Appearing on Friday’s episode of NBA Today (Link to YouTube) in connection with the news that Jazz guard Keyonte George signed by five-year, $157.5 million ESPN’s Shams Charania pointed to a handful of other 2023 first-round picks who are candidates to sign their own contract extensions through Oct. 19.
George became the third player to sign a rookie-scale extension this offseason, joining Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) and Amin Thompson (Rockets).
“You look at the rest of the class, choice #2, (Hornets forward) Brandon Millerand then choice #5, (Pistons forward) Ausar Thompson– said Charanya.They both have active conversations with their teams. I’m told Ausar Thompson’s Detroit expansion is exciting.
“And then I would also follow (Thunder guard) Cason Wallace(Warriors guard) Brandin underground(Bucks forward) Jaime Jaques. … But I would like to see Brandon Miller and Aussar Thompson have more and more conversations with their respective teams — the Hornets and Pistons — in the coming days and weeks.”
After Charania first mentioned that Miller and Thompson were in contract talks, ESPN ran a screen that featured both promising young wings, along with several other big-name players who have yet to sign contract extensions this offseason, including Scoot Henderson (Trail Blazers), Anthony Black (magic), Wallace, Derek Lively II (Mavericks), Jacques and Under the Earth.
For what it’s worth, Charania didn’t share any information about Henderson, Black or Lively. Charanya seemed a little surprised to see them on the list, but I wouldn’t want to read too much into it, one way or another.
Hornets head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson said in July that he has spoken with Miller and his front office about a possible extension, but declined to elaborate beyond that the team hopes to sign the former Alabama star to a long-term deal. Miller is recovering from the shoulder offseason surgical intervention.
Pistons president of basketball operations Troyan Langdon he spoke beaming Thompson in May, and a the report in early September, it was revealed that the two sides were discussing a new deal. However, this is the first time we’ve seen someone say there’s optimism about an extension being reached.
