Contract extensions are very hot right now, which is terrible news for the free-agent market but potentially a great development for those hoping to see some wild trades this offseason.
A while ago, it seemed possible we would see Donovan Mitchell, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Jamal Murray, Anthony Davis, Jalen Brunson and Lauri Markkanen lead a loaded group of 2025 free agents. But they have all signed extensions over the last year to take themselves off the market.
The biggest remaining names in the 2025 FA class—LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Fred VanVleet, Myles Turner—seem highly likely to stick with their current teams by opting in and/or re-upping on new deals.
If you think this is a one-year blip and 2026 free agency will be chock full of available stars, note that some of the potential headliners of that crew—De’Aaron Fox, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mikal Bridges, Aaron Gordon and all members of the 2022 draft class—can ink extensions this summer.
Free agents are an endangered species these days, and that’s going to force aggressive teams to figure out trade packages if they want to get their hands on top-line names.
