NBA Stars Face Key Extension Decisions: Brown, Edwards and Thompson
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Celtics: Brown Can Wait for Bigger Payday
Boston guard Jaylen Brown becomes eligible on July 26 for a two-year extension projected at about $142 million, even though he still has three seasons and roughly $182 million left on his current contract. League cap analyst Bobby Marks notes that delaying negotiations could be far more profitable: if Brown waits until next summer, he could sign a three-year deal worth approximately $221 million.
The 27-year-old is coming off a career-best offensive campaign, averaging personal highs in points and assists while helping the Celtics reach 56 wins during a season in which Jayson Tatum missed significant time with an Achilles injury. Speculation about Brown’s long-term satisfaction in Boston was dismissed by both the player and team president Brad Stevens. “I love Boston. If it was up to me, I could play in Boston for the next 10 years,” Brown said during a recent livestream.
Timberwolves: Edwards Likely to Hold Off
Anthony Edwards becomes extension-eligible on July 8, with a two-year, roughly $122 million offer available. According to Marks, Minnesota and its All-Star guard are expected to be patient. Should Edwards earn All-NBA honors in 2026-27, he could qualify next summer for a four-year supermax estimated at $300 million. With three seasons remaining on his present contract, the Timberwolves face no immediate deadline to finalize terms.
Pistons: Thompson Emerging as Defensive Cornerstone
Second-year wing Ausar Thompson has positioned himself for a major extension discussion after earning All-Defensive First Team honors and finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Victor Wembanyama. Thompson averaged 4.3 deflections per game and limited opponents to 42.7 percent shooting as the closest defender, per GeniusIQ tracking cited by Marks.
Offensively, most of Thompson’s production still comes around the rim, and he attempted just 24 three-pointers last season. Even so, Marks points to Jaden McDaniels’ five-year, $162 million contract as a possible benchmark, with Detroit president Trajan Langdon praising Thompson’s two-way impact and suggesting the eventual figure could exceed that comparison.
Source: Hoops Wire
