The Bucks are in "advanced talks" on a contract extension for Larry Sanders that would keep the young forward locked up long-term, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein. While the deadline for rookie-scale extensions doesn't arrive until October 31st, the two sides are already in the final stages of negotiations, says Stein.
According to Stein, the years and dollars the Bucks and Sanders are discussing aren't yet known, but sources say a new deal would likely pay the 24-year-old in excess of $10MM annually. A year ago, five players eligible for rookie-scale extensions signed four-year deals worth between $38MM and $49MM, so it looks like Sanders could be in line for a contract in that range. Any extension would start in 2014/15, meaning a four-year deal would keep him locked up in Milwaukee through 2018.
Sanders didn't appear to be a real extension candidate heading into the 2012/13 season, but enjoyed a breakout year and established himself as a core piece in the Bucks' frontcourt. After averaging 4.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and a 12.0 PER in limited minutes during his first two years in the NBA, Sanders increased those averages to 9.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, and an 18.7 PER this past season.
If Sanders and the Bucks were to reach an agreement, he would become the second of 18 eligible players to extend his rookie-scale contract this offseason. John Wall and the Wizards finalized a five-year max extension last week.