Players eligible for in-season veteran extensions in 2024/25

As we explain in our veteran contract extension glossary, rookie-level extensions have historically been the most common form of contract extension in the NBA. However, recent collective bargaining agreements have relaxed extension eligibility rules for veterans and made them more financially beneficial, especially for players who don’t expect mega-deals.

As a result, we have seen a substantial increase in veteran contract extensions over the past few seasons. In the 2021/22 league year, 21 players signed them, and this total increased to 23 players in 2022/23. Although there were only 17 veteran extensions in 23/24, that total was eclipsed at the start of the 2024/25 league year and that list could continue to grow before June 30, 2025.

(RELATED: Tracking 2024/25 NBA Contract Extensions)

Some extension-eligible players may prefer to wait until they reach free agency to sign a new contract, as their maximum extension would be much lower than the maximum contract they would be eligible to earn on the open market.

The maximum starting salary a player can receive in a veteran extension is up to 140% of their current salary. A player on a smaller contract can receive a maximum starting salary of up to 140% of the estimated average NBA salary. In 2024/25, 140% of the estimated average salary would equate to a salary of $18,102,000 in the first year of a contract extension. A player who signs an extension matching that bill could get up to four years and around $81 million.

Wendell Carter Jr., Andrew NembhardAnd Ivica Zubac have all signed extensions meeting these criteria in 2024/25, but for three years each instead of four. Thunderguard Alex Caruso is the next notable player who will become eligible for an expansion that starts at $18,102,000.

Now that the regular season is underway, the pool of veterans eligible for contract extensions has shrunk, as players with more than one year left on their contract are not allowed to sign an extension during the season. But there are still a number of veterans in the final year of their respective contracts who remain eligible for extensions until the last day of the current league year (June 30).

Below is the list of players who meet the criteria for a veteran extension. Recently traded players can be extended, but they must wait six months after the trade to sign a contract lasting more than four years in total (including the current season) with a raise of more than 20% the first year or a subsequent annual contract. increase of more than 5%. If a player below is noted as having “limited” eligibility until a certain date, this is why.

Once a player regains full extension eligibility, he becomes eligible to sign an extension for up to five years total (including the current season) with a 40% increase in the first year (or 40% of the estimated average salary).

Additionally, extension-eligible players with a player or team option for 2025/26 would have to eliminate that option year as part of an extension deal in order to meet the necessary criteria.

Here is the full list of veterans eligible for contract extensions during the 2024/25 season:

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Atlanta Falcons

Boston Celtics

Brooklyn fillets

Charlotte Frelons

Chicago Bulls

Cleveland Cavaliers

Dallas Mavericks

Denver Nuggets

Detroit Pistons

Warriors of the Golden State

Houston Rockets

Indiana Pacers

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers

Memphis Grizzlies

Miami Heat

Milwaukee Bucks

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Josh Minott
  • The 2025/26 team option must be declined.
• Julius Randle
  • Limited eligibility until April 4.
  • The 2025/26 player option must be refused.

New Orleans Pelicans

New York Knicks

Oklahoma City Thunder

Magic of Orlando

Philadelphia 76ers

Phoenix Suns

Portland Trail Blazers

Kings of Sacramento

San Antonio Spurs

Toronto Raptors

Utah Jazz

Wizards of Washington