These 7 looming contract decisions could define the NBA season
· Yahoo Sports
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.
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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.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat
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.
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
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.
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
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.
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
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.
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.
Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
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.
Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets
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