With the time window allowed to sign fourth-year eligible player for contract extension expiring on Friday, many are surprised by the number of talented players failing to agree to terms with their mother ballclub.
From Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs to Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls, next year's free-agency class will be loaded with top-level talents.
Kawhi Leonard, Spurs Tabled Talk Until Next Summer: Reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard will be hitting the free-agency market as a restricted free-agent after his camp and the Spurs decide to end contract extension talks on Friday.
According to Yahoo Sports, Leonard was asking a max contract extension from the Spurs worth around $90 million over five years. However, the Spurs are reportedly unwilling to give the small forward that kind of a deal until they explored all options in the free-agency market.
Although the Spurs have the rights to match any offer sheet for Leonard, not locking in the 'future of the franchise' is viewed as risky move because there are already several teams interested in offering big money for the two-way swingman.
"We feel Kawhi is deserving of a max contract, and we are disappointed that something couldn't get done," Elfus told Yahoo Sports. "There's no debating Kawhi's value. The market has been set.
"He's done everything the Spurs have asked of him, exceeded all of their expectations. Coach [Gregg] Popovich has gone out of his way to call Kawhi the future face of the franchise. We have great respect for the Spurs organization, but here, we simply agree to disagree."
Jimmy Butler, Reggie Jackson Will Also Hit Market: Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder have decided to let their youngsters test the free-agency market next summer after failing to come up with an agreement with Butler and Jackson, respectively.
According to an NBA source, the Bulls offered a discount price to extend Butler's contract, but the player's parties rejected the offer as they belief the defensive ace deserves a max contract. Jackson, on the other hand, will look for the opportunity to sign with a team that would not only give him a nice paycheck but a starting nod - which he has been deprived of despite his significant improvement.
