Steph, Trae, Jimmy, and a running count of the most expensive deals of the summer — both by total value and average annual value
Before the NBA’s free agency and offseason period was even half a day old, over a billion dollars had already been spent on talent for the 2021-22 season and beyond.
A few of the news items were far from a surprise:
- Steph Curry became the first player to sign an extension following a supermax extension, re-upping with the Warriors for four years and an incredible $215 million.
- Trae Young and Luka Dončić inked the joint-biggest rookie extensions in NBA history: $207 million over five years. Months later, the Nuggets reportedly handed Michael Porter Jr. the same deal.
- Kevin Durant signed a four-year deal that will take him above half a billion dollars in career earnings before his 38th birthday.
But a couple of numbers arrived more unexpectedly.
Principally, I submit to you Mr. Jimmy Butler, who just got absolutely paid ahead of his imminent team-up with new Miami teammate Kyle Lowry. In fact, he’s making off with a bit more than Kawhi Leonard, who has a ring and a Finals MVP to his name.
So, whose deals were fat enough to crack the vaunted top 10 in total value? And how about average annual value? Let’s roll through the full list.
Data updated as of the announcement of Michael Porter Jr.’s extension on 27 Sept. 2021.
Top 10 Contracts of the 2021 Offseason:
Total Value
| PLAYER | TEAM | YRS | TOT. $ |
| 1. Steph Curry | Warriors | 4 | $215M |
| t-2. Trae Young | Hawks | 5 | $207M |
| t-2. Luka Dončić | Mavericks | 5 | $207M |
| t-2. Michael Porter Jr. | Nuggets | 5 | $207M |
| 5. Kevin Durant | Nets | 4 | $198M |
| 6. Joel Embiid | 76ers | 4 | $196M |
| 7. Jimmy Butler | Heat | 4 | $184M |
| 8. Kawhi Leonard | Clippers | 4 | $176.3M |
| 9. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | 5 | $172M |
| 10. John Collins | Hawks | 5 | $125M |
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Top 10 Contracts of the 2021 Offseason:
Average Annual Value
| PLAYER | TEAM | YRS | AVG. $ |
| 1. Steph Curry | Warriors | 4 | $53.75M |
| 2. Kevin Durant | Nets | 4 | $49.5M |
| 3. Joel Embiid | 76ers | 4 | $49M |
| 4. Jimmy Butler | Heat | 4 | $46M |
| 5. Kawhi Leonard | Clippers | 4 | $44.075 |
| t-6. Trae Young | Hawks | 5 | $41.4M |
| t-6. Luka Dončić | Mavericks | 5 | $41.4M |
| t-6. Michael Porter Jr. | Nuggets | 5 | $41.4M |
| 9. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder | 5 | $34.4M |
| t-10. Chris Paul | Suns | 4 | $30M |
| t-10. Kyle Lowry | Heat | 3 | $30M |
There are some incredible sums to marvel — and Julius Randle’s four years and $117 million weren’t even enough to make either one of our lists, to say nothing of Jarrett Allen’s five years and $100 million or Lonzo Ball’s four years and $85 million.
Business is booming around the Association.
And to think… this was supposed to be a “down year” in free agency.
