25-26 MLE(s): To Extend or Not to Extend
25-26 MLE(s): To Extend or Not to Extend
In total 10 teams have used their MLE this season. Might do further research on if that number is low or not but now is not that time. Inspired by Wes having to defend Skal not getting extended last season, i decided to give some teams a friendly reminder.
Some teams have already picked up the option on their MLE players while others are still wondering what to do. With that day 60 deadline creeping up, lets go over what some teams could do.
Washington Bullets — Bobby Portis
PF 30 6'10'' 250 — C+ B D B- B+ C
Stats thru 35 games(only app in 27): 9.3 2.7 3.1 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.3 .443 .900 .000
Per 36: 10.5 12.0 1.6 1.6 0.4 1.2
I played a little comparison game with Skal to decide whether Bobby was worth the re-up. While Bobby does board better, he has no where close to the hands and defensive acumen that Skal does. I think based on the defense, Bug Eyes Bobby will not be extended but in a world where rebounding is gold, he could.
Verdict: NO EXTENSION
Charlotte Hornets — Jaren Jackson Jr.
PF 26 6'10'' 242 — B B C- A- C+ C
Stats thru 38 games(app in all): 33.5 12.5 9.1 2.3 0.6 1.6 1.3 .416 .852 .333
Per 36: 13.4 9.8 2.5 0.6 1.7 1.4
I was a tad bummed when Jaren decided to go to Charlotte instead of coming to the Bay on the same deal. Both squads are flourishing so i guess no harm no foul but i wanted the opp to help repair his image. I believe this is a no brainer BUT things are a tad dicey in Charlotte atm according to league sources. Murray has been blocked and this team might be changing course once they get their picks back. I think if im them though, if your timeline for winning is this season and next, you hit the extension button on Jaren. His defense is legit and his rebounding numbers, while not top tier, are still respectable enough.
Verdict: EXTEND
Detroit Pistons — Caress Le Vert
SG 31 6'6'' 205 — B+ A C+ B+ C C
Stats thru 41 games(app in all): 33.4 18.0 5.7 2.7 1.8 0.3 2.9 .437 .816 .383
Gonna insert this because i think you will read it: RB i stg if you let Bilal die i will never forgive you. My boy needs camps. RB has already decided on monsieur Le Vert. Giving him the MLE extension. I would love to sit here and cry about those 2.9 to/pg but i am someone whose starting SF is averaging 3.0 a game. Poor mans Tatum? Crazy that his turnovers have kept people from giving him any sort of minutes throughout his career. Yea based on ratings and how pricey the wing market is, why not hit that extendo like RB has. I wonder if there is a way to optimize him though because RB needs to make the playoffs this year.
Verdict: Has already been extended
Milwaukee Bucks — Donte “Big Ragu” Divincenzo
SG 29 6'4'' 203 — C+ A- B B C+ C
Stats thru 37 games(app in 30?!): 21.6 12.0 4.0 1.5 1.1 0.4 0.7 .458 .907 .392
Per 36: 20.0 6.7 2.5 1.8 0.7 1.2
Yea, i entirely knew it would take 4.6m to get Donte to stay home but i was never going to give him the opportunity for more minutes. Sucks but im happy Derek scooped him and was happy to land him. Donte worked on his defense during camp to try and make Milwaukee’s choice a little easier come this time of year. I think this is a no brainer if you want a cheap SG who doesnt turn it over and whose defense is somehow improving.
Verdict: EXTEND HIM ALREADY
Dallas Mavericks - Talen Horton(hears a who)-Tucker
SG 25 6'4'' 234 — C+ B+ B- A- C D
Stats thru 32 games(app in 30): 9.3 5.2 1.9 1.5 0.3 0.1 0.7 .437 .875 .333
Per 36: 20.1 7.4 5.8 1.2 0.4 2.7
THT is young and had a pretty good year for the SoNicks last season. Will Dallas pick up his option? No. Not a chance in hell. After getting completely smoked by Embiid and KP the past two offseasons, Hoff is on his revenge tour this upcoming summer. This is not indicative on THT, i think those stats are pretty legit and he usually is even steals to turnovers. Idk, someone who needs SG/PG depth should trade for and bet on the upside here…regardless of him showing D pot.
Verdict:NO EXTENSION(for Dallas), PERHAPS EXTENSION(for prospective buyers)
Woof, really thought this article would be going faster for me. Keep it uh pushin…
Minnesota Timberwolves — Julius Randle
SF 31 6'8'' 250 — B- A- C C B C
Stats thru 36 games(app in 31): 35.4 22.5 7.5 2.7 0.9 0.2 2.5 .483 .931 .455
Per 36: Close enough
Shoutout Julius for making my job easier. Yea Minnesota is currently a playoff team thanks to a job well done by Julius this season. IRL i could never imagine him next to Giannis and KAT but its working. Pankin saw enough and extended Sir Julius. Weird how this PF draft class has turned out. It was him, Bari, and AG for the unlearneds.
Verdict: Pankin picked up the xxxtentación
Utah Yazz — Boogie Cousins
C 35 6'11'' 270 — A- B+ D C+ B+ D
Stats thru 37(app in 27): 29.6 17.7 9.3 1.6 0.4 0.6 2.1 .451 .902 .476
Per 36: ehhh close enough
Short and sweet on this one. I liked how Ralph came into the season. He needed big depth and wanted to sell some extra tickets through a boogie nights promotion. Win-win. Now did he think FVV would take a walk-about? Probably fookin not. Sorry Boog, blame this on the drake look-a-like and your age but mostly your age.
Verdict: NO EXTENSION
Los Angeles Clippers — Josh Giddey
SF 23 6'8'' 210 — C+ B- A- B C+ B
Stats thru 34(app in 26): 9.6 3.3 1.5 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.7 .538 .692 .538
Per 36: 12.8 5.8 4.6 0.8 0.4 2.7
Straight up, if i was tanking, i would take a flier on Giddey and start him at point. Say he turns out good and wins you too many games, well then extend him and trade him for value. He is too young and is showing too much potential to get washed. He looks good, and if he is somehow nasty at pg then we are all missing out. Shit i guess Bobby traded Fultzy, yea man, give Giddey the burn, you never know.
Verdict: Bobby wont, makes sense to keep cap space and i guess i wouldnt based off not knowing so fuck it NO EXTENSION but damn what could be.
Phoenix PeterSuns — Jeremy Lamb
SG 33 6'5'' 180 — C A C C C- D
Stats thru 34(app in 14? Oof): 6.4 1.7 0.9 1.5 0.1 0.0 0.4 .364 .750 .333
Per 36: not happening
Tyler is still at the top of the pacific after completely flipping his team to outside focused. Darn. Yea idk, Lamb just isnt getting burn and there is a lot of younger cheaper talent out there for an outside squad. Sorry Jeremy.
Verdict: NO EXTENSION
Sacramento Kangz — Jarred Vanderbilt(traded today from Denver)
PF 26 6'8'' 214 — C C C- C+ A- D
Stats thru 31(app in 7 lol): 7.4 1.3 2.9 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 .300 .600 .000
Per 36: Jesse’s job
Time for a player argument. Vando’s defense should be higher. Thats it, thats all i got. Jesse wont pick this up and i view Vando as an LLE type at most. Sorry Jarred, i think the TC lords pooped on you and hoped you turned out better.
Verdict: NO EXTENSION
Alright, word, hopefully this was a good informative article for you folks.
Some teams have already picked up the option on their MLE players while others are still wondering what to do. With that day 60 deadline creeping up, lets go over what some teams could do.
Washington Bullets — Bobby Portis
PF 30 6'10'' 250 — C+ B D B- B+ C
Stats thru 35 games(only app in 27): 9.3 2.7 3.1 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.3 .443 .900 .000
Per 36: 10.5 12.0 1.6 1.6 0.4 1.2
I played a little comparison game with Skal to decide whether Bobby was worth the re-up. While Bobby does board better, he has no where close to the hands and defensive acumen that Skal does. I think based on the defense, Bug Eyes Bobby will not be extended but in a world where rebounding is gold, he could.
Verdict: NO EXTENSION
Charlotte Hornets — Jaren Jackson Jr.
PF 26 6'10'' 242 — B B C- A- C+ C
Stats thru 38 games(app in all): 33.5 12.5 9.1 2.3 0.6 1.6 1.3 .416 .852 .333
Per 36: 13.4 9.8 2.5 0.6 1.7 1.4
I was a tad bummed when Jaren decided to go to Charlotte instead of coming to the Bay on the same deal. Both squads are flourishing so i guess no harm no foul but i wanted the opp to help repair his image. I believe this is a no brainer BUT things are a tad dicey in Charlotte atm according to league sources. Murray has been blocked and this team might be changing course once they get their picks back. I think if im them though, if your timeline for winning is this season and next, you hit the extension button on Jaren. His defense is legit and his rebounding numbers, while not top tier, are still respectable enough.
Verdict: EXTEND
Detroit Pistons — Caress Le Vert
SG 31 6'6'' 205 — B+ A C+ B+ C C
Stats thru 41 games(app in all): 33.4 18.0 5.7 2.7 1.8 0.3 2.9 .437 .816 .383
Gonna insert this because i think you will read it: RB i stg if you let Bilal die i will never forgive you. My boy needs camps. RB has already decided on monsieur Le Vert. Giving him the MLE extension. I would love to sit here and cry about those 2.9 to/pg but i am someone whose starting SF is averaging 3.0 a game. Poor mans Tatum? Crazy that his turnovers have kept people from giving him any sort of minutes throughout his career. Yea based on ratings and how pricey the wing market is, why not hit that extendo like RB has. I wonder if there is a way to optimize him though because RB needs to make the playoffs this year.
Verdict: Has already been extended
Milwaukee Bucks — Donte “Big Ragu” Divincenzo
SG 29 6'4'' 203 — C+ A- B B C+ C
Stats thru 37 games(app in 30?!): 21.6 12.0 4.0 1.5 1.1 0.4 0.7 .458 .907 .392
Per 36: 20.0 6.7 2.5 1.8 0.7 1.2
Yea, i entirely knew it would take 4.6m to get Donte to stay home but i was never going to give him the opportunity for more minutes. Sucks but im happy Derek scooped him and was happy to land him. Donte worked on his defense during camp to try and make Milwaukee’s choice a little easier come this time of year. I think this is a no brainer if you want a cheap SG who doesnt turn it over and whose defense is somehow improving.
Verdict: EXTEND HIM ALREADY
Dallas Mavericks - Talen Horton(hears a who)-Tucker
SG 25 6'4'' 234 — C+ B+ B- A- C D
Stats thru 32 games(app in 30): 9.3 5.2 1.9 1.5 0.3 0.1 0.7 .437 .875 .333
Per 36: 20.1 7.4 5.8 1.2 0.4 2.7
THT is young and had a pretty good year for the SoNicks last season. Will Dallas pick up his option? No. Not a chance in hell. After getting completely smoked by Embiid and KP the past two offseasons, Hoff is on his revenge tour this upcoming summer. This is not indicative on THT, i think those stats are pretty legit and he usually is even steals to turnovers. Idk, someone who needs SG/PG depth should trade for and bet on the upside here…regardless of him showing D pot.
Verdict:NO EXTENSION(for Dallas), PERHAPS EXTENSION(for prospective buyers)
Woof, really thought this article would be going faster for me. Keep it uh pushin…
Minnesota Timberwolves — Julius Randle
SF 31 6'8'' 250 — B- A- C C B C
Stats thru 36 games(app in 31): 35.4 22.5 7.5 2.7 0.9 0.2 2.5 .483 .931 .455
Per 36: Close enough
Shoutout Julius for making my job easier. Yea Minnesota is currently a playoff team thanks to a job well done by Julius this season. IRL i could never imagine him next to Giannis and KAT but its working. Pankin saw enough and extended Sir Julius. Weird how this PF draft class has turned out. It was him, Bari, and AG for the unlearneds.
Verdict: Pankin picked up the xxxtentación
Utah Yazz — Boogie Cousins
C 35 6'11'' 270 — A- B+ D C+ B+ D
Stats thru 37(app in 27): 29.6 17.7 9.3 1.6 0.4 0.6 2.1 .451 .902 .476
Per 36: ehhh close enough
Short and sweet on this one. I liked how Ralph came into the season. He needed big depth and wanted to sell some extra tickets through a boogie nights promotion. Win-win. Now did he think FVV would take a walk-about? Probably fookin not. Sorry Boog, blame this on the drake look-a-like and your age but mostly your age.
Verdict: NO EXTENSION
Los Angeles Clippers — Josh Giddey
SF 23 6'8'' 210 — C+ B- A- B C+ B
Stats thru 34(app in 26): 9.6 3.3 1.5 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.7 .538 .692 .538
Per 36: 12.8 5.8 4.6 0.8 0.4 2.7
Straight up, if i was tanking, i would take a flier on Giddey and start him at point. Say he turns out good and wins you too many games, well then extend him and trade him for value. He is too young and is showing too much potential to get washed. He looks good, and if he is somehow nasty at pg then we are all missing out. Shit i guess Bobby traded Fultzy, yea man, give Giddey the burn, you never know.
Verdict: Bobby wont, makes sense to keep cap space and i guess i wouldnt based off not knowing so fuck it NO EXTENSION but damn what could be.
Phoenix PeterSuns — Jeremy Lamb
SG 33 6'5'' 180 — C A C C C- D
Stats thru 34(app in 14? Oof): 6.4 1.7 0.9 1.5 0.1 0.0 0.4 .364 .750 .333
Per 36: not happening
Tyler is still at the top of the pacific after completely flipping his team to outside focused. Darn. Yea idk, Lamb just isnt getting burn and there is a lot of younger cheaper talent out there for an outside squad. Sorry Jeremy.
Verdict: NO EXTENSION
Sacramento Kangz — Jarred Vanderbilt(traded today from Denver)
PF 26 6'8'' 214 — C C C- C+ A- D
Stats thru 31(app in 7 lol): 7.4 1.3 2.9 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 .300 .600 .000
Per 36: Jesse’s job
Time for a player argument. Vando’s defense should be higher. Thats it, thats all i got. Jesse wont pick this up and i view Vando as an LLE type at most. Sorry Jarred, i think the TC lords pooped on you and hoped you turned out better.
Verdict: NO EXTENSION
Alright, word, hopefully this was a good informative article for you folks.
Santa Cruz Warriors NDL Champs: 2008, 2012, 2014
-
SourKittles
- General Manager
- Posts: 202
- Joined: May 4th, 2025, 8:02 pm
25-26 MLE(s): To Extend or Not to Extend
Pistons might want to unextend dat boi
Celtics ah the balls
25-26 MLE(s): To Extend or Not to Extend
Would be fun to see history and who was greatest extension of all time… does Semi QO count?
25-26 MLE(s): To Extend or Not to Extend
Come get Coulibaly. Ain’t shit happening with him in Detroit
-
- Newest Posts
- Top Active Users
- Newest Users
