The NBA’s final transaction rush of October is approaching as clubs have until Friday, October 31, to decide whether to exercise 2026-27 team options on first-round rookie-scale contracts.
Under league rules, third- and fourth-year options for former first-round picks must be picked up one season in advance. Earlier this month, for example, San Antonio guaranteed Victor Wembanyama’s 2026-27 salary when it exercised his fourth-year option; his 2025-26 salary was locked in last October with his third-year pick-up.
Thirty options have already been exercised, according to league records, leaving 24 decisions outstanding. Some, such as the Philadelphia 76ers’ $4,422,600 option on Jared McCain, are expected to be routine approvals. Others are less certain, including the New York Knicks’ choice on Pacome Dadiet’s $2,983,680 fourth-year option amid the club’s tax-apron considerations.
Pending Rookie-Scale Options
Atlanta Hawks
Zaccharie Risacher — third year, $13,826,040
Boston Celtics
Baylor Scheierman — third year, $2,744,040
Charlotte Hornets
Brandon Miller — fourth year, $15,104,626
Tidjane Salaun — third year, $8,237,880
Golden State Warriors
Brandin Podziemski — fourth year, $5,679,458
Houston Rockets
Amen Thompson — fourth year, $12,258,609
Reed Sheppard — third year, $11,108,880
Los Angeles Clippers
Kobe Brown — fourth year, $4,792,058
New York Knicks
Pacome Dadiet — third year, $2,983,680
Orlando Magic
Anthony Black — fourth year, $10,106,315
Jett Howard — fourth year, $7,337,938
Tristan Da Silva — third year, $3,991,200
Philadelphia 76ers
Jared McCain — third year, $4,422,600
Utah Jazz
Taylor Hendricks — fourth year, $7,805,900
Keyonte George — fourth year, $6,563,925
Cody Williams — third year, $6,015,600
Brice Sensabaugh — fourth year, $4,862,237
Isaiah Collier — third year, $2,763,960
Washington Wizards
Alex Sarr — third year, $12,370,680
Bilal Coulibaly — fourth year, $9,240,012
Cam Whitmore — fourth year, $5,458,310
Bub Carrington — third year, $4,900,560
AJ Johnson — third year, $3,237,120
Kyshawn George — third year, $3,108,000
Teams must submit their final decisions to the league office by the end of the day Friday.
Source: Hoops Rumors
