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NBA players make a lot of money, as they have some of the most lucrative contracts offered in sports. However, to get to that point NBA players put in their blood and sweat, which makes them capable enough to earn that big an amount. The performance during the 2020-21 season determined many contract decisions.
Some youngsters showed up brilliantly, which led to them getting big rookie extensions. While many veterans were also given max-contracts to keep them locked in the team for a significant amount of time. During the 2021 offseason, a total of nine players were given the max contract. In today's article, we look at those players and their lucrative contracts.
Nine NBA players who signed max contract extensions during the offseason
#9 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had one of the best years of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2020-21 season. The youngster averaged 23.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 5.9 APG all while shooting 50.8% from the field. He looked terrific right from the start and single-handedly won several games for them.
Although OKC fell 14th in the Western Conference, Shai's performance was appreciated by all. His brilliance in the backcourt was something the Thunder would have wanted for years to come. They decided to offer him a maximum rookie extension, which will keep him at OKC for five years on a $172,500,000 million contract.
The contract will only be active during the 2022-23 contract and the value of it could even go up to $207,060,000 if he earns All-NBA honors in 2022.
#8 Julius Randle
Julius Randle won Most Improved Player of the Year during the 2021-22 season. He was impressive in his approach and averaged 24.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG and 6.0 APG to make his first All-Star appearance. Randle was an integral part of the Knicks team that finished 4th seed in the Eastern Conference.
Although he had a dip in form during the playoffs, Randle's talent helped him get a max contract extension during the offseason. He signed a four-year deal worth $117,000,000 million, however, there will also be incentives added to the deal further on. The base value of the contract is expected to be somewhere around $106.4 million but could stretch to $122 million if Randle earns All-NBA selections in the future.
#7 Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr. was one of the stars of the Denver Nuggets during the 2020-21 season. He averaged 19.01 PPG, 7.3 RPG and 1.1 APG while shooting a stunning 53.2 % from the field. He helped Jokic, in the absence of Jamal Murray, to inspire the Nuggets to a 3rd place finish in the 2020-21 season.
Although Denver got knocked out of the conference semis, his brilliance during the season won him praise from fans and NBA experts. With a long and promising future ahead of him, the Nuggets decided to offer MPJ a lucrative contract extension ahead of the 2021-22 season. The forward was given a 5 year $172,500,000 contract to stay locked in with the Nuggets.
His contract included an increase that would see him earn up to $207,060,000 on the deal if he earns All-NBA honors in 2022.
#6 Trae Young
Trae Young had an exceptional outing during the 2020-21 season. He was an integral part of the Atlanta Hawks team that made their way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Young averaged 25.3 PPG, 9.4 APG in the regular season, all while shooting 43.8% from the field.
He was announced as the villain of the MSG after his brilliant performance in the Garden during the 2021 playoffs. Throughout the postseason, the youngster averaged 28.8 PPG and 9.5 APG to lead the way for the Hawks. Knowing the value that he added to the franchise, they signed him on a five-year $172.55 million contract.
This deal also includes bonuses that will see the contract go up to $207 million if Trae earns All-NBA honors next season.
#5 Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler was one of the most important players of the Miami Heat during their trip to the NBA finals during the 2019-20 season. Last season, he led the team to the sixth seed in the East, but failed to inspire them to another deep playoff run.
Despite missing a large chunk of games, Butler averaged 21.5 PPG, 6.9 RP and 7.1 APG during the 2020-21 season. His brilliant leadership and hustle play forced the Heat front office to offer him another contract extension worth $136.40 million, which will keep him in the franchise for three years.
#4 Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid had one of the best years of his career during the 2021-22 season. He was an integral part of the Philadelphia 76ers that finished number one seed in the east, during the 2020-21season. Embiid stepped his game up in that run and averaged 28.5 PPG and 10.6 RPG all while shooting 51.3% from the field
Despite being hurt during the playoffs, he put in his best efforts and carried the Sixers to the conference semis. Embiid put up some big numbers against the Hawks, however that was not enough, as Philly lost the seven-game series to Atlanta. His brilliance throughout the season ensured him a maximum contract extension during the offseason.
To avail his services, the Sixers offered him a four-year $196 million contract which will keep him at Philly through the 2026-27 season.
#3 Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic was one of the most exciting prospects coming into the NBA. His brilliance on the court has made him a crowd favorite in Dallas. The youngster started the season slow, but lived up to expectations by averaging 27.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 8.6 APG for the year.
He carried the Mavericks to the playoffs, where they once again faced the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. Doncic averaged 35.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG and 10.3 APG in that seven-game series. Luka was named in the All-NBA first team and that made him eligible for a max-contract extension.
Dallas sent representatives to Serbia, where Luka signed a five-year # 207 million extension, which will keep him at the franchise till the 2026-27 season.
#2 Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is arguably one of the best shooters in the league and he proved that once again with another spectacular performance with the Golden State Warriors during the 2019-20 season. The guard averaged 32.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 5.8 APG all while shooting 48. 2% from the field.
However, that wasn't enough as GSW failed to find a place in the playoffs and crashed out in the play-in tournament. Steph has been a part of the team ever since they drafted him in 2009. He has been brilliant to watch and also ended the 2020-21 season averaging 42.1 % from beyond the arc.
His brilliance with GSW helped him bag his second $200 million-plus contract extension. As per the latest deal, Steph will earn $215 million through the four-year contract.
#1 Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant was one of the key players for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2020-21 season. He played 35 games for them during the regular season, where he averaged 26.9 PPG on 53.7% shooting from the field.
He also had a stunning performance during the post-season, where he averaged 34. 3 PPG, while shooting 40.2 % from the three-point range. Although the Nets failed to get the better of the Bucks during the conference semis, KD served the fans with some world-class performances. However, that was not enough, as they lost the seven-game series to Giannis' Bucks.
At the end of the season, Brooklyn was convinced that they wanted to keep KD and offered him a lucrative max-contract extension. As per the deal, he would be earning $194.22 million on a four-year contract.
