Rookie extensions: Whitmore and Hawkins fall out of the mix

The NBA’s window for rookie scale extensions is entering its decisive stretch, with the October 19 deadline now in sight. Four players from the 2020 draft class have already secured new rookie scale deals in 2026, and recent history suggests that number will climb over the next couple of weeks. From 2019 through 2025, every offseason featured at least nine rookie scale extensions, underscoring how often teams move to lock in their former first-round picks before restricted free agency.

Those agreements frequently come late. In each of the past seven offseasons, at least five rookie extensions were finalized in October, or in December during the COVID-delayed 2020 offseason. Some of the biggest names sort out their futures earlier in the summer – this year, Victor Wembanyama reached a new deal with the San Antonio Spurs well before camp – but a significant portion of the market typically goes right up against the cut-off date.

Hoops Rumors ranks 19 remaining extension candidates

Against that backdrop, Hoops Rumors has compiled a ranking of players still eligible to sign rookie scale extensions this year and who remain unsigned. The outlet identifies 19 such players who entered the offseason with the option to extend, ordering them from least to most likely to finalize an agreement by October 19. The list focuses not on who deserves the richest contract, but on who is most likely to have a deal in place by opening night and avoid restricted free agency in July 2027.

Rookie scale extensions give teams an opportunity to secure young talent before they reach the open market, while giving players long-term security without navigating offer sheets. As the deadline approaches, both sides must decide whether to compromise now or accept the uncertainty of restricted free agency down the road.

Whitmore and Hawkins drop out after being waived

When breaking down the candidates, Hoops Rumors removes two names from its initial group. Cam Whitmore, who was extension-eligible at the start of the summer, was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Cleveland Cavaliers and then waived by Cleveland. He has since landed with the Denver Nuggets on a two-way contract, taking him out of the standard rookie-scale extension conversation.

Jordan Hawkins followed a comparable path. Dealt from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Memphis Grizzlies, he was subsequently cut by Memphis and is expected to clear waivers later today. According to the report, he may need to accept a two-way deal to remain on an NBA roster for opening night.

With Whitmore and Hawkins now focused on securing roster spots rather than long-term extensions, the active pool of rookie-scale candidates has effectively shrunk. That should set the stage for a flurry of decisions in the coming days, as remaining former first-rounders and their teams weigh the benefits of striking a deal now versus testing the restricted free agent market in 2027.