New Jokic, Beal deals worth more than $250M

The NBA generated more basketball related income than ever this past season, the total number coming up just short of $9 billion (U.S.).

Business is good. The first night of free agency underscored how good.

Nikola Jokic and Bradley Beal both quickly agreed to deals that will be worth more than a quarter of a billion dollars by the time they expire, highlighting the moves made Thursday when the NBA’s annual free-agent negotiating window opened.

Jokic agreed to a supermax extension to remain with the Denver Nuggets, the two-time reigning MVP guaranteeing himself at least $264 million over five seasons starting with the 2023-24 campaign. The final number may go up slightly depending on what the league’s salary cap is going into the 2323-24 season and if it exceeds current projections.

Beal will make $251 million over the next five seasons after re-signing with Washington, one day after opting out of a $37-million option for this coming season.

Other extensions expected to be struck soon include supermax deals for Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Phoenix’s Devin Booker. And then there’s a slew of rookie extensions that can start coming Friday, with Memphis’ Ja Morant, Miami’s Tyler Herro and New Orleans’ Zion Williamson among the names on that list.

Canadian Luguentz Dort, undrafted three years ago and someone who made about $4 million combined in his three seasons with Oklahoma City, resigned with the Thunder for nearly $88 million over five years.