Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Raptors sign Thaddeus Young to contract extension

The Toronto Raptors have re-signed forward Thaddeus Young to a multi-year contract extension.

Young, 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, averaged 6.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 16.3 minutes in 52 games with Toronto and San Antonio last season. He shot .518 (141-272) from the field, including .354 (17-48) from three-point range, and scored in double figures 16 times. Young was acquired from the Spurs at the trade deadline. In 26 games with the Raptors, he averaged 6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 18.3 minutes.

“Thad is a high-level professional who complements our core very well, he integrated himself into the fabric of the team last season and we’re excited he chose to re-sign here in Toronto,” said Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster. “He is a smart and versatile player who will continue to provide valuable leadership to our younger players on the court and in the locker room.”

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Young has played 15 seasons in the NBA after being picked 12th overall by Philadelphia in the 2007 draft. He holds career averages of 12.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 29.3 minutes in 1,085 games (711 starts) with Philadelphia, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Indiana, Chicago, San Antonio and Toronto. Young has also reached the postseason nine times, averaging 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 27.6 minutes in 57 career playoff contests (17 starts). Prior to being drafted by the Sixers, Young played one collegiate season at Georgia Tech (2006-07).

Karl-Anthony Towns to sign huge Timberwolves contract extension

Via ESPN.com:

Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns has agreed on a four-year, $224 million supermax extension, his agent, Jessica Holtz of CAA Basketball told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The deal begins with the 2024-25 season and delivers Towns’ total contract value to six years and $295 million.

Towns, 26, the No. 1 overall pick by Minnesota in 2015, has become one of the league’s most dominant offensive big men during his eight years in Minnesota. He averaged 24.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game this past season while shooting over 50% from the field, 40% from 3-point range and 80% from the foul line.

Ja Morant to sign huge Grizzlies contract extension

Via ESPN.com:

Memphis Grizzlies All-NBA guard Ja Morant has agreed to a five-year designated rookie extension that’ll likely be worth $231 million, his agent, Jim Tanner of Tandem/YouFirst Sports, told ESPN.

Morant, who made All-NBA Second Team, is guaranteed $193 million and will trigger supermax escalators to take the deal to $231 million upon again landing on one of the league’s three All-NBA teams.

The deal also includes a 15% trade kicker, Tanner said.

Devin Booker to sign huge Suns contract extension

Via ESPN.com:

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker has agreed on a four-year, $224 million supermax extension, his agents, Jessica Holtz and Melvin Booker of CAA Basketball, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Booker’s deal begins in 2024-25 and brings his total contract value to six years and $295 million.

Booker, 25, has become the face of the Suns franchise since being drafted 13th overall by Phoenix in the summer of 2015, including leading the Suns — alongside future Hall of Famer Chris Paul — to the NBA finals in 2021.

Nikola Jokic to sign huge Nuggets contract extension

Via ESPN.com:

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has agreed to the largest contract in NBA history — a five-year, $270 million supermax extension, his agents, Jeff Schwartz and Mike Lindeman of Excel Sports, told ESPN on Friday.

Jokic, the two-time reigning Most Valuable Player, is now secured to the Nuggets for a total of six seasons for $303 million.

The deal includes a player option and a trade kicker. The contract will kick in during the 2023-24 season at $46.6 million and climb every season until 2027-28, when Jokic is set to make $61.5 million.

Orlando Magic sign Gary Harris to contract extension

The Orlando Magic have signed guard Gary Harris to a contract extension, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Per multiple reports, Harris’ extension is a two-year, $26 million deal.

Harris (6’4”, 210, 9/14/94) played in 61 games (30 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 11.1 ppg., 2.0 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 28.4 minpg., while shooting .384 (116-302) from three-point range and .874 (83-95) from the free throw line. He led (or tied) the team in scoring five times and in assists four times. Harris scored in double figures 37 times and 20+ points six times, including a season-high 28 points on Jan. 8 @ Detroit. He scored his 5,000th career NBA point on Dec. 8 @ Sacramento.

Originally selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Chicago, Harris has appeared in 468 career NBA regular season games (374 starts) with Denver and Orlando, averaging 11.8 ppg., 2.5 rpg., 1.9 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 28.8 minpg., while shooting.363 (705-1,944) from three-point range and .812 (719-885) from the free throw line. He has also played in 28 career playoff games (26 starts), averaging 10.8 ppg., 3.1 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 32.0 minpg.

Harris was acquired by Orlando from Denver, along with R.J. Hampton and a future first round draft pick, in exchange for Gary Clark and Aaron Gordon on Mar. 25, 2021. He has played in 81 games (49 starts) with the Magic, averaging 10.9 ppg., 1.9 rpg. and 1.9 apg. in 27.5 minpg., while shooting .380 (140-368) from three-point range and .874 (125-143) from the free throw line.

Bradley Beal to stay with Wizards

Per ESPN.com, “All-Star guard Bradley Beal has agreed to a five-year, $251 million maximum contract to stay with the Washington Wizards, his agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports tells ESPN as NBA free agency opened Thursday. Beal, who has played his entire 10-year career with the Wizards, has now committed himself to the franchise for the duration of his prime.”

Lu Dort re-signing with Thunder

Per ESPN.com, “shooting guard Lu Dort has agreed to a five-year, $87.5 million deal to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, his agent, Thad Foucher of Wasserman, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Dort, 23, who is considered one of the NBA’s best wing defenders, signed with the Thunder in 2019 as an undrafted rookie on a two-way contract and emerged as a starter for Oklahoma City’s playoff team that season.”