The Boston Celtics just handed Jordan Walsh a three-year, $16 million extension (with a team option in the third year), and now, the Denver Nuggets have a benchmark to use if they want to extend Julian Strawther. Strawther is the better scorer, but Walsh’s defensive talent brings the two closer than what may meet the eye.
Walsh is probably worth more than what he signed for, but he also probably just wanted to lock in his first real NBA payday. So, inking this deal guarantees him a few more years in the league and a good chunk of money. If Strawther wants to stay in Denver, a deal like this one could be the best way for him to do so.
The Nuggets are pressed up against the first and second aprons, so they don’t want to overpay anyone. A deal like this one for Strawther could be decent value. The question is, can the Nuggets get him to take this type of extension?
Jordan Walsh extension could be benchmark for Julian Strawther's
After a solid sophomore season, Strawther took a step back this past season. He went from playing 21.3 minutes per game in his second year to just 15.1 this past season with the Nuggets.
Strawther appeared in 57 games this past year, starting 14 of them. The 24-year-old wing averaged 7.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 46.7% from the field and 38.7% from deep on 2.6 three-point attempts per contest.
Meanwhile, Walsh actually played fewer minutes than Strawther, but his defensive impact for the Celtics couldn’t be measured through his box-score statistics.
Still, throughout Walsh’s 68 appearances (25 starts), he played 17.8 minutes per contest. He averaged 5.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.7 steals while shooting 50.9% from the floor and 38.4% from deep on 1.8 attempts a night.
However, he was also tasked with guarding some of the best players on opposing teams. Guys like Tyrese Maxey, whom he was also one of the primary defenders on during the playoffs.
Based on both teams’ current financial situations, this is the type of deal they are comfortable handing out to end-of-rotation wings. Walsh took the deal. But will Strawther?
Because this is likely the type of benchmark Denver will use in extension negotiations moving forward. If a defense-first player like Walsh will accept this type of money for a contending team, why can’t an offense-first player like Strawther do the same for his?
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