The clock’s ticking for two Celtics big men.
When this clock strikes midnight on October 31st, players entering the final year of their rookie contracts, who’ve decided to forgo restricted free agency, must have agreed to an extension with their respective teams by that point. The clock to which I’m referring to represents the “early contract extension” deadline.
Both Tyler Zeller and Jared Sullinger are eligible for this extension. While there are a number incentives to refrain from signing this extension – notably the chance to enjoy the spoils of NBA (restricted) free agency courtship – the early extension offers a safety net that’s forsaken if free agency’s chosen instead.