It looks like there won’t be any significant transactions on the last day of the window for rookie scale contract extensions. With Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves), TJ Warren (Phoenix Suns) and Gary Harris (Denver Nuggets) already locked up on massive deals, the possibility of another contract extensions has become remote though anything is possible.
Still, few related topics are as worthy a discussion such as Zach Lavine’s future with the Chicago Bulls, Marcus Smart’s role with the Boston Celtics and Jusuf Nurkic’s expectations heading into his first full season in Portland with the Trail Blazers.
Zach Lavine
The high-flying guard came to Chicago along with Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen in a blockbuster draft night trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 13th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Lavine was putting up career-high numbers (18.9 PPG on 45 percent field goal shooting and 38 percent three-point shooting) during the first half of the 2016-17 NBA season, but a torn ACL in his left knee ended his campaign prematurely.
With the Bulls, Lavine will have all the time in the world to recover from his first major injury and play without the heavy pressure of leading the team to the playoffs. Veteran NBA writer KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune noted that Bulls management considers Lavine as the centerpiece of their rebuilding efforts.
A last-minute contract extension is unlikely, but the insider cleared that Lavine is a virtual lock to return to Chicago next year.
“The Bulls have made clear that barring an unexpected setback in LaVine's return from left ACL surgery, re-signing him is a matter of when, not if,” Johnson writes.
Marcus Smart
The 23-year-old Smart is projected to have a breakout year, filling the void left by defensive stoppers Avery Bradley and Joe Crowder.
The former Oklahoma State star averaged 10.6 PPG, 4.6 APG and 3.9 RPG in 30 MPG during the 2016-17 NBA season. A significant jump in his numbers – particularly on offense - is expected as he will have a bigger role under Brad Stevens despite the presence of heavy-scorers Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.
As for his future in Boston, Adam Kauffman of CBS Sports reported on Saturday that the Celtics have already contacted Smart’s agent to discuss a potential contract extension, though the insiders stressed he would be surprised if a deal is reached.
Should they beat the deadline, the Celtics will avoid the risk of losing Smart to free agency next summer.
Jusuf Nurkic
There will also be no contract extension for Portland Trail Blazers big man Jusuf Nurkic. The Bosnian center is gearing up for his first full season with the Blazers after a mid-season trade sent him to Portland. In 20 games, Nurkic put up a career-high 15.2PPG on 50 percent field goal shooting with 10.3 RPG and 3.1 APG in 20 games.
For the first time since losing LaMarcus Aldridge to free agency, the Blazers finally have a legit scoring option in the paint and a potential third star alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Moreover, Nurkic does seem to love his current situation in Portland that he already expressed his desire to stay long-term.
"Bottom line – “I want to be here. And I'll let my agent handle the other things," Nurkic told Oregon Live.
Unless he suffers another major injury, Nurkic is expected to re-sign with Portland next summer.
