And the long version, where we consider each option in detail:
The Spurs could extend Dejounte’s contract before he becomes a free agent in 2024. Unfortunately, under a traditional extension, the current NBA CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement)1 severely limits the amount the Spurs could offer Murray in an extension, so much so that Dejounte is unlikely to accept one at all.
Under the current CBA, the maximum amount of money a team can offer a player in an extension is based on last year of the player’s current contract.2 The maximum number of years is based on how many years is left in the player’s current contract. Without going too deep into the weeds, the maximum the Spurs could offer Dejounte this offseason is about 3 years, $69 million (average of $23 million per year). Next offseason, in 2023, the Spurs could offer a maximum of about 4 years, $95.8 million (average of $23.9 million per year).
These offers would almost certainly be below Dejounte’s value on the open market. Point guards like De’Aaron Fox ($32.6 million per year) and D’Angelo Russell ($29.3 million per year) are on far bigger deals, and even if some might consider those overpays, the salary cap has risen significantly since their deals and Dejounte has arguably outplayed both this season. Dejounte’s agency, Klutch Sports, is almost certainly looking to at least equal those deals. Unfortunately, the current CBA
prevents the Spurs from offering a Fox or Russell-like contract under a traditional extension.3 4
For example, if the Spurs have $10 million in cap space after the 2022 offseason, they could raise Dejounte’s salary for the 2022-2023 season by $10 million to $26,571,429, and use that as a starting point for a 4-year, $119.7 million contract that goes until 2026— $29.9 million a year, more comparable to the Fox and Russell salaries Dejounte might be looking for.
The issues with renegotiation are threefold: (1) the Spurs would have to wait until October 22 to use this tool, meaning they would limit their options at acquiring players and assets throughout the 2022 offseason; (2) it is possible the Spurs and Dejounte’s team have already discussed the possibility of such a renegotiation, and Klutch has indicated that off of Dejounte’s All-Star berth he doesn’t want to limit his earning potential5; and (3) as explained below, Dejounte’s trade value is likely at its highest right now, meaning waiting for renegotiation means the Spurs miss out on the opportunity for maximum return.
So, while the Spurs and their fans would love to extend Dejounte and secure him in San Antonio for the long-term, that is simply not a realistic option right now, and waiting until October for renegotiation has a lot of downsides for the Spurs.
1. Sign Dejounte to an Extension
The Spurs could extend Dejounte’s contract before he becomes a free agent in 2024. Unfortunately, under a traditional extension, the current NBA CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement)1 severely limits the amount the Spurs could offer Murray in an extension, so much so that Dejounte is unlikely to accept one at all.
Under the current CBA, the maximum amount of money a team can offer a player in an extension is based on last year of the player’s current contract.2 The maximum number of years is based on how many years is left in the player’s current contract. Without going too deep into the weeds, the maximum the Spurs could offer Dejounte this offseason is about 3 years, $69 million (average of $23 million per year). Next offseason, in 2023, the Spurs could offer a maximum of about 4 years, $95.8 million (average of $23.9 million per year).
These offers would almost certainly be below Dejounte’s value on the open market. Point guards like De’Aaron Fox ($32.6 million per year) and D’Angelo Russell ($29.3 million per year) are on far bigger deals, and even if some might consider those overpays, the salary cap has risen significantly since their deals and Dejounte has arguably outplayed both this season. Dejounte’s agency, Klutch Sports, is almost certainly looking to at least equal those deals. Unfortunately, the current CBA
prevents the Spurs from offering a Fox or Russell-like contract under a traditional extension.3 4
- Renegotiation and Extension
For example, if the Spurs have $10 million in cap space after the 2022 offseason, they could raise Dejounte’s salary for the 2022-2023 season by $10 million to $26,571,429, and use that as a starting point for a 4-year, $119.7 million contract that goes until 2026— $29.9 million a year, more comparable to the Fox and Russell salaries Dejounte might be looking for.
The issues with renegotiation are threefold: (1) the Spurs would have to wait until October 22 to use this tool, meaning they would limit their options at acquiring players and assets throughout the 2022 offseason; (2) it is possible the Spurs and Dejounte’s team have already discussed the possibility of such a renegotiation, and Klutch has indicated that off of Dejounte’s All-Star berth he doesn’t want to limit his earning potential5; and (3) as explained below, Dejounte’s trade value is likely at its highest right now, meaning waiting for renegotiation means the Spurs miss out on the opportunity for maximum return.
So, while the Spurs and their fans would love to extend Dejounte and secure him in San Antonio for the long-term, that is simply not a realistic option right now, and waiting until October for renegotiation has a lot of downsides for the Spurs.
