Wizards, Tomas Satoransky in early extension talks, according to report

Tomas Satoransky and the Wizards have started talks on a contract extension, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.

Unlike players near the end of rookie scale contracts like Kelly Oubre Jr.’s, whom the Wizards did not agree to terms with in mid-October for instance, the Wizards are free to negotiate a new deal with Satoransky before the summer.

The interest appears to be mutual. Satoransky is open to re-signing with the Wizards, NBC Sports Washington has learned.

Since Satoransky was a second round pick and signed a three-year deal instead of two-year deal like some other second rounders, Washington has more flexibility when it comes to negotiating an extension with Satoransky. They can work out an agreement at any point before he hits restricted free agency on July 1 to prevent him from getting out on the market. Considering Washington’s payroll issues and how much visibility Satoransky will get the rest of the season with John Wall out, it makes sense for Washington to explore an early extension rather than risk that he gets out on the market and gets a lucrative offer sheet.

As of now, it’s unclear what each side is looking for, but the rules in the CBA on in-season extensions provide some boundaries on what they can negotiate.

The salary in the first year of a veteran extension may be any amount up to 120% of the player’s previous salary, or 120% of the estimated average salary, whichever is greater, but no more than the player’s maximum salary in that season.

Since Satoransky is only making $3.1 million, the limiter would be 120 percent of the estimated average salary in 2019-20, which will be somewhere in the $10-12 million range.

The fact that they’re talking suggests Satoransky doesn’t think he’s worth more than that, which is probably a good read of the market. Last summer, Dante Exum got three years, $33 million from the Jazz. The Grizzlies signed Kyle Anderson to a four-year, $37 million offer sheet the Spurs chose not to match. Fred VanVleet signed a two-year, $18 million deal to stay in Toronto.

All three of those players were around his current production level, but they’re all younger than Satoransky, who turns 28 in October. Still, Satoransky has some leverage here because he’s shown he can fill in adequately for John Wall when needed and can play well alongside him when everyone’s healthy. There aren’t many guards who can play both of those roles. The big thing to keep an eye on will be the length of the deal. Satoransky doesn’t lean on his athleticism a whole lot, so his game should age fairly well, but there are always risks when you enter into a longer deal.

We’ll see how those talks work out in the coming days and months, but for now, it seems clear Washington still wants Tomas Satoransky as part of whatever their plans are for 2019 and beyond.