The NBA trade deadline has passed and while the playoffs will be here before we know it, the future’s of some notable players in this league could be in question heading into the offseason, especially if they do not receive a contract extension.
Most teams look to hammer out the details of contract extensions with players prior to the start of the season, but many players do agree to terms on new deals with their current teams during the season.
Recently, the Mavericks agreed to terms on a new four-year, $52 million extension with forward Dorian Finney-Smith, keeping him under contract in Dallas through at least the 2024-25 season, as he has a player option in the final year of his new contract.
The Minnesota Timberwolves also agreed on a contract extension recently with veteran guard Patrick Beverley, adding one more year to his contract worth $13 million for the 2022-23 season. Beverley was set to become an unrestricted free agent following this season.
Very few notable names and All-Stars look to sign in-season contract extensions, simply because there will be more money on the table for them in the offseason not only dependent on if they make the All-Star Game, but if they are named to an All-NBA team as well.
Nonetheless, there are still some notable names worth talking about and keeping an eye on in regards to possible contract extensions before the end of the season.
Kyrie Irving – Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving has had one eventful season that drama still seems to be attached to. In addition to sitting half the season due to New York City guidelines for unvaccinated athletes, Irving is still dealing with not being able to play in away games, which has really lessened the Nets’ chances to be special this year.
When he first joined the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, Kyrie Irving was very excited to team up with fellow All-Star Kevin Durant in search of multiple titles. However, things have not gone as planned for Irving and the Nets since both he and Durant joined the team in 2019 free agency.
Not only did their first season not go as planned because of injuries, but injuries played a role in last season as well, as the Nets’ new “Big 3” of James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant barely played with one another.