There was once talk – fueled by D’Angelo Russell – of Suns star Devin Booker and Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns teaming up in the NBA.
Instead, Booker and Towns just signed super-max contract extensions to stay with their current teams.
But for how long?
In an era of star movement, team control matters a great deal. Sure, players can request trades whenever they want. But the longer a team has a player under contract, the more power it holds – to deny a trade request or get greater return in a trade. Plus, the next Collective Bargaining Agreement might curtail players’ ability to force their way out. So, it’s never too early to look ahead for players of this caliber.
Towns got a player option in 2027. Booker is locked in with Phoenix through 2028.
Keith Smith of Spotrac:
Player option on the final season of Karl-Anthony Towns' four-year extension (35% of the 2024-25 cap) with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Deal also includes a 10% trade bonus.@spotrac
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 9, 2022
No options in Devin Booker's four-year extension (35% of the 2024-25 cap) with the Phoenix Suns. Deal includes a 10% trade bonus.@spotrac
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 9, 2022
It’s surprising Towns got more-favorable contract terms than Booker. The Suns have had way more team success with Booker than the Timberwolves with Towns. Booker plays a more premium position (shooting guard) than Towns (big). Minnesota just had to trade a boatload of assets for Rudy Gobert to cover for Towns’ defensive weaknesses. Booker has developed into a two-way player.
But credit to Towns and his agent for getting the player option. And credit Phoenix for winning this aspect of the negotiation.
Maybe it won’t matter. Maybe Towns will opt in. Maybe Booker wouldn’t have opted out, anyway.
But player options can be so valuable. Not only do they allow players to hit free agency and leave, they also give players an opportunity to re-up with their current teams for even more compensation (via a raise and/or new long-term deal). Towns will have options that Booker doesn’t in 2027.
Considering the stakes of having a player like either of those two, that could matter greatly in a few years.
