NBA extension race: 20 contracts that could redefine the 2026 offseason
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More than 100 NBA players can sign extensions this summer, and 20 of them – ranging from former MVPs to rising defensive standouts – could dictate how front offices spend their money before training camps open. New collective-bargaining rules have made guaranteed deals more attractive, driving the league-wide average of veteran and rookie extensions from 21 under the previous CBA to 31 since 2023-24.
Former MVPs
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
• Eligible Oct. 1; deadline June 30, 2027
• Can decline his 2026-27 option and sign four years, $275 million – or keep the option and add three years, $213.6 million.
• Milwaukee must decide whether to secure a verbal pledge or explore trades before the draft, when co-owner Jimmy Haslam says the club would need “a lot of assets” if the two-time MVP asks out.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
• Eligible Aug. 29; deadline June 30, 2027
• Two-year, $136.7 million offer would cover his age-39 and age-40 seasons at $65.7 million and $71 million.
• Curry has signaled interest, leaving the question of whether he takes the full amount or a lower figure to aid roster flexibility for 2027 free agency.
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
• Eligible July 6; deadline June 30, 2027
• Choices: three years, $214 million or four years, $278 million, depending on a $62.8 million 2027-28 option.
• The reigning MVP candidate says he wants to “be a Nugget forever,” but Denver still faces second-apron concerns while trying to re-sign Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown.
All-NBA candidates
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
• Eligible July 26; deadline last day of offseason
• Two-year, $142 million extension could begin in 2029-30, when he turns 31.
• Brown and president Brad Stevens deny friction; Boston can wait a year, when Brown would qualify for three years, $221 million.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Eligible July 8; deadline last day of offseason
• Two-year, $122 million offer is on the table.
• If Edwards lands All-NBA honors in 2026-27, he becomes super-max eligible (four years, $300 million) next summer – an incentive to wait.
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
• Eligible July 6; deadline last day of offseason
• With three seasons left, Indiana can add two more years.
• After missing the entire 2025-26 campaign with a torn right Achilles, the Pacers are expected to revisit talks in 2027.
Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
• Eligible July 6; deadline June 30, 2027
• Maximum offer: two years, $126.1 million.
• Team president Lawrence Frank says, “Our plan is to win with Kawhi.” A shorter deal at a lower average might be more palatable as Leonard turns 35.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Eligible July 7; deadline June 30, 2027
• Four-year, $272 million proposal replaces a $50.1 million 2027-28 player option with $60.6 million.
• Waiting until 2027 could yield five years, $352 million, but would mean playing on an expiring contract in 2026-27.
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
• Eligible July 6; deadline last day of offseason
• Three-year, $207 million extension would start when he is 34.
• Indiana must weigh long-term cost against its push to contend after the Ivica Zubac deal.
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
• Eligible July 6; deadline June 30, 2027
• Four years, $272 million if he declines his 2026-27 option, or three years, $208 million if he exercises it.
• New York’s cap sheet would jump to $75 million for Towns at age 34 in 2030-31.
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
• Eligible July 6; deadline last day of offseason
• Spurs can hand him a five-year, $251 million rookie max, which jumps to $301 million with All-NBA, MVP or DPOY triggers in 2026-27.
• A player option in 2030-31 is the only open question.
All-Stars
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
• Eligible July 6; deadline last day of offseason
• Two-year, $119.2 million add-on would begin in 2029-30.
• Charlotte can wait; an All-NBA nod next season would make Ball eligible for four years, $300 million.
Darius Garland, LA Clippers
• Eligible Aug. 4; deadline last day of offseason (two-year window July 6–Aug. 3 for a shorter pact)
• Three-year ceiling: $177 million.
• Durability and the No. 5 draft pick – likely a guard – will factor into whether L.A. moves quickly.
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
• Eligible July 6; deadline last day of offseason
• Two seasons remain, but New Orleans first wants full salary protection met for 2027-28.
• A new deal is unlikely until the club is comfortable with long-term health markers.
All-Defense selections
Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns
• Eligible July 6; deadline June 30, 2026
• Maximum offer: four years, $125.4 million.
• A new contract is expected, but below that figure.
Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards
• Eligible Aug. 6; deadline June 30, 2027
• Four-year max is $275 million, topping out at $76 million in his age-37 season.
• Washington is likely to negotiate on its terms after evaluating the 33-year-old’s health next season.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
• Can extend now; deadline June 30, 2027
• Option A: decline 2026-27 player option and add up to two years, $75.4 million.
• Option B: opt in, then extend two more seasons starting in 2027-28.
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
• Eligible July 6; deadline last day of offseason
• Defensive first-team nod and rising numbers point toward a five-year, $251 million max, with language that could escalate to 30% of the cap if he wins DPOY.
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
• Eligible July 6; deadline last day of offseason
• Comparable deal: five years, $162 million (Jaden McDaniels template).
• Offensive growth will determine whether Detroit approaches or surpasses that figure.
Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder
• Eligible July 6; deadline last day of offseason
• Oklahoma City has routinely locked up its young core and is expected to do the same with the league’s steals leader.
Former Sixth Man winner
Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
• Eligible Oct. 1; deadline last day of offseason
• Three-year, $67.1 million extension would begin in 2028-29.
• With a bargain $7.8 million salary next year, the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year is expected to accept long-term security.
The next three months will reveal which franchises prioritize immediate certainty and which players prefer to test future markets. Extension deadlines vary, but most negotiations will ramp up once the NBA Finals conclude and the July 6 signing period opens.
Source: ESPN.com
