The Golden State Warriors and Wisconsin native Brandin Podziemski have agreed to a fresh five-year extension worth $110 million. Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins should be licking his chops. He will hit free agency next summer when he inevitably declines his player option, and if he continues to rise on his current trajectory, this financial figure could be the bare minimum he could command.
Rollins is already the better player
Podziemski is coming off a career year, having averaged 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Those are solid numbers. If the Warriors believe that is worth $110 million, it will be fascinating to see what the Bucks think Rollins, who averaged 17.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 boards, and 1.5 steals per game, is worth.
Of course, the two sides won't be talking right now. Rollins still has two years on the three-year deal worth $12 million he signed last summer. However, once he inevitably opts out next summer, the two sides will almost certainly aim to hammer something out. If they were talking, Rollins could use this as leverage, pointing to his better numbers and stronger defensive play, as to why he should earn more.
All of that speculation comes before he is set to have the most prominent career of his NBA career.
Rollins destined to exceed this figure
If Ryan Rollins' representatives and the Milwaukee Bucks were talking right now, it would make sense for the combo guard to land something along the lines of Keyonte George's deal with the Utah Jazz. He signed for five years and $157.5 million. That's hefty. However, depending on how this year goes, he may be in line for something even greater.
Rollins broke out last season because he had a prominent opportunity in Giannis Antetokounmpo's extended absences. Now, the Greek Freak is gone, and the Milwaukee Bucks need a star. It's been a quiet preseason for Tyler Herro, who is supposed to be the first option, and while it's early, that has allowed Rollins to step up and make it look like this is his team.
If that carries over into the regular season, Rollins could shatter his career highs from last year. If that does happen, any offer even close to Podzemski's $110 million could be insulting. Anything less than that could be his one-way ticket out of town via a sign-and-trade. The Bucks must pay up eventually.
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