Title: With OG Anunoby’s contract extension, Raptors continue to control what they can
Date: December 21, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, Eric Koreen and I broke down OG Anunoby’s extension with the Raptors, with some reporting on the process and how it all worked out.
The once-tantalizing free-agent class of 2021 was transforming toward unattractive status by the day. On Monday, the pace quickened, with the movement happening by the hour and even the minute.
It wasn’t only Giannis Antetokounmpo who changed things by locking into his supermax extension, even if that was the biggest change, especially for the Raptors. Paul George is staying with the Clippers. Rudy Gobert re-upped with the Jazz. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were never really expected to be up for grabs in 2021, and they both signed new long-term deals with the Lakers this offseason. In terms of maximum-value players, that leaves Kawhi Leonard, who is not eligible for an extension this offseason, and a whole lot of flawed question marks.
On the restricted side, the no-brainers were taken off the market a long time ago: Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, De’Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo all signed maximum-value rookie contract extensions with time to spare before Monday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline for such deals. If any member of the draft class of 2017 did not sign an extension by then, they would enter restricted free agency next season, assuming their teams issued qualifying offers.
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 