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With the end of the NBA Finals comes the start of the offseason, and while this year’s pool of free agents won’t be as star-studded as it has been in past years, there’s expected to be plenty of movement throughout the league with the implementation of the new CBA.
Here are the latest NBA free-agency rumors:
SUNDAY, JUNE 25
T-Wolves keep Naz Reid
The 23-year-old center has agreed to a new three-year, $42 million deal with the Timberwolves to avoid free agency, ESPN reported. The deal includes a player option for the third season. Reid had a standout season for Minnesota this past year, averaging 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Suns to keep Ayton
After weeks of trade rumors, the Suns are moving forward with the plan of keeping Deandre Ayton for the upcoming season, Bleacher Report disclosed. Ayton was reportedly unlikely to stay in Phoenix following its second-round playoff loss, but following its trade for Bradley Beal, it wants to see how he plays with the Suns’ star trio.
Harden staying in Philadelphia appears more likely
James Harden remaining with the 76ers has “gained momentum” recently as he potentially hits free agency on June 30, Substack’s Marc Stein reported. Harden had been rumored for months to opt out of his deal and sign with the Rockets for a second stint. Harden must make his decision to either opt in or opt out to become a free agent by June 29.
THURSDAY, JUNE 22
Pistons move up
The Celtics traded the No. 25 pick (Houston guard Marcus Sasser) in the 2023 NBA Draft to the Pistons for the No. 31 pick, The Athletic reported.
Mavericks trade for Richaun Holmes
Dallas acquired Holmes and the No. 24 pick from the Sacramento Kings, ESPN reported. The Mavericks selected Marquette forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper at No. 24.
Dallas traded the No. 10 pick (Kentucky guard Cason Wallace) and forward Davis Bertans to Oklahoma City for the No. 12 pick and a traded player exception, The Athletic reported. The Mavericks then selected Duke big man Dereck Lively at No. 12.
Wizards move up to No. 7
Washington traded the No. 8 pick and two future second-round draft picks to the Indiana Pacers for the No. 7 pick to select French wing Bilal Coulibaly, ESPN reported. Indiana then selected Houston forward Jarace Walker at No. 8.
Wizards acquire Jordan Poole from Warriors
Golden State has traded Poole and a future first- and second-round draft pick to Washington for Chris Paul, ESPN reported. Poole is entering the first year of a four-year, $128 million deal. He averaged 20.4 points per game while shooting 43.0/33.6/87.0 last season. Paul was recently acquired by Washington as part of its return from the Phoenix Suns for Bradley Beal.
Beal trade details finalized
The Suns and Wizards came to an agreement on the number of picks Phoenix will send to Washington as part of the Bradley Beal trade. The Wizards will receive six second-round picks (2024, ‘25, ’26, ‘27, ’28, ‘30) and four first-round pick swaps (’24, ‘26, ’28, ‘30), according to ESPN. With the trade, the Suns don’t have a draft pick under their control until 2031.
Teams wary of trading for Siakam
Teams around the league believe that Pascal Siakam would not sign an extension with a team that trades for him as they feel his preference is to stay with the Raptors, Bleacher Report reported. Siakam, a two-time All-Star, is entering the final year of his contract, leading to speculation he could get traded this offseason.
Knicks contacting Clippers about Paul George
The Knicks have reached out to the Clippers about potentially acquiring the eight-time All-Star, though it’s unknown if the Clippers are willing to trade George, SNY reported.
It was previously reported that the Clippers have left “various rival teams with the impression” that they’re at least looking to see what George’s value is, leading to “real consideration” that they could break up the George-Kawhi Leonard duo.
Mark Cuban states willingness to re-sign Irving
The Mavericks owner said that he wants to re-sign Kyrie Irving and is hopeful that he’ll return, adding that he’s “not going to handicap anymore,” Cuban said in an interview with 97.1 The Freak. Irving will become a free agent on June 30.
Hawks pursuing Pascal Siakam
Atlanta is seeking to add All-Star forward Siakam from the Raptors in a trade, Yahoo! Sports reported. The Hawks have reportedly offered multiple different packages for Siakam, including a three-team deal possibility.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21
Celtics, Wizards and Grizzlies forge new three-team deal
The Celtics, Wizards and Grizzlies made a deal late Wednesday to finalize Kristaps Porzingis‘ move to Boston, while also sending Marcus Smart to Memphis. Porzingis will opt into his $36 million contract for 2023-24, and Memphis will send 2023 and 2024 first-round picks to the Celtics in exchange for Smart. The Grizzlies will also acquire Tyus Jones from Washington. The Celtics will send this year’s 35th pick as well as Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala to the Wizards as a part of the three-team agreement.
Bruce Brown opts out
Just over a week after winning a title with Denver, Brown is preparing to test the market. The guard/forward will decline the option for the second year of his contract (worth $6.8 million) and will become a free agent, The Athletic reported.
TUESDAY, JUNE 20
Kyle Kuzma opts out of Wizards deal
Kuzma opted out of his $13 million salary for the 2023-24 season, ESPN reported. The forward is coming off the best season of his six-year NBA career; he averaged 21.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 44.8/33.3/73.0 for the Wizards last season.
Trail Blazers not engaging in possible Damian Lillard trades, hold interest in Bam Adebayo
As reports continue to trickle out that Lillard wants to remain in Portland, the Blazers “have not shown any willingness” in discussing trading the star point guard to inquiring teams, Yahoo! Sports reported. Instead, Portland is reportedly aiming to trade for a “premium target” and is preparing an offer to Miami for Adebayo. The Blazers aren’t interested in trading the No. 3 pick in Thursday’s draft for Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Zach LaVine or Karl-Anthony Towns.
MONDAY, JUNE 19
Lillard wants to remain in Portland
Lillard “wants to be” with the Blazers and also wants the team “to get better,” according to The Athletic. The Heat have targeted Lillard in a trade, believing he could seek a change this offseason, Bleacher Report reported Sunday. Portland holds the No. 3 overall pick in Thursday’s draft.
Draymond Green will enter free agency
Green is declining his $27.5 million player option for the 2023-24 season and will become a free agent, The Athletic reported. While Green will become an unrestricted free agent, the Warriors have his Bird Rights, allowing them to re-sign him to any deal even though they’re over the salary cap. Green, a former Defensive Player of the Year, was an integral part of the Warriors’ last four titles.
Suns receiving interest in Deandre Ayton
A day after reportedly agreeing to a trade for Bradley Beal, the Suns are receiving calls from teams about their starting center, according to The Athletic. Prior to Sunday’s trade, Phoenix found that the market for Ayton was “lean,” per ESPN.
Chris Paul was surprised by trade, isn’t sure what will happen next
The star point guard said that he found out about being traded to the Wizards through a text from his son, which he shared in an interview with the New York Times. Paul also revealed that Isiah Thomas was part of the decision-making process, saying he and Suns owner “Mat [Ishbia] and Isiah, I guess, just wanted to go in a different direction.” Isbhia previously denied that he planned to hire Thomas for a role in the Suns’ front office following the completion of his purchase of the team in February.
As for Paul, he’s unsure of what he wants to happen next. “I don’t know,” Paul told the New York Times. “I really haven’t had enough time to process it yet. Like seriously, because these things that happen affect more than just me.”
Celtics don’t intend on trading Jaylen Brown, will ‘most likely’ re-sign Grant Williams
As Brown’s name has swirled in trade speculation in the early part of the offseason, the Celtics “do not intend” to trade the star wing while “all signs” point to Brown signing a five-year supermax extension this summer, per The Boston Globe. It’s also “quite likely” Boston will keep Williams, The Globe added in its report. Williams will be a restricted free agent when free agency opens on June 30 and a few teams have reportedly shown interest in him.
SUNDAY, JUNE 18
Wizards trade Beal to Suns for CP3
The Beal era in Washington has officially come to an end. The Wizards dealt Beal to Phoenix for Paul, Landry Shamet and multiple second-round picks. Miami reportedly made an offer for the All-Star guard, but with a no-trade clause built into his contract, Beal ultimately chose the team with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in Phoenix.
THURSDAY, JUNE 15
76ers focused on James Harden, not interested in Fred VanVleet
The 76ers “have made it clear” their main focus is on keeping Joel Embiid‘s current co-star, James Harden, and not finding him a new one, according to Yahoo! Sports. Harden can become a free agent if he declines his $35 million player option ahead of the June 29 deadline.
If Harden departs Philadelphia, the 76ers aren’t expected to attempt to reunite free-agent guard Fred VanVleet, 29, with former Raptors coach and new 76ers coach Nick Nurse, Yahoo! Sports added.
VanVleet, who had a player option worth $22.8 million for the 2023-24 season, opted out of his contract with the Raptors, which means he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Celtics looking to keep Jaylen Brown, but might be open to trading someone else
Boston looks like it wants to keep its star duo together this offseason as it’s focused on getting an extension done with Brown, both ESPN and Yahoo! Sports have reported. While Brown is still under contract through the 2023-24 season, he’s eligible to sign a supermax extension this offseason that would be worth $290 million over five seasons.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are pondering the idea of trading one of their rotational guards (Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White or Payton Pritchard) this offseason, according to MassLive.
Bulls shopping Zach LaVine?
It appears multiple All-Star shooting guards could be on the trade market this offseason. The Bulls are “quietly gauging” trade interest in LaVine, according to Yahoo! Sports. LaVine, 28, just finished up the first year of a five-year, $215 million contract he signed last offseason.
Clippers looking to keep Russell Westbrook on discount
After they helped the former MVP revive his career, the Clippers are “hoping” to keep Westbrook on a hometown discount with a contract worth $3.8 million, according to Bleacher Report. Westbrook joined the Clippers after being bought out by the Utah Jazz, which acquired him in a trade deadline move with the Lakers.
Pacers have explored multiple veteran wing trades
Indiana has explored multiple trade options involving Toronto’s O.G. Anunoby and Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter dating back to the trade deadline in February and is also “expected” to be in the mix for restricted free agent Grant Williams, Yahoo! Sports reported.
This story will be updated throughout the 2023 NBA offseason.
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