The NBA has a new generation of young players that are ready to take the league by storm. Eight players under the age of 25 have signed max contracts, and they’re all on rookie scales.
The nba rookie extension 2021 is a list of 8 players who will sign a max contract when they enter into the league in 2020.
With the summer still in its early stages, several 2018 NBA Draft picks have already received early salary raises. Because several of these players are entering their fourth season in the league, their rookie contracts will expire in the summer of 2022. Trae Young, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have all received large contracts to remain with their respective teams.
It raises the question of who will be next, and how much will it cost? There are a number of emerging superstars in the league who will be demanding a significant raise in pay. These eight young players from the 2018 drafts, as well as the 2019 and 2020 rounds, have a chance to sign a max deal in the future.
Edwards, Anthony
19.3 points per game, 4.7 points per game, 2.9 points per game, 1.1 points per game, and 0.5 points per game
StarTribune photo
There were some who thought Edwards should have earned Rookie of the Year this season. Edwards, who was 19 at the time, almost scored 20 points per game and had a solid rebounding average. By the time he reaches his peak, he may be one of the league’s greatest all-around shooting guards.
If Edwards does not make First-Team All-NBA, the Timberwolves have three years to make a choice, but it seems to be a foregone conclusion. Even if Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell aren’t on the squad, they’ll have plenty of cash on hand.
Barrett, RJ
16.1 points per game, 5.4 points per game, 2.8 points per game, 0.8 points per game, and 0.3 points per game
Barrett’s second season was a step in the right way for him. His field goal percentage, three-point shooting, and point, rebounding, and assist totals all improved. Tom Thibodeau’s system suits the former No. 3 overall selection nicely. Barrett will be in his third year, so we anticipate him to continue to grow.
Barrett’s skill has the potential to be on par with Jimmy Butler, another former Thibs All-Star. We saw how much money Butler has gotten from the Heat in recent years. Barrett may also receive a maximum deal when his contract expires in two years.
Michael Porter Jr. is an American actor.
14.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 14.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Porter’s career spans high school, college, and the pros, and this is his most important year yet. Porter only appeared in one game during his first season. His sophomore year, which was also his debut year, went well, but it wasn’t until last season that we realized what he was capable of. Porter scored 19.0 points per game, grabbed 7.3 rebounds, and made 44.5 percent of his three-point attempts.
Because it would cost them a guy like Porter, the Nuggets have not made a huge splash in the trade market for a player like Bradley Beal. He is still young, at 23 years old, and has the potential to become an All-Star in the future. This might be a costly choice for the Nuggets if he plays the whole season and shows a significant improvement over last year.
Sexton, Collin
20.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 20.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG
(Image courtesy of Fear the Sword)
Sexton should be the happiest person as a result of the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander max contract deal. Sexton, like Gilgeous-Alexander, is a member of a poor team. The Cavaliers are still a long way from being able to compete at a top level. Sexton has been linked to a move in the past, but if he remains, the club may offer him a lucrative deal.
The past two seasons, Sexton has averaged over 20 points each game. As the team’s top scorer last season, Sexton averaged 24.3 points per game. Given what he can offer to the table, Sexton, who is 22 years old, will be a top target for any club.
Ayton, Deandre
16.0 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 16.0 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG
When Chris Paul agreed to take less money to remain with the Suns, it was assumed that part of that salary space would be utilized to help bring Ayton back next season. Ayton’s points per game dropped last year, but he still shot over 62 percent from the field. As he became a complete center, his defensive awareness improved as well.
Ayton has every reason to want to return to the Suns, particularly if he can play alongside Paul and Devin Booker for the next four years. Ayton will not come cheap, as the 2018 No. 1 overall selection has performed well. Is it possible that Ayton will make his first All-Star appearance this year?
Ball, LaMelo
15.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 15.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG
(Image courtesy of Hoops Habit)
Imagine what LaMelo is worth if Lonzo Ball is earning over $20 million per year. The Charlotte Hornets are frugal with their cash in the oddest of ways. After all, take a look at what happened to their top scorer, Kemba Walker. Then consider what they gave Gordon Hayward in the summer.
Regardless, the Rookie of the Year for 2021 became the youngest player in NBA history to achieve a triple-double in a single game. Because of the explosive plays he brings to the court, Ball has made the Hornets relevant. Ball may make an All-NBA team in the coming years, so don’t be shocked. He may be in the same situation as Trae Young or Luka Doncic one day at the age of 19.
Ja Morant
18.4 points per game, 3.9 points per game, 7.3 points per game, 0.9 points per game, and 0.2 points per game
(Image courtesy of The Spun)
Overtime, how much better can Morant get? The athleticism of the 2020 Rookie of the Year is similar to that of a younger Russell Westbrook. Morant gives Memphis an entertaining team to watch with his tremendous playmaking and high-flying dunks. Morant is on track to enjoy his greatest season yet, thanks to the addition of a few veterans to the mix.
Morant has yet to participate in an All-Star game, but that might change this year. Since Mike Conley Jr., the Grizzlies haven’t tendered a max deal. Morant’s potential is greater than Conley’s, so there should be plenty of reason to think he’ll earn a max contract eventually.
Williamson, Zion
25.7 points per gram, 7.0 points per gram, 3.2 points per gram, 3.2 points per gram, 0.9 points per gram, and 0.6 points per gram
Isn’t this something we’ve been expecting? Last year, Williamson became the fourth-youngest player in NBA history to start an All-Star Game. In his first full season, he averaged 27.0 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 61.1 percent from the field. Without Williamson on the court and in the NBA market, the Pelicans are totally adrift.
When LeBron James retires, Williamson is on track to become one of the NBA’s most well-known players. He is just 21 years old, yet he has the build of someone who has played professionally for many years. Like Morant, Williamson is in his third season in the league. This may be the year he finally earns a spot on the All-NBA team and earns a significant salary.
Related Tags
- when are nba rookies eligible for extension
- nba rookie contracts
- trae young draft class
