Those who were drafted in the 2023 NBA Draft are currently eligible for rookie-scale contract extensions before the start of the 2026-27 season, and we have already seen numerous young stars agree to new deals with their respective teams.
Victor Wembanyama was the first to put pen to paper on a new five-year, $252 million contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs, actually taking 25% of the cap instead of 30% to help his team save money for the future. That will come in handy when the Spurs look to sign Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper to long-term deals.
After Wemby got his new extension, the Thompson twins were next. Amen Thompson signed a five-year, $208 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets, and Ausar Thompson signed a five-year, $155 million contract extension with the Detroit Pistons.
Outside of the top five from 2023, Keyonte George, the 16th pick in the draft, earned himself a five-year extension worth about $158 million from the Utah Jazz, slightly more than what the Pistons gave Thompson. Although he was drafted a year later in 2024, Pelle Larsson also signed a contract extension this offseason worth $60 million over four years with the Miami Heat.
With two weeks until the start of the 2026-27 NBA season, there are still several young stars and key talents who are in active negotiations with their teams to try and get a new deal done on an extension. Brandon Miller, Cason Wallace, Brandin Podziemski, and Anthony Black are among the handful of players still searching for an extension, and things could go right up to the deadline to do so.
Those negotiating rookie-scale contract extensions with their organizations have until October 19 at 6 pm Eastern Time to come to terms on a new deal. Otherwise, they will be forced to play out the 2026-27 NBA season in the final year of their rookie contracts and become a restricted free agent next offseason.
Which players will earn rookie-scale contract extensions before the 2026-27 season begins? Here's the latest on each player, including predictions on whether or not they will earn a new extension.
Brandon Miller – Charlotte Hornets
Three of the top five picks from the 2023 draft class have already received nine-figure contract extensions. Brandon Miller is next in line, as he's become the face of the Charlotte Hornets alongside Kon Knueppel, with the team trading LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges this offseason.
In three seasons with the Hornets, Miller has averaged over 20 points per game twice and has evolved into a high-level scoring option from anywhere on the floor for his team. Miller, who turns 24 in November, still has a higher level to tap into, which makes him worthy of a big extension before the start of the 2026-27 season.
The only issue with Miller is that he has missed 80 games since entering the league, roughly 33% of the Hornets' total regular-season clashes. Most recently, he underwent surgery in May to address left shoulder instability that bothered him all of last year.
Although health is a slight concern for Miller early on in his career, the two sides have progressed in contract talks, and the Hornets' young star is expected to reach terms on a new deal that exceeds $200 million. Sources told ClutchPoints that recent deals given to Franz Wagner (5yr/224M), OG Anunoby (5yr/212.5M), and Amen Thompson (5yr/208M) have been topics of conversation in negotiations for Miller and his camp.
After seeing Thompson receive $208 million from Houston, it's almost a foregone conclusion that Miller will receive at least $40 million in annual value on a contract extension, which would put him around 20% of the league's cap.
Out of all the players eligible for a rookie-scale extension, Miller is the most likely to get one before the 2026-27 season begins.
Prediction: Five-year, $220 million extension — AAV: ~$44 million
Cason Wallace – Oklahoma City Thunder
Cason Wallace finds himself in the most intriguing position out of all the players seeking an extension before the new season begins.
This offseason, the OKC Thunder traded away Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe. Not only does this open more minutes and a larger role for Wallace entering the 2026-27 campaign, but it proved that Sam Presti and the Thunder's front office believe in him to take the next step in his career.
At any point, the Thunder could've chosen to keep Dort, an experienced veteran who was a homegrown talent and a locker-room leader for this organization. Instead, they went with the younger, more dynamic option in Wallace, and it made perfect sense to keep the soon-to-be 23-year-old guard due to his rising two-way abilities.
Wallace held a key 3-and-D role on the 2025 championship team in Oklahoma City, and he only got better on both ends of the court last year. That is why Wallace was named to the All-Defensive Second Team and is viewed as a contender for the league's Most Improved Player award for the upcoming season.
Whether or not the Thunder can ink Wallace to a long-term extension comes down to how much they are ultimately willing to pay. There are absolutely teams around the league who would jump on the opportunity to sign Wallace to an offer sheet next offseason if he is a restricted free agent, which would make things complicated for the Thunder to potentially match.
One league source told ClutchPoints that if Wallace were to hit restricted free agency, at least two different teams would be prepared to offer him a deal that exceeds $30 million in annual value. Is this a chance the Thunder are willing to take, especially after losing Dort and Wiggins?
The second apron for the 2027-28 season is projected to be around $236 million. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren all having max-level deals, plus Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso being under contract for around $20 million each, the Thunder are projected to pay these five players around $200 million for the 2027-28 season.
That is why any extension for Wallace would need to be heavily backloaded, which would lower the Thunder's financial burden right away and allow them to try to navigate the second apron next offseason, much like they did this summer. With SGA, Williams, and Holmgren being under contract through the 2030-31 season, it would also make a lot of sense for Presti to line up a new deal for Wallace with this core, which would mean a four-year extension for the young guard.
There is still another financial hurdle when it comes to possibly extending Wallace, and that's the fact that the final year of Ajay Mitchell's contract is during the 2027-28 season. Can the Thunder afford to pay Wallace now and then pay Mitchell next offseason?
Perhaps that is a problem for another day, as Presti and the Thunder need to handle business with Wallace before anything else.
After seeing Dyson Daniels sign a four-year, $100 million deal last year and Ausar Thompson receive $155 million over five years this offseason, it's fair to assume Wallace's new deal will land somewhere between $25 million and $31 million annually.
Prediction: Four-year, $108 million extension — AAV: ~$27 million
Brandin Podziemski – Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry just signed a two-year, $116 million extension with the Golden State Warriors, taking a $20 million discount to help the team have major financial flexibility next offseason. Next on the list for the Warriors is getting a deal done with Podziemski.
GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. has stated that he hopes the team can reach terms on a new contract with Podz, and the 23-year-old has expressed his desire to receive a long-term commitment from his team before the start of the 2026-27 season.
This is definitely a unique extension dilemma for the Warriors, who can't afford to break the bank on a new deal for Podziemski. After seeing Pelle Larsson sign a four-year, $60 million extension with the Miami Heat, it will be interesting to see just how much the Warriors are willing to put on the table here.
As reported throughout the offseason by ClutchPoints, Golden State's sweet spot on a new contract with Podziemski is somewhere in the $16 million to $18 million range in terms of annual average value. Of course, an AAV of $16 million would essentially be a contract at the mid-level exception for Podziemski.
On the other side of things, we've reported that Podziemski and his camp would be wanting something more in the $20 million to $24 million range. While he and his representation would obviously want to try and maximize a contract extension, these figures are a little unrealistic for Podziemski at this juncture.
That is why there is a wide belief that an extension for Podziemski would fall in the $16 million to $18 million range, which would help the Warriors immensely and still give them max contract cap space next summer.
Although it is unknown at this time whether the Warriors have put an offer on the table during training camp, a fair deal for Podziemski and one for the organization to prove their loyalty to him would be something slightly higher than the MLE.
Prediction: Four-year, $70 million extension — AAV: ~$17.5 million
Anthony Black – Orlando Magic
The 2025-26 season ended up being a coming-out party for Anthony Black, who burst onto the scene as one of the Orlando Magic's better scoring options after spending the first two years of his career coming off the bench in a limited role.
Black averaged 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the floor in 64 games, 40 of which he started, with the Magic last season. As he enters the final year of his rookie deal, Black is seeking a long-term commitment from his team, but some major financial decisions loom large in Orlando.
Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, and Jalen Suggs account for roughly $161 million in payroll for the 2027-28 season. Add Wendell Carter Jr.'s $19.5 million, and the Magic now have a payroll exceeding $180 million between their starting five.
This makes things difficult for Black in terms of a new extension, but the team could very well look to extend him on a similar value to that of Carter, around 12% of the total cap. Doing so would reward Black long-term while also giving the Magic options to keep this core together if the organization is open to paying luxury taxes.
It is definitely possible that the two sides wait until next offseason when Black is a restricted free agent to get a deal done, but it would be advantageous to lock him in long-term now. From Black's side of things, he would obviously like to ink a new deal now, but he isn't letting the business side of basketball impact his mentality entering the new year.
“It would be great to get that done, you know the team’s in a weird spot with that, but yeah,” Black said recently. “I’m trying to stay where my feet are, I’m focused on getting better everyday and helping my team out and if that happens, that would be great obviously, but it’s a business and they got things they gotta worry about. I got things that I gotta worry about so if it happens, it happens.”
After a breakout campaign last year, it would be wise for the Magic to give Black a new extension now before his value increases even higher out of the team's price range during the 2026-27 season.
Article Continues BelowPrediction: Four-year, $80 million extension — AAV: ~$20 million
Scoot Henderson – Portland Trail Blazers
It is unlikely that Scoot Henderson will earn a contract extension from the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason.
Although he did step up and improve during the 2025-26 season, showing flashes of his full potential late in the year and during the playoffs, the fact of the matter is that the Blazers have other issues to figure out. Aside from their owner making questionable decisions and threatening to move the team out of Portland, Henderson's value has declined with the arrival of Ja Morant.
Henderson will 100 percent be coming off the bench again this season, and he will have his minutes impacted by Morant, Damian Lillard, and Jrue Holiday. Even so, the Blazers are still exceptionally high on Henderson and do not wish to let him go.
Before the trade deadline in February, the Trail Blazers received calls from a few different teams inquiring about Henderson as a potential trade option, sources said. Each time, the Blazers turned down the opportunity to engage in talks centered on Henderson because they believe he can be a long-term foundational piece.
However, it's unlikely he gets a new extension because he will need to prove that he's worth more than the $16 million taxpayer MLE.
Toumani Camara signed a four-year, $81 million extension last offseason with Portland, which is about 11% of the cap. That is likely the type of deal Henderson and his representation would want in a new deal this offseason, and it's something Portland can't really afford at this time.
Prediction: NO CONTRACT
Dereck Lively II – Dallas Mavericks
Injuries have defined Dereck Lively II's time in the NBA. After a strong rookie year, Lively has struggled to remain on the court, and he has not yet been cleared for full participation in training camp after undergoing season-ending right foot surgery in December.
This foot injury resulted in Lively only appearing in seven games during the 2025-26 season.
While it's always possible that Lively could earn a contract extension because of his potential and value to the Dallas Mavericks, this would be a major risk by the organization. The 2026-27 season is a year for Lively to prove that he is a foundational piece next to Cooper Flagg, and it's even more important for him to be 100% healthy and available.
The Mavs and Lively's representation have been discussing a potential extension throughout the offseason, and it would come as a surprise if Dallas was willing to offer more than a four-year, $68 million contract. Such a deal would essentially be an extension at the mid-level exception.
There has been no confirmation as to whether Lively has received an extension offer from the Mavericks at this time.
With the new season about to begin, it's hard to envision a scenario where the Mavs would be willing to put a lot of money on the table for the injury-riddled center.
Prediction: NO CONTRACT
Other rookie-scale contract extension possibilities
Three top-10 picks from 2023 that have yet to be mentioned for possible rookie-scale extensions are Bilal Coulibaly (No. 7 overall), Jarace Walker (No. 8 overall), and Taylor Hendricks (No. 9 overall).
Coulibaly is the most likely of the three to earn an extension this summer, especially since mutual interest exists between him and the Washington Wizards to continue their partnership. The French wing has become a key defensive-minded player for the Wizards, and the team is high on his potential moving forward.
In the past, the Wizards gave Deni Avdija a four-year, $55 million extension off his rookie contract, and they did the same with Corey Kispert at four years and $54 million. This is probably the max amount that Washington would be willing to give Coulibaly since Anthony Davis and Trae Young occupy max contract spots, and Alex Sarr will be extension eligible next summer.
Avdija and Kispert were both traded after signing new extensions with the Wizards, so could Coulibaly be next in line to be dealt?
Walker is a player the Indiana Pacers have always been high on, and he stepped up into a bigger role during the 2025-26 season given all of the team's injuries. He won't be getting an extension from the Pacers, but this is another big year for Walker to prove his value coming off the bench.
The Pacers expect to be back in the championship mix, and Walker can provide essential depth on the wing and behind Pascal Siakam at the power forward position. Putting together another productive season will result in Walker's value rising above $10 million in AAV.
As for Hendricks, he is still working his way back from a fractured right fibula and a dislocated right ankle he suffered while with the Utah Jazz in 2024. Now with the Memphis Grizzlies, Hendricks will have a chance to show what he can do coming off the bench behind Cam Boozer and Zach Edey in the frontcourt.
There are minutes to be had in Memphis, and Hendricks could very well grab a lot of teams' attention with his play, athleticism, and length in the paint if he remains healthy.
Gradey Dick won't be getting an extension after being traded from the Toronto Raptors to the LA Clippers, and it's very unlikely that the Brooklyn Nets would come out of nowhere to give Noah Clowney a long-term deal.
That leaves Jaime Jaquez Jr. as the last intriguing name from the 2023 draft class that is eligible for an extension.
Jaquez was traded from the Miami Heat to the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason in the deal that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to South Beach, and the 25-year-old's long-term future doesn't appear to be with his new team. We will see how things play out for the Bucks this year, but this team will be making multiple trades before February, and quite a few playoff teams will be eyeing Jaquez's services.
As one of the better bench players in the league, it's certainly not crazy to think that Jaquez's value is right around the mid-level exception, and what Larsson, his former Heat teammate, recently received — $60 million over four years.
The Bucks aren't giving Jaquez a new deal before the start of the season, and it's more likely than not that he will be flipped for assets in a trade during the 2026-27 season.