News, rumblings and superstar trade requests
Bobby Marks pinpoints five most realistic landing spots for Kevin Durant. (1:00)
NBA free agency has been a frenzy as soon as the clock struck midnight Thursday, as several star athletes agreed to record-setting deals to stay the face of their respective franchises and a few recognizable players will be suiting up for new teams in 2022-23.
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker agreed on a four-year, $224 million supermax extension; Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant agreed to terms on a four-year designated rookie extension likely worth $226 million; Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic agreed to the richest contract in NBA history (a five-year, $264 million supermax extension); and Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns agreed on a four-year, $224 million supermax extension.
Meanwhile, the biggest storyline of the summer is still in flux and has the basketball world refreshing Twitter timelines waiting for more news. Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant asked team owner Joe Tsai for a trade on Thursday, listing the Miami Heat and the Suns as his preferred destinations.
Durant’s teammate Kyrie Irving opted in to his $36.5 million player option on Monday, but now his future in Brooklyn seems uncertain, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Durant and Irving still want to play together — just not in Brooklyn.
Elsewhere in the NBA, James Harden ($47.4 million) and Bradley Beal ($36.4 million) both declined their player options on the eve of free agency. Beal signed a five-year, $251 million max contract with the Washington Wizards minutes into free agency, but no deal has been done for Harden.
One of the biggest remaining names still on the table is Phoenix center Deandre Ayton.
Keep it here all offseason long for the latest buzz, news and reports surrounding NBA free agency.
Breaking down the biggest deals | 30-team guide | Trade grades | Quiz: Which NBA front office should you run?
5:39 p.m. ET: Zion Williamson agreed to a five-year, $193 million maximum rookie extension with the New Orleans Pelicans, CAA Sports’ co-head of Basketball Austin Brown told ESPN. The deal could earn him as much as $231 million. Williamson averaged 25.7 points, 7 rebounds and 3.2 assists during his first two NBA seasons, but he missed all of last season with a foot injury.
2:51 p.m. ET: The Oklahoma City Thunder signed former Dallas Mavericks forward Eugene Omoruyi to a two-way contract, his agent, Mike George of One Legacy Sports, told ESPN. Omoruyi played in four games for Dallas last season, scoring seven points with seven rebounds and two assists.
2:45 p.m. ET: The Detroit Pistons signed signed former Syracuse guard Buddy Boeheim to a two-way contract, the team announced Saturday. Boeheim led the ACC in scoring during the 2021-22 season, averaging 19.2 points, and ranked second in the conference in 3-pointers made per game (2.8).
12:30 p.m. ET: Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland has agreed to a five-year, $193 million maximum designated rookie contract extension that could be worth as much as $231 million, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It is the largest deal in franchise history.
11:28 p.m. ET: Free-agent guard Damion Lee has agreed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Lee averaged 7.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 63 games for the Golden State Warriors last season.
8:29 p.m. ET: Free-agent center Jalen Smith has agreed to a two-year, $9.6 million deal to return to the Indiana Pacers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Smith, 22, averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1 block in 22 games for the Pacers.
7:24 p.m. ET: Free-agent guard Donte DiVincenzo has agreed to a two-year, $9.3 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. DiVincenzo split last season between the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings, averaging 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 42 games.
3:37 p.m. ET: The Utah Jazz are trading center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources told ESPN. The Timberwolves are sending Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt and Leandro Bolmaro to the Jazz for Gobert. Utah will also get unprotected first-round picks from the Wolves in 2023, 2025 and 2027, and a top-5 protected pick in 2029.
Grading the Jazz-Timberwolves trade
3:34 p.m. ET: Nemanja Bjelica has informed the Golden State Warriors that he is leaving the NBA to return to Turkey, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. Bjelica played for Turkish champions Fenerbahce between 2013 and 2015.
2:57 p.m. ET: Free-agent center Kevon Looney has agreed to a three-year, $25.5 million deal to return to the Golden State Warriors, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Looney had been a significant element of the Warriors’ title run and exits free agency to stay on a new deal with the NBA champions, Wojnarowski added.
1:38 p.m. ET: The Indiana Pacers are sending Malcolm Brogdon to the Boston Celtics for Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith and a 2023 first-round pick, sources told ESPN. Celtics are also including Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts and Juwan Morgan in the deal. The trade cannot happen until July 9 because Morgan has a signing restriction in his contract.
Grading the Celtics-Pacers trade
1:11 p.m. ET: The Atlanta Hawks are trading Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings for Justin Holiday, Maurice Harkless and a future first-round pick, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Kings are sending a 2024 lottery-protected first-round pick to the Hawks for Huerter, sources told ESPN. The pick becomes top-12 protected in 2025, and top-10 protected in 2026.
12:50 p.m. ET: Free-agent center Robin Lopez has agreed to a one-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Lopez averaged 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 36 games with the Orlando Magic last season.
12:42 p.m. ET: Free-agent F/C Drew Eubanks is returning to the Portland Trail Blazers on a one-year deal, his agent, James Dunleavy of Excel basketball, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
12:20 p.m. ET: Free-agent guard John Wall officially agrees with the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year deal for the taxpayer midlevel, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. The deal is worth $13.5 million.
12:13 p.m. ET: Zach LaVine has agreed to a five-year, $215 million max contract to return to the Chicago Bulls, a source confirmed to ESPN’s Jamal Collier. The fifth year is a player option.
12:13 p.m. ET: Free-agent center Jusuf Nurkic has agreed on a four-year, $70 million deal to stay with the Portland Trail Blazers, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
11:35 a.m. ET: Once the San Antonio Spurs finalize the expected release of forward Danilo Gallinari, his preference is to join the Boston Celtics upon clearing waivers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
11:14 a.m. ET: Free-agent guard Theo Pinson is returning to the Dallas Mavericks on a one-year deal, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Mavs made Pinson a priority because he is such a critical part of their chemistry and culture, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. They believe Pinson, who is no longer eligible for a two-way deal, has developmental potential.
10:22 a.m. ET: Free-agent center Mitchell Robinson has agreed on a four-year, $60 million contract to stay with the New York Knicks, his agents, Thad Foucher and Joe Smith, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
10:21 a.m. ET: Bruce Brown has agreed to a two-year, $13 million-plus deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources told ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
9:39 a.m. ET: Free-agent guard Ricky Rubio agreed to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers on a three-year, $18 million deal, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Rubio played an immense role in the Cavaliers’ torrid start to the season a year ago before tearing his left ACL. Cleveland traded him to Indiana as an expiring contract at deadline, but both sides were hopeful a reunion could happen — and now it will on a new multiyear deal.
2:14 a.m. ET: Gary Payton II is finalizing a multiyear deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent, Aaron Goodwin, confirmed to ESPN. Payton, who spent the past two seasons with the Golden State Warriors, is expected to join the Blazers on a three-year, $28 million deal, sources told ESPN’s Marc J. Spears. The Warriors offered Payton the taxpayer midlevel exception, sources told Spears.
12 a.m. ET: Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker has agreed on a four-year, $224 million supermax extension, his agents Jessica Holtz and Melvin Booker of CAA Basketball told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal begins in 2024-25 and brings Booker’s total contract value to six years and $295 million.
12 a.m. ET: The Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant have agreed to terms on a four-year designated rookie extension likely worth $226 million, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Morant was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player last season.
12 a.m. ET: The Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic have agreed to terms on a five-year, $264 million supermax extension, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Jokic, 27, is the two-time reigning NBA most valuable player.
12 a.m. ET: Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns has agreed on a four-year, $224 million supermax extension, his agent Jessica Holtz of CAA Basketball told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal begins with the 2024-25 season and delivers Towns’ total contract value to six years and $295 million.
10:28 p.m. ET: Free agent center Andre Drummond has agreed to a two-year, $6.6M deal with the Chicago Bulls, sources told ESPN. The second year is a player option.
9:33 p.m. ET: Free-agent guard Jalen Brunson has agreed to a four-year, $104 million deal with the New York Knicks, his agents Aaron Mintz and Sam Rose of CAA Basketball told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal includes a player option on the final season. Brunson is the first player in NBA history to sign a $100 million deal with a new team, despite having never been voted as an All-Star, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
9:01 p.m. ET: Free-agent guard Delon Wright has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal to sign with the Washington Wizards, his agent Greg Lawrence of Wasserman told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Wright averaged 4.4 PPG with the Atlanta Hawks last season.
8:40 p.m. ET: Free agent Kyle Anderson has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal to join the Minnesota Timberwolves, his agents Thad Foucher and Joe Smith of Wasserman told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Anderson averaged 8.5 PPG over the past four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies.
8:25 p.m. ET: Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris has agreed on a two-year, $26 million contract extension, his agents Austin Brown and Aaron Mintz of CAA Basketball told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Harris has averaged 10.1 PPG with the Magic since being acquired from the Denver Nuggets in the 2020-21 season.
8 p.m. ET: Anthony Gill is signing a two year-deal with the Washington Wizards, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Gill has averaged 3.7 points in 70 games for Washington over the past two season.
7:56 p.m. ET: The Philadelphia 76ers and free-agent forward P.J. Tucker are finalizing a three-year deal worth $33.2 million, his agent told The Athletic. After winning a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, Tucker joined another Eastern Conference contender in the Miami Heat, helping them to the best record in the conference last season.
7:46 p.m. ET: Juan Toscano-Anderson has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent Erika Ruiz confirmed to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. Toscano-Anderson spent the past three seasons with the Golden State Warriors, winning the NBA title in 2022.
7:45 p.m. ET: JaVale McGee has agreed to a three-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, a source told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. McGee is a three-time NBA champion, winning with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 then with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
7:31 p.m. ET: The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a one-year, veterans minimum contract with Troy Brown Jr., a Lakers source confirmed to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The 22-year-old is a defensive-minded wing, standing 6-foot-6 with a 6-10 reach.
7:17 p.m. ET: James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers are meeting over the weekend to negotiate his new deal, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
7:14 p.m. ET: Restricted free-agent center Nic Claxton has agreed on a two-year, $20 million deal to return to the Brooklyn Nets, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Claxton averaged 8.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in 47 games for Brooklyn last season.
7:13 p.m. ET: The Los Angeles Lakers are signing guard Lonnie Walker IV to a one-year contract with the $6.5 million midlevel exception, his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, confirmed to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The 23-year-old averaged 12.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the San Antonio Spurs last season.
7:02 p.m. ET: Free-agent guard Jalen Brunson, armed with a five-year, $106 million-plus offer from the Dallas Mavericks, is headed into a meeting with the New York Knicks within the hour, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
6:54 p.m. ET: Free-agent guard Patty Mills has agreed to return to the Brooklyn Nets on a two-year, $14.5 million deal, his agent Steven Heumann of CAA Basketball told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Mills gets a raise off the $6.2 million player option that he declined.
6:35 p.m. ET: Malik Monk is signing a two-year, $19 million deal to join the Sacramento Kings, his brother and agent Marcus Monk confirmed to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Monk averaged a career-high 13.8 points per game for the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
6:23 p.m. ET: Free-agent guard Trevelin Queen has agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Queen averaged 4.4 points in 10 games with the Houston Rockets last season.
6:21 p.m. ET: Free-agent forward Nicolas Batum has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the LA Clippers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Batum had declined his $3.3 million player option for 2022-23, allowing him to re-sign for significantly more.
6:19 p.m. ET: Free-agent guard Luguentz Dort has agreed to a five-year, $87.5 million deal to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, his agent Thad Foucher of Wasserman told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Thunder had declined Dort’s $1.9 million team option for 2022-23 to make him a restricted free agent this summer, rather than risk losing him to unrestricted free agency next year.
6:18 p.m. ET: Chris Boucher is returning to the Toronto Raptors on a three-year, $35.25 million deal, his agent Sam Permut of Roc Nation Sports told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Boucher has spent the past four seasons in Toronto after debuting with the Golden State Warriors in 2017-18.
6:17 p.m. ET: Free-agent center Damian Jones has agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Jones’ agent, Austin Brown of CAA Basketball, told ESPN the second year is a player option.
6:15 p.m. ET: Amir Coffey has agreed to a three-year, $11 million deal with the LA Clippers, his agents Bill Duffy and Marlon Harrison of BDA Sports and WME Sports told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Coffey spent his first two-plus seasons with the Clippers on a two-way contract before being converted to a full deal in March.
6:13 p.m. ET: Joe Ingles has agreed to a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to a tweet from his wife, Renae. Ingles is recovering from a torn ACL suffered on Jan. 30, his last game with the Utah Jazz.
6:11 p.m. ET: Free-agent guard Tyus Jones is returning to the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-year, $30 million deal, his agent Kevin Bradbury of REP1 Basketball told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Jones averaged 8.7 points and 4.4 assists for the Grizzlies last season.
6:08 p.m. ET: Free-agent Danuel House Jr. has agreed to a two-year, $8.5 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. House played for the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz last season.
6:04 p.m. ET: Free-agent forward Bobby Portis is returning to the Milwaukee Bucks on a four-year, $49 million contract, his agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Portis turned down his $4.6 million player option for 2022-23 earlier this week.
6:03 p.m. ET: Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons has agreed on a four-year, $100 million contract extension, his agent Bill Duffy tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
6:01 p.m. ET: All-Star guard Bradley Beal has agreed to a five-year, $251 million maximum contract to stay with the Washington Wizards, his agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
5:49 p.m. ET: Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a stress fracture in his right foot, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and is expected to miss four to six months. The 22-year-old is expected to make a full recovery.
5:40 p.m. ET: The Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks are expected to aggressively pursue free-agent center JaVale McGee, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. The 14-year veteran played 15.8 minutes per game last season with the Phoenix Suns.
5:39 p.m. ET: On NBA Today, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported league executives have floated the idea that if the Brooklyn Nets trade Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving together, the Los Angeles Lakers are a possible destination.
5:02 p.m. ET: The Dallas Mavericks have canceled a planned meeting with free-agent guard Jalen Brunson after being informed that Brunson had made up his mind on joining the New York Knicks, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. Marc Stein was first to report on the meeting between Brunson and the Mavericks being canceled.
4:15 p.m. ET: On NBA Today, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said, “It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Kevin Durant is traded and Kyrie Irving remains in Brooklyn.” Irving opted into the final year of his contract earlier this week. Wojnarowski reported there will be teams that have interest in trading for Irving because he is on an expiring deal.
3:36 p.m. ET: After officially completing their trade with the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, the San Antonio Spurs are expected to waive forward Danilo Gallinari, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Gallinari will be seeking the midlevel exception, with the Celtics, Heat and Bulls among the teams he has interest in, a source close to Gallinari told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
2:54 p.m. ET: ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on This Just In that after Kevin Durant‘s trade request, Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving will likely be on the trade market as well. Windhorst added that he thinks Durant is going to try to force himself to the Phoenix Suns in a possible sign-and-trade deal involving Deandre Ayton.
2:52 p.m. ET: The Brooklyn Nets are acquiring the Utah Jazz‘s Royce O’Neale in a trade for a 2023 first-round pick, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
2:50 p.m. ET: Brooklyn Nets GM Sean Marks is working with Kevin Durant and his business manager Rich Kleiman on finding a trade for the franchise star, Kleiman told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Durant requested a trade with the team today, sources said.
12:57 p.m. ET: Brett Brown has agreed to return to San Antonio to join Gregg Popovich’s staff as an assistant coach, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Brown spent six years, from 2007 to 2013, on Popovich’s staff before joining the Philadelphia 76ers, where he coached for the next seven seasons.
9:52 a.m. ET: Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges was arrested in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon, a Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday. TMZ reported that Bridges is facing felony domestic violence charges. Bridges, the Hornets’ leading scorer last season, is set to become a restricted free agent and could command a max contract in the coming weeks.
9 a.m. ET: Four-time All-Star Kemba Walker and the Detroit Pistons are finalizing a contract buyout, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Once Walker clears waivers, he’ll join free agency.
7:13 p.m. ET: The Sacramento Kings are exercising the option on Chimezie Metu for the 2022-23 season, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Metu averaged 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21 minutes per game with the Kings last season.
5:57 p.m. ET: Brooklyn Nets guard Patty Mills declined his $6.2 million option and will become a free agent, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Mills averaged 11.4 points in 81 games for the Nets last season, shooting 40% from 3-point range.
5:16 p.m. ET: The Atlanta Hawks are trading Danilo Gallinari and multiple first-round picks to the San Antonio Spurs for All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Hawks are sending three first-round picks and a future pick swap to the Spurs to pair Murray with All-NBA guard Trae Young.
Wednesday was the deadline to guarantee the $21.45 million contract of Gallinari. He had $5M in protection and the contract will be amended to increase the protection for this trade to work.
Brian Windhorst breaks down why the Hawks probably have a “move or two left in them” in NBA free agency.
5:09 p.m. ET: The Sacramento Kings are declining to offer Donte DiVincenzo a qualifying offer, which will make him an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. DiVincenzo averaged 10.3 points in 25 games with the Kings after being acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks at the trade deadline.
5:05 p.m. ET: Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden has declined his $47.3 million option and will become a free agent, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Harden can still negotiate a new long-term deal that would deliver the Sixers roster-building flexibility in free agency — including use of the full $10.5 million midlevel exception.
4:41 p.m. ET: Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis has informed the team that he’ll decline his $4.6 million option and become a free agent, his agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Bucks have early Bird rights on Portis and can re-sign him to a new deal starting at up to $11 million per season.
4:24 p.m. ET: Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal has declined his $36.4 million option and will become a free agent, his agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Beal is eligible to sign a five-year max contract to return to the Wizards, or sign elsewhere on a four-year deal.
4:02 p.m. ET: The Los Angeles Lakers announced they have picked up the team options on Stanley Johnson and Wenyen Gabriel for next season. Both players averaged 6.7 points per game for the Lakers last season.
12:50 p.m. ET: The NBA’s salary cap for the 2022-23 season is projected to come in at roughly $123.6 million, sources told ESPN. That is an $11.6 million increase from last year’s salary cap figure of $112 million.
10:15 a.m. ET: The Washington Wizards are finalizing a trade to acquire the Denver Nuggets‘ Will Barton and Monte Morris for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith, sources told ESPN.
Caldwell-Pope, a 10-year veteran, averaged 13.2 points per game in his lone season in Washington. Smith will play for his 13th team in 12 years upon joining the Nuggets. Previous stops include Pistons, 76ers, Suns, Thunder and Rockets.
Grading the Wizards-Nuggets trade
9:43 p.m. ET: The New York Knicks have agreed to trade center Nerlens Noel, guard Alec Burks, a 2023 second-round pick, a 2024 second-round pick and $6 million to the Detroit Pistons, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The trade allows the Knicks to unload $19 million in salary, clearing cap space to try to sign free-agent guard Jalen Brunson.
Grading the Knicks-Pistons trade
5:08 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac has agreed on a three-year, $33 million extension, his agents Jeff Schwartz and Mike Lindeman told ESPN. The Clippers declined his $7.5 million team option for 2022-2023, clearing the way for Zubac’s new deal.
Zubac averaged a career high in points (10.3), rebounds (8.5) and blocks (1.0) last season.
4:44 p.m. ET: It is widely anticipated that former Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson will go to the New York Knicks on a four-year deal in excess of $100 million, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
It remains to be seen how New York will clear the rest of the necessary cap space and whether the Mavs can work a sign-and-trade to recoup assets.
What a change of scenery could mean for Jalen Brunson and Deandre Ayton
4:44 p.m. ET: Chicago Bulls center Tony Bradley is exercising his $2 million player option for next season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. On his fourth team in six seasons, Bradley averaged 3.0 points a game for the Bulls last season, a decrease from his career-high 8.7 points with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2020-21.
12:56 p.m. ET: The Cleveland Cavaliers have extended qualifying offers to Collin Sexton and R.J. Nembhard. Sexton only appeared in 11 games last season after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
He averaged 16 points in that span, yet averaged a career high 24.3 points in the 2020-21 season. Nembhard played in just 16 games last season, averaging 1.1 points a game.
10:54 a.m. ET: Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook is planning to exercise his $47.1 million option to return to the franchise for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player, enters the final season of his original five-year, $206 million contract.
Westbrook has dealt with a heap of criticism following a subpar 2021-22 season alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The point guard shot 29.8% from 3-point range and played only 21 games with James and Davis due to injuries.
10:45 a.m. ET: ESPN’s Nick Friedell told Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective that the 2022-23 season will be a “prove it” year for Kyrie Irving with the Brooklyn Nets after the star opted in to his $36.5 million option.
“I think this is a really good thing for the Nets in this sense,” Friedell said. “The commitment isn’t there long term. This is a ‘prove it’ year, it now becomes one for Kyrie and if they bring everybody back, the feeling internally within that organization is that Kyrie is out there and Kevin [Durant] is playing at an MVP level and we get something from him, we can win. At what level can they win? That remains to be seen.”
9:41 p.m. ET: The Houston Rockets and John Wall have reached a buyout agreement, shaving $6.5 million off of his $47.4 million salary, a source told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. Wall is planning to sign with the LA Clippers once he clears waivers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
7:01 p.m. ET: Kyrie Irving is opting in to his $36.5 million option with the Brooklyn Nets for next season, he told The Athletic on Monday. Without the ability to find a sign-and-trade deal, Irving decided to exercise his player option, sources confirmed. He had until Wednesday to make a decision.
Irving is now no longer eligible for a sign-and-trade deal. The Nets could still work to trade him as an expiring contract, but Irving would have no formal voice in a potential landing spot.
12:23 p.m. ET: Outside of the Los Angeles Lakers, there are no known teams planning to pursue a sign-and-trade deal for Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. No sign-and-trades can be formally discussed until after 6 p.m. ET on Thursday. Brooklyn isn’t believed to have interest in available Lakers packages. If Irving declines his $36 million player option, he would be eligible to sign with the Lakers for the $6 million taxpayer midlevel exception. The deadline is Wednesday to decide on his option.
8:30 a.m. ET: The Brooklyn Nets are not going to offer point guard Kyrie Irving a max contract in free agency this summer, ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported on Get Up. “The Nets are not going to be held hostage by the threat of Kyrie Irving and then Kevin Durant following him out the door,” Lowe said. “They appear ready to actually take some kind of stand here. That doesn’t mean that there’s not going to be a fair compromise offer somewhere.”
10:15 p.m. ET: The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to trade guard De’Anthony Melton to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the No. 23 pick in this year’s draft, a source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Melton averaged a career-high 10.8 points in 73 games for Memphis in 2021-22.
Grading the 76ers-Grizzlies trade
9:49 p.m. ET: The New York Knicks made multiple moves on draft night to free up cap space. They sent the No. 11 pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, which took $4.5 million off their cap sheet, then sent Kemba Walker to the Detroit Pistons, clearing an additional $9.2 million in salary for 2022-23. Walker and the Pistons are expected to discuss a contract buyout that will allow him to become a free agent, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Grading the Knicks’ draft night trades
4:50 p.m. ET: Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has a list of teams he’d like the team to consider if the two sides can’t reach an agreement to stay with Brooklyn, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The list includes the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers — none have the cap space to sign him without the Nets’ help.
Woj: KD is Kyrie’s leverage play | Trade Machine
6:13 p.m. ET: The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired forward Jerami Grant from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a protected 2025 first-round pick and additional draft assets, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Blazers absorb Grant’s $21 million salary using a trade exception, sources said. Grant, who is entering the final year of his contract, is eligible to sign a four-year, $112 million extension beginning in December. The Pistons, on the other hand, now have $43 million in salary-cap space for free agency.
Grading the Blazers-Pistons trade
2:58 p.m. ET: Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton is exercising his $5.7 million option to return for the 2022-2023 season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Connaughton averaged a career-high 9.9 points in 65 games for the Bucks last season.
2:13 p.m. ET: Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers said contract extensions for Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole are a “big priority,” adding, “We’ll make a big effort to keep those guys.” However, he understands those deals might not happen right away. The deadline for Poole to sign an extension off his rookie deal isn’t until Oct. 31, and Wiggins has no deadline for an extension off the max deal he signed while with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
12:08 p.m. ET: ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on SportsCenter that Bradley Beal is very likely to decline the option and re-sign with the Washington Wizards on a five-year deal worth a projected $248 million that would take him through age 33.
12:06 p.m. ET: James Harden is headed toward opting into his $47.3 million player option and then extending his contract by perhaps as many as two years at a significant number with the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on SportsCenter. Harden’s extension would likely fall short of a max contract but would still be a significant commitment from Philadelphia.
5:01 p.m. ET: The Houston Rockets‘ John Wall has exercised his $47.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Rockets will continue to seek a trade for the 31-year-old guard, but the two sides are expected to work on a contract buyout if a swap can’t be found, sources told Wojnarowski. Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists in 40 games for the Rockets in 2020-21 before being shut down.
12:55 p.m. ET: LA Clippers forward Nicolas Batum will decline his $3.3 million player option and become a free agent, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. There is expected to be mutual interest in reaching a new deal in July, sources said. Batum started 54 of the 59 games he played, averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in his second season with the Clippers.
11:43 a.m. ET: Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green has exercised his $4.5 million player option for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. Green had until Monday to decide whether to opt into the deal, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Green, who will turn 36 in August, averaged 10.3 points in 75 games (63 starts) for Denver last season, his 11th team during his 14-year NBA career.
8:30 p.m. ET: Golden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins, who is heading into the final season of the $147 million rookie extension he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, told reporters on Saturday that he “would love to stay” in Golden State.
Third-year guard Jordan Poole, who is entering the last year of his rookie contract, has until Oct. 17 to negotiate a new deal with the reigning NBA champs.
Gary Payton II, Andre Iguodala, Kevon Looney, Otto Porter Jr., Nemanja Bjelica, Damion Lee and Chris Chiozza will all be unrestricted free agents, as well. Juan Toscano-Anderson and Quinndary Weatherspoon will be restricted free agents.
9:39 p.m. ET: The Dallas Mavericks acquired center Christian Wood from the Rockets in exchange for the No. 26 pick in the 2022 NBA draft and Boban Marjanovic, Marquese Chriss, Trey Burke and Sterling Brown — four players with expiring contracts. Wood is set to make $14.3 million for the 2022-23 season, the final year of his contract. Wood averaged 19.1 points and 9.9 rebounds during his two seasons in Houston.