The NBA offseason is coming to an end. We are one week away from the beginning of the 2020/21 regular season and with the exception of some players that want to leave their current teams, every franchise in the league has pretty much completed their plans ahead of the new campaign.
Some of the biggest names for the 2021 free agency have pulled out of the free market one year before and some squads have secured their futures after re-signing some huge players that will take their game to the next level.
Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a huge contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks that will secure him $256 million over the next five years and the Greek Freak can’t be happier about it. However, he wasn’t the only one who agreed to an extension this offseason. Several players hit the bank in recent weeks and it’s time to remember the biggest contracts extensions we’ve seen this year.
LeBron James
LeBron James surprised everybody with his contract extension this offseason. Of course, LeBron wasn’t expected to leave the Lakers after this campaign but he wasn’t expected to re-sign so soon, either. The King inked a two-year, $85 million deal that will allow him to play with Bronny James in the future.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most recent case of the players that signed contract extensions this short yet entertaining offseason. The Greek Freak has been part of the Milwaukee Bucks since 2013 and if everything goes right for him and the team, he’ll be with them at least until 2025. Giannis agreed to a five-year, $228 million contract with the Bucks.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis was another big name on this list and even though reports suggested he was waiting for Giannis to re-sign or not, AD did it first and secured his future with a 5-year, $190 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers a couple of days ago. The Brow comes from winning an NBA championship and he’s hoping to get the back-to-back this upcoming campaign.
Paul George
Although he didn’t have the best first season with the Los Angeles Clippers, Paul George was offered a 4-year extension and he didn’t hesitate to take it. PG13 recently said he owed a title to the Clippers and he won’t rest until he fulfills his promise. George’s contract is worth $190 million.
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum never thought about leaving the Boston Celtics and the team has very high hopes for him ahead of the new season and several years to come. Tatum received the full designated rookie max extension last month, which can get him $200 million over five years.
Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell, also part of that 2017 rookie class where Tatum was drafted 3rd overall pick, also received a max contract extension. The guaranteed money is $163 but with escalators, Mitchell could take home $195 million at the end of that deal. The Utah Jazz found their guy in Mitchell and they’re not letting him go anytime soon.
De’Aaron Fox
De’Aaron Fox was also part of that famous 2017 draft class. The Sacramento Kings were said to be wanting to deal Fox but the player is staying put. Fox signed the most lucrative deal in the team’s history when he inked a 5-year, $163 million deal with the team. He could get $195.6 million with escalators in a team full of potential.
Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram is a curious case. After he left the Los Angeles Lakers, plenty of fans believed his career was pretty much “over” but the player had different ideas. As soon as he landed in New Orleans, he demonstrated he can be the figure of the Pelicans. They wanted to retain him and offered him $158 million over five years. Of course, Ingram took it and now he’s set to stay with the Pelicans, who have a big duo with him and Zion Williamson.
Fred VanVleet
A lot was said about Fred VanVleet’s future with the Toronto Raptors before they decided to shut down any rumor of a potential split. VanVleet hit the bank after signing a four-year, $85 million deal with the Raptors, putting the cherry on the top of a terrific career for the guard.
Joe Harris
Joe Harris was also linked with an exit from the Brooklyn Nets but he decided to stay in New York for four more years and $75 million. Harris is one of the best sharpshooters in the league and his presence will bring a lot of benefits for the Nets, who already have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving back in action.