LaMelo Ball’s Healthy Season Sparks Hornets; Extension Timelines Loom for Pascal Siakam and Payton Pritchard
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Hornets
After three injury-marred campaigns, LaMelo Ball delivered 72 appearances for Charlotte, more than his previous three seasons combined (36, 22 and 47). The point guard’s availability stabilized the rotation, limiting the Hornets to just 19 starting lineups all year. When Ball shared the court with Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller and Moussa Diabate, Charlotte posted a 32-9 record and vaulted from 19 wins to 44.
Ball averaged 20-plus points and 7.1 assists while posting one of the best on-court impact ratings of his career. He becomes extension-eligible on July 6 and can ink a two-year deal worth about $119 million. With three seasons still left on his contract, negotiations are not urgent, but an All-NBA nod next year could push his eventual price tag toward $300 million, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Pacers
Indiana is expected to consider another aggressive in-house deal, this time for veteran forward Pascal Siakam. Marks reports the 30-year-old becomes eligible this summer for a three-year extension valued around $207 million. Siakam averaged 24.0 points, his best output since 2022-23, while remaining a dependable two-way presence during a challenging Pacers season.
An extension would start when Siakam is 34, raising longevity concerns, but recent moves—highlighted by the trade for center Ivica Zubac—signal a win-now approach that could keep the current core intact despite the significant financial commitment.
Celtics
Boston guard Payton Pritchard, last season’s Sixth Man of the Year, is scheduled to earn just $7.8 million in 2024-25 despite stepping into a larger role while Jayson Tatum was sidelined. Pritchard logged 79 games (50 starts) and produced career highs of 17.0 points and 5.2 assists. Even off the bench he averaged 17.2 points, ranking among league leaders in plus-minus for reserves.
Beginning Oct. 1, the 26-year-old can sign a three-year extension estimated at $67 million. Given his production relative to salary, Boston is expected to pursue an agreement quickly.
Source: Hoops Wire
