OG Anunoby’s four-year, $72 million contract extension still looks just as good for the Raptors as the day it was reported.
But the other five deals reached shortly before last week’s rookie-scale-extension deadline? They all had terms not initially reported that change the assessments at least somewhat – all in favor of the team.
Jonathan Isaac (Magic)
Initially reported terms: Four years, $80 million
Isaac – who’s currently out for the season with a torn ACL – will get just $69.6 million in base salary. The other $10.4 million comes only if he stays healthy. Certain injury could even render his contract completely unguaranteed.
John Hollinger of The Athletic:
Isaac looked quite promising before getting hurt. If he gets back on track, this deal will be a steal.
It’s always difficult to evaluate medical risk from the outside – often even from the inside. But Orlando got significant injury protection.
Derrick White (Spurs)
Initially reported terms: Four years, $73 million
This actually counts as four years, $70 million – including $500,000 of likely annual incentives. White has another $750,000 annually of unlikely incentives.
Hollinger:
Even 70 games is not a lock. White remains sidelined by a toe injury. (Presumably, that’s prorated to 62 games in this shortened season).
White could (and probably should) increase his 3-point volume. He has made 36% of his career 3s, though peaked at just 3.2 attempts per game last season.
An All-Defensive team is certainly possible. But just four guards make it per year. Even the best defensive guards aren’t assured of a slot.
Luke Kennard (Clippers)
Initially reported terms: Four years, $64 million
Kennard’s deal is just $41,236,364 guaranteed. The last year is a $14,763,636 team option. There are also $8 million of incentives.
Hollinger:
If all goes well for the 24-year-old, the team option will be irrelevant. But it offers the Clippers protection if Kennard’s knee issues linger or other issues emerge.
The Clippers are very good, so all Kennard’s playoff-advancement bonuses are at least reachable.
Markelle Fultz (Magic)
Initially reported terms: Three years, $50 million
Just $2 million of Fultz’s third-year $17 million salary is guaranteed. So, this could become a two-year, $35 million deal – which looks far more palatable.
Hollinger:
It’s foolish to predict any single player will win Most Improved Player. But after all his shooting struggles, Fultz has at least established a potential career arc that will appeal to voters.
I wouldn’t bet on Fultz ever shooting well enough to provide surplus value at this salary. But I’m not sure Orlando had a better way to spend its money over the next couple years.
Kyle Kuzma (Lakers)
Initially reported terms: Three years, $40 million
This is actually a three-year $39 million deal, according to Basketball Insiders. Classic psychological pricing with public-facing rounding.
But it’s not really a big difference for the Lakers, who project to be capped out anyway with LeBron James and Anthony Davis locked in.