Common NBA management "wisdom" has been to offer a team's most promising rookies a lucrative rookie contract extension during the last year of their rookie contracts. In theory, this allows each team to keep their young talent at a price that would be lower than if a "bidding war" occurred at the end of the player's rookie contract. This move is also thought to inspire greater sense of team loyalty and an increased motivation to succeed. This has not, and cannot be proven.
Consequently, every NBA team has extended this type of offer to at least one rookie this decade. Yes, even the perinniel losers. This is a classic case of "doing too much" because rookie extensions only make sense 10% of the time, at best.
For example, last season the Phoenix Suns refused to offer DeAndre Ayton, a former lottery pick & #1 draft selection, a rookie extention during the final year of his rookie contract. Ayton proceeded to average 17.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg (his 3rd double-double season), shot an outstanding 63% from the field, and he anchored the regular season's winningest team. DeAndre Ayton literally played the best basketball of his career with no guarantees.
DeAndre Ayton was allowed to negotiate with other teams, and the Suns had the right to match any offers. Since Ayton is 7 feet tall, athletic, a solid interior scorer, a strong rebounder, a more than capable defender, and only 23 years old, his value was assumedvto be very high. The Indiana Pacers offered Ayton $133M for four seasons of play. The very next day the Phoenix Suns WILLINGLY matched the Pacers' offer. Why not? They get to keep their young stud, save $39M, and their impartiality during contract negotiations took all emotions out of any potential "bidding war". The DeAndre Ayton signing was a win-win situation that allowed the player see his actual "worth". Most times real player worth, and perceived worth are completely different.
During this off season several teams have signed players to incredible extentions and contracts ($200M+). Ironically, not one of these players has an NBA championship in their resume. Furthermore, if the management on their teams had the skill/knowledge of the Suns administrators, then NONE of them would have made such an unbeneficial manuever. If DeAndre Ayton could be signed at a $39M discount, then every one of the players signed this offseason would have been discounted as well. Some for much more money than $39M. Can anyone say Zach Lavine?
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