When Devin Vassell signed his rookie contract extension final offseason, some eyebrows had been raised as to the value of the deal. A assured $135 million {dollars} over 5 years didn’t simply let the Spur’s more moderen rookie scale contract extensions pale compared — Dejounte Murray signed for $64 million over 4 years in 2019, Derrick White for $73 over 4 years in 2020, and Keldon Johnson for $80 over 4 years in 2022. The Vassell deal was the primary time the Spurs handed out a five-year rookie contract extension since Kawhi Leonard’s $94-million contract in 2014. In actual fact, it’s the most important contract in Spurs historical past.
Eyebrows weren’t solely raised amongst Spurs followers. Even ESPN’s Zach Lowe, who has repeatedly acknowledged his admiration for Vassell and not too long ago referred to himself as “The president of the Devin Vassell is superior, probably superior fan membership,” was not a fan. Nevertheless, in Monday’s episode of his Lowe Submit podcast, he recalled his preliminary response to Vassell’s extension:
I’ll always remember going to a Knicks preseason sport final 12 months and simply speaking to folks on the baseline throughout warmups, the day Devin Vassell signed his extension, or the information broke. And I used to be astonished that a few the folks I used to be speaking with had been like, “You understand he in all probability might have gotten extra if he performed the season.” And I’m like, “Dude, what? […] He missed half of final season. He’s by no means performed on a very good group. […] If I’m Devin, I’m like, ‘The place do I signal 135 million bucks? I get to play with Victor now.’’
Whereas Lowe, as is to be anticipated from a highest-echelon analyst like him, definitely made a few reliable factors, Vassell adopted his extension up together with his finest season but. Although he had points with consistency, and he nonetheless wasn’t the defender many anticipated him to be popping out of faculty, he confirmed vital enchancment on the offensive finish. He was a three-level scorer whereas sporting a career-high true capturing share of 58%. He additionally made strides as a secondary playmaker, with an help share of 19%, a profession excessive. Having not too long ago turned 24, it’s approach too early to say Devin, at this stage, is what he’s. He’s nonetheless a pre-prime participant, and he in all probability shall be for an additional two years.
For the upcoming season, when his extension kicks in, the Spurs pays Vassell in extra of $29 million — greater than they’ve ever paid to a single participant for a single season. (Up till now, the Spurs’ highest per-season earner had been DeMar Derozan with near $28 million in every of his three seasons in Silver and Black.) Whether or not Devin shall be value that sort of cash from the get-go stays to be seen, however let’s put issues into perspective and look how at how a lot of the respective caps, as projected by Actual GM, Devin’s salaries will make up (figures rounded to full thousands and thousands):
For the upcoming season, the wage cap is about at $141 million, of which Vassell’s $29-million wage makes up 20%. The excellent news is: The proportion will lower from there.
For the 2025-26 season, the projected cap is $155 million, with the Spurs owing $27 million to Vassell — 17% of the projected cap. His wage stays the identical within the 2026-27 season, however as a result of projected cap hike to $170 million, Vassell’s wage will solely take up 16% of the cap.
Issues look even higher within the season Victor Wemnabyma will hopefully enter into the primary 12 months of his rookie scale extension. In 2027-28, the projected wage cap is $188 million. The Spurs will owe Vassell $25 million that season, merely 13% of the cap. The proportion stays the identical within the season after that, the ultimate 12 months of Vassell’s present contract, with him making $27 million (projected 2028-29 wage cap: $206 million).
All issues thought of, the Spurs must be in rivalry mode within the last two years of Vassell’s contract. By then, he shall be in his prime and hopefully what many suppose he can turn out to be: a secondary or tertiary choice as a two-way wing. An excellent goal and never too unrealistic a comparability would in all probability be what Khris Middleton was when the Bucks gained the championship in 2021. Middleton that 12 months received paid $33 million by the Bucks, roughly one third of the then wage cap. Devin’s wage from 2027 shall be roughly one eighth of the cap. Not too dangerous, is it?
A more moderen comparability is Franz Wagner. The German this low season signed a most rookie extension value at the least $224 million ($270 million if he turns into supermax-eligible). Wagner in 12 months three was in all probability a greater participant than Vassell was in his third season. He additionally might have a better ceiling. However is he value $89 million extra over 5 years than Vassell, or much more? That’s very uncertain on the very least.
Moreover, the Magic shall be hard-pressed to supply Paolo Banchero a contract value lower than Wagner’s subsequent low season. Two years from now, they might have two maximum-contract gamers on their payroll — and no clear-cut primary choice. The Spurs, in distinction, have as clear a primary choice because it will get in Victor Wembanyama. However the identical most contract guidelines apply to him as to some other participant.
Well being and continued growth for all 4 supplied, any GM would commerce Wagner and Banchero for Wembanyama and Vassell in 2027, when Wembanyama shall be on a most contract himself. Straight up, it wouldn’t be potential, although, as a result of Wembanyama and Vassell mixed will seemingly earn considerably lower than Wagner and Banchero. The Spurs had been fortunate to get the French Phenom, and the best way they’re working the cap round him appears awfully good to date.
