Following the culmination of the NBA Finals and the 2025 NBA draft, the league’s summer activities are gaining traction.
Phoenix Suns player Kevin Durant is reportedly transferring to the Houston Rockets. Various teams are monitoring two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and his commitment to the Milwaukee Bucks.
In separate news, the New York Knicks have appointed a new head coach, while the Boston Celtics are substantially modifying their roster following confirmation that Jayson Tatum will be sidelined for a significant duration next season due to surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon.
The Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic started the transaction period with a deal that involved numerous players and draft selections. Desmond Bane is moving to Orlando in return for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four future first-round draft selections, and a future first-round pick exchange.
The NBA has declared the salary cap for the 2025-26 season to be $154.647 million, with the luxury tax threshold at $187.895 million. The first apron level is set at $195.945 million, and the second apron level is $207.824 million.
Our NBA sources will be covering the latest agreements, discussions, reports, and insights throughout the offseason, so stay connected for updates on the key changes that will affect the league.
Aug. 5
4:28 p.m. ET: Sam Permut of Roc Nation, the agent for Chris Boucher, disclosed to ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Boston Celtics are contracting free agent forward Chris Boucher on a one-year, $3.3M contract.
4:10 p.m. ET: ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Boston Celtics are exchanging forward Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz for rookie guard RJ Luis Jr., according to sources.
July 23
8:56 a.m. ET: Shy Saee and Winston Nelson of Klutch Sports, agents for Lindy Waters III, notified ESPN’s Shams Charania that free agent guard Lindy Waters III has agreed to terms on a one-year agreement with the San Antonio Spurs. Waters has achieved a 36.6% success rate from the 3-point line in his initial four NBA seasons playing for Oklahoma City, Golden State, and Detroit.
July 22
1:32 p.m. ET: Sources inform ESPN that free agent forward Josh Okogie has consented to a one-year agreement of $3.1 million with the Houston Rockets. Last season, Okogie participated in a career-low of 40 games with Phoenix and Charlotte.
11:07 a.m. ET: Sources report to ESPN that free agent guard Blake Wesley has reached terms on a one-year agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers. Wesley was a substitute player in all 58 games he participated in for San Antonio during the previous season.
July 21
3:15 p.m. ET: Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman of Priority Sports have informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that free agent Doug McDermott has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million agreement to return to the Sacramento Kings. McDermott will be embarking on his 12th NBA season following a 2024-25 season where he shot 44% from the 3-point range in 42 games.
11:08 a.m. ET: Steven Heumann, Ty Sullivan, and Jessica Holtz of CAA have informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that twelve-time All-Star Chris Paul has reached an agreement with the LA Clippers. Paul had several options, yet he elected to join the competitive Clippers and reunite with his former team in L.A. for what is anticipated to be his 21st and potentially final NBA season.
July 20
9:54 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Los Angeles Lakers have released guard Jordan Goodwin. Goodwin emerged as a crucial component of JJ Redick’s rotation towards the latter part of the previous season, appearing in 29 games and four playoff matches. Goodwin and Shake Milton were let go to create room for the introduction of Marcus Smart.
1:48 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Los Angeles Lakers have released guard Shake Milton. Milton’s $3 million contract for the upcoming season would have been fully guaranteed today. The Lakers are freeing up space to facilitate the signing of Marcus Smart.
July 19
5:10 p.m. ET: Sources have informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Marcus Smart has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and intends to sign a two-year, $11 million agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers following the completion of waivers.
July 17
5:18 p.m. ET: Sources have informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is nearing completion of a three-year, $42 million agreement to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. The agreement is expected to have a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade provision.
July 16
2:29 p.m. ET: Rich Paul and Brandon Cavanaugh of Klutch Sports have informed ESPN that the Milwaukee Bucks are re-signing forward Chris Livingston on a completely secured one-year agreement valued at $2.3 million. Livingston was chosen as the 58th pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
1:31 p.m. ET: Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal has reached an agreement with the Phoenix Suns to buy out his contract and intends to join the LA Clippers on a two-year, $11 million agreement with a player option subsequent to completing waivers.
July 14
12:40 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Memphis Grizzlies and guard Cam Spencer’s representatives, Mark Bartelstein and Ross Aroyo of Priority Sports, have restructured their re-signing agreement. Spencer is now signing a new four-year agreement for $10.5 million, featuring three fully secured seasons. Spencer had previously agreed to a two-year agreement worth $4.5 million.
July 12
8:32 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Cole Anthony has reached an agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies to buy out his contract and intends to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks after clearing waivers.
July 11
3:57 p.m. ET: Drew Morrison and Sam Rose of CAA informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that free agent center Isaiah Jackson has agreed to a three-year agreement for $21 million to return to the Indiana Pacers.
July 10
7:46 p.m. ET: Mark Bartelstein and Kieran Piller of Priority Sports informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones has agreed to a three-year, $68 million contract extension with the franchise. Jones now has a total of five years and $97M remaining on his Pelicans contract, inclusive of a player option in 2029-30.
5:56 p.m. ET: Sources inform ESPN that free agent Marvin Bagley III has agreed to a one-year agreement with the Washington Wizards. Bagley is returning to the Wizards after playing in Washington for a year (2024-25) and then being traded to Memphis at the February deadline.
2:56 p.m. ET: Bill Duffy and Justin Haynes of WME Basketball informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Oklahoma City Thunder All-NBA star and champion Jalen Williams has agreed to a five-year maximum rookie contract extension which could reach $287 million.
July 9
9:41 p.m. ET: Agent Greg Lawrence of Wasserman informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that free agent guard Jordan McLaughlin has agreed to a one-year, $3 million agreement to return to the San Antonio Spurs.
9:06 p.m. ET: Jessica Holtz and Melvin Booker of CAA informed ESPN that Phoenix Suns superstar Devin Booker has agreed to a two-year, $145 million maximum contract extension with the franchise through the 2029-30 season, marking the highest annual extension salary in NBA history.
9:30 a.m. ET: Bill Duffy of WME Basketball informed ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday morning that Oklahoma City Thunder star and 2025 NBA champion Chet Holmgren has agreed to a completely guaranteed five-year maximum rookie contract extension that could reach $250 million.
July 8
7:55 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Washington Wizards are trading Kelly Olynyk to the San Antonio Spurs for Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, and a 2026 second-round pick (least favorable of Dallas, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City).
7 p.m. ET: A league source confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday that Nikola Jokic will not be seeking a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this summer, thus postponing extension discussions until next summer.
July 7
6:21 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero has agreed to a five-year maximum rookie contract extension which could reach $287 million. The agreement includes a player option, the first for a rookie max since Luka Doncic and Trae Young in 2021.
5:03 p.m. ET: Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports informed ESPN on Monday that free agent guard Kyle Lowry has agreed to a one-year agreement to return to the Philadelphia 76ers.
1:33 p.m. ET: The Portland Trail Blazers announced they have officially acquired Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons. Nonetheless, the trade no longer entails Portland sending two second-round picks to Boston.
10:19 a.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the LA Clippers, Utah Jazz, and Miami Heat have reached a trade agreement which sends Norman Powell to Miami, John Collins to Los Angeles, and Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and a 2027 Clippers second-round pick to the Jazz.
July 6
10:21 p.m. ET: Agents Mike Silverman and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that free agent guard Ryan Rollins has agreed to a three-year agreement for $12 million to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, which includes a player option in the third season.
4:06 p.m. ET: Team sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Denver Nuggets have informed Jonas Valanciunas’ representatives that the franchise fully intends to have him honor his contract. Greek team Panathinaikos had pursued Valanciunas in recent days. The Nuggets view Valanciunas as a critical center addition to back up Nikola Jokic and play alongside him.
1:28 p.m. ET: The transaction sending Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets has been finalized, representing the NBA’s inaugural seven-team exchange. The Rockets and Suns ultimately included the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves, in deals primarily involving second-round picks. The transaction also included Clint Capela moving from Atlanta to Houston in a sign-and-trade deal.
July 5
5:25 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that free agent center Jock Landale has agreed to an agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies. Landale was previously released by the Houston Rockets earlier this week, prior to his salary for the 2025-26 season becoming guaranteed.
5:19 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Memphis Grizzlies are trading center Jay Huff to the Indiana Pacers for one second-round draft pick and one second-round pick swap. The acquisition of Huff assists in addressing the vacancy resulting from the departure of Myles Turner.
4:14 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Houston Rockets are trading Cam Whitmore to the Washington Wizards for two second-round picks. Whitmore, the No. 20 pick in the 2023 draft, has averaged 10.8 PPG in two seasons with the Rockets.
July 4
9:30 a.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that free agent forward/center Moritz Wagner has agreed to a one-year, $5 million agreement to return to the Orlando Magic.
July 3
7 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that free agent center Jaxson Hayes has agreed to a one-year agreement to return to the Los Angeles Lakers.
3:16 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Houston Rockets are waiving center Jock Landale ahead of his July 7 salary guarantee date.
Noon ET: ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on ESPN LA radio that the Dallas Mavericks, with Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and now rookie No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, would only be interested in acquiring LeBron James in a buyout situation.
July 2
6:03 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Frank Vogel is nearing completion of an agreement to join the Dallas Mavericks as a lead assistant coach under Jason Kidd. Vogel secured a championship as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
5:35 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Center Deandre Ayton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sources informed ESPN that Ayton will sign a two-year agreement that includes a player option.
4:15 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Guard Dante Exum has agreed to a one-year agreement to return to the Dallas Mavericks.
2:30 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Guard Spencer Dinwiddie has agreed to a one-year agreement with the Charlotte Hornets.
10:30 a.m. ET: ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports that the Los Angeles Lakers did not have “substantive” discussions about extending LeBron James’ contract before he opted in.
“My conversations over the last three days have crystallized that the Lakers are essentially viewing LeBron as an expiring contract,” Windhorst said on “First Take,” adding James has never made it to the final year of a contract over his career. “What happens to expiring contracts in the NBA? They’re viewed as trade pieces.”
“So for all those reasons: the money, the fact that LeBron and Luka are still a very formidable duo, the fact that the Lakers are not done with their offseason, the fact that trading him is crazy, the fact that this is being built around Luka and they’ve got to maintain their cap sheet. Everything in that makes sense. But I’m just unlocking the door because I’m not as convinced as I was before that [a trade] is an impossibility.”
July 1
7:27 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that free agent guard Tre Mann has agreed to a three-year agreement for $24 million with the Charlotte Hornets.
6:03 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that free agent Duncan Robinson has agreed to a three-year agreement for $48 million with the Detroit Pistons. Sources informed ESPN that The Pistons are trading Simone Fontecchio to the Miami Heat to acquire Robinson in a sign-and-trade deal.
5:08 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the LA Clippers are waiving center Drew Eubanks, who plans to sign with the Sacramento Kings on a one-year agreement after he clears waivers. Eubanks had a $4.75 million non-guaranteed contract for 2025-26.
4:39 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Forward Tim Hardaway Jr. has agreed to a one-year agreement with the Denver Nuggets.
3:32 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Forward Josh Minott has agreed to a two-year, $5 million agreement with the Boston Celtics.
2:30 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl has agreed on a four-year, $104 million contract extension with the franchise through 2029-30. Poeltl will pick up his 2026-27 player option at $19.5M and add three additional years to his deal.
1:40 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili has agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million agreement with the Toronto Raptors, plus a second-year player option.
12:43 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Center Jericho Sims has agreed to a two-year agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks, including a player option in the second season.
12:42 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Guard Dennis Schroder has agreed to a three-year, $45 million agreement with the Sacramento Kings.
12:41 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Milwaukee Bucks are trading Pat Connaughton and two of their own second-round picks (2031, 2032) to the Charlotte Hornets for Vasilije Micic.
12 p.m. ET: Sources tell ESPN’s Shams Charania that Forward Gary Harris has agreed to a two-year agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks with a player option on the second season.
11:58 a.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Sacramento Kings are trading Jonas Valanciunas to the Denver Nuggets for Dario Saric.
11:17 a.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to acquire Myles Turner. Lillard averaged 24.6 PPG in two seasons with the Bucks, but he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the 2025 playoffs and is expected to miss most if not all of the 2025-26 season.
11:07 a.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent center Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks. The deal includes a player option in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker, sources said.
11:02 a.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Center Guerschon Yabusele has agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with the New York Knicks plus a player option.
10:02 a.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has agreed to a four-year, $285 million supermax contract extension with the champion Oklahoma City Thunder through 2030-31. The extension gives Gilgeous-Alexander the largest annual salary for a player in NBA history.
June 30
11 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent Gary Trent Jr. agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million deal with a player option to return to the Milwaukee Bucks.
9:55 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent forward Trendon Watford agreed to a two-year, $5.3 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
9:50 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Guard Jordan Clarkson is expected to sign with the New York Knicks after he clears free agency waivers.
9:28 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent forward Taurean Prince has agreed to a two-year, $7.1 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks. There is a player option in the second season as well, sources said.
9:22 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent center Mason Plumlee has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets.
9:01 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent Luke Kennard has agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
8:33 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Fenerbahce’s Nigel Hayes-Davis — the 2025 EuroLeague champion and finals MVP as well as Turkish Cup champion and MVP — has agreed to a fully guaranteed one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns. Hayes-Davis went undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2017 and spent most of the 2017-18 season with the New York Knicks’ G League affiliate.
8:20 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent guard Tyus Jones has agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal with the Orlando Magic.
8:17 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that The Atlanta Hawks are sending a 2027 second-round pick (via Cleveland) and cash considerations to the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker via sign-and-trade.
8:08 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker has agreed to a four-year, $62 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks that includes a player option and trade kicker. The guard spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
8:04 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent center Luka Garza has agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million fully guaranteed deal with the Boston Celtics.
7:52 p.m. ET: “[Rich Paul] told me that he has not had any discussion with the Lakers about wanting a trade,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said of LeBron James’ future on “NBA Today.”
7:48 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent center Brook Lopez has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with the LA Clippers.
7:33 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent guard Caris LeVert has agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal with the Detroit Pistons.
7:30 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent center Clint Capela has agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Houston Rockets. Capela was drafted by the Rockets in 2014 and spent six seasons there before he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2020.
7:26 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent center Luke Kornet has agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
7:18 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.
7:16 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent Bruce Brown has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets. Brown won a title with the Nuggets in 2023 but spent last season with the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans.
7:13 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent guard Kevin Porter Jr. has agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks with a player option in 2026-27.
7:09 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent guard Ty Jerome has agreed to a three-year, $28 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, with a player option in Year 3.
7:06 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that The Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson.
7:02 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent guard D’Angelo Russell has agreed on a two-year, $13 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
7 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent guard Tre Jones has agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal to return to the Chicago Bulls.
6:45 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent forward Jake LaRavia has agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. LaRavia had a strong finish after joining the Sacramento Kings last season.
6:39 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that The Memphis Grizzlies and Cole Anthony’s representatives are working toward a resolution that allows Memphis to create the necessary cap space to renegotiate and extend Jaren Jackson Jr. while giving Anthony the opportunity to find his next destination.
6:33 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that The Memphis Grizzlies and guard Cam Spencer have agreed to a two-year, $4.5 million fully guaranteed contract.
6:32 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent C/F Paul Reed has agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal to return to the Detroit Pistons.
6:30 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent forward Dorian Finney-Smith has agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets.
6:20 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Restricted free agent Santi Aldama has agreed to a three-year, $52.5 million deal to return to the Memphis Grizzlies.
6:16 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that The Memphis Grizzlies and All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. are expected to agree to a five-year, $240 million maximum renegotiation and extension that includes a player option in the final year of the deal in 2029-30.
5:25 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown will have a second meeting with the New York Knicks for their head coaching job and has emerged as a strong candidate.
2:47 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Guard Jordan Clarkson is finalizing a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz. Jazz officials and Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul finalized the buyout Monday, which allows Clarkson to join a contender this summer.
1:57 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent forward Nicolas Batum will sign a two-year, $11.5 million contract to return to the LA Clippers. The deal includes a team option and a trade kicker.
12:45 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent big man Day’Ron Sharpe intends to sign a two-year, $12 million deal to return to the Brooklyn Nets. Sharpe averaged 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 50 games for Brooklyn last season.
12:42 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent forward Joe Ingles intends to sign a one-year, $3.6 million deal to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ingles played 19 games for the Timberwolves last season.
12:28 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Guard Collin Gillespie intends to sign a guaranteed one-year contract to return to the Phoenix Suns. Suns officials and agents James Dunleavy and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports worked toward the deal that rewards Gillespie after a strong season on a two-way contract.
11:38 a.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that The Utah Jazz are waiving forward Johnny Juzang, making him a free agent. The 24-year-old started 18 games and averaged 8 points in 20 minutes last season, shooting 38% from 3, and will receive interest from teams.
10:10 a.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Free agent forward Ziaire Williams intends to sign a two-year, $12 million deal to return to the Brooklyn Nets. Williams averaged 10 points and 4.3 rebounds in 63 games. Nets officials and Aaron Mintz of CAA negotiated the new contract.
9:33 a.m. ET: ESPN’s Bobby Marks said on “Get Up” that after trading Dillon Brooks to the Phoenix Suns to acquire Kevin Durant, Houston could target Dorian Finney-Smith, who became a free agent after declining his player option with the Los Angeles Lakers. “If I was the Rockets, that would be Priority 1,” Marks said, “and [it] would basically put the icing on the cake of a terrific offseason, if they were able to get the former Laker wing.”
9 a.m. ET: ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk reports that with the Brooklyn Nets the only team that can offer a starting salary of $20 million or more, Golden State will wait to see what Kuminga’s market is. The Warriors have the right to match and could explore sign-and-trade options, too. If no deal materializes, they can keep Kuminga — and see how he continues to develop alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green — and opt to explore trade options if they want to next season.
• More early free agency notes on 20 NBA teams
8:03 a.m. ET: Rich Paul telling ESPN’s Shams Charania that James still wants to compete for a championship, there are still questions about whether he’ll be with the Los Angeles Lakers next season after LeBron James has opted in to his contract for 2025-26 . ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported on “Get Up” this morning that there is not a robust trade market for the 40-year-old superstar. “I talked to numerous teams yesterday and asked that same question. ‘Would you give up basically the farm?’ You’d have to give up four or five players to go get LeBron James for one year, and the unanimous answer was no, they wouldn’t.”
June 29
10:35 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton is finalizing a buyout with the team to become a free agent.
8:01 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. intends to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension.
6:04 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that The Oklahoma City Thunder intend to sign guard Ajay Mitchell to a new three-year contract worth nearly $9 million after declining his 2025-26 team option.
5:40 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Philadelphia 76ers guard Eric Gordon is declining his $3.4 million player option to explore free agency. A return to the 76ers is still possible.
5:25 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that Bobby Portis intends to sign a three-year, $44 million contract to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, with a player option for 2027-28.
5:06 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that James Harden is declining his $36.3 million player option and intends to sign a new two-year, $81.5 million contract to return to the LA Clippers. The second year of Harden’s deal has a player option and is partially guaranteed. An 11-time All-Star, Harden, 35, earned All-NBA honors for the first time since 2019-20 after averaging 22.8 points and 8.7 assists for LA.
3:47 p.m. ET: Sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania that The Philadelphia 76ers are declining guard Lonnie Walker IV’s team option worth $2.9 million, making him a free agent. Walker averaged 12.3 points, 23.8 minutes and 35.4% 3-point shooting in 20 games for the 76ers last season.
