Collin Sexton, Deandre Ayton, Others Await Contract Extension Fates

October 18, 2021

The deadline for rookie-scale contract extensions for the NBA Draft Class is 6 p.m. EST on Monday, and 16 players from that draft remain without.

Most notably of that group — Suns center Deandre Ayton, Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton and Hawks guard/forward Kevin Huerter.

Ayton was the No. 1 pick that season and was the starting center for the Suns during their run through the Western Conference last year.

Sexton, meanwhile, led the Cavaliers in scoring.

“In terms of where we’re going, and we obviously want him around long term,” Cavs general manager Koby Altman told SiriusXM NBA Radio, via Orel Dizon of Cavaliers Nation. “I can’t get too deep into the discussions.

“But from an intangible standpoint, from the fact that he wanted to be in Cleveland, Ohio and help us grow this thing from the start, he’s gotten better every single year and at 22 years old, averaged 24 points a game on efficient shooting. He’s about what we want to be about — a gritty tough group that loves to be here and wants to push this thing forward.”

But as they say, money talks. And that is what it will come down to for Sexton and the Cavs, and anyone else looking to cash in after their rookie deals.

Below is the complete list of players awaiting rookie-scale contract extensions from the 2018 class:

Grayson Allen (Bucks)
Deandre Ayton (Suns)
Marvin Bagley III (Kings)
Mohamed Bamba (Magic)
Miles Bridges (Hornets)
Troy Brown (Bulls)
Donte DiVincenzo (Bucks)
Aaron Holiday (Wizards)
Kevin Huerter (Hawks)
Kevin Knox (Knicks)
Josh Okogie (Timberwolves)
Collin Sexton (Cavaliers)
Landry Shamet (Suns)
Anfernee Simons (Trail Blazers)
Lonnie Walker (Spurs)

“The majority of these guys won’t sign new deals until the 2022 offseason, when they’re eligible for restricted free agency,” wrote Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors. “But it would be a surprise if at least a couple more players from this list don’t finalize rookie scale extensions today. Ayton, Bridges, Huerter, Jackson, and Sexton are some of the best candidates.”

Others from the 2018 class have already signed or agreed to new deals: Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr., Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Michael Porter Jr., Mikal Bridges, Robert Williams, and Wendell Carter Jr.