Which lottery picks from 2010 will get extensions with their current teams?
The 2010 NBA Draft featured guys like John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe and Paul George. John Wall has already inked a 5 year max deal with Washington, while Cole Aldrich and Xavier Henry a weren’t kept on by Oklahoma City and New Orleans respectively. This column will focus only on players still eligible for an extension, by order of draft position.
2. Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers.
As I’m not the 76ers, I won’t totally base my opinion (overrated, won’t reach his potential, tweener, bust) on whether he gets an extension. Turner could get an extension, but if the Sixers know what’s good for them, they won’t sign him for more than $8 million per year. If they do, they’ll regret it.
3. Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz.
Yes. It’s that simple. The Jazz believe in Favors and front-court mate Enes Kanter enough to let established vets Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap walk in free agency. Look for a deal somewhere around $10-$12 million per year range.
4. Wesley Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers.
No, and it’s a mystery to this Laker fan why he was signed in the first place. That his review on NBA.com for the 2010 draft that says, literally, “The Wolves get the top SF prospect in the draft” seems laughable now. Johnson defines a bust.
5.Demarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings.
No. Though I’m not huge on him, his potential is still astronomical. It’s a legitimate possibility that in four or five years, Cousins is the best center in the league. It’s also plausible that he is at the exact same level that he’s at now, which is my problem with him. His work ethic isn’t one to be emulated, but he’ll still earn money, but not in Sacramento. Cousins could sign, but why would he? Look for a $14-$18 million dollar contract somewhere in the league.
6. Ekpe Udoh, Milwaukee Bucks.
Udoh hasn’t exactly lived up to his 6th draft pick, averaging only 4.6 PPG and 3.5 RPG with 1.4 BPG. The Bucks really don’t have much faith in the guy, consistently dangling him as trade bait. Don’t expect an extension here.
7. Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons.
The front-court of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond is, well frankly, scary. Expect this to be an easy extension as Monroe is a clear franchise centerpiece, worth near $15 million per year plus.
8. Al-Farouq Aminu, New Orleans Pelicans.
Aminu gets a LOT of rebounds for a small forward, with the second highest rebound rate for a SF in the league. But his skill hasn’t caught up with his athletecism offensively, and Aminu looks to be a backup everywhere he goes. Why not stay a backup in his current team? I see the Pelicans re-signing Aminu for $4 million per year.
9. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz.
Hayward always could shoot, an ability he hasn’t lost in the pros. The problem is, he isn’t great at anything else. He can do other things, but not at more than an average to above-average level. Every team does need a knockdown shooter, and the Jazz will hold out hope that the rest of his game develops by signing him to a new deal worth $7 million a year.
10. Paul George, Indiana Pacers.
Absolutely. Paul George has a pretty good shot at being a superstar in “The Association”, and Indiana is a perfect fit. The contract talks may be a bit longer than most Pacers’ faithful would like, but a deal will be struck for George. Look for a max deal: 5 years, $80 million.
13. Ed Davis, Memphis Grizzlies.
The former Tar Heel is still just 24 and averages 7.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG with a block per plus a 17.82 PER. Davis, if he develops his offense, could become a legitimate NBA starter, but at the least, he’ll stay what he is now: a very good bench player on a playoff team. He’ll garner a contract of $7-$9 million per year.
14. Patrick Patterson, Sacramento Kings.
The second King on this list, Patterson hasn’t been what he was at Kentucky so far in the NBA. He has looked pretty respectable offensively, putting up 10.4 PPG last year. He’s not bad on the glass, with 4.7 RPG, but he doesn’t dominate anywhere on the court. Backed up behind Jason Thompson and Carl Landry, I don’t see Sacramento re-signing Patterson.
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