Several notable fourth-year NBA players who were eligible for rookie scale contract extension agreements did not come to terms with their current clubs, and will now enter restricted free agency next summer with the extension deadline having passed.
Adrian Wojnarowksi of ESPN reports (via Twitter) that newly-promoted Suns starting power forward Cameron Johnson, Hornets forward P.J. Washington, and Celtics forward Grant Williams all failed to reach extension deals with their respective clubs.
With former Phoenix starting four Jae Crowder demanding his way out of town, it would have perhaps behooved the Suns to lock up Johnson to a long-term deal, but the team’s ownership situation could have made figuring out an agreement difficult. Williams had an erratic postseason for Boston during the team’s Finals run. Washington could get some additional run this season with the availability of forward Miles Bridges up in the air.
A source informs Christian Clark of NOLA.com (Twitter link) that Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes did not ultimately reach an agreement on a contract extension with New Orleans. Clark suggested that Hayes and his team would most likely resume negotiations when the big man reaches restricted free agency next summer, so it appears New Orleans does hope to keep him aboard.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports tweets that Sixers swingman Matisse Thybulle similarly did not agree to an extension with Philadelphia, and is now set to reach restricted free agency in the summer of 2023. Thybulle is a terrific perimeter defender, but his offensive limitations impede his value.
Even though Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard and head coach Wes Unseld Jr. gave him positive preseason performance reviews, forward Rui Hachimura also will now enter restricted free agency in the 2023 offseason, reports Ava Wallace of The Washington Post (Twitter link).
Knicks forward Cam Reddish, the tenth pick in the 2019 draft, did not get an extension from New York, his second NBA team, The Athletic’s Fred Katz reports (via Twitter). Katz notes that an agreement was not anticipated. Reddish struggled to carve out rotation minutes when the Hawks traded him to the Knicks, even though the team was clearly lottery-bound near the end of the 2021/22 season.
Tony Jones of The Athletic (Twitter link). reports that, in another anticipated move, combo guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker did not reach an extension agreement with the Jazz.
Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago writes that the Bulls also opted to not extend reserve guard Coby White, the seventh pick in the 2019 draft. Schaefer notes that, though Chicago considered trade offers for the 22-year-old out of UNC, the team eventually decided to not move him.
White will compete for minutes in a crowded backcourt that includes starting point guard Ayo Dosunmu and starting shooting guard Zach LaVine, plus reserves Alex Caruso and Goran Dragic. If Lonzo Ball returns from a recent knee surgery, he would supplant Dosunmu in the starting lineup, and further dilute White’s minutes load.
Here’s the full list of players eligible for rookie scale extensions who didn’t sign new deals before Monday’s 5:00 pm CT deadline:
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Jazz)
- Darius Bazley (Thunder)
- Goga Bitadze (Pacers)
- Rui Hachimura (Wizards)
- Jaxson Hayes (Pelicans)
- Cameron Johnson (Suns)
- Romeo Langford (Spurs)
- Cam Reddish (Knicks)
- Matisse Thybulle (Sixers)
- P.J. Washington (Hornets)
- Coby White (Bulls)
- Grant Williams (Celtics)
- Dylan Windler (Cavaliers)
Extension-eligible veterans on expiring contracts remain eligible to sign new contracts throughout the season, while extension-eligible vets with multiple years left on their contracts can extend their deals up until 10:59 pm CT tonight.
Though the roster deadline has passed and every team is in compliance, that doesn’t mean there will be no additional moves tonight and tomorrow before the games begin. That said, in general, team rosters are set with the 2022/23 season set to tip off on Tuesday.
Luke Adams contributed to this report.
Celtics, 76ers and Suns are planning to build Dynasty by spending 100 million luxury tax in a single season
I’d give all these guys market value, which is overpaid value
Rockets owner was talking about $150 -200 million luxury tax in a season
Cam Johnson going to get a huge deal especially now as a starter. But also watch out for Bazley, Reddish, Thybulle and Grant Williams.
I personally love Grant Williams game and what he brings on and off the court. Think he’s perfect for modern basketball and would be a fit on most teams in the league, if he leaves Boston that’s going to be a huge mistake by them.
I like Grant too but the celtics can still match any offer he gets. Also in the offseason they could still resign him before he gets an offer sheet.
Cam won’t get squat if he stays in NY tho
@ Simmons>
Umm, Cam isn’t going to start.
PJ Washington needs to get out of Charlotte. He could help some good teams with his shooting and defense. Sucks that young guys get drafted to these rat teams and it takes years for them to get out of the bad situations
How about this
Draymond and Moody for Washington and Plumlee as well as $9 million cap room.
Future future future
Warriors can dump Plumlee and 2 seconds to Pacers for nothing.
there is 0.0 chance the warriors would give up Moody in that kind of a trade regardless of the money saved and I like PJ Washington as apl ayer.
You are right
Not moody but Baldwin
Trolling with trade proposal comments involving the defending champs trying to repeat doesn’t make you look very bright.
The Warriors roster is set, and barring a major injury there will be no trades.
Some solid players in that list. Wonder what kind of contract NAW deserves? Hopefully, the days of crazy overpays are done.
4 year minimum with TO options after 2nd and 3rd year.
Just wait until the off-season when the new tv deal goes into effect, the cap should increase quite a bit and the days of crazy over pays will resume. Gotta spend the money on something
True, but I’d rather spend it on a balanced roster then just throw money at a random guy, just to spend.
As for NAW, he could be a solid backup. Looking good so far. I’ve been impressed with his defense and focus. Still has work to do on offense, of course. His size definitely gives him good vision for passes. Just needs to find a good way to create rhythm for his outside shots.