​On Friday, Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ generational rookie, continued a trend that Jalen Brunson highlighted two years ago with the New York Knicks. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Defensive Player of the Year and the Spurs have agreed to a five-year, $252 million maximum rookie-scale contract extension. The deal stands out not only for its staggering total but also because Wembanyama opted for a 25% maximum instead of the 30% supermax. That choice frees up roughly $50 million in cap space for the Spurs over the next several seasons to further bolster the roster.
Yet Wembanyama’s team-first approach isn’t an isolated move, as Brunson recently demonstrated. In 2024, the three-time All-Star signed a four-year, $156.5 million deal that was about $113 million less than what he could have earned by waiting to sign a max extension in 2025. This marks two elite players who have accepted discounted extensions within the last two years, suggesting a developing pattern among prime stars who recognize they can still secure substantial earnings while increasing their chances of winning a title by taking a smaller deal.
With this context, it’s worth considering another group of top players who could follow suit and opt for team-friendly extensions. Take Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, for example. Cunningham agreed to a five-year, $269 million extension before this season, locking him in through 2029-2030. If Detroit fails to reach its potential or make a deep playoff run in the near future, Cunningham might reevaluate his situation and entertain a discounted extension to help the team assemble a stronger supporting cast.
Then there’s Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, who has become a fixture in contract discussions this offseason. Although Jokic has repeatedly expressed a desire to finish his career in Colorado and compete for championships, he holds a player option for $62.8 million next season. It wouldn’t be surprising if he chooses a discounted rate next summer—whether with Denver or another franchise—to be part of a championship-contending roster.
Similarly, the Giannis Antetokounmpo scenario has lingered because the 10-time All-Star can opt out after next season. The expectation is that he will sign a multi-year deal with his next team, the Miami Heat, and that the 31-year-old star may accept a reduced figure to reinforce his pursuit of another title.
Brunson’s move this spring underscored the potential benefits of choosing a more modest extension in the interest of team success. If the trend continues, more star players in their prime could follow suit, balancing large earnings with enhanced chances of winning championships.