In the NBA, it’s standard for first-round picks to sign a four-year contract. Salary is determined by draft position, and the teams have options in the final two seasons. After the deal is up, players enter restricted free agency, which can be nasty business.
This summer, the Golden State Warriors’ offseason was defined by Jonathan Kuminga’s free agency. Drafted in 2021, he was a restricted free agent. That means any team in the league could make an offer, although if the Warriors matched it, he would have to sign with them.
He ended up returning to the Warriors on a two-year, $48.5 million deal. Rarely do restricted free agents find a new team, although tensions can rise.
These five players, all drafted in 2022, are looking to establish value for next summer, allowing them to make as much money as possible.
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
2024-25 stats: 11.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 69.2 FG%
Jalen Duren is a physical specimen. Standing at 6-10, he offers 250 pounds of solid muscle. On offense, he is one of the best paint presences in the entire NBA, filling up the paint and finding easy baskets.
Drafted 13th overall out of Memphis, he has shown offensive improvement every year. However, his defense remains subpar. As a result, the Detroit Pistons are not eager to commit to him long-term, at least not yet.
This summer, the Pistons added Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, hoping they can space the floor for Cade Cunningham. With the paint opened up a bit more, Duren should be able to grow as a pick-and-roll partner.
Add in his old-school playstyle, and he’s already become a fan-favorite in Detroit, making his re-signing next summer rather likely.
Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs
2024-25 stats: 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 53.5 FG%
Jeremy Sochan is quietly one of the better defenders in the NBA. He doesn’t mind picking up a technical or starting a fight, and is the most proven “enforcer” on the San Antonio Spurs. To help protect prized young players like Victor Wembanyama and Dylan Harper, a player like him is key.
Often compared to Dennis Rodman for his do-all playstyle and dyed hair, he is yet to break out as a star. Injuries have held him back, limiting the Spurs’ willingness to invest in him, but it’s not all his fault.
In his rookie season, the Spurs were tanking for Wembanyama. The year after that, he started the season at point guard despite being a power forward. His handle and passing improved, although the outside shot has long left a lot to be desired.
Off the court, Sochan seems to be a locker room favorite, so the Spurs should look to keep him, especially if they open up cap space via a trade this season.
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
2024-25 stats: 17.6 points, 4.0 assists, 40.9 3PT%, 30 GP
Jaden Ivey played in only 30 games for the Detroit Pistons last season after suffering a brutal leg injury. He looked well on the way to having a career year, although the Pistons ended up playing better after he was ruled out.
That’s not to say that Ivey is a bad player or even a bad fit in Detroit. It just took the young team a few months to hit its stride. He made massive steps as a shooter and remains a solid ball-handler. Ideally, he can play both alongside and behind Cunningham.
As the former fifth overall pick, the Pistons have invested heavily in Ivey. He should have immense trade value this season, although Detroit is not guaranteed to make him available.
Coming off a major injury, the Pistons aren’t sure if he still has his speed or athleticism. If he does, expect both parties to reach an agreement next summer pretty quickly.
Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
2024-25 stats: 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.6 offensive rebounds, 2.4 blocks
Walker Kessler is one of the best rim-protectors in the NBA. In his three seasons, he has always finished in the top five in blocks per game. The Utah Jazz, however, have little use for him.
Kessler has long been included in trade rumors, and by not signing him, the Jazz make moving him easier. Utah has Taylor Hendricks and Kyle Filipowski lying in wait in the frontcourt, and flipping Kessler could bring even more, younger assets to Utah.
If Kessler is traded this season, his new team will have to hope they can avoid a Quentin Grimes situation, where he outplays his expected value and can command a lot of money next summer.
Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Indiana Pacers have been linked to Kessler, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise if this is his last season in Salt Lake City.
Bennedict Mathruin, Indiana Pacers
2024-25 stats: 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 45.8 FG%, 34.0 3PT%
Bennedict Mathurin is one of the most explosive and exciting players in the NBA. He also hasn’t been a starter, despite his talents.
In Indiana, Tyrese Haliburton is the system, and wings like Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard simply fit in better with him. Mathurin has instead thrived off the bench, having plenty of big moments in the postseason last year.
Mathurin, unlike most players on their rookie deal, wants the chance to prove himself and negotiate a massive contract next summer. With Haliburton out, Mathurin will finally get a starting nod, and he is expected to break out.
If Mauthurin plays too well, his trade value will skyrocket. If that happens, Indiana will have some tough conversations this season before the trade deadline.
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