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Is free agency in danger? What the new NBA agreement changes for mid-tier players

The impact of the new collective agreement divides opinions on the future of mid-tier NBA players. Between a 60% increase in contract extensions and drastic reduction in free agency, consequences for the middle class are debatable.
Is free agency in danger? What the new NBA agreement changes for mid-tier players

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) drives to the hoop past Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) during the first quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Photo Credit : © Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The new NBA NBA collective agreement has been causing much discussion since its implementation. As free agency loses its traditional appeal and contract extensions surge, a central question emerges: is the NBA’s middle class truly threatened by these structural changes?

Free agency transformed by new rules

The numbers speak for themselves: contract extensions have increased by 60% since the adoption of the new collective agreement. Under the previous 2017 CBA, there were 8.3 extensions per year for rookie contract players and 12.3 for veterans. Under the new system, these figures have risen to 9.7 and 16.7 respectively, bringing the annual total from 18 to 29 extended players.

This transformation is explained by several mechanisms. First, teams can now negotiate with their own free agents right after the Finals, before the official market opening. Additionally, the salary increase for extensions has gone from 120% to 140%, making these offers much more attractive.

« The collective agreement mechanism was very clear: give teams an advantage to draft, develop and keep their players, » explained Commissioner Adam Silver. « This doesn’t mean there’s no more free agency, but in many cases, players are choosing to stay in these markets. »

Divided opinions on the real impact

This evolution divides observers. Draymond Green of the Warriors strongly criticized these changes: « We can only point to the ‘New Collective Agreement’ and the second cap for completely ending Free Agency as we knew it. »

Austin Rivers shares this concern, believing the current system creates a divide: « Either you make $50 million or $2 million. It’s a joke. I can’t tell you how many mid-level players are signing for the veteran minimum in the NBA. »

However, Adam Silver disputes this view: « The data doesn’t support this idea. If you look at the lowest-paid players, the highest-paid players, and the middle group you call the middle class, we actually see a slight increase compared to the situation under the old collective agreement. »

CJ McCollum, former players union president, agrees: « There’s a misconception that players aren’t being paid like they used to be. That’s not true. Players are making more money than ever. And the middle class is making more money than ever. »

Concrete examples that nuance the debate

Several recent contracts illustrate this contrasted reality. Santi Aldama extended for $52.5 million over three years with Memphis, Duncan Robinson signed a $48 million deal over three years with Detroit, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker joined Atlanta for $60.5 million over four years.

These examples suggest that while free agency has lost its usual spectacle, financial opportunities for the middle class haven’t necessarily disappeared. The challenge lies more in adapting to a new paradigm where extensions take precedence over team changes, fundamentally transforming the dynamics of the NBA transfer market.

Sylvain Sultat suit la NBA au quotidien, entre performances individuelles, dynamiques collectives et grandes histoires de la ligue. Sur BeBasket, il décrypte l’actualité américaine avec passion et régularité, toujours à l’affût des tendances qui font bouger le monde du basket.

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