NBA’s 2025 Free Agency: Extension Decisions Loom

Updated June 10, 2025

the NBA’s 2025 free agency, once anticipated as a possibly historic class, faces a shift as numerous stars opt for early ⁤extensions. Rule changes in the 2017 and 2023 collective bargaining agreements are incentivizing players to secure guaranteed money, leading many to bypass free agency altogether. Since 2022, 65 veterans⁤ have extended their ⁢contracts, with 26 doing so last year.

This offseason, over 100‍ players, including recent MVPs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, are eligible for extensions. Here’s a look at the extension outlook for several notable players‍ and their potential futures in the league, focusing on key NBA contract extension candidates.

Supermax Watch: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Gilgeous-Alexander becomes eligible to sign a supermax contract July 6, with an extension deadline of Oct. 20.Having met the All-NBA criteria in consecutive seasons, the newly crowned MVP is expected to join the ranks of ⁢players who have signed supermax deals as 2017.

A four-year, $293.4 million extension would set a new NBA record, averaging $73.3 million per year. His first-year salary in 2027-28 would be $65.5 million. Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring this season, averaging 32.7 points ⁣per game and achieving a 71-game streak of scoring 20-plus points.

He could also wait until 2026⁢ to potentially add a fifth season and $86 million to his extension, totaling $379 million.

July Extension Candidates

Trae Young

Young is eligible to ⁢sign a four-year, $229 million extension starting July 6, with a deadline of June 30, 2026.⁢ His ⁢$51 million salary in 2026-27 would replace his $48.9 million player option. This season,Young averaged ⁢a league-high 11.6 assists, the most since Russell Westbrook in 2020-21. However,the Hawks’ approach to Young will dictate their future roster construction.

Atlanta has focused on building around younger players like dyson⁣ daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher.Young’s career-low shooting percentage at the rim and league-leading turnover count raise questions about a long-term commitment. Without an ⁢extension, Young could become an unrestricted free ⁣agent in 2026 if he declines his player option.

Kyrie Irving

Irving is also eligible to sign an extension July 6, with a deadline ⁤of June 30, 2026.⁢ If Irving opts into his $43 million salary before June‍ 24, he and the Mavericks can negotiate a deal for⁢ up to ‍four⁢ years ⁢and $267 million. However, given Irving’s age (33) and recent knee injury, the Mavericks may be hesitant to offer more than a two-year extension starting at $59 million.

Nikola Jokic

Jokic, eligible July 8 with an Oct.21 deadline,previously signed a five-year,$276 million supermax extension after the Nuggets’ championship win. Now,the three-time MVP could add three seasons and $212 million to his contract. Though, Jokic has expressed concerns about the team’s depth, suggesting he might ‍delay signing an extension to pressure the Nuggets’ management.

“We definitely need to figure out a way to get more depth,” Jokic said after the Nuggets’ playoff elimination. “It seems like the⁤ teams that have longer rotations, the longer benches, are the ones ‍winning.”

Waiting until the 2026 offseason could earn ‍Jokic an additional $81 million.

Norman Powell

Powell is eligible to sign an extension July 6, with a deadline of June ⁣30, 2026. The Clippers have prioritized⁣ versatility, as seen ⁤in ⁢kawhi Leonard’s extension and James Harden’s short-term deal. With only Ivica Zubac’s salary guaranteed in ⁢2027-28, extension talks with Powell will⁣ test⁤ the Clippers’ future spending strategy.

Powell has⁢ outperformed his $19.2 million salary, averaging 24.2⁤ points before the All-Star break. However, committing to an annual salary of $30 million or more for a player who recently turned 32 and has a history of injuries could give the clippers pause. He is eligible for a ⁤four-year, $128.5 million extension.

What’s ⁣next

As ⁣the ⁤offseason progresses,⁤ expect ⁢intense negotiations as teams navigate the complexities of the new CBA to secure their star players and build competitive rosters for the future. The decisions made in the coming weeks ‍will considerably impact the ⁢NBA⁣ landscape for years to come.