Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) reacts after making a three-point shot over Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) during the second half in game five of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at FTX Arena. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

NBA rookie extensions and what they mean for the trade market

By Sean Keane | Last updated 10/18/22

NBA teams had until tonight to sign all of their third-year players to rookie extensions — and the Atlanta Hawks waited until the very last minute to do so. They gave forward De'Andre Hunter a four-year, $95 million extension just before this afternoon's deadline, the last rookie extension of the 2019 draft class.

At the 6 PM ET buzzer: Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter has agreed on a four-year, $95 million contract extension, his agents Thad Foucher and Joe Smith of @Wassbasketball tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/mDm6hZTosm
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 18, 2022

Hunter joined a group of players in getting their deals done just before the season. Here's the list of players signing four-year deals ahead of the deadline. (All salary numbers are guaranteed money, not including incentives)

Jordan Poole, Warriors : $123 million
Tyler Herro, Heat : $120 million
R.J. Barrett, Knicks : $107 million
De'Andre Hunter, Hawks : $90 million
Brandon Clarke, Grizzlies: $52 million
Nassir Little, Trail Blazers : $28 million
Kevin Porter Jr., Rockets : $15.8 million

Porter's contract is unlike the others because it's for four years and $82.5 million, but only the first year is guaranteed.

Kevin Porter Jr.’s four-year extension is only guaranteed for $15.86 million, all in Year 1, sources said. The contract includes June trigger dates after first season, but the Rockets can essentially release Porter at any point without further pay up to the $82.5M. https://t.co/A806sRcnaE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 17, 2022

Previously, Ja Morant of the Grizzlies, Zion Williamson of the Pelicans and Darius Garland of the Cavaliers signed five-year max extensions. Non-rookie Andrew Wiggins also signed a four-year, $109 million deal with Golden State.

What all of these players have in common is that they're untradeable for the next six months. Zion and Ja weren't going anywhere, but many of the other players were far from untouchable.

They are now, until the summer, and should an opportunity for the Knicks, Hawks, or Blazers to make a move during the season, their trade assets are now more limited.

Of course, that prohibition ends once the season ends. The Hawks extended Kevin Huerter last October, then traded him the first moment they legally could this summer. Porter's contract seems designed to be tradeable as soon as possible — it's a perpetually expiring contract after this season. So while some of these young players have locked in a long-term commitment with their teams, some have really only locked in a year. But at least they'll still have the money.

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