Star Players Facing Crucial Extension Choices
As the NBA heads into the 2025 offseason, several high-profile players are eligible for contract extensions that could shape the future of their teams and the league. Among the top names are Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks, and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. According to insights from Bobby Marks on ESPN, the decisions these stars makeโwhether to sign now or waitโcarry significant financial and strategic implications.
The landscape of extensions has evolved with recent collective bargaining agreements, allowing players to secure larger deals before hitting free agency. This trend has made the 2025 offseason a critical juncture for many franchises looking to lock in their core talent. For fans, the anticipation builds around which players will commit long-term and which might test the market.
Breaking Down the Big Three's Potential Deals
Trae Young, the dynamic point guard for the Hawks, is among those eligible for a lucrative extension. While specific figures for Young's potential deal in 2025 aren't widely detailed in recent reports, his past extension in 2021 was valued at a five-year, $172.5 million contract, with potential to escalate based on performance triggers. The Hawks' front office must weigh Young's on-court impact against roster flexibility as they consider their offer this offseason.
Karl-Anthony Towns, now with the Knicks after a notable tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves, also faces a pivotal decision. Towns has previously signed extensions, including a four-year, $210.9 million deal in 2022 when he was named to the All-NBA Third Team. His current situation with New York will likely influence whether he opts for security with an extension or explores other opportunities, especially given recent trade discussions surrounding his name.
Luka Doncic, the Mavericks' superstar, stands out as a prime candidate for a supermax extension. Reports indicate that Doncic could sign a five-year deal worth up to $346 million in the 2025 offseason. Given his consistent excellence and central role in Dallas, it's widely expected that he will extend, though posts on X suggest a high likelihoodโaround 95%โof him staying due to limited cap space for max contracts elsewhere.
Broader Implications for Teams and the League
The decisions of Young, Towns, and Doncic are not isolated; they reflect a broader wave of extension-eligible stars in 2025, including players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. Each contract signed will impact team salary caps and competitive balance across the NBA. For instance, a supermax deal for Doncic could limit Dallas' ability to build around him, while a decision by Towns to wait might signal potential trades or roster shakeups in New York.
Franchises must also consider long-term planning beyond just financials. Locking in a star can stabilize a teamโs identity and fanbase, but overcommitting to a single player risks future flexibility. As Bobby Marks noted on ESPN, 'Which stars will sign extensions and which should wait it out?' remains the defining question of this offseason, with answers that will resonate through upcoming seasons.