Window for rookie-deal extensions moved back
The window to sign former first-round picks to contract extensions entering the fourth and final year of their rookie contracts will be two days longer than normal this season.
The NBA has confirmed to ESPN.com that the usual Oct. 31 deadline for such extensions has been officially moved to Nov. 2 because Oct. 31 falls on a weekend in 2015.
The league’s collective bargaining agreement stipulates that the deadline, in such cases, is moved to the next business day on the calendar.
Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond and Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes, according to league sources, are the players best positioned to secure a lucrative extension this month as the revised deadline approaches and negotiations in both cases continue. Drummond could potentially land a five-year deal worth around $120 million if he earns Designated Player status from the Pistons.
The Washington Wizards‘ Bradley Beal is another obvious extension candidate, but it’s believed the Wizards hope to convince Beal to hold off on a new deal until next summer — much like the San Antonio Spurs did last season with star swingman Kawhi Leonard — because the delay could lead to Washington having nearly $10 million in additional salary-cap space in the summer of 2016 when it intends to make a run at D.C. native Kevin Durant in free agency.
The Pistons would also realize a similar cap benefit if Drummond waits until next summer, but Detroit’s need for additional salary-cap space next summer is unlikely to be as pressing as Washington’s.
Five eligible players at the end of their rookie scale contracts have already secured extensions since the negotiating window opened July 1. Fellow All-Stars and franchise cornerstones Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard scored lucrative five-year max deals from New Orleans and Portland, respectively, while Toronto‘s Jonas Valanciunas (four years, $64 million), Charlotte‘s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (four years, $52 million) and Milwaukee‘s John Henson (four years, $44 million) also landed extensions.
Other players eligible for extensions in the next three weeks include Warriors center Festus Ezeli, Houston Rockets forwards Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas, Orlando Magic teammates Evan Fournier and Andrew Nicholson, Raptors swingman Terrence Ross, Trail Blazers big man Meyers Leonard, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tony Wroten and the Boston Celtics‘ trio of Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger and Perry Jones.
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