The 4 players seeking a renewal after the end of their rookie contract

With the start of the NBA season getting closer, four players from the 2023 draft class could secure extensions to their rookie contracts in the coming days. According to Marc Stein, these are the four candidates most likely to finalize a new agreement before October 19 at 6:00 PM.

The journalist from The Stein Line identifies Brandon Miller, Anthony Black, Cason Wallace, and Brandin Podziemski as the four players with the highest chances of reaching a rookie contract extension before the deadline.

Miller, Black, Wallace, and Podziemski, the main candidates

Brandon Miller, selected second by Charlotte, Anthony Black, chosen sixth by Orlando, Cason Wallace, tenth pick of the draft by Oklahoma City, and Brandin Podziemski, selected nineteenth by Golden State, are the four names appearing as the main candidates.

If the four secure an extension, they will join Victor Wembanyama, Keontae George, and Amen Thompson as the players from the 2023 class who have already secured an extension to their rookie contracts.

Stein also reports that the Portland Trail Blazers and Scoot Henderson share an interest in reaching an agreement. However, negotiations could become complicated as there is no clear forecast on when the extension might take place.

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Podziemski, the case that raises the most doubts

Among the four candidates, Stein especially focuses on Brandin Podziemski. Both the player and the Golden State Warriors want to reach an agreement before October 19, although there are still doubts about whether they will be able to find common ground.

The journalist from ClutchPoints Brett Siegel explained in July how Podziemski's future extension might look. In his view, the figure could range between 18 and 19 million dollars annually, although he personally expected the contract to exceed 20 million and be between 22 and 24 million per season.

However, in August, Siegel noted that it would not be surprising if Podziemski began the 2026-27 season without having signed the extension and faced the final year of his rookie contract.

"Don't be surprised if Podziemski starts the 2026-27 season in the last year of his rookie contract and faces restricted free agency next summer. After all, he still needs to prove his overall value, whether as a starter or as the team's sixth man," Siegel explained.

Warriors and player, separated by several million

Siegel revisited the negotiations during Thursday's edition of Clutch Scoops. According to his information, Podziemski's camp is seeking a contract exceeding the mid-level exception, with an amount that could range between 20 and 24 million dollars annually.

The Warriors, for their part, would prefer to keep the player's salary in a range of 16 to 18 million dollars per season.

"Perhaps some kind of middle ground can be found. Maybe Podziemski would be willing to accept 18 million. Personally, I believe, based on the conversations I've had, that if he went to the Warriors saying he would accept 18 or 19 million dollars annually, the Warriors would reach an agreement to offer him a new contract," Siegel stated.

Even so, the journalist does not sense much urgency from either party. Podziemski has made it clear that he wants to stay in Golden State, while the Warriors are comfortable waiting and have around 60 million dollars they could work with next summer.

"The feeling I have is that he is okay with waiting. The Warriors are also okay with waiting. They don't want to limit what they could potentially do in free agency and when it comes to bringing talent to this roster," Siegel explained.

For now, there is no agreement on the table. Golden State has until October 19 to find that common ground or allow Podziemski to play the final year of his rookie contract.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los 4 jugadores que optan a una renovación tras el final del contrato rookie