Top 5 NBA players from the 2018 draft class who did not receive contract extensions before the deadline

DeAndre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns.
DeAndre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns.

#3 Donte DiVincenzo

Donte DiVincenzo of the Milwaukee Bucks
Donte DiVincenzo of the Milwaukee Bucks

Donte DiVincenzo was the 17th overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft. He was fresh off two NCAA championships with Villanova, and is now an NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks. However, DiVincenzo and the Bucks failed to agree on an extension.

The 24-year-old guard has improved every season, earning the starting shooting guard spot last season. In 66 games, DiVincenzo averaged 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists, all career highs.

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In the NBA playoffs, DiVincenzo injured his left foot, and had to undergo surgery. He is expected to return for the Bucks at some point this season. Before he earns his first big contract, DiVincenzo has to prove he can stay healthy and help the Bucks defend their championship.


#2 Collin Sexton

Collin Sexton of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Collin Sexton of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Collin Sexton sixth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. In his three seasons in the league, Sexton has proven that he can score consistently, either as a starter or off the bench.

Last season, Sexton averaged career highs across the board. He averaged 24.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting at 47.5% from the field.

Despite Sexton enjoying a career year, the Cavaliers failed to give him an extension. Sexton has one more season to prove he can be successful alongside Darius Garland, who is eligible for an extension next season.


#1 DeAndre Ayton

DeAndre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns
DeAndre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns

The first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft was DeAndre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns. Ayton has become an integral part of a Suns team that was two wins away from winning their first NBA championship last season.

Ayton and the Suns were involved in extension talks throughout the summer, but the deadline passed, and no deal was signed. According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Ayton wanted a max, five-year contract, while the Suns did not view him as a max player.

The Suns have already extended two of Ayton's 2018 NBA draft classmates, Mikal Bridges and Landry Shamet.

So Ayton will enter the new NBA season with a lot to prove to earn the max contract he wants next summer. The 23-year-old big man from the Bahamas averaged 14.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 blocks per game last season.

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Edited by Bhargav
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