On Friday, Keyonte George and Ausar Thompson joined their peers in securing rookie-scale extensions, making them the third and fourth members of the 2023 NBA Draft cohort to do so. George, who plays in the backcourt for the Utah Jazz, locked in a five-year contract worth $157.5 million, according to ESPN. Meanwhile, Thompson reached an agreement with the Pistons on highly comparable terms, securing a five-year, $155 million contract. Alongside Victor Wembanyama and Amen Thompson (Ausar’s twin), they constitute the initial group of players from their draft year to land a second NBA deal.
They will undoubtedly not be the final ones. The next obvious candidate from this draft class poised for a massive payday—potentially reaching around $200 million throughout the agreement—is Hornets forward Brandon Miller.
Charlotte experienced an active offseason following the trade that sent standout guard LaMelo Ball to Minnesota, leaving the franchise with a highly flexible salary cap situation starting next year. By parting ways with Ball, the Hornets seem fully committed to building around their promising young duo of Miller and Kon Knueppel.
The primary narrative surrounding the 2023 NBA Draft focused on Charlotte’s eventual selection. Ultimately, the organization opted for Miller over Scoot Henderson, who went third overall to the Portland Trail Blazers. Henderson’s performance in the league has been modest so far, meaning he may need to wait for the restricted free agency period next summer to secure his extension.
Following George’s lucrative new contract, let’s look at which other members of this draft class are lined up for extensions, and who might have to wait past the upcoming weeks. The list below follows the order in which they were drafted.
Brandon Miller, Hornets
The verdict: Give him his money.
It is highly possible that Miller’s average annual salary surpasses what George received. A realistic projection for Miller points to a five-year, $200 million contract. Miller has repeatedly demonstrated the talent that justifies a top-tier salary from this draft group. However, health remains a concern, as he sat out 55 contests in 2024-25 and missed 17 games the year prior. If he remains healthy and continues to grow, Miller has the potential to easily exceed the value of a $200 million agreement.
Scoot Henderson, Trail Blazers
The verdict: Hold off for now.
Coming into the league, Henderson was widely regarded as a premier backcourt prospect of the past ten years. However, his performance has not yet matched those massive expectations. The Trail Blazers’ backcourt is skilled but presents one of the most puzzling rotations in basketball. Should Portland decide to run a starting lineup featuring Ja Morant and Jrue Holiday, Henderson would likely be relegated to a reserve capacity. If his playing time shrinks this season, Henderson projects as a top target for restricted free agency next off-season.
Anthony Black, Magic
The verdict: Extend him now.
Black is fresh off a highly impressive season in Orlando, where he earned 40 starts and put up averages of 15 points, 3.8 boards, and 3.7 assists per game. He has cemented himself within the Magic’s core roster alongside Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Desmond Bane. While Orlando has heavy financial commitments to those four players over the coming three years, securing Black on a rookie extension now could prove to be an absolute steal as he refines his game.
Bilal Coulibaly, Wizards
The verdict: Observe and evaluate.
It is likely that Coulibaly will have to wait until the next off-season to secure his next contract. Selected seventh overall, he has yet to cross the 63-game threshold in any of his initial three seasons because of multiple health setbacks. When active, his defensive presence on the perimeter is undeniable. Washington boasts a highly compelling collection of young talent, led by top pick AJ Dybantsa. This upcoming campaign serves as a crucial test for Coulibaly to establish his long-term fit with the Wizards.
Cason Wallace, Thunder
The verdict: Get a deal done (or watch someone else do it).
Should Oklahoma City fail to reach an agreement on a rookie extension with Wallace, he will instantly become one of the premier restricted free agents available next summer. Given his status as one of the NBA’s most overlooked talents, a franchise with ample cap space would likely extend a massive offer sheet to him. Having freed up financial flexibility by moving Lu Dort and Isaiah Joe this offseason, the Thunder should make extending Wallace a primary focus.
Dereck Lively II, Mavericks
The verdict: Patience is key.
Lively’s trajectory in the league has seen high and low points. During his first year, he emerged as an ideal alley-oop partner for Luka Dončić. Yet, after that standout rookie campaign where he helped Dallas reach the NBA Finals, injuries have limited him to only 43 total appearances over the past two years. After having season-ending surgery in December, his availability for the upcoming season opener remains up in the air. Earlier in the offseason, Lively revealed he had not yet cleared the hurdle to run or jump. The details of his next contract will depend on his recovery and future play.
Gradey Dick, Clippers
The verdict: Monitor his progress.
Following his transition from Toronto to Los Angeles as part of the massive trade involving Kawhi Leonard, he seeks a clean slate with the reconstructed Clippers. Dick participated in 76 matchups with the Raptors last year (starting in just one) while averaging a career-low 14 minutes. He will almost certainly have to wait until next summer to land an extension while both he and the Clippers assess his integration into the roster.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Bucks
The verdict: Hold off on a decision.
Jaquez was a centerpiece in the summer’s most blockbuster transaction, which moved Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee to Miami. He enters this year coming off a runner-up finish to Keldon Johnson in the Sixth Man of the Year race. While Jaquez is a lock to earn a significant second contract, the timing remains up in the air. Milwaukee will likely take their time evaluating how he blends with the squad. Looking ahead, the Bucks have minimal long-term financial obligations beyond next season, with only Gary Trent Jr., Myles Turner, and the dead money from Damian Lillard’s contract (running through 2029-30) taking up significant space.
Brandin Podziemski, Warriors
The verdict: Wait for now.
Golden State has successfully maintained financial flexibility beyond the upcoming season. Aside from a $20.4 million player option for Kristaps Porziņģis and $13.4 million for Moses Moody, the team has no salaries exceeding $10 million on the books. Podziemski has undoubtedly established himself as one of the Warriors’ top performers since entering the league, but if management continues to prioritize cap flexibility, he will likely have to wait until next summer for his payout.
