NBA: To Extend or Not to Extend?

To extend or not to extend? That is the question that’s loosely based on William Shakespeare’s masterpiece, “Hamlet.”

The deadline for NBA organizations to sign players from the 2011 Draft to a contract extension is Friday, October 31. With that date nearing, the time is now for decisions to be made.

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, a number of high-profile young players are currently in contract negotiations.

"Numerous teams are in extension talks with players, including Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors, Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs, Ricky Rubio and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler and the Chicago Bulls, Reggie Jackson and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brandon Knight and the Milwaukee Bucks, Tobias Harris and the Orlando Magic and Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Hornets."

Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets signed his new deal, while Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers is also engaged in the same process.

If the players listed are unable to secure an extension with their respective teams, they’ll become restricted free agents in 2015. Should their organization extend a qualifying offer, it’d have the right to match any deal that the player receives.

Most recently, restricted free agency led to rising stars Eric Bledsoe of the Phoenix Suns and Greg Monroe remaining unsigned into September. Bledsoe ultimately received $70 million over five seasons, while Monroe signed the far less lucrative qualifying offer to enable unrestricted free agency in 2015.

In other words, restricted free agency is exactly what it says it is: restrictive.

The question is, which teams should avoid the controversy and sign their players before the deadline passes?