Breaking down the insane $1.1 billion rookie contract extensions for the 2022 NBA draft class.

There is always a race against time for NBA teams and players entering the final year of their rookie contracts before the start of the new season. This year has been no exception, as several notable first-round picks from the 2022 NBA Draft have been in extensive negotiations with their organizations to try to reach a long-term deal.

For some, like Dyson Daniels and Christian Brown, were able to finalize the agreements in the final hours before the Monday night 6pm ET deadline to do so.

Then there were others, like Jaden Ivey, Benedict Maturin and Tara Eason, who weren’t so lucky and will enter the 2025-26 NBA season in the final year of their rookie contracts before becoming restricted free agents next summer.

Of course, some who don’t currently receive contract extensions won’t necessarily become true restricted free agents, as teams tend to negotiate new contracts with their pending free agents before they even think about testing free agency. Right now, this seems like the most likely scenario for players like Ivey and Eason.

This 2022 draft class has already left its mark on the NBA.

Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren both proved to be vital parts of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship equation, and were richly rewarded with maximum extensions.

Paolo Banchero established himself as a pillar of the Orlando Magic. Jabari Smith Jr. and Keegan Murray both have proven to be essential parts of the core of the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings. And we can’t forget Daniels, who was just named the 2024-25 NBA MVP last season.

That’s how many impact players have earned rookie contract extensions before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, and the nine players who received new contracts have a total of $1.1 billion in contracts. While the nine players with new extensions are down from the 11 signed last offseason, this is still a strong group of players.

Here is a gallery of the nine players who will receive contract extensions at the start of the new NBA season:

Jaylen Williams – Oklahoma City Thunder

Contract extension: 5 years, $241 million → could reach $287 million

There was never any doubt that the Thunder would extend Jaylen Williams entering the offseason, especially after the championship.

The 24-year-old swingman has become one of the league’s top No. 2 stars alongside Shai Giljus-Alexander, and he fully embraced his role without ego. While Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear leader of the team, Williams is the one who fills in the gaps and is the heart and soul of the organization.

In three seasons, Williams went from underrated rookie to All-Star potential to first All-Star and NBA champion. It doesn’t get much better than this for Williams, as he is now viewed as a top 25 player in the NBA and a young talent still in the growth stages of his career.

With this new deal, Williams is guaranteed $241 million through the 2030-31 season, and his contract could jump to a total of $287 million based on potential accolades and/or awards he receives.

Paolo Banchero – Orlando Magic

Contract extension: 5 years, $241 million → could reach $287 million

If Paolo Banchero had not suffered hair injury at the start of the 2024-25 seasonhe would be an All-Star and an All-NBA player. Maybe the Orlando Magic would even finish higher than the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, changing the entire picture of the playoffs.

This season, Banchero and the Magic have high expectations for themselves, as many are already marking them as a surefire surprise team in the East. The former No. 1 overall pick averaged over 20 points per game each season in Orlando, and his all-around ability proved enough to Jeff Weltman and the Magic front office that he could be a cornerstone of the franchise.

Like Williams, this contract could reach a total of $287 million based on potential accolades and/or awards he receives.

Chet Holmgren – Oklahoma City Thunder

Contract extension: 5 years, $241 million → could reach $250 million

While he played in just 32 games last season due to a fractured hip and some other injuries, Chet Holmgren has established himself as one of the league’s most versatile big men with the potential to challenge Victor Vembanyama for multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Holmgren has been essential to the Thunder’s championship run, and he is the anchor of the team’s top-rated defensive attack. Only Holmgren, Vembanyama, Walker Kessler and Anthony Davis averaged at least 2.2 blocks per game during the 2024-25 season.

Although Holmgren received the same maximum extension of $241 million that Williams and Banchero received, he actually did Grom a favor since his business can only reach $250 million. Essentially, Holmgren is taking less potential money going forward to give Sam Presti and the Thunder front office some relief, especially since Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander will likely be max-money All-NBA talents.

Keegan Murray – Sacramento Kings

Contract extension: 5 years, $140 million

Unfortunately, the Sacramento Kings will begin the 2025-26 NBA season without Keegan Murray on the floor after the 25-year-old he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb. The good news is that Kings fans don’t have to worry about Murray leaving anytime soon, as he is now under contract with the team through the 2030-31 season.

Murray has made at least 150 3-pointers in all three seasons in Sacramento, and his 543 total since being drafted is the most of any Kings player in this span.

With the direction of the Kings franchise uncertain, Murray is poised to be a long-term building block for their future.

Christian Brown – Denver Nuggets

Contract extension: 5 years, $125 million

Since being drafted by the Denver Nuggets, Christian Brown has shown clear improvement on both sides of the basketball every year. Last season, he became one of the Nuggets’ most important players outside of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray because of his ability to make game-winning plays off the bench.

Before Monday’s extension deadline, the Browns and Denver agreed to a a five-year, $125 million contract which contains no options. Brown is one of four Nuggets players who will make at least $20 million through the 2026-27 season.

Jabari Smith Jr. – Houston Rockets

Contract extension: 5 years, $122 million

Despite Jabari Smith Jr. still not making much of an All-Star or No. 1 scoring option, he still has plenty of upside, and the Houston Rockets were willing to bet on him long-term.

Now that he’s starting to play alongside Kevin Durant, Smith should see plenty of offensive opportunities this season, and he’ll be able to learn from a legend who shares similar tendencies to him, being nearly seven-foot and an avid jumper. Houston won 52 games last year and Smith played a key role in their offensive success.

The Rockets gave Smith a five-year, $122 million extension with an annual average value of about $24.4 million, knowing his role and production would increase. At 22, Smith still has plenty of untapped potential on both ends of the court.

Dyson Daniels – Atlanta Hawks

Contract extension: 4 years, $100 million

Along with Brown, Daniels also beat Monday night’s deadline with a four-year, $100 million contract to stay in Atlanta through the 2029-30 season. In his first year with the Hawks, Daniels stood out in a huge way.

In addition to establishing himself as a major two-way star at guard, Daniels led the league in steals and won the 2024-25 NBA MVP award. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned his first All-Defensive First Team honor.

After inking Jaylen Johnson to a $150 million deal last offseason, the Hawks made sure to avoid a restricted free agency nightmare with Daniels by getting him this $100 million extension.

Shaedon Sharpe – Portland Trail Blazers

Contract extension: 4 years, $90 million

The Portland Trail Blazers are very high on the talent and potential that Shaddon Sharp possesses, and they expect big things from the 22-year-old entering the 2025-26 season. Sharp averaged a career-high 18.5 points per game in his third season with the Blazers, and will now be the featured scorer alongside Danny Avdia for head coach Chauncey Billups.

Sharp recently agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract before Monday’s extension deadline, which rewards him for his potential as well as puts the organization in a safe place financially without breaking the bank for a young talent.

Nikola Jovic – Miami Heat

Contract extension: 4 years, $62.4 million

Many have wondered why the Miami Heat were eager to extend Nikola Jovic instead of waiting to see what he could do in his fourth year. Jovic has many fans in the Heat organization, and they believe he is ready for a breakout 2025-26 campaign with Jimmy Butler gone.

Since being drafted 27th overall in 2022, Jovic has averaged 37 percent from 3-point range, and his offensive numbers have steadily increased over the past three seasons. In 29 games without Butler last season, Jovic averaged 12.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

While he still has a lot to prove, $15.6 million isn’t a huge dent in the Heat’s roster, and it still puts the organization in a good position to keep Tyler Hero on a new, long-term deal.