The 2018 NBA Draft class has all been eligible to sign rookie extensions this offseason. After 3 years of playing in the league, they enter this season with the final of their original rookie contracts. But for the most part, these players have signed massive extensions.
The 2018 rookie class has created some absolute superstars. Players like Luka Doncic and Trae Young have already ascended to superstar status, and become All-Stars on multiple occasions. But while Doncic and Young have garnered all the plaudits, there are other players who have been improving at a great pace.
Players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Michael Porter Jr. have quietly been upping their game over the last few years. And many believe they are just one good season away from breaking out and ascending to All-Star level.
Other 2018 stars like Jaren Jackson Jr., Robert Williams, Kevin Huerter, Deandre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges have also become reliable performers for their respective teams and have shown their high potential going into the future.
In fact, the 2018 rookie class has had a lot of players sign a rookie extension. And with Jaren Jackson Jr.’s contract extension, the 2018 class have collectively signed contract extensions worth more than $1 billion, surpassing any other draft class in NBA history.
And after the latest rookie extension for Kevin Huerter, that mark crossed $1.1 billion, a truly historic number for the 2018 class.
The Jackson extension puts the 2018 rookie class over the $1 billion dollar mark in extensions.
It is the largest amount in league history for rookie first round extensions. https://t.co/Ofk1lUnpHl
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 18, 2021
And that’s the record for most extensions in one offseason.
$1.1 billion in new contracts https://t.co/1GKuldphIz
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 18, 2021
Luka Doncic: 5 years, $207,060,000
Trae Young: 5 years, $172,500,000
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 5 years, $172,500,000
Michael Porter Jr.: 5 years, $172,500,000
Mikal Bridges: 4 years, $90,000,000
Wendell Carter Jr.: 4 years, $50,000,000
Robert Williams: 4 years, $48,000,000
Jaren Jackson Jr.: 4 years, $105,000,000
Kevin Huerter: 4 years, $65,000,000
Not all players from the 2018 class have been so fortunate. Deandre Ayton, the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, has not received a rookie contract extension, because he wants the max, something the Phoenix Suns are not willing to give him. Ayton is understandably disappointed with the entire situation.
After just 3 seasons, these players have plenty of time to establish themselves as some of the best players in the league. And their teams clearly seem to have a lot of faith in them to do so, given the fact that many of these players have signed massive contract extensions.
