There's no way to be free unless you take the QO playing for 1 yr after your rookie deal with low money so you won't be a restricted FA the following year (which is just plain stupid in case you get injured ie: nurkic, PG, etc). If he went into FA after his rookie deal the suns would just match any max offer he got, so he was stuck regardless. It was smart to take the max extension early so he was covered in case of injury then become an unrestricted FA after that contract is over at age 27. Had nothing to do with him choosing to stay in phoenix and play for that franchise. The CBA is set up for you to be forced to stay 7-8 years minimum now with the team that drafts you unless you want to risk playing on a QO