The 2023 NBA Draft class could produce a large restricted free agency group in 2027, with extension talks moving slowly across the league.
Victor Wembanyama is currently the only player from the class to sign an extension. Brandon Miller, Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson were viewed as other strong candidates, but meaningful progress has reportedly been limited.
Houston could pursue a team-friendly agreement with Amen Thompson, while Detroit’s situation with Ausar Thompson may depend partly on resolving Jalen Duren’s restricted free agency. Oklahoma City also faces a decision on Cason Wallace as its payroll continues to rise.
“We’ve only seen one extension completed so far from that rookie class, and that’s Victor Wembanyama,” Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective.
“I was actually talking to an executive yesterday about the status of negotiations for players entering the final year of their rookie contracts, and the short answer is that I’m hearing nothing.
“Take the Thompson twins, for instance. I know both of their teams would love to get them signed to extensions, but if it were easy, it would already be done. The ‘Fun Max’, where teams easily handed out max extensions, just isn’t a thing anymore.
“Negotiations across the league are much tougher than they were under the previous Collective Bargaining Agreement. A team decision-maker told me yesterday that it all comes down to flexibility relative to the aprons.
“If you have room under the aprons, you can make moves and trade for talent. Because of these strict apron rules, front offices are terrified of putting financial handcuffs on themselves as they try to build and maintain a roster.”
