Contract extensions deadline for 2006 draft class extended to Nov. 2

[lon3lytoaster]

Can't believe Phoenix, desperately seeking a decent, young backup PG in 2006 to replace nash so they wouldn't have to extend an old guy(like they did) drafted and sold away both Rondo and Rodriguez. What idiots.

Then signed Marcus Banks to a huge contract, when they like to save money.

[indeedproceed]

Otherwise, I don't see any real reason to move the deadline.  How many of the guys in that draft are even negotiating extensions?

That was my thought. We'd be hearing if Brewer Gay or Thomas were in talks.

Although, Sefelosha's extension did come out of nowhere.

[nickagneta]

I understand that a lot of guys on this list aren't worth the size 10 typeface they appear on, but noteable guys who are gonna be presumed FA's:

Ronnie Brewer
Rudy Gay
Rajon Rondo

Leads me to wonder why this was extended. Those three guys are in my mind the only ones who are really gonna get a good look for a lucrative extension.

So why the push?

  Because the deadline is a saturday, so they're pushing it to a business day.

Is that a real reason?

Who knows; keeping the office closed on Saturday saves the NBA some minor amount of money, I'm sure.  That could be all the rationale they need.

Otherwise, I don't see any real reason to move the deadline.  How many of the guys in that draft are even negotiating extensions?

Furthermore..how many of those guys in that draft deserve to be in the league next year?

Can't believe of the four guys extended Sefelosha was one of them. That's mind boggling.

[indeedproceed]

Can't believe of the four guys extended Sefelosha was one of them. That's mind boggling.

There is a method to the madness.

If they didn't extend him now, the only way around it would be to either quickly agree to deal with Sefolosha next summer before pursuing free agents, or to renounce his rights entirely and make him an unrestricted free agent. The first option would basically leave the Thunder over a barrel if Sefolosha’s agent is worth his salt, and the second is unappetizing since Oklahoma City views the defensive ace as part of its core going forward.

Thus, extending him today – to a four-year deal with a first-year salary, I’m told, that’s less than half his cap hold – allows the Thunder to go forward with a much bigger trove of cap space next summer while still preserving the asset. In the NBA's current financial climate it's unusual to extend a role player before he hits restricted free agency, but in this particular case it made a ton of sense as a cap management strategy going forward.

[Who]

Otherwise, I don't see any real reason to move the deadline.  How many of the guys in that draft are even negotiating extensions?

That was my thought. We'd be hearing if Brewer Gay or Thomas were in talks.

Although, Sefelosha's extension did come out of nowhere.

Brewer and Gay are in negotiations. There were a bunch of articles on Ronnie Brewer's contract negotiations about a week ago but their GM wouldn't comment on the likelihood of getting a deal done. I doubt the Bulls are talking to Ty Thomas.

Utah should tie up Ronnie Brewer as quickly as possible. I think they'll get a good deal on him ... and that he'd earn a fair bit more next season if they fail to get the extension done.

[indeedproceed]

Otherwise, I don't see any real reason to move the deadline.  How many of the guys in that draft are even negotiating extensions?

That was my thought. We'd be hearing if Brewer Gay or Thomas were in talks.

Although, Sefelosha's extension did come out of nowhere.

Brewer and Gay are in negotiations. There were a bunch of articles on Ronnie Brewer's contract negotiations about a week ago but their GM wouldn't comment on the likelihood of getting a deal done. I doubt the Bulls are talking to Ty Thomas.

Utah should tie up Ronnie Brewer as quickly as possible. I think they'll get a good deal on him ... and that he'd earn a fair bit more next season if they fail to get the extension done.

I think he's probably earn a fair bit more. There are a lot of FA's next year, and a fair amount of teams under the cap, but there are also a fair amount of upper mid level players (think David Lee) who are also going to be FA's. I don't know that beyond the top tier guys its really going to be a seller's market.

[Who]

I really like the Thabo Sefolosha signing. I reckon they got him on a bargain contract.

Very good defender. Creates turnovers, is a stopper and can play team defense. Excellent rebounder for a two guard. Nice slasher (cutter) offensively, good finisher in the paint. Able to play both wing spots at a high level. Effects games without needing the ball in his hands. Good-to-very good role player.

He's a jump shot away from being a really special role player.

[Donoghus]

Can't believe of the four guys extended Sefelosha was one of them. That's mind boggling.

There is a method to the madness.

If they didn't extend him now, the only way around it would be to either quickly agree to deal with Sefolosha next summer before pursuing free agents, or to renounce his rights entirely and make him an unrestricted free agent. The first option would basically leave the Thunder over a barrel if Sefolosha’s agent is worth his salt, and the second is unappetizing since Oklahoma City views the defensive ace as part of its core going forward.

Thus, extending him today – to a four-year deal with a first-year salary, I’m told, that’s less than half his cap hold – allows the Thunder to go forward with a much bigger trove of cap space next summer while still preserving the asset. In the NBA's current financial climate it's unusual to extend a role player before he hits restricted free agency, but in this particular case it made a ton of sense as a cap management strategy going forward.

Smart management there by Oklahoma City.  It'll be interesting to see what they do with that cap space and what they can attract there.