The Ringer NBA Show Breaking Down the Rookie Extension Deadline Buzzer-Beaters. Plus, Awards and Finals Picks.
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Oct 20, 2025 The hosts dive into the intriguing rookie extension contracts, highlighting Portland's strategy with Shaedon Sharp and Tumani Kamara. They analyze Denver's hefty deal for Christian Brown and debate if it was worth it. The conversation shifts to preseason power rankings, examining how injuries and early performances affect team outlooks. Awards predictions spark excitement, with Luka touted for MVP and prospects like Victor Wembanyama for Defensive Player of the Year. Finally, they make their bold NBA Finals predictions.
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Deadline Highlights Marginal Extension Cases
- Rookie extension deadlines expose marginal, negotiable cases rather than open-and-shut stars.
- Teams often sign to avoid messy restricted free agency or to lock promising fits early.
Psychology Matters As Much As Skill
- Portland locked up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander–style breakout potential by extending Shaden Sharp despite temperament risks.
- Teams must weigh psychological reliability as heavily as raw skill when committing long-term.
Role Players Can Trigger Cap Crunches
- Christian Braun's five-year, $125M extension risks pushing Denver toward apron constraints.
- Denver chooses to lock in hard-working role players because they materially shape championship chemistry.