Evaluating the recent extensions

Each year, right before the start of the season there is a barrage of contract extensions and I am going to give my thoughts on them.

Rockets sign Kevin Durant, 2yrs/$90 million, 2nd year is a player option

When Houston traded for Durant in June, we knew an extension was coming.  This is smaller than the max he was eligible for so that automatically makes this a great deal for the Rockets.  Durant remains one of the 10 to 15 best players in the NBA and will lift the Rockets offense in a lot of ways this season.  Good deal for Durant as well, 90 million is 90 million, this partnership has a chance to be very successful for both parties.

Keegan Murray, 5yrs/$140 million, no reported options

I like Keegan Murray, I think there could be a good player here.  This price isn’t one that worries me a lot, his cap hit will be around 15% for the length of the contract.  I don’t think you will ever say ‘this is great value for the Kings’ because even if there is a leap, I just don’t think it will ever be substantial to outplay this price.  However, Murray is a good player and I don’t think this price is one that will ever make the Kings regret it a lot.

Dyson Daniels, 4yrs/$100 million, no reported options

This is great value for the Hawks.  He finished 2nd in defensive player of the year last year and won the most improved player award last season.  He is among the best defenders in the NBA and might even be the best defensive guard.  He also had a sneaky good offensive season last year, averaging 14.1 points and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field and 34% from three.  If the three pointer can come along the Hawks will have a special player on their hands.

Christian Braun, 5yrs/$125 million, no reported options

This is the first one that made me go, oh I am not sure I like that one.  I think Braun is a good player who will help Denver in the long run but this is a big price.  Braun’s cutting and athleticism make him a good partner for Nikola Jokic but what is he outside of playing with Jokic?  I think the Nuggets could have gotten better value in restricted free agency.

Aaron Nesmith, 2yrs/$40 million, no reported options

Aaron Nesmith has become one of the best stories in the NBA.  A former Celtics lottery pick, Nesmith was thrown into the Malcolm Brogdon trade and has been a revelation for the Pacers.  A high level 3 and D wing, Nesmith is a perfect fit around Indiana’s core and I am excited to see what he does for years to come.  This is a good deal for the Pacers.

Toumani Camara, 4yrs/$82 million, no reported options

Camara is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, one of the 10 best defensive players in the sport.  Acquired in the Deandre Ayton part of the Damian Lillard trade, Camara has become the best asset Portland got for Lillard.  He shot the three pointer better last year at 37.5% and if that carries over to this year, and maybe even improves, Portland could have a special player on their hands at a great price.

Shaedon Sharpe, 4yrs/$90 million, no reported options

There needs to be a leap from Sharpe coming up.  The three pointer has gotten worse every season going from 36% to 33% to 31% over his first three seasons.  The points per game have increased but so have the shots per game.  I think Sharpe has a lot of untapped potential but he needs to tap into that because the production needs to improve to make this deal worth it for Portland.

A.J. Green, 4yrs/$45 million, no reported options

The A.J. Green-Giannis Antetokounmpo inverted pick and roll is among the best in the NBA. Green is among the best shooters in the NBA, his ability to fly off of screens and hit threes is outstanding.  When you have a shooter like that, you want to sign him, Green’s contract is the exact same as Sam Hauser’s in Boston.  This is a good deal for the Bucks.