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Since the supermax is reserved for players who remain with their teams post-rookie contracts, Doncic is limited to 30% of the cap or a 5% raise for 2026-27, whichever is greater. Assuming the salary cap aligns with projections for 2026-27, Doncic will only see a modest increase from his existing $49 million player option.
A significant payday could materialize in 2028-29, when Doncic will have completed 10 seasons of service and can start at the 35% salary level either as an unrestricted free agent or by signing another extension in August 2027. By then, the Lakers’ roster should appear markedly different.
Doncic is the sole player with a contract exceeding $15 million beyond this season. Retaining that cap flexibility heading into summer 2027 will necessitate significant sacrifices beyond just letting go of LeBron James. The Lakers might be able to retain Austin Reaves, who becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason, but they’ll face tough decisions with Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton, should Ayton decline an $8.1 million player option.
Challenges persist for the Lakers as they work to recover from earlier missteps after the 2020 championship, yet the most crucial piece is now in place. Doncic represents the Lakers’ future superstar.
Grade: Pass (extensions graded on a pass/fail scale)
There’s a significant amount of context to consider with a Bridges extension, but let’s begin with this question: Would Bridges have received a bid like this as an unrestricted free agent next summer? The answer seems to lie somewhere between yes and no.
A year prior, the inquiry could have centered on whether Bridges’ maximum allowable extension ($156 million over four years) would suffice to secure his signature. Bridges certainly didn’t experience an unfavorable first year with the Knicks. After a sluggish start, he reached league averages in three-pointers and shot 59% from inside the arc, markedly improved compared to two preceding seasons as a primary offensive option with the Brooklyn Nets.
Even so, Bridges didn’t quite emerge as the impactful player New York envisioned when they sent five first-round picks and a swap to acquire him from the Nets, notably on the defensive end of the court. While Bridges contributed to the Knicks reaching the conference finals for the first time in 25 years by upsetting the Boston Celtics, he was overshadowed by the Indiana Pacers’ 3-and-D role players during that series.
Depending on how many other veteran extensions arise and how many teams possess cap space, it’s conceivable Bridges could have been a target next summer. He’d fit seamlessly with the Detroit Pistons, filling the void currently occupied by the more seasoned Tobias Harris, and Detroit could realistically free sufficient cap space to present a similar offer.
Moreover, this contract kicks in when Bridges is 30 and resembles more of a third or fourth complementary player on a strong team rather than a top-two option. That distinction was less impactful in the past regarding contracts. For a Knicks outfit likely approaching the second apron, that condition could prove critical.
With Bridges’ extension, New York now commits roughly $206 million to nine players for the 2026-27 season, including a player option for neophyte Guerschon Yabusele. Retaining center Mitchell Robinson, set to be an unrestricted free agent, and filling out the roster almost certainly propels the Knicks into the second apron — projected at $222 million.
For a major-market team like New York, incurring the type of hefty tax associated with a second-apron salary is bearable for two years. By 2028-29, when Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns exit their current contracts, remaining within the second apron could become prohibitively expensive — potentially pushing the Knicks’ first-round pick toward the round’s conclusion.
Given their financial situation, Bridges would have been nearly irreplaceable to a similar talent if he chose to depart as an unrestricted free agent. Additionally, acquiring and retaining his Villanova teammate was almost certainly integral to Jalen Brunson accepting a below-market extension last summer, the singular reason the Knicks haven’t yet hit the second apron.
Considering Brunson’s deal, this extension was likely a move worth making for New York. However, the Knicks are assuming a risk by proceeding with it one year ahead of schedule.
Grade: A
This reunion, bringing Paul back to where he shone for six seasons from 2011 to 2017, promises benefits for both sides, provided he enters with appropriate expectations.
As a free agent last summer, Paul prioritized playing time. He signed with the San Antonio Spurs and proceeded to start all 82 games, becoming the first player to complete a full schedule in his 20th NBA season or later.
In joining the Clippers, Paul is unlikely to start this time alongside former Houston Rockets teammate James Harden. Their partnership, which brought the Rockets tantalizingly close to the NBA Finals in their initial season, did not end well a year later. Yet both players find themselves at different career junctures now — perhaps nearing the final chapter of their competitive journeys.
Adding Paul exemplifies the Clippers managing their age and star Kawhi Leonard’s injury history simply by surrounding them with enough proven contributors. Coach Ty Lue should be capable of finding workable rotations throughout the regular season.
When healthy, the Clippers boast 11 depth players, all of whom averaged at least 17 minutes per game last season. Every newcomer for the Clippers this offseason — Paul (28.0), Bradley Beal (32.1), John Collins (30.5), and Brook Lopez (31.8) — easily thrived beyond that mark, while they only lost two players (Norman Powell at 32.6 and unsigned free agent Amir Coffey at 24.3) who logged similar minutes.
This dynamic could render some players disgruntled in the playoffs if the Clippers reach that stage, but injuries throughout the regular season should result in ample minutes for everyone. With at least two viable players at every position — five in the backcourt, where Paul, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Kris Dunn are poised to come off the bench behind Beal and Harden — Lue can avoid overextending Harden and Leonard, contrary to previous seasons.
While this move doesn’t necessarily draw the Clippers nearer to winning the Western Conference, especially with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder returning their entire roster, the Nuggets enhancing their depth, and the Houston Rockets acquiring Kevin Durant, the Clippers too have made enhancements.
Moreover, they have done so while eyeing the future with short-term contracts that will enable them to pivot toward cap space as soon as next summer.
Grade: B
After dividing their non-taxpayer midlevel exception between center Deandre Ayton and forward Jake LaRavia, the Lakers retained their biannual exception to offer Smart more than the veteran’s minimum as part of a buyout arrangement that exits him from the final season of his contract with the Washington Wizards.
Essentially, Smart will replace Jordan Goodwin and Shake Milton, two non-guaranteed Lakers guards who will need to be waived to accommodate Smart beneath a hard cap set at the lower luxury tax apron. (Milton’s $3 million salary was set to guarantee Sunday, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.)
While Goodwin and Milton served roles in the rotation during parts of last season’s second half, neither remained on the court much as JJ Redick heavily relied on his starters when facing off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first-round playoffs. Goodwin logged 31 minutes in the series, while Milton managed just four. Given Smart’s track record, comprising 108 playoff games with the Boston Celtics and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year honors, he has a superior chance of earning Redick’s trust and bolstering the team’s shaky perimeter depth.
The significant question revolves around what version of Smart the Lakers are acquiring. He struggled in the initial half of last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, shooting merely 36% before the Grizzlies traded him to Washington at the deadline in exchange for expiring contracts.
Smart recorded only 39 appearances during two seasons in Memphis due to various injuries and couldn’t replicate the impact he had with the Celtics at either end. Smart’s physical playing style has allowed him to defend larger opponents despite being 6-foot-3.
During 15 appearances with the Wizards, Smart did exhibit a revitalized performance before being sidelined late in the season. At 31, while Smart has historically struggled with three-point shooting (32% career), his volume of attempts (5.9 per 36 minutes) means defenses must account for him more than they did for Goodwin. After shooting 38% on a limited sample of three-pointers during the regular season, Goodwin could not convert any shots in the playoffs.
I would have favored De’Anthony Melton for a 3-and-D role to complement the Lakers’ backcourt. If Melton is headed elsewhere — he’s been linked to reuniting with the Golden State Warriors after recovering from an ACL injury that cut short his brief Warriors stint last season — then securing Smart at a bargain deal becomes a reasonable contingency for Los Angeles.
Acquiring Smart will diminish the Lakers’ flexibility to take on salary throughout the season. With 14 players locked in on contracts, they will be nearly $1 million short of their hard cap. The Lakers will be unable to fill their final NBA roster spot until January at the earliest and will face challenges making trades that return more salary than they dispatch.
Grade: A-
Lillard’s return to Portland culminates a feel-good conclusion to an unpleasant episode with the Milwaukee Bucks, which was capped by an Achilles injury and Lillard’s release two years prior to the end of his contract.
Choosing his destination as a free agent for the first time ever, Lillard opted to return where he shone for his first 11 NBA seasons and where his family and children still reside.
From a basketball perspective, Lillard will be an intriguing addition to a Blazers team that discovered a fresh identity without him during the latter half of the previous season. Portland onboarded Toumani Camara as part of the Lillard deal and transformed the players and picks acquired from that trade into Deni Avdija, both key contributors in helping the Blazers achieve a 23-18 record in the latter portion of last season.
Now, Portland has both Jrue Holiday (a part of the return for Lillard, later traded to the Boston Celtics, and reacquired this summer for Anfernee Simons) and Lillard on the roster, in addition to the young talent these trades generated — with additional first-round picks and swaps from Milwaukee still forthcoming.
Given the timing of his left Achilles injury in late April, it is unlikely Lillard will play a significant role for the Blazers this season. No NBA player has returned from an Achilles rupture faster than 10½ months since JJ Barea in 2019, a timeline indicating Lillard could return at the earliest mid-March.
Nonetheless, after executing a buyout with center Deandre Ayton — another component of the Lillard deal — just before free agency, Portland could afford to utilize its non-taxpayer midlevel exception to pay Lillard in addition to his $54 million guaranteed salary from the Bucks without venturing into the tax. This agreement is fundamentally focused on having Lillard available for 2026-27, when a healthier version might demand more than the $14 million the Blazers will allocate to him.
By then, Portland should possess better clarity on how its backcourt will shape up. The Simons trade should offer Scoot Henderson more on-ball opportunities in his third season, while the Blazers will ascertain how much Holiday has left in the tank and the long-term trajectory of shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe. Sharpe could become a restricted free agent next summer if he doesn’t agree to an extension before the outset of the season.
There’s still work for Portland, especially if the team intends to be active in free agency next summer. With Lillard’s salary already on the books, plus a $25.2 million cap hold for Sharpe, the Blazers may be better off remaining over the cap as the situation stands. However, if Portland can evade the last two years of veteran forward Jerami Grant’s contract, it could potentially establish cap space to target another contributor.
Credit Lillard for securing an advantageous deal. If Lillard returns to form in 2026-27, a player option for the final year of this contract will enable him to earn more money the following season when Milwaukee no longer compensates him. After not landing at his intended destination post-2023 trade, Lillard also obtained a no-trade clause, joining LeBron James as the only players in the league possessing one after Bradley Beal’s was nullified upon his buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
Grade: B+
The Clippers have successfully executed the second phase of their strategy anticipated when they traded starting shooting guard Norman Powell to the Miami Heat last week in a deal that secured forward/center John Collins.
With an available position alongside James Harden in the backcourt, the Clippers presented a logical landing spot for Beal once he finalized buyout negotiations with the Phoenix Suns.
Powell excelled last season, showcasing greater efficiency on higher usage than Beal, who finished as the runner-up in league scoring as recently as 2020-21 but shifted to a complementary offensive role in Phoenix. One surprising statistic: Despite Powell coming off a career year, he is a month older than Beal.
Nevertheless, I understand why the Clippers preferred acquiring both Beal and Collins over Powell and whoever else they could have brought on utilizing the remainder of their non-taxpayer midlevel exception, despite the fact that this required sending a second-round pick (which went to the Utah Jazz in the transaction) to facilitate the exchange.
Although Beal is not an All-Star any longer, his skillset translates well to a decreased role. Once a volume three-point shooter during his high-scoring days with the Washington Wizards, Beal successfully converted 41% of his three-point attempts across two seasons with the Suns. With a diminished offensive role, he has directed more energy toward facilitating for others and bolstering defense, two integral components for the Clippers.
Notably, Beal’s most significant benefit to the Clippers appears to be leading a second-unit backcourt alongside Bogdan Bogdanovic when Harden is on the sidelines. Currently, the Clippers face a lack of a traditional point guard backing up Harden — although Chris Paul remains an unrestricted free agent — so it looks like Beal and Bogdanovic will jointly assume that responsibility.
While the notion of Beal as a starting point guard lost its appeal in Phoenix, he and Bogdanovic ought to deliver enough playmaking against second units.
Presumably, the Clippers will initiate their season by staggering Beal’s and Harden’s minutes after concurrently starting in the backcourt together. It’s challenging to envision Beal accepting a return to a bench role after having played it unhappily during the second half of last season.
When the playoffs commence, assuming the Clippers qualify in a competitive Western Conference, Ty Lue’s starting player determinations may become increasingly intricate. Starting Collins alongside Ivica Zubac in the frontcourt might prove to be the Clippers’ optimal choice, yet that would designate Kawhi Leonard as the primary wing defender, a role the Clippers likely wish to relieve him of to ensure he remains fresh for offense. Kris Dunn or Derrick Jones Jr. could potentially fit better to start on the wing than Beal in that configuration.
At this juncture, we can consider this a beneficial issue to have. The Clippers possess an 82-game regular season ahead, and their depth will prove vital given the number of games Beal — who hasn’t exceeded 53 games played since the shortened 2020-21 season — and Leonard tend to miss.
Acquiring Beal at a maximum salary, particularly considering the complexities surrounding his no-trade clause, placed a significant burden on the Suns. However, the narrative changes with the Clippers acquiring him at a drastically different financial point, where a player option allows Beal the opportunity to recoup the money he surrendered during his buyout or even come out ahead should he perform well this season.
It’s also pertinent to address the Phoenix element in this transaction. To a degree, the Suns could reap benefits from the NBA rule limiting how much dead salary a team may maintain on its books post-waiver-and-stretch. This necessitated Beal’s agreement to a nearly $14 million reduction in guaranteed salary for a legal buyout of this type, establishing a baseline for negotiations.
Similar to the Milwaukee Bucks with Damian Lillard, the Suns will feature Beal’s salary within their accounts for five years should they agree to stretch it, bolstering the possibility of steering clear of the luxury tax entirely, as noted by ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Before assessing how Phoenix should adapt, I wouldn’t interpret this as a sign that owner Mat Ishbia is stepping back on expenditures, reminiscent of Mikhail Prokhorov’s withdrawal post-Nets trade for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce went wrong.
After all, the restrictions imposed on teams exceeding the second luxury tax apron under the recent collective bargaining agreement suggest that the Suns could capitalize on financial benefits by reducing their payroll through the stretching of Beal’s salary. In fact, they might now use the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception, although it is unclear if any remaining free agents would be inclined to accept that offer over the veterans minimum.
Eliminating the second apron will facilitate Phoenix’s ability to aggregate salaries for trades, plus allow access to their non-taxpayer midlevel exception next summer if they lose center Mark Williams as a restricted free agent or he re-signs under his qualifying offer.
I remain unconvinced that stretching Beal’s salary will ultimately prove more beneficial for the Suns on the court than simply enduring his two remaining seasons. However, given the apparent discomfort exhibited by both sides during Beal’s tenure in Phoenix, I comprehend the impulse to simply move forward.
July 10: Thunder extend Williams with a five-year deal
Grade: Pass (extensions graded on pass/fail)
The third and presumably last max rookie extension for a 2022 first-round selection effectively splits the difference between the first two.
Similar to Paolo Banchero with the Orlando Magic, also an All-Star, Williams secured a contract adhering to the 30% max criteria that will escalate its value to a projected maximum of $287 million should he achieve All-NBA first-team distinction this season or garner MVP or Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Considering Williams was named to the All-NBA third team last season at just 23 years of age, the Thunder should certainly anticipate him to exceed the 25% max that teammate Chet Holmgren will receive in his own max extension, agreed upon Wednesday.
Similar to Holmgren, Williams did not obtain the player option that Banchero secured in his extension. This factor holds significance as Oklahoma City plans well into the future. Williams won’t trigger a potential supermax extension — or attain unrestricted free agency — until the 2031-32 season at the earliest.
Given that Williams has achieved more through three seasons than Banchero, including an average of 23.6 points in the NBA Finals, he certainly had a strong case for a player option.
From a broader perspective, the Thunder now maintain both Holmgren and Williams under contract through the 2030-31 season and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed through 2029-30 (with a potential player option for 2030-31) after he successfully concluded his own supermax extension last week.
The scale of these contracts, which will guarantee those three players approximately 85% of the salary cap once Gilgeous-Alexander’s deal commences in 2027-28, will pose challenges for Oklahoma City in preserving its depth. However, the Thunder have been preparing for this scenario since prior to drafting Holmgren and Williams and possess the financial flexibility and draft resources to sustain contention during their stars’ prime years.
Grade: Fail (extensions graded pass/fail)
This extension increases Booker’s contract term by two years, already extending through 2027-28, starting at the maximum 35% of the cap once set in the summer of 2028. Presently, this could amount to approximately $70 million, which could become the highest salary in the NBA depending on the cap’s growth from the 2026-27 season when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander begins a supermax contract.
It’s unnecessary to delve into advanced statistical forecasts to conclude that Booker will likely not justify a salary exceeding $70 million. Despite participating in 75 games last season, his most since 2016-17, Booker was neither selected as an All-Star nor named to an All-NBA squad. He has secured All-NBA recognition only twice in his career while receiving MVP votes just once. (That instance occurred in 2021-22 when Booker ranked fourth in the voting and was chosen for the All-NBA first team.)
During his prime, Booker has generally resembled a top 25 NBA player rather than a top 10. While he should still be considered an All-Star contender when this extension begins shortly before his 32nd birthday, it’s more probable that Booker will be a supportive asset rather than the focal point the Suns envision him as.
It’s understandable that Phoenix would value a star player desiring to remain with the franchise after the Suns managed to deal Kevin Durant and as they contemplate a buyout for Bradley Beal. Booker’s entire career has unfolded in Phoenix, and he has been the principal catalyst in the Suns transitioning from a decade of lottery appearances to the 2021 NBA Finals. Certainly, Chris Paul played a crucial role during that season, but Paul’s arrival may not have been possible without the promise Booker exhibited.
Nonetheless, Booker’s allegiance hasn’t resulted in any discount in negotiations, and the Suns are accepting a substantial risk by agreeing to this extension with extensive time left on Booker’s current contract.
A crucial consideration when assessing any extension is whether a player will possess more trade value post-deal. In this instance, since Booker will receive the highest increase between the two seasons of this contract, he won’t become tradeable for six months afterward. This query leans more toward a hypothetical consideration. I suspect Booker would be more attractive to other teams based on his present deal.
Of course, Phoenix aspires to avoid grappling with this question and aims to reshape a championship contender surrounding him. Should the Suns’ lack of draft picks and the potential stretching of Beal’s contract lead to another streak of lottery appearances, either Booker’s commitment to Phoenix or his trade value could be tested before this extension even activates.
Grade: Pass (extensions graded pass/fail)
Compared to the other two max rookie extensions anticipated from the 2022 first round — one for Paolo Banchero reported Monday and another yet to be formalized with Holmgren’s Thunder teammate Jalen Williams — this one required slightly more deliberation.
From a performance perspective, Holmgren has consistently met expectations since being selected No. 2 behind Banchero. He finished second to Victor Wembanyama in Rookie of the Year voting and was among three double-digit scorers for Oklahoma City throughout their championship campaign.
Holmgren’s ability to impact the game at both ends, evidenced by his 37% career three-point shooting and 2.3 blocks per game, supports the argument that he has been more efficient on a per-minute basis than Banchero, despite not being named to an All-Star team.
Nonetheless, durability remains a concern for Holmgren, who has experienced lengthy absences due to two rare, significant injuries — a Lisfranc fracture that sidelined him for his entire rookie season and a hip fracture in November. He has appeared in just 114 regular-season games, while Banchero has played in 198 and Williams in 215.
Nobody possesses better insight into Holmgren’s medical history than the Thunder, and due to their history as a front office, I tend to trust their assessment that his unusual injuries do not forecast future health concerns, despite worries about his slender frame.
Even with Holmgren obtaining the max, the Thunder made strides in other domains. Holmgren did not receive a player option as Banchero did, and even in the event he meets the 30% max criteria by winning MVP or being named Defensive Player of the Year or making an All-NBA team, his extension will initiate at 25% of the cap. Conversely, Banchero could achieve the complete 30% max projected at $287 million.
As Oklahoma City strategizes for a future that incorporates a supermax extension recently secured with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plus a forthcoming extension for Williams, those gains on the fringes could prove invaluable. Simultaneously, Holmgren is guaranteed transformative earnings regardless of his health trajectories, establishing this agreement as a mutually beneficial one.
Grade: Pass (extensions graded on pass/fail)
The sound you just heard is the Oklahoma City Thunder’s front office expressing frustration over Banchero becoming the first player to secure an option in a max rookie extension since Luka Doncic and Trae Young achieved this in 2021. That setting a precedent could impact the Thunder’s negotiations with Holmgren and Williams, two additional 2022 first-round picks likely due for max extensions.
Generally speaking, there are two negotiation points involved in what ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has termed the «fun» max for players finishing their rookie contracts.
One pertains to eligibility for 30% max criteria, which escalates the extension’s base value from the conventional 25% to as high as 30% should the player be honored with All-NBA accolades, MVP, or Defensive Player of the Year. Banchero also secured this in his new contract.
The second negotiation point is a player option, a condition teams have consistently held firm on since Doncic and Young’s cases. Anthony Edwards was not awarded one after making the All-Star team in his third season, nor did Ja Morant, the most distinguished player at this career stage since Doncic and Young, after he was selected to the All-NBA second team in Year 3.
Undoubtedly, Banchero is an impressive young talent himself. The No. 1 overall pick in 2022, he made his All-Star debut at just 21 years old and improved his statistical performance last season. An oblique tear in October hindered Banchero’s opportunity to contest for being the first player since Doncic to obtain multiple All-Star selections in his first three seasons.
However, a gap exists between Doncic — who was an All-NBA first-team pick during his second and third seasons — and Banchero, who has yet to finish in the top 20 of All-NBA voting. (He wasn’t eligible last season following his injury.)
I’m surprised the Magic weren’t able to leverage the recent history to finalize a deal without a player option, which would enable Banchero to escalate his salary to the supermax a year earlier, if he qualifies, or potentially become an unrestricted free agent by 2030 near his peak at age 27.
In light of Banchero securing this extension alongside Smith Jr. as the second player selected in the 2022 first round to achieve an extension, it will be compelling to observe how the Thunder’s pairing of Holmgren (drafted between Banchero and Smith) and Williams develops. The No. 12 pick, Williams, stands as another All-Star from the 2022 draft, and his performance during Oklahoma City’s championship run substantiates his case for a player option on his own max deal.
Grade: B+
Following a buyout agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton appeared to be a fitting addition for the Lakers, not merely due to the symmetry of pairing the No. 1 pick from the 2018 draft with No. 3 pick Luka Doncic. (No. 2 pick Marvin Bagley III is available if the Lakers wish to complete the trio.)
At nearly 27 years of age, Ayton is considerably younger than the Lakers’ alternatives for the non-taxpayer midlevel exception. Realistically, the Lakers were contemplating either 39-year-old Al Horford or 37-year-old Brook Lopez, with Luke Kornet (soon to be 30) as another candidate.
If all goes well, Ayton could represent a long-term solution for the Lakers in the manner that the veterans cannot while offering a more significant lob threat for Doncic in pick-and-roll situations. We witnessed last season with Jaxson Hayes how effective vertical spacing can be within a Lakers offense featuring Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves as pick-and-roll ball handlers. Hayes shot 74% post-All-Star break, averaging 13.4 points per 36 minutes — an increase from 11.8 prior to the break.
Nevertheless, Hayes’ overall skill set failed to qualify him for a starting position. This explains why he quickly fell out of coach J.J. Redick’s rotation during the initial round of the playoffs. Hayes did not exceed ten minutes in any contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves and was a DNP-CD in the deciding Game 5.
During his tenure with the Phoenix Suns, Ayton emerged as one of the NBA’s top pick-and-roll finishers, ranking third in total points scored as a screener in both 2021-22 and 2022-23, based on GeniusIQ tracking. He hasn’t been nearly as effective executing pick-and-rolls with the Blazers’ ball handlers and less effective spacing over the last two seasons, making only 58% of resultant shot attempts versus 62% during his final three campaigns in Phoenix.
Though Ayton is only a marginal advancement over Hayes in terms of rim protection, his superior size enables him to be a better defensive rebounder. This will keep Ayton on the court during matchups against playoff-quality teams.
By allocating the non-taxpayer midlevel exception between Ayton and Jake LaRavia, the Lakers have upgraded from the five players Redick deemed trustworthy during the playoffs — a group including Dorian Finney-Smith, who departed for the Houston Rockets as an unrestricted free agent — hoping to reach six. Surpassing that will hinge on the growth of the Lakers’ younger talents, particularly Dalton Knecht, and in-season adjustments.
James’ choice to activate his $52.6 million player option rather than potentially re-sign for the $54.1 million maximum salary for players with over ten years of experience provides the Lakers with some financial flexibility just below the lower luxury-tax apron according to the hard cap they must adhere to since they utilized the non-taxpayer midlevel. If the Lakers preserve 14 players on their roster and release Shake Milton, whose $3 million salary is non-guaranteed, they could add around $5 million in salary through trades or using the biannual exception.
Depending on James’ assessment of Ayton, these moves may not suffice to reassure him that the Lakers constructed a championship-caliber roster following their first-round exit. The Lakers still hold their 2031 first-round pick along with possible swaps in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032 that could convert the expiring contracts of Maxi Kleber and Gabe Vincent into valuable assets — the kind of win-now maneuver James would likely endorse in his age-41 season.
Without knowledge of what precisely is in store for the Lakers, I believe that signing Ayton represents the optimal choice at this juncture. He enhances their playoff potential if accepting a buyout from Portland and signing for a fraction of his previous max salary, thereby buying into the franchise, a level of commitment we have not observed since his contribution to the Suns’ 2021 Finals run.
Furthermore, holding off will afford the Lakers greater insight into their needs and who might become accessible before the trade deadline. Should the Lakers offer up their unprotected pick and swaps, they should be able to acquire a player worthy of a starting role at that time.
Of course, I’m not the individual the Lakers must persuade. Neither is James, despite the number of declarations he and agent Rich Paul release. The genuine turning point for the Lakers’ offseason will hinge on Doncic’s decision regarding whether to sign an extension prior to what could potentially be the final season of his contract. Doncic is eligible for an extension starting Aug. 2, and that will be when we can accurately evaluate the Lakers’ actions.
Grades
Mann: B-
Dinwiddie: B
Upon acquiring Collin Sexton from the Utah Jazz on Sunday, I noted that incorporating Sexton addressed Charlotte’s necessity for playmaking during LaMelo Ball’s absence. Following the return of Mann and the addition of Dinwiddie, the Hornets seem determined to ensure that concern remains unaddressed throughout this season.
Last season, an end-of-year injury to Mann in November significantly contributed to that vulnerability. Across 13 games before experiencing disc irritation that later necessitated surgery, Mann averaged 14.1 PPG in just 24.5 MPG off the bench. This was partly driven by a 40% shooting from three, an expectation Charlotte cannot rely on to continue. Mann holds a 35% shooting percentage over his four-year career.
Despite this critique, there’s potential for Mann to establish a key role as a bench scorer. Following his acquisition from the Oklahoma City Thunder at the 2024 trade deadline, Mann had a positive 28-game stretch as a starter, recording a 36% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. In that role, he averaged 5.2 APG, reflecting his ability to create opportunities for others.
Selected in the first round by the Thunder in 2021, Mann is still merely 24. Provided he maintains his health, further development lies ahead.
The trade involving Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving’s ACL injury thrust Dinwiddie into a larger role than expected with the Dallas Mavericks last season. He started 30 games and logged over 2,000 minutes for the third consecutive season. That role undoubtedly overexposed Dinwiddie, leading him to fall out of the rotation during the play-in games.
As a fifth guard within Charlotte, Dinwiddie is overqualified to serve as injury protection. His presence does create a logjam within the Hornets’ roster, which had ten players under guaranteed contracts along with Mann, four draft picks, and three players on non-guaranteed contracts.
The Hornets may opt to waive Pat Connaughton following the acquisition from the Milwaukee Bucks in a salary-based deal while also possibly moving on from Josh Okogie’s non-guaranteed $7.75 million agreement.
Grade: B-
This is arguably the most genuinely surprising development in NBA free agency since Paul George’s trade to the LA Clippers in 2019, which successfully enticed Kawhi Leonard to simultaneously sign with the Clippers after winning MVP in the NBA Finals.
Turner appeared locked to re-sign with the Indiana Pacers, having recently started Game 7 of the NBA Finals nine days ago. Meanwhile, the Bucks seemed poised for a modest approach in free agency following their opening day activities, indicating they would remain over the cap and utilize the non-taxpayer midlevel exception to replace departing starter Brook Lopez.
With two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo observing their offseason, the Bucks aimed significantly higher. This ambition was partly prompted by the most significant waive and stretch in NBA history involving Damian Lillard; his entire $112.6 million extension beginning today will be diversified over five seasons, appearing on Milwaukee’s cap for $22.5 million through 2029-30.
This single maneuver alone doesn’t provide the necessary cap space for the Bucks to sign Turner to this contract. Milwaukee afterward agreed to a trade that sent Pat Connaughton to the Charlotte Hornets alongside draft choices for Vasilije Micic. If Milwaukee can successfully complete a buyout with Micic, whose interest in returning to Europe was reported last season, that should provide the necessary financial flexibility.
In many respects, Turner resembles a younger version of Lopez, whose signing initiated this era of Bucks contention. Securing a center able to both defend the rim and relieve Antetokounmpo’s responsibilities while stretching the floor offensively represents an ideal scenario for Milwaukee. Besides Lopez, who is now 37, the only other center in free agency fitting that description is Al Horford — who is two years older than Lopez.
Consequently, at 29, Turner became the prime candidate for the Bucks to align with Antetokounmpo as they strive for an enduring championship window. Turner is coming off the best season for three-point shooting in his career, having averaged 2.2 makes per game at a 40% clip, and his career 36% accuracy slightly surpasses Lopez’s shooting statistics from his entire seven seasons in Milwaukee.
Turner’s defensive potential may not equate to Lopez’s peak, as he finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in contrast to Lopez’s second-place finish in 2022-23. However, prior to Pascal Siakam’s arrival, Turner was often solely accountable for rim protection for the Pacers. He has not yet partnered with a secondary defender as strong as Antetokounmpo. Notably, opponents experienced moderately greater success against a waning Lopez within five feet last season, as per GeniusIQ tracking on advanced NBA statistics, in comparison to Turner’s performance.
Indubitably, the dissimilarities between Lopez and Turner were palpable during their playoffs encounter. Turner averaged 16.8 PPG and 2.2 BPG as Indiana triumphed in five games during the series, contributing to a commendable postseason performance. Conversely, Lopez amassed just eight points and one block over his last three games against the Pacers, eventually ceding his starting role to backup Bobby Portis for what became Lopez’s concluding game in Milwaukee.
Nonetheless, Lopez didn’t solely account for the Bucks’ series defeat, or even play a principal role. Their small forward duo comprised of Kyle Kuzma and Taurean Prince was largely ineffective against Indiana, producing merely 35 points on 14-of-45 shooting. Milwaukee has yet to take steps to address that shortcoming.
If the Bucks are genuinely interested in contending, it is crucial to utilize their remaining draft assets (an unprotected first-round pick in 2032, plus a swap option in 2031 or pick swaps with the New Orleans Pelicans or Portland Trail Blazers) to replace Kuzma. Cam Johnson could potentially be the ideal substitute, although he has already been secured in a trade with the Denver Nuggets.
Even so, while I commend Milwaukee for the creativity and audacity demonstrated in this move, I’m uncertain the Bucks are noticeably closer to championship contention. Waiving Lillard diminishes the possibly of his remarkable return following an Achilles rupture in the playoffs.
Turner, who at best represented the Pacers’ third option, has now become the sole player outside of Antetokounmpo on the roster to average even 15 points last season.
Should Antetokounmpo elect at any point that he wishes to depart from Milwaukee, the silver lining is that Turner should possess greater trade value on this contract than Lillard would have commanded at max value. The downside is Milwaukee’s future rebuild will be constrained by the inability to control their own draft picks and the salary hit from the Lillard stretch. Milwaukee might struggle to extend players earning significant salaries for the next five years following this CBA rule that caps teams to 15% of the current cap as dead salary post-stretch.
Things don’t appear promising for the Pacers either, who lost an essential contributor in their Finals run during his late prime. Indiana now should have the full $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel available to replace Turner without exceeding the luxury tax, whereas matching this offer to Turner would have compelled the Pacers to offload a rotation player to sidestep tax bills.
Nevertheless, if there’s ever a moment for a small-market team like Indiana to incur tax costs, it’s coming on the heels of being one win away from claiming a championship. Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles rupture in Game 7 of the NBA Finals modifies the Pacers’ expectations for next season, but Turner would have maintained value as a starter beyond Haliburton’s recovery to full health in 2026-27.
Moreover, Indiana grappled with significant center depth following two backups (Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman) sustaining Achilles ruptures during the regular season of 2024-25. The Pacers oscillated between journeymen Thomas Bryant (a free agent) and Tony Bradley (whose team option was activated) in the playoffs. Thus, there remains no immediate successor for Turner now, both in the short and long term.
Grade: Pass (extensions graded on pass/fail)
The NBA introduced the so-called “supermax” designated veteran extension as part of the 2017 collective bargaining agreement largely due to Kevin Durant’s departure from the Thunder for the Golden State Warriors in 2016, making it fitting for Oklahoma City to now leverage the supermax for another MVP.
Previously, stringent rules surrounding extension raises and a salary-cap increase driven by new national TV deals rendered a Durant extension untenable, even if he preferred to remain with the Thunder. The current landscape stands in stark contrast, with the only significant question being whether Gilgeous-Alexander would sign the supermax this summer or delay his contract until next year to potentially gain an additional fifth year.
In a perfect world, Gilgeous-Alexander might have slightly undercut the full 35% of the cap a supermax extension permits as a starting point. (The actual contract value, currently projected at $285 million by ESPN’s Bobby Marks, won’t be determined until the salary cap is established for the 2027-28 season.)
Unquestionably, Gilgeous-Alexander merits every cent of the supermax, and Oklahoma City is better positioned than any other franchise in NBA history to accommodate salary increases for its stars. Along with Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams and starter Chet Holmgren are eligible for rookie extensions this summer, commencing for the 2026-27 season.
In light of the future contracts they anticipated, the Thunder have meticulously strategized for this moment with team options and decreasing contracts each year, allowing Oklahoma City to reduce salaries without incurring costs for the privilege. Furthermore, the unparalleled stockpile of first-round picks amassed during the Thunder’s rebuild enables them to continuously integrate lower-cost contributors in place of parts of their 2025 championship roster while remaining competitive whenever their stars reach their prime.
Grades
Harris grade: C
Sims grade: B-
Following Tuesday’s eye-opening pair of moves — waiving Damian Lillard and stretching his salary to facilitate the signing of center Myles Turner — the Bucks continued to finalize their roster later that day.
At this point, Harris represents more of a name than a contributor. He averaged a mere 14.8 minutes on a perimeter-dependent Orlando Magic team last season, contributing just 3.0 points. Formerly a regular starter as recent as the 2023-24 season, Harris might absorb bench minutes in a 3-and-D role but doesn’t effectively address a void for Milwaukee.
In fact, shooting guard may be the strongest position within the Bucks’ depth chart other than power forward. Milwaukee agreed to retain Gary Trent Jr. on Monday and still has sharpshooter AJ Green, two of the five players coach Doc Rivers trusted towards the end of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Green and Trent collaborated for 14 three-pointers and 52 points in Game 5.
Sims, acquired midseason from the New York Knicks, also factored into the rotation ahead of Brook Lopez. Sims provided Milwaukee with solid minutes during Bobby Portis’ suspension and represents a dependable third-center option.
The main concern centers on the number of player options the Bucks are distributing this summer. Trent, Kevin Porter Jr., and Taurean Prince also garnered «one-plus-one deals» including a player option for 2026-27.
A variety of teams encountered issues related to the player options they handed out in the summer of 2023, leaving them saddled with underperformers congesting roster spots. Milwaukee might be risking a similar predicament, and I am not convinced that Harris and Sims are significantly superior to alternative choices that would warrant player options.
Grade: B
Yabusele emerged as a rare bright moment during the dismal season for the Philadelphia 76ers. Returning to the NBA for the first time since 2019, following an outstanding performance for the French national team in the Olympics, Yabusele started 43 games on a minimum contract, averaging 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds.
As the Sixers pressed against the luxury tax threshold to re-sign restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, Yabusele became expendable in free agency. The Knicks will welcome him into a frontcourt grouping alongside Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Stretched as a center in lieu of Joel Embiid for Philadelphia due to his lack of rim protection (0.5 blocks per 36 minutes), Yabusele should find a better fit in New York. The Knicks realized during their Eastern Conference finals series against the Indiana Pacers the value of possessing greater size in the frontcourt than the 6-foot-4 Hart can provide.
At 6-foot-8, Yabusele acts as a complementary option between Hart and the duo of Robinson and Towns. A frontcourt comprising Yabusele and Towns will enable New York to maintain spacing on the floor. Yabusele converted 38% of three-point attempts last season, taking over five treys per 36 minutes.
Using the taxpayer midlevel exception to sign Yabusele necessitates adept cap management by the Knicks. New York is edging towards the resulting hard cap at the second luxury tax apron and may leverage second-round picks counting less against the aprons throughout the first two seasons compared to players signed at minimum rates.
This means the Knicks might complete their summer maneuvers barring trades, bringing Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson as the veteran newcomers to a team that reached last year’s conference finals. In an open Eastern Conference, any boost they deliver could prove consequential for New York. Given his age at 29, Yabusele could also serve as a long-term option for New York, especially if the Knicks extend Mikal Bridges’ contract, which will likely push them over the second apron next summer.
Grade: A-
Clearly, these are no longer Calvin Booth’s Nuggets. Hardaway was precisely the type of veteran Booth preferred to avoid adding to Denver’s bench, favoring such minutes for recent draft selections Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson — a decision that troubled former coach Michael Malone.
Hardaway started all 77 games for the Detroit Pistons last season and averaged 31.3 minutes in the playoffs. His role in Detroit’s resurgence was overstated, but evidently, other NBA franchises were not swayed, enabling Denver to nab him at a favorable price. Together with fellow free agent Bruce Brown and trade addition Jonas Valanciunas, Hardaway strengthens what now appears to be a robust Denver bench.
As a volume three-point shooter (2.2 attempts per game last season, his least since 2016-17, but only surpassed by Jamal Murray and former Nugget Michael Porter Jr. on Denver’s roster), Hardaway primarily competes with Strawther. The 2023 first-round selection registered a mere 88 minutes during the 2025 playoffs.
If Denver’s new coach David Adelman lacked trust in Strawther during the postseason, particularly when the Nuggets’ rotation shrank to seven players, it was prudent to recruit someone in whom he can depend. Currently, the Nuggets enter with 14 players signed, signifying that the revamp is nearing completion, enhancing their chances of overcoming the Oklahoma City Thunder in spring.
Grades
Poeltl: Fail (extensions graded on pass/fail)
Mamukelashvili: B+
Since sending what became the No. 8 pick of the 2024 draft to secure Poeltl at the 2023 trade deadline, the Raptors have consistently valued him as an above-average starting center. Toronto re-signed Poeltl to a four-year, $78 million contract the following summer and is now extending his contract significantly.
Technically, Poeltl could have landed $88.5 million on a three-year extension after exercising a $19.5 million player option for 2026-27. This arrangement almost matches that amount, adding $84.5 million in new funds and totalling nearly $104 million post this season.
The Raptors can reference Poeltl’s adjusted plus-minus impact as proof of his worth. Per xRAPM, created by ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus co-creators (Jerry Engelmann), Poeltl rates 2.2 points per 100 possessions better than the league average, positioning him in the 89th percentile leaguewide.
Two concerns arise when attributing such a rating to Poeltl’s extension. First, it’s unlikely that the rest of the league shares this high regard for Poeltl. Thus, it’s feasible that Toronto could have retained him as an unrestricted free agent next summer (or in 2027) for a lower price, and it seems improbable the Raptors would have faced bidding wars.
The other concern revolves around how Poeltl will age. He’ll reach 32 when this extension kicks in during the 2027-28 season and 34 at its conclusion. Thus far, Poeltl’s rim protection hasn’t been rated similarly since rejoining Toronto compared to his time with the San Antonio Spurs. Opponents have successfully hit above 60% of their attempts inside the restricted area with Poeltl serving as the primary defender across the last three years, contrasting with 53.5% in 2020-21 and 56% in 2021-22.
From a grander vision, the Raptors continue to pour resources into a core that has yet to demonstrate its capacity to reach the playoffs. Retaining Poeltl commits Toronto to four starters under contract for a combined $145 million in 2027-28; one of them (Brandon Ingram, acquired during the trade deadline) has yet to debut for the Raptors, and it’s questionable whether this ensemble is strong enough to contend in the East.
Given that backdrop and the lack of urgency surrounding Poeltl’s extension, I would have opted to wait. Although this precise deal wouldn’t have materialized once the season commenced, if Poeltl was willing to exercise his player option, Toronto could have finalized an identical agreement prior to the onset of free agency next summer. By signing a deal that won’t begin for two years, I believe the Raptors accepted too much risk for minimal reward.
I maintain a much more favorable perspective regarding the Mamukelashvili agreement. He averaged 20.4 points per 36 minutes for the Spurs last season, including a remarkable 34-point game with 13-of-14 shooting against the New York Knicks in March. The 37% three-point shooting from Mamukelashvili on a credible sample (161 attempts) is promising, given he has previously shot proficiently near the basket.
If Mamukelashvili continues to shoot well, the concept of integrating him with either Jonathan Mogbo or Collin Murray-Boyles in second-unit frontcourts becomes particularly appealing. Both can supply the defensive playmaking that Mamukelashvili lacks. At his signing cost, this represents a worthwhile gamble for Toronto.
Grade: C-
New Sacramento GM Scott Perry appeared to signal the Kings’ push for a point guard when he labeled the absence of a traditional playmaker as an «obvious need» during his press conference. While that claim is difficult to dispute, I’m not convinced that playmaking was Sacramento’s most significant shortfall.
Shuffling the roster by trading De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal that secured Zach LaVine as a replacement effectively instated a committee-based solution at point guard. LaVine and nominal small forward DeMar DeRozan are adept ball handlers, alongside guards Keon Ellis and Malik Monk.
After the All-Star break, Sacramento ranks as 25th in the NBA for assist rate. However, that statistic isn’t necessarily detrimental; the 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers finished one slot behind the Kings, while the LA Clippers (who went 19-9 after the break) were one slot better. Overall, Sacramento’s 12th-ranked offense post-break was less of a contributor to the team’s 12-15 conclusion than ranking 22nd in defense during that timeframe.
In some capacity, Schroder could assist with this. He is capable of exerting full-court pressure on opposing ball handlers. Yet, the 6-foot-1 Schroder further diminishes Sacramento’s perimeter height, and he certainly represents a defensive downgrade relative to Ellis.
Offensively, Schroder has historically been better positioned as a bench playmaker rather than a starter. His effectiveness has fluctuated largely based on his three-point efficiency. Schroder was at his peak in 2019-20, shooting 38.
