The Browns have officially joined the ranks of the NFL’s big spenders.

On Monday, Cleveland signed Denzel Ward to a five-year, $100.5 million extension, per multiple reports — making him the highest-paid cornerback in league history by total value, AAV ($20.1M), and guaranteed money ($71.3M).

The Browns’ have now spent $340.5 million in guaranteed money this offseason, almost $100 million more than any other team — and with Ward’s deal, Cleveland’s top four contracts account for a staggering $461.3 million in guarantees.

• QB Deshaun Watson: $230M
• DE Myles Garrett: $100M
• Ward: $71.3M
• WR Amari Cooper: $60M

After the trade for Watson, incumbent quarterback Baker Mayfield requested a trade — meaning the team will likely get his guaranteed $18.9 million off the books.

The Browns will hope the lavish spending and new signal-caller will finally lift them out of eternal mediocrity and into serious playoff contention, though bookmakers remain a bit skeptical — they’re tied for the ninth-best odds (+1700) to lift the Lombardi Trophy.

After blowing out the Nuggets in Game 2, Golden State’s Draymond Green vowed to start a petition if Jordan Poole doesn’t win Most Improved Player of the Year.

Three years into his rookie contract, Poole is angling for a contract extension this summer.

The 22-year-old is rumored to be seeking $80 million over four years, but one pundit noted earlier this season that his price tag could increase well above $100 million “if he explodes in the playoffs.”

He’s been one of Golden State’s most consistent offensive forces all season (18.5 PPG), but Poole is now breaking out in his first postseason — and essentially turning the Splash Brothers into triplets.

• He’s averaging 29.5 points on 65.5% shooting and 58.8% from three.
• Poole’s 59 points through his first two playoff games trail only Wilt Chamberlain (63 points) in Warriors history.
• Through two games, the trio of Poole, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson has a 154.5 offensive rating.
• Their 57.7 net rating is the second-highest among Golden State’s three-man rotations.

Poole, the 11th-highest-paid Warrior ($2.2M) is owed $3.9 million next year. 

If the Warriors pass on an extension offer this offseason, he’ll become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2023.

But Poole could make that a moot point with a prolific rest of the postseason — and maybe become a $100 million man.

After rejecting the Mavericks’ four-year, $56 million extension offer, Jalen Brunson decided to bet on himself for the final season of his rookie deal.

On Monday, with Luka Doncic sidelined and Dallas in danger of dropping its first two at home to the Jazz in their first-round series, Brunson dropped a career-high 41 points with eight rebounds and five assists in a 110-104 victory. 

That’s the type of calling card the former second-rounder will need when he hits unrestricted free agency this summer.

• Brunson is earning $1.8M in the final year of a four-year, $6.1M contract signed after he won two national championships at Villanova.
• He is reportedly seeking a four-year, $80 million deal.
• Brunson averaged career highs in points (16.3), rebounds (3.9), and assists (4.8) in the regular season.
• He’s averaging 32.5, 7.5, and 5.0 in two postseason games.

While the Knicks have reportedly been interested in acquiring the guard, Mavs owner Mark Cuban told DallasBasketball.com that “we will do all we can to keep (Brunson)…”

The first player in Mavericks history with 40-plus points and no turnovers in a postseason game will try to back it up Thursday in Game 3.

With 61 starts this season, heavy minutes — with or without Luka — aren’t new for Brunson. But his importance is amplified in the superstar’s continued absence.