Players from the 2023 NBA Draft class have been getting taken care of with fresh extensions lately, but Milwaukee Bucks newcomer Jaime Jaquez Jr. is not among them. While conversations might be underway behind the scenes, there has been no public chatter. If those conversations are happening, the sides have plenty of time to hammer something out, as the rookie extension deadline is Oct. 19.
Does a Jaquez extension make sense for the Bucks?
Speaking to Spotrac's Keith Smith earlier this offseason, a Bucks executive said that the team would love to get something done with Jaquez. Of course, they would never say the opposite publicly, but it would indeed make sense for the sides to agree to something if Milwaukee thinks Jaquez will be a key piece of the future in this new Giannis Antetokounmpo-less era.
Yet, it might make more sense for Jaquez himself to hold off on discussions. Even after the best year of his career, the forward's likeliest extension right now could slot in the four-year, $80 million range, given that his reputation is a second-unit spark plug. With a likely starting role in Milwaukee on the horizon, Jaquez could easily exceed $100 million on an extension if he takes another leap.
No one could fault the forward if he wanted long-term security right now by inking what would be the biggest payday of his young career, but he wouldn't be the first player to bet on himself and earn a hefty payday if he elected to hold off. Given that things have been radio silent since Smith's July 23 article, it looks like this is a discussion that will be put off until next summer.
Other draftees getting taken care of can be fuel
If he does decide to hold off on cementing his long-term future in Milwaukee, Jaquez can find some motivation from his fellow 2023 draft mates currently cashing out.
First overall pick Victor Wembanyama secured a massive $252 million contract. The Thomspn twins, Amen and Ausar, became the first pair of brothers in NBA history to earn $100 million-plus contracts, with one earning a $208 million deal, while the other earned $155 million. Keyonte George agreed to a hefty $157.5 million extension. Hornets rising star Brandon Miller appears destined to be next in line.
While Jaquez hasn't reached the heights those players have and likely wouldn't earn a figure close to any of those deals on an extension, this can still fire him up. If you perform, your team will take care of you. Now, he has a golden opportunity to earn generational wealth with a clean slate in Milwaukee.
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