There is always a race against the clock for NBA teams and players entering the final year of their rookie contracts before the start of a new season. This year was no exception, as several notable first-round picks from the 2022 NBA Draft engaged in extensive negotiations with their respective organizations to reach long-term contract agreements.
For some, like Dyson Daniels and Christian Braun, deals were finalized in the final hours before Monday night’s 6 pm Eastern Time deadline. Others, such as Jaden Ivey, Bennedict Mathurin, and Tari Eason, were not as fortunate and will enter the 2025-26 NBA season still in the final year of their rookie contracts, set to become restricted free agents next summer.
Of course, not all players who did not receive contract extensions now will become true restricted free agents. Teams often negotiate new deals with their pending free agents well before the thought of testing free agency arises. As of now, this is the most likely scenario for players like Ivey and Eason.
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### Impact of the 2022 Draft Class
The 2022 draft class has already made a significant mark on the NBA. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have been vital parts of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship run, earning max extensions in the process. Paolo Banchero has firmly established himself as the cornerstone of the Orlando Magic, while Jabari Smith Jr. and Keegan Murray have become essential pieces for the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings, respectively.
Dyson Daniels, named the 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player last season, further highlights the class’s impact.
Before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, nine players from this draft class secured contract extensions totaling $1.1 billion. While this is fewer than the 11 extensions signed last offseason, it remains a strong group of players.
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### Gallery of the Nine Players with Contract Extensions
#### Jalen Williams | Oklahoma City Thunder
**Contract Extension:** 5 years, $241 million (could reach $287 million)
Coming off a championship, there was never any doubt that the Thunder would extend Jalen Williams. The 24-year-old swingman has risen to become one of the league’s best No. 2 stars next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Known for embracing his role with humility, Williams is considered the heart and soul of the organization.
In just three seasons, Williams has progressed from an underrated rookie to an All-Star and NBA champion, now recognized as a top 25 player in the NBA. His new deal guarantees $241 million through the 2030-31 season, with potential to reach $287 million based on accolades.
#### Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic
**Contract Extension:** 5 years, $241 million (could reach $287 million)
Had Paolo Banchero not suffered an oblique injury early in the 2024-25 season, he likely would have been an All-Star and All-NBA performer. The Magic, now a projected surprise team in the Eastern Conference, have high expectations for Banchero, who continues to average over 20 points per game.
Banchero’s all-around play convinced the Magic front office he is the franchise cornerstone. His contract also has the potential to rise to $287 million, contingent on achievements and awards.
#### Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder
**Contract Extension:** 5 years, $241 million (could reach $250 million)
Despite playing just 32 games last season due to a hip fracture and other injuries, Chet Holmgren has established himself as one of the league’s most versatile big men, with the potential to compete alongside Victor Wembanyama for multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Holmgren was crucial to the Thunder’s championship success and anchors the team’s top-rated defensive unit. Notably, he is among the few players averaging 2.2 blocks per game in the 2024-25 season. Although he received the same max extension as Williams and Banchero, Holmgren’s deal can only reach $250 million, providing the Thunder some salary cap relief.
#### Keegan Murray | Sacramento Kings
**Contract Extension:** 5 years, $140 million
The Kings will start the 2025-26 season without Keegan Murray on the court due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left thumb. However, Sacramento has secured Murray through the 2030-31 season with this long-term contract.
Murray has consistently been an elite shooter for the Kings, making at least 150 three-pointers each season. His 543 total 3-pointers since being drafted are the most by any Kings player during that span. Despite franchise uncertainties, Murray remains a key building block for the team’s future.
#### Christian Braun | Denver Nuggets
**Contract Extension:** 5 years, $125 million
Since joining the Nuggets, Christian Braun has steadily improved on both ends of the floor. Last season, he emerged as one of Denver’s most critical players outside of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, known for making impactful plays beyond scoring.
Braun’s extension, signed before Monday’s deadline, contains no options and secures him as a core contributor. He is among four Nuggets players slated to earn at least $20 million in the 2026-27 season.
#### Jabari Smith Jr. | Houston Rockets
**Contract Extension:** 5 years, $122 million
Although Jabari Smith Jr. has yet to break out as an All-Star or primary scorer, the Rockets believe in his long-term potential. Playing alongside Kevin Durant this season, Smith is expected to benefit from increased offensive opportunities and mentorship from one of the game’s greats.
Smith played an essential role in Houston’s 52-win season and has secured a five-year, $122 million extension, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his growth at just 22 years old.
#### Dyson Daniels | Atlanta Hawks
**Contract Extension:** 4 years, $100 million
Dyson Daniels swiftly beat the extension deadline to remain with the Hawks through the 2029-30 season. In his first year with Atlanta, Daniels distinguished himself as a dynamic two-way shooting guard, leading the league in steals and earning the 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player award.
He also finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned his first All-Defensive First Team nod. Following the Hawks’ $150 million commitment to Jalen Johnson last offseason, locking up Daniels avoided potential restricted free agency complications.
#### Shaedon Sharpe | Portland Trail Blazers
**Contract Extension:** 4 years, $90 million
The Trail Blazers are high on Shaedon Sharpe’s talent and potential, expecting him to be a featured scorer alongside Deni Avdija under head coach Chauncey Billups. Sharpe averaged a career-high 18.5 points per game in his third season.
His four-year, $90 million deal rewards his upside while maintaining the organization’s financial flexibility.
#### Nikola Jovic | Miami Heat
**Contract Extension:** 4 years, $62.4 million
The Miami Heat’s eagerness to extend Nikola Jovic surprised some, given that he still has room to grow. However, the organization believes Jovic will break out in the 2025-26 season, especially with Jimmy Butler’s departure.
Since being drafted 27th overall in 2022, Jovic has shot 37 percent from three-point range and improved his offensive numbers steadily. In 29 games without Butler last season, he averaged 12.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
At $15.6 million annually, Jovic’s contract is a modest cap investment that keeps the Heat well-positioned to pursue a long-term deal for Tyler Herro.
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The 2022 NBA draft class continues to shape the league’s future, with many of its stars already locked into lucrative extensions. As teams prepare for the 2025-26 season, these deals reflect both the impact and potential of some of the NBA’s brightest young talents.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/breaking-down-insane-rookie-contract-extensions-for-2022-nba-draft-class