The Next NBA Stars Who Could Sign a Multi-Million Dollar Deal

With the start of the new season just around the corner, most of the contractual situations surrounding the NBA have already been resolved. However, business never stops in the league, and several players will begin the season with a clear goal in mind: to impress executives and secure their next big contract. Zach Harper, from The Athletic, has compiled a review of the most prominent names who will play under that pressure this season, excluding those still negotiating rookie scale contract extensions. Among the players still eligible for an extension, one of the most interesting is Michael Porter Jr., recently acquired by the Brooklyn Nets to bring offensive power to the starting lineup. His current contract extends for two more seasons, with salaries of $38.3 million this year and $40.8 million in 2026/27. At 27 years old, Porter finds himself in an ideal position to revitalize his career. Brooklyn, still in a rebuilding phase with a developing project, could offer him the perfect environment to shine. However, the big question is what kind of deal the player will seek next summer: will he maintain his value around $40 million annually or prefer a longer extension, albeit with a lower salary, to ensure long-term stability? Harper also analyzes three big men who could headline the 2026 free agency: Kristaps Porziņģis, the new starting center for the Hawks; Nikola Vučević, a veteran from the Bulls; and Mitchell Robinson, who continues his up-and-down journey with the Knicks. Porziņģis and Robinson share a common issue: health. Both have shown more than enough talent when fit, but their injury history raises doubts about their durability. In Robinson's case, the salary cap increase in New York could make him a victim of the luxury tax. Vučević, meanwhile, seems to be nearing the end of his time in Chicago. At 34 years old, his name has long been linked to trade rumors, and with the organization increasingly leaning towards a young rebuild, his departure appears imminent. Harper projects that his next contract will be around $21 million annually, a figure similar to what he will earn in 2025/26. The report also highlights three scorers who will hit free agency in 2026: Anfernee Simons, now with the Celtics; Norman Powell, a summer signing for the Heat; and Coby White, one of the Bulls' most consistent projects in recent years. Harper estimates a value close to $20 million per season for Simons, $75 million over three years for White, and a two-year, $50 million deal for Powell. All three have shown offensive productivity, but their performance this season will determine if franchises are willing to commit long-term to them. **Key Decisions and Emerging Opportunities** The 2026 free agent class will also depend on the decisions of several veterans with player options, such as Zach LaVine (Kings), Bradley Beal (Clippers), and Austin Reaves (Lakers). In addition, young talents like Cam Thomas (Nets) and Quentin Grimes (Sixers) will enter unrestricted free agency after accepting their qualifying offers, looking to recoup the money they turned down in the last offseason. Finally, Harper points out a group of role players who could be coveted if they maintain a high level of performance: Rui Hachimura (Lakers), Tyus Jones (Magic), Keon Ellis (Kings), and Georges Niang (Jazz). Of them all, Ellis seems the most prepared to make the leap. The 25-year-old shooting guard has shown significant progression in the last two seasons, and if he continues to establish himself as a key piece off the bench, he could aspire to a deal similar to the one signed by Ty Jerome with Memphis this summer (three years and $27.6 million).

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