TRENDING NFL injury updates Knicks change ring tune Williams, Bears hang on LeBron's biggest comeback Lendeborg shades Luka Story by Story by These 7 looming contract decisions could define the NBA season Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY Fri, October 23, 2026 at 7:36 PM UTC · 6 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conversation surrounding the NBA , perhaps more than any other North American professional sports league, is usually driven as much by transactions as the games themselves. Trade rumors, contract negotiations and free agency decisions can alter championship races and reshape the landscape of the entire league.
This past offseason saw incredible movement , with some of the biggest stars in the game switching teams via free agency and trades. Though a new NBA season has only just started , another wave of important decisions is already looming for players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant.
From superstars weighing extensions worth hundreds of millions of dollars to veterans trying to secure one final payday, these seven contract situations could play a major role in determining where some of the NBA's most impactful players play next and how the 2026-27 season unfolds.
Exactly 25 players under 25-years-old made our rankings of the top 100 NBA players this season . See the 25 young stars who are making their mark on the court. Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks in action during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 28, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks won 126-97. (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) Alperen Sengun #28 of Houston Rockets drives the ball during NBA China Games 2026 between Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks at The Venetian Arena on the Cotai Strip on October 09, 2026 in Macau, China. (Zhizhao Wu, Getty Images) Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls gestures during the third quarter in a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on October 11, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Tyler McFarland, Getty Images) Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on October 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images) Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the first half in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 27, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) Amen Thompson #10 of Houston Rockets drives the ball during NBA China Games 2026 between Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena on the Cotai Strip on October 11, 2026 in Macau, China. (Zhizhao Wu, Getty Images) Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on October 07, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford, Getty Images) Brandon Miller #24 poses for a photo opportunity during the Charlotte Hornets Media Day at Novant Health Performance Center on September 28, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images) Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of a preseason game at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere, Getty Images) Shaedon Sharpe #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 2026 in New York City. (Ishika Samant, Getty Images) Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to rebound against the Phoenix Suns in the second half of a preseason game at Frost Bank Center on October 14, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Ronald Cortes, Getty Images) Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons waits during the fourth quarter of Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on May 09, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 116-109. (Jason Miller, Getty Images) Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz waits for a free throw during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 17, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere, Getty Images) Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during Game Five of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 26, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 127-114. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets gestures after a play during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2026 in New York City. (Jordan Bank, Getty Images) Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs goes through drills before their preseason game against the Atlantic Hawks at Frost Bank Center on October 8, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Ronald Cortes, Getty Images) AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 08, 2026 in New York City. (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz rushes the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of their preseason game at the Delta Center on October 12, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks runs back court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a preseason game at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere, Getty Images) 1 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Exactly 25 players under 25-years-old made our rankings of the top 100 NBA players this season . See the 25 young stars who are making their mark on the court. Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 1 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Exactly 25 players under 25-years-old made our rankings of the top 100 NBA players this season . See the 25 young stars who are making their mark on the court. Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 2 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks in action during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 28, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks won 126-97. (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) 3 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Alperen Sengun #28 of Houston Rockets drives the ball during NBA China Games 2026 between Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks at The Venetian Arena on the Cotai Strip on October 09, 2026 in Macau, China. (Zhizhao Wu, Getty Images) 4 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls gestures during the third quarter in a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on October 11, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Tyler McFarland, Getty Images) 5 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on October 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images) 6 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) 7 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the first half in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 27, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 8 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Amen Thompson #10 of Houston Rockets drives the ball during NBA China Games 2026 between Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena on the Cotai Strip on October 11, 2026 in Macau, China. (Zhizhao Wu, Getty Images) 9 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on October 07, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford, Getty Images) 10 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Brandon Miller #24 poses for a photo opportunity during the Charlotte Hornets Media Day at Novant Health Performance Center on September 28, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images) 11 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 12 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of a preseason game at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere, Getty Images) 13 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Shaedon Sharpe #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 2026 in New York City. (Ishika Samant, Getty Images) 14 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to rebound against the Phoenix Suns in the second half of a preseason game at Frost Bank Center on October 14, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Ronald Cortes, Getty Images) 15 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons waits during the fourth quarter of Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on May 09, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 116-109. (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 16 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz waits for a free throw during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 17, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere, Getty Images) 17 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during Game Five of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 26, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 127-114. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 18 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 19 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 20 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets gestures after a play during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2026 in New York City. (Jordan Bank, Getty Images) 21 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 22 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs goes through drills before their preseason game against the Atlantic Hawks at Frost Bank Center on October 8, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Ronald Cortes, Getty Images) 23 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 08, 2026 in New York City. (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) 24 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Darryn Peterson #22 of the Utah Jazz rushes the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of their preseason game at the Delta Center on October 12, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 25 / 25 NBA's young stars to watch in 2026-27 season: 25 players under 25 Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks runs back court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of a preseason game at American Airlines Center on October 16, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere, Getty Images) NBA: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum disagree on circumstances of Celtics-76ers trade
It's easy to assume Antetokounmpo's long-term future is settled after the blockbuster trade that sent him from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Heat this offseason . But Antetokounmpo only became contract extension-eligible on Oct. 1, and the size of his contract remains unresolved. He could make significantly more by waiting to come to terms on a new deal with the Heat.
Antetokounmpo, who has a $62.8-million player option for the 2027-28 season on his contract, is currently able to sign a three-year, $194-million extension. That figure jumps to four years, $276-million on Jan. 6, according to ESPN , and five years, $357 million next offseason. Antetokounmpo told reporters last month at Heat media day that he wasn't taking extension questions because "it's too early." There's an expectation throughout the league that the two sides will eventually agree on a long-term extension, but Antetokounmpo had an intriguing response while discussing his future and the move to Miami.
"I want when this chapter is over, if I'm only going to be here a year or two, whatever it's going to be, I want to leave my mark," Antetokounmpo said .
Negotiations between Towns and the Knicks grew increasingly contentious this offseason, and the team paused talks earlier this month after Towns publicly expressed frustration with the process. Whether they can settle those differences carries major implications for how long the Knicks can keep their championship core together after last year's title. Towns is set to make $57 million this season and holds a $61 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. He is eligible for a four-year, $276 million extension, though ESPN reported the Knicks' most recent offer was closer to $200 million.
The gap is especially notable since Towns says he's willing to accept less than a max deal to help preserve the roster moving forward. But neither side has been able to agree on a number, and the dispute continues to linger over the franchise.
After arriving in Houston last season, Kevin Durant enters his 20th NBA campaign facing one of the more intriguing contract decisions in the league. The Rockets can offer Durant an extension, but both sides may benefit from waiting to see whether Houston emerges as a legitimate championship contender this season.
Durant has a $46-million player option for the 2027-28 season after a rockier-than-expected first year with the Rockets. But Durant remains an offensive force who averaged 26 points on 52% shooting and earned second team all-NBA honors last season. If this season goes well, an extension could make Houston the city in which Durant retires. If this season falls short of expectations, contenders around the league would undoubtedly monitor Durant's availability.
Jokic erased any lingering doubt about his future in Denver when he told reporters (and assured Nuggets fans) during media day last month that he will sign a new long-term contract with the team next summer. Jokic will make $59 million this season and has a player option for the 2027-28 season worth $62.8-million in his current deal. He'll be eligible for a five-year supermax contract that could exceed $350 million depending on the NBA's future salary cap projections next summer. Jokic appears set on minimizing any unnecessary drama and distraction related to the situation.
1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images) 2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images) 3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (Wendell Cruz, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (Marc Lebryk, Imagn Images) 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat (Sam Navarro, Imagn Images) 6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (Bill Streicher, Imagn Images) 7. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 9. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (Winslow Townson, Getty Images) 10. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 11. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 12. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 13. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 14. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 15. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (Luiza Moraes, Getty Images) 16. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks (Elsa, Getty Images) 17. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images) 18. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 19. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 20. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat (Megan Briggs, Getty Images) 21. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) 22. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 23. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (JOSHUA R. GATELEY, Getty Images) 24. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (Cole Burston, Getty Images) 25. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images) 26. James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) 27. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 28. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 29. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images) 30. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 31. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (Ron Jenkins, Getty Images) 32. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 33. Lamelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 34. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 35. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks (Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images) 36. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 37. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 38. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 39. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 40. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (Tim Warner, Getty Images) 41. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (Mitchell Leff, Getty Images) 42. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 43. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz (Patrick Smith, Getty Images) 44. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 45. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 46. Derrick White, Boston Celtics (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 47. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 48. Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 49. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 50. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (Sean Gardner, Getty Images) 1 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images) 1 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images) 2 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images) 3 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (Wendell Cruz, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 4. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (Marc Lebryk, Imagn Images) 5 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat (Sam Navarro, Imagn Images) 6 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (Bill Streicher, Imagn Images) 7 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 7. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 8 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 9 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 9. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (Winslow Townson, Getty Images) 10 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 10. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 11 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 11. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 12 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 12. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 13 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 13. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 14 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 14. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 15 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 15. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (Luiza Moraes, Getty Images) 16 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 16. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks (Elsa, Getty Images) 17 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 17. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images) 18 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 18. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 19 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 19. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 20 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 20. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat (Megan Briggs, Getty Images) 21 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 21. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) 22 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 22. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 23 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 23. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (JOSHUA R. GATELEY, Getty Images) 24 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 24. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (Cole Burston, Getty Images) 25 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 25. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images) 26 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 26. James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) 27 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 27. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 28 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 28. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 29 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 29. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images) 30 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 30. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 31 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 31. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (Ron Jenkins, Getty Images) 32 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 32. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 33 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 33. Lamelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 34 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 34. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 35 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 35. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks (Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images) 36 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 36. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 37 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 37. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 38 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 38. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 39 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 39. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 40 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 40. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (Tim Warner, Getty Images) 41 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 41. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (Mitchell Leff, Getty Images) 42 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 42. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 43 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 43. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz (Patrick Smith, Getty Images) 44 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 44. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 45 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 45. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 46 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 46. Derrick White, Boston Celtics (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 47 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 47. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 48 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 48. Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 49 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 49. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 50 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 50. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (Sean Gardner, Getty Images) Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards Anthony Davis enters his first games with the Washington Wizards facing a pivotal stretch that could shape the remainder of his career. While Davis remains one of the NBA's best two-way big men when healthy, questions about his durability could dictate whether the Wizards, or another team, are willing to commit substantial cap space to him beyond his current contract.
Davis will make $58.4 million this season and holds a $62-million player option for the 2027-28 season. But given the 33-year-old's extensive injury history, his availability will be just as important as his production in determining value. Washington has been non-committal about its plans with Davis beyond this current deal, which could make Davis a player mentioned frequently around the NBA's trade deadline in February if another contender is willing to give him contract security. The first few months of this season will be an audition of sorts for Davis to prove he's durable enough to be a difference maker again rather than a high-risk gamble.
After missing all of last season while recovering from the knee injury that also cut short his 2024-25 campaign , Irving enters the season faced with a prove-it year. Irving is extension-eligible and set to make nearly $39.5 million this season. His contract also includes a $42.4 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign.
At 34 years old, Irving must demonstrate to the Mavericks and the rest of the league he remains an elite player in order to merit another multi-year contract. Though his pairing with Cooper Flagg could be dynamic, their partnership also raises questions about the franchise's long-term direction. With Flagg expected to be the centerpiece, Irving's performance alongside him this season could help determine if Dallas sees him as part of that future or a veteran asset to be dealt elsewhere.
Porter is playing on an expiring deal this season, which makes him one of the NBA's most fascinating contract situations. The 28-year-old could emerge as a coveted player around the trade deadline if the Nets determine they can't agree on an extension. Porter is eligible to sign a four-year contract worth as much as $243 million with Brooklyn and said at media day last month his preference would be to remain with the Nets.
Porter averaged a career-best 24.2 points per game as the lead option for a struggling team last season and his size, shooting and championship pedigree on the wing would be valuable to a contender. Brooklyn's decision may ultimately hinge on how competitive the team proves to be after adding veteran forward Julius Randle this offseason . If Porter can replicate last season's production and help push the Nets into the Eastern Conference playoff race, he could significantly strengthen his case for another lucrative long-term deal.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These 7 looming contract decisions could define the NBA season
Source: Sports
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