NBA Rumors: Scoop On Who Did and Didn't Get Contract Extensions and Why
The time has come and gone for some of the league's best young players to receive extensions on their rookie contracts.
And to the surprise of many across the NBA landscape, there were some shocking deals that did and didn't happen.
A few big name players watched as their team chose not to sign them to extensions while others cashed in despite disappointing starts in the NBA.
So, what players were and weren't signed?
Let's take a look at some of the biggest surprises that took place at the deadline.
10. Got One: Jared Dudley
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The Phoenix Suns signed forward Jared Dudley to a contract extension, one of the first signings under the new front-office regime in Phoenix.
This wasn't a blockbuster signing by any means but a noteworthy one nonetheless.
Did He Deserve One? You could make the argument that Dudley probably wouldn't get an offer like that as a restricted free agent next season, but I'm not sure that's the case.
Dudley is obviously a role player. That's what he'll always be.
But he fits his role well: solid defense (led the Suns in steals last year), decent rebounding and great from behind the arc (fourth in the NBA with a 45.8 three-point percentage last season).
This was an under-the-radar move that should pay off in Alvin Gentry's system.
9. Didn't Get One: Arron Afflalo
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Denver Nuggets shooting guard Arron Afflalo was not offered a contract extension by the team, but he was just happy even being considered for one.
Afflalo told the Denver Post, "I believe it's a privileged position to even be having the ability to have that conversation right now, with only two or three guys in my class even signing,"
But, is that just smoke and mirrors? Because he's probably not too happy he didn't get one.
Did He Deserve One? I'd argue that the Nuggets should have given Afflalo a contract extension.
He seems to be taking on a bigger role in Denver's offense so far this season, and that role will only increase with the impending departure of Carmelo Anthony.
Afflalo may not be a superstar, but he's the kind of guy you like to have on your team.
8. Got One: Kevin Love
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The Minnesota Timberwolves exercised the $4.6 million contract option on forward Kevin Love for the 2011-2012 season.
They also exercised options on Johnny Flynn and Michael Beasley, but we'll just take a look at Love here.
Did He Deserve One? Yes, the Timberwolves clearly made the right move by exercising the option on Love.
Love does not play a whole lot of minutes, but he still is a double-double threat night in and night out.
In fact, in just 25 minutes per game so far this season, Love averages 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Just imagine how those numbers would improve if Love saw more action. Minnesota has to play this guy more.
7. Didn't Get One: Wilson Chandler
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Wilson Chandler was not offered a contract extension due to the uncertainty of next season's collective bargaining agreement, according to the New York Daily News.
I think there's other reasons, but we'll get into that.
Did He Deserve One? If the Knicks had any desire to keep Chandler in New York, I'd say yes, he probably deserves one because of the potential he has to develop into a very good player.
But, I don't think he has any place in the Knicks' long-term plans: They'll either ship him to Denver in a trade for Carmelo Anthony, or they'll let him walk away from the team at the end of the season.
Chandler's had a heck of a start to the season, but doubt over his future in New York probably prevented him from signing an extension.
6. Got One: Al Horford
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Atlanta Hawks forward/center Al Horford was said to be looking for a max deal from the team—really, Al?—but the two sides agreed to a five-year extension worth $50 million.
That's a bit more like it.
Did He Deserve One? Yes, it still doesn't make up for the terrible Joe Johnson contract, but the Hawks made a smart decision by re-signing Horford.
I would have liked this deal a lot more had they given him about $10 million per season, but Horford has done exactly what people expected of him during his time in Atlanta.
He's scored in the low double-digits and averaged at least nine rebounds every season.
Horford doesn't need to score to be effective. He knows his role with the Hawks, and he performs it well.
5. Didn't Get One: Aaron Brooks
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Aaron Brooks surprisingly did not receive a contract extension from the Houston Rockets.
I guess maybe they're holding out for a Steve Francis return.
Did He Deserve One? The answer to this question is quite simple: yes.
Brooks will never be grouped with the elite point guards in the NBA, but he's certainly a good one and teams without a good point guard tend to struggle in this league.
I'm not sure what Houston's reasoning behind not signing Brooks was, but he's clearly a better option at the point than Kyle Lowry, despite his small stature.
4. Got One: Mike Conley
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Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley agreed to a five-year, $40 million contract extension that certainly serves as the "WTF?" moment of the signing period.
Did He Deserve One? Hell no! Why on Earth did the Grizzlies pay Mike Conley $40 million?
Conley, at the very pinnacle of his career, will be a fringe starter at best, and that's looking at things from an optimistic point of view.
The Grizzlies could have easily let the signing deadline go by and let the market set the price for Conley in the offseason.
But they didn't.
And it absolutely blows my mind.
3. Didn't Get One: Jeff Green
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Jeff Green has been a key piece to the success of the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the third-year forward was not offered a contract extension by the team.
He is sure to be a hot commodity on the free agent market next season.
Did He Deserve One? When you look at the Thunder's roster, you realize that they've built their team up through the draft better than any other team over the last couple of years.
Green is proof of that, and he deserves an extension in about 99 out of 100 situations, except for this one.
With all due respect to Green—who is a very good player—the team has to save money to be able to offer a max deal to Russell Westbrook next year.
Yes, Green is good. It's just that Westbrook is better.
2. Got One: Tony Parker
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OK, so Tony Parker isn't signing an extension on his rookie contract, but the San Antonio Spurs guard did re-sign with the team.
Now, we get to see some more of Eva Longoria at Spurs games, so we thank you for that, Tony.
Did He Deserve One? No, Tony Parker did not deserve the four-year, $50 million extension he signed with San Antonio.
Parker is a good point guard, but he's already been surpassed by a bunch of younger guys like Westbrook, Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo.
And the Spurs have a cheaper and younger option on their team in George Hill, who still has the potential to develop into a quality NBA starter.
1. Didn't Get One: Greg Oden
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Greg Oden was the first No. 1 overall pick in quite a while who did not get a new deal at the end of his rookie contract.
The last one? Kwame Brown. And it's never a good thing to be grouped with him.
Did He Deserve One? I've been on record saying that I think Oden is overrated, but it's not because he's not talented. It's because he's injury prone.
In fact, he's out with an injury right now, but it's likely he'll return in late November or early December.
And if Oden returns and plays well all season, Portland will certainly regret not signing him because some team will probably throw crazy money his way.
If nothing else, Oden deserved a contract extension to keep him away from other teams.
