May 30, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) holds the NBA Western Conference Finals trophy after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in game seven of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The first domino has fallen for the Spurs in free agency, and it’s a move we all saw coming. Today (June 29) is the deadline for the early termination of contracts, and as predicted, the Spurs have used it to decline the team option on Julian Champagnie’s contract to re-sign him to a longer deal. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Champagnie will sign a new three-year, $45 million deal with the Spurs, which lasts through the 2028-29 season.
Just in: San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie intends to sign a new three-year, $45 million contract with the franchise through 2028-29, sources tell ESPN. The Spurs declined Champagnie’s $3 million team option to give him a new deal. Waived three years ago, Champagnie has… pic.twitter.com/IgM5oXWeAG
This is quite the steal for a starting-caliber forward who can defend and consistently shot around 40% from deep in both the regular season and playoffs for a Finals team. Champagnie appeared in all 82 games for the Spurs for the second straight season, starting in 68 of them and eventually becoming a full-time starter, superceding Harrison Barnes in the rotation. He averaged 11.1 points on 38% from three, 5.8 rebouds and 1.5 assists in the regular season. He shot even better in the playoffs, scoring 11.2 points per game on 40% from three.
The new deal is not just well deserved, but it’s also a continuation of his very Spursian story. Originally undrafted out of St. John’s University, he signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer of 2022. He hardly played for them at all before he was waived in February to make room for Philly to sign Mac McClung entirely so he could represent them in the Dunk Contest at All-Star weekend, just to then waive him too.
This deal puts Champagnie in Spurs lore as one of their classic cases of players being cast off by their prior teams, just for the Spurs to pick them up off the scrap heaps and make others regret missing out. He arguably could have demanded more from the Spurs or on the open market, so the fact that he accept such a team-friendly deal suggests he values winning and feels a sense of loyalty to the Spurs for believing in him.
Free agency officially begins tomorrow at 5:00 PM, when teams can begin talking to other teams’ free agents. The moratorium period lasts until July 6. Other news to watch for, beyond the Spurs signing any new free agents, will be Victor Wembanyama’s rookie contract extension and the Spurs picking up the rookie options on Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant (although they technically have until October 31 to get that done).
In the meantime, welcome back, Julian! It’s as if you never left. Enjoy your best birthday present yet!
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 5: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball while being defended by Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Deandre Ayton is opting to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, though it’s to be seen whether the Lakers will opt to keep with the former Arizona big man.
Ayton has exercised his player option to return to the Lakers for a second year, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday. Ayton will make $8.1 million in 2026-27.
In his first season with the Lakers, the 28-year-old Ayton averaged 12.5 points and 8 rebounds per game over 72 regular season games. Ayton’s scoring and rebounding averages were the lowest of his career.
Ayton played well in the Lakers’ NBA playoffs first round win over the Houston Rockets, posting three double-doubles but struggled in the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While it was expected that Ayton would opt in to his player option, the Lakers may decide they’re better off trading him and finding a new starting center. Ayton’s salary puts him at good value for teams in need of a reliable big man.
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton is opting into his $8.1 million player option for the 2026-27 season, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/YCEkd3wgmj
Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, played his first five seasons with the Phoenix Suns, followed by two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.
In his one season at Arizona (2017-18), Ayton earned Pac-12 Player of the Year and Consensus First Team All-American honors.
Landry Shamet is staying in New York, agreeing to a four-year, $24 million contract with the Knicks, confirms SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley.
The deal was first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania.
Begley also reports that Shamet's decision to re-sign with the Knicks and avoid free agency means that he turned down the opportunity for bigger offers elsewhere to defend the title -- offers that were coming had he become a free agent.
Instead, the shooting guard will remain in New York for the long-term after spending the last two seasons with the Knicks and averaging 7.5 points in 101 games (12 starts).
According to Begley, bringing back Shamet was a priority for the club. He becomes the second player to return after winning the NBA Finals following the contract extension to Jose Alvarado.
If the Knicks stay under the second apron, it will be very difficult for them to retain Mitchell Robinson now, per Begley.
Shamet has played for six teams in his eight-year career and has averaged 8.4 points across 449 games (109 starts). During that time, he's also made the playoffs seven times and is a great option off the bench.
New York Knicks champion Landry Shamet is staying in the Big Apple after the threat of free agency came with his team option declined earlier in the month. ESPN insider Shams Charania was the first to report the news.
“Just in: Free agent guard Landry Shamet intends to sign a new four-year, $24 million deal to return to the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. Shamet’s agent, George S. Langberg of GSL Sports Group, worked with Knicks executives on Monday to land the long-term commitment,” Charania tweeted.
Shamet, 29, averaged 9.3 points per game in 51 appearances with the Knicks this season. He emerged in the postseason, appearing in all 19 games for the Knicks as a key reserve. He proved that he belonged with stellar play on both ends of the floor, especially on defense.
“I’m talking about his whole career because he’s been a journeyman, but he probably deserved more of an opportunity because what he does out on the floor on both ends is very hard to find in this league, especially at his size, with is mental and physical toughness. We gave him an opportunity and showed him we loved him. He embraced it and he ran with it,” Knicks head coach Mike Brown said during the NBA Finals.
Posting and Toasting community, what do you make of Shamet’s new contract with the Knicks? How do you feel about him returning to the team for the next four years? Let us know in the comments section.
MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 21: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on before the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 21, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Ja Morant’s name has been in NBA trade rumors for at least a year. Finally, the Memphis Grizzlies pulled the trigger on a deal no one could have seen coming.
The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Morant from Memphis for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, according to Shams Charania. The Blazers are reportedly set to start Morant and Damian Lillard in the backcourt next to Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan, with Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, and Toumani Camara filling out the rotation. The Grizzlies start fresh for the Cam Boozer era by unloading Morant, who had been the troubled face of the franchise since he was selected No. 2 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Morant reportedly didn’t garner much trade interest, but the Blazers made a bold move to acquire him without giving up any draft capital or key rotation pieces. Let’s grade this trade for both sides.
Trail Blazers grade for Ja Morant trade
Morant’s star has fallen significantly after making back-to-back All-Star teams in 2022 and 2023, as well as Second-Team All-NBA in 2022. Morant was once one of the brightest young stars in the league, but injuries, off-court issues, and a significant drop-off in two-point scoring efficiency have diminished his production.
This feels like an odd fit. Portland already has Lillard coming back from a torn Achilles next season at age-36, and he was a terrible defender even before the injury. Morant is another small and weak defender. How are the Blazers going to be able to stop anyone in the backcourt if the plan is for Lillard and Morant to start together? While this lineup could suddenly have a lot of ball handling and playmaking, it’s worth noting that Avdija’s All-Star leap last season only happened in a heavy on-ball role. I don’t like taking the ball out of Avdija’s hands, and hate the defensive pairing of Lillard and Morant even with Clingan at the rim and Toumani Camara and Jrue Holiday on the wings.
Credit the Blazers for not really giving up anything. Grant was a bad contract, and his touches needed to go to other players this season. Grant had two years, $70.6 million remaining on his deal. Murray will be more enticing for Memphis, but he was only a depth wing in Portland. The Blazers got a former star in Morant who is still young at 26 years old. There’s upside in the deal for Portland if Morant can approach getting back to his old self.
Morant has two years, $87 million left on his deal. Even if this doesn’t work out, Portland could always trade him as an expiring contract next season.
I can’t ding Portland too much for this trade because they didn’t really give anything up, and they also unloaded a bad asset in the process. I just don’t love the on-court fit here, and I see no world in which a Lillard and Morant backcourt is viable even in the short-term. Let’s see what Portland has up its sleeve next.
Grade: C+
Grizzlies grade for Ja Morant trade
Memphis is Cam Boozer’s team now. I thought the No. 3 overall pick was by far the best prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he’s going to be the face of the franchise with Morant out of the way. This return shows just how little interest there was in Morant. Memphis probably didn’t want to take back Grant, but they didn’t have any other options without giving up assets in the deal. My guess is Grant is immediately available to anyone who wants him, otherwise he will be a buyout candidate a year from now. Murray projects as a backup wing if he can fix his three-point shot. He’s only shot 25 percent from deep for his career.
This move is really all about addition by subtraction for Memphis. The Grizzlies have plenty of guards on the roster with Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, and Javon Small. Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells can hold down the wing, while Boozer, Santi Aldama, Isaiah Stewart, and Zach Edey fortify the front court. If Boozer is as good as I think he’s going to be, Memphis will have a great young core in place. It didn’t need Morant messing with that.
Morant’s fall from grace in Memphis is just sad. The Grizzlies should have traded him sooner, but just getting off him at all right now is good work.
As first reported by ESPN, the Grizzlies are sending the two-time All-Star guard and No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft to Portland for a swap that includes forward Jerami Grant and forward Kris Murray.
Morant is still on a contract he signed in July 2022, a five-year, $197.2 million deal. The 26-year-old is set to make $42 million and $44 million over the next two seasons and will be a free agent in the summer of 2028.
The trade comes just before the flurry of NBA free agency, which opens its negotiation period on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET.
Here are the latest reactions to the Ja Morant trade and what it could mean going forward:
Ja Morant trade reactions and rumors
Ja Morant to Portland makes you wonder.
Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, and Scoot Henderson are all there as well.
Suddenly, a Jaylen Brown to Portland trade is not all that crazy to imagine.
The Portland Trail Blazers envision a starting backcourt of Damian Lillard and Ja Morant alongside Deni Avdija on the wing. A very unconventional move that the franchise believes has upside. Ja Morant gets his fresh start. Jerami Grant and Kris Murray off to Memphis.
Following the trade of Ja Morant to Portland, the Grizzlies have now traded all three of their former franchise cornerstones — Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. — since being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.…
The Sacramento Kings were eyeing the possibility of adding Ja Morant dating back to the last NBA trade deadline, but drafting Darius Acuff, Jr., recently cooled that talk.
New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) celebrates during the fourth quarter.
Landry Shamet will be back on Broadway.
Shamet is planning on signing a four-year, $24 million deal to remain with the Knicks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) celebrates during the fourth quarter during game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The deal was hammered out on Monday, according to the report, and keeps Shamet in the Big Apple after being a key part of the first Knicks squad to win an NBA championship in 53 years.
Shamet averaged 9.3 points per game during the regular season and 6.0 points per game during the playoffs, while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 47.5 percent from 3-point range.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 11: General manager Rafael Stone looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center on February 11, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The soap opera meta drama that is the NBA offseason has already begun in one sense with the draft, and the trades of big name players like Giannis and Lamelo. (You are a big name if people just know you by one name.)
Tonight at 7pm CST, though, we’ll see the start of the real drama. Who will sign where? Who will get traded as part of this? What sort of redundant player will the Rockets sign (currently suggestions are Marcus Smart, as clearly the Rockets main issue is what they’re best at, defense, and not what they’re worst at, offense). Smart looked good in the series against the Rockets, and had a better season that you might think. I’d really rather not watch him for a full season (or whatever he manages to play) as a Rocket, though. Doubling down on grit, rather than “can get his own shot” will surely be the best path forward, though.
There’s some talk the Rockets might exchange Smart for DFS to the Lakers, which, if it happens, is fine I guess. Fine in a “free continental buffet” of gummy bagels sort of way.
There are a few interesting unrestricted free agents out there, though the Rockets ability to sign one is very limited in high dollar ranges barring a trade. I don’t really bother listing unrestricted free agents, as there’s really no reason to do so until the situation heads towards “qualifying offer” territory, or they get an offer from another team for their current team to match.
The two biggest names who are unrestricted free agents will be familiar – LeBron James, and James Harden. Most people think that the Cavs will bring Harden back on some sort of deal. Where LeBron takes his talents could be interesting. Though he was still a very good player at 41, just not the best player in the NBA, as he spent much of his career being. This will mark the first time I’m aware of in James’ 20+ year career that he has hit free agency without a new deal obviously in place.
There are still some players who seem likely to be traded around too. Jalen Brown is the most notable, rumors with the Rockets and Brown have been hot and cold, but are currently cold.
The NBA, in its wisdom, decided to start the action not at the stroke of midnight on the East Coast, but at 7pm. This is much more reasonable, and respectful of Brian Windhorst’s bedtime.
Anyhow, I’ll probably add things to this story as significant NBA, or relatively insignificant Rockets events break.
Discussion Question: Socrates once asked “Can virtue be taught?”* Tonight, for our symposium, I’ll ask, “Can shooting be taught?”
Let me leave you with a trade to ponder. (Ducks.)
Memphis wouldn’t do this? Are you sure? There’s no more toxic asset in the NBA right now than Ja Morant. But what if…
BREAKING! UPDATE! BREAKING! BROKE! BROKEN!
Portland has, of their own free will, apparently, traded for Ja Morant. He went for the low, low, price of Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. No other terms are known just now. So we’re safe from that trade.
Of the Grizzlies “Team of The Future, Look Out Western Conference” no one remains. Kind of an Ozymandias type thing for the Rockets, maybe.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Thomas Bryant #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on April 02, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thomas Bryant is expected to sign a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Free agent center Thomas Bryant intends to sign a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN. Bryant averaged 12.2 minutes and 6.2 points over 60 games for the Cavs, who worked with Mark Bartelstein and Zach Kurtin of @PrioritySports on the new… pic.twitter.com/4ONsWu07wD
The Cavs are thin in the frontcourt. Finding talent behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen has been an issue for years. Bryant is arguably the most successful backup big that they have tried in this era, providing some quality minutes in the regular season before showing diminishing returns in the playoffs.
Bryant averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds last season. He’s a strong rebounder who occasionally spaced the floor and made double-big lineups with Mobley viable. Bryant shot 35.9% from deep last season.
Still, his lack of mobility was on display in the playoffs as he struggled to keep up with more athletic teams like the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.
There’s value in retaining talent. The Cavs understand that frontcourt depth is a weakness, and they don’t want to make it worse by losing a viable backup big. Bryant also deserves credit for being a strong locker room presence. He’s worthy of a one-year deal to return.
Nonetheless, an argument can be made that Cleveland has taken the wrong approach with fleshing out their rotation. The lack of athleticism and versatility on the wing is impossible to ignore. Continuing to sign players who don’t address that area of weakness can lead to someone like Bryant unfairly receiving the blame.
It’s not Bryant’s fault that the Cavs haven’t found other options to play in the frontcourt. But I can understand why some fans were surprised and even disappointed to see the Cavaliers commit to Bryant before free agency even officially begins.
Fans are clamoring for change, even after a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. There’s a sense of uneasiness that has crept into online discourse about the Cavs. That’s why signing a reliable backup option like Bryant can be met with anguish. He’s a solid veteran to have on your bench. But he’s not what this team needs. And until the Cavs find some true depth on the wing, signings like this will be met with complaints.
Jan 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Leonard adds something the Raptors have only had when they won the title in 2019
Yes, you’ve heard that right — the Toronto Raptors have been in dire need of a true number one option on offense since they won the Larry ‘O Brien trophy seven years ago. In the midst of the ongoing talks on bringing back 2x Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to ‘The 6ix,” a question begs itself — will Kawhi be the same solution the Raptors find after all these seasons? The answer boils down to how willing GM Bobby Webster is to pull the trigger on a deal that reunites the Raptors with the Klaw.
Best Scorer on the Floor
Leonard is fresh off arguably his best regular season in the NBA thus far, putting up a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals on a consistent 50.5/38.7/89.2 shooting splits. He also managed to silence the doubts regarding his durability after suiting up for 65 appearances, which was good enough to qualify him for the In-Season Awards. Leonard finished seventh in Regular Season MVP voting while bagging his seventh All-NBA selection after being included in the second All-NBA team. Although many may know him as a bona fide playoff riser, recency bias might suggest that he’s past his prime — especially after the play-in game against the Golden State Warriors last April.
In a disappointing season-ender for the Clippers, Leonard tallied 21 points on 8-17 from the field, coupled with an abysmal 1-6 shooting from downtown. He also grabbed 7 boards and dished 3 assists, but turned the ball over five times, committing all of them in the second half. Leonard also managed to put up just six field goals in the last 24 minutes of play and scored just 7 points in the process. Based on this performance, it’s easy to say that his best years as a playoff performer are already behind him, but to declare that means not seeing the whole picture. Two-time Best Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green, held Leonard to 0 points in the second half when they were matched up against each other, according to a report by Dean Oliver.
Oliver also notes that Kawhi was a non-factor in the second half. “Kawhi Leonard was worth -8.3 net points in the second half, a half they lost by 13. He was worth -6.9 in a game they lost by 5, a threshold loss,” said Oliver. While stats like these suggest that Leonard’s load was carried by his teammates after the second-half collapse that saw them give up a double-digit lead, neglecting Green’s factor in his underwhelming production discredits the long-time Warrior’s match-up mastery and also the defensive schemes they ran against him.
With all of these factors in consideration, Leonard presents himself as a sort of “mystery box” just like he did seven years ago when questions surrounding his commitment as well as injury recovery were all up in the air. But just as the gamble that former president of Basketball Operations, Masai Ujiri, took on paid off with a Larry O’Brien trophy, so will a deal that ships Leonard back to Toronto elevate the team’s ceiling, and I think that’s a wager worth betting on.
Unlocking Scottie, Offloading Pressure
Jan 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
When Scottie Barnes was drafted 4th overall by the Raptors, many were skeptical of his choice since they thought a point guard would have been a better fit, considering Kyle Lowry’s recent departure back then. Now, Barnes operates as a point guard himself, but has the length and two-way ability that makes him a threat not just on playmaking but also guarding the other team’s best player. With Kawhi, I think he becomes just that, a two-way playmaker wing who orchestrates the offense and gets crucial stops on the other end without being relied heavily on producing buckets.
With Brandon Ingram off the floor for the series-clincher, offense was expected to revolve around Barnes. The former Florida State Seminole went off to a hot start, contributing to each of the Raptors’ first 16 points in the opening period. The Cleveland Cavaliers, however, remained in striking distance, lunging in when Barnes was off the floor to deliver their blows. The game started to swing towards the Wine and Gold after Donovan Mitchell’s superb scoring in the early phases of the third quarter. While Barnes finished with efficient numbers after going 8-14 on the field and a perfect 7-7 shooting on the charity stripe, his teammates weren’t nearly as effective as he was as they ended up losing the game, 102-114.
The majority of shots for Toronto came from RJ Barrett, Jamal Shead, and Barnes, with only Barnes having produced at a high clip. While Ingram’s absence could have negatively affected their chances on offense as a go-to crunch-time scorer, he was likewise inconsistent from the field throughout the series. The Raptors’ success hinges on Barnes’ growth as a player, and therefore, management should surround him with pieces that enable him to reach that potential. Having a more consistent number one option on offense, like Leonard, would definitely help him prosper.
What’s the price to pay?
ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that if Leonard were to sign a long-term extension after a trade, it would be with the Raptors. Although Leonard’s preference is to stay in Los Angeles, the Clippers are leaning towards “moving in a younger direction,” as per Charania.
Speculations have been swirling all week that the package would center around either Ingram or Barrett. With none of those players being 25 and under, the Raptors would have to give up young players and draft assets for the 34-year-old All-Star.
Whichever package GM Bobby Webster might put together for a swap that would bring Leonard back to the north side will not only have implications for the directions of both the Raptors and the Clippers, but this offseason will certainly have repercussions for the Klaw’s legacy in whichever city he decides to suit up for next as he nears the twilight of his career.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics have picked up team options for Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, and Dalano Banton ahead of next season, as first reported by The Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. Queta is due to make $2.7 million next season, Walsh will make $2.4 million, and Banton $2.8 million.
Both Walsh and Banton’s options are non-guaranteed (last year, the Celtics picked up JD Davison’s non-guaranteed option, but waived him later in the summer before he signed with the Houston Rockets).
The Celtics also declined team options for Max Shulga and Amari Williams, both of last year’s second-round picks. They did not extend a qualifying offer to John Tonje, who is an unrestricted free agent. Both players are eligible to return to the Celtics on two-way contracts, which they began the season on.
Neemias Queta remains a likely candidate for an extension
Neemias Queta could very well sign an extension with the Celtics in the coming days after establishing himself as the team’s starting center last season.
Queta, who is 26 years old, has had a long journey to get to this point; he was the 39th overall pick in 2021 but was waived by the Sacramento Kings two years later. He joined the Celtics on a two-way contract shortly after and began his tenure with the organization in Maine.
Queta was fourth in the team’s frontcourt depth chart during his first two seasons in Boston. But he became the starting center after the Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis and saw Al Horford and Luke Kornet walk away in free agency.
Last season, Queta averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 65.3% from the field. He averaged 25.3 minutes across 76 games, both career-highs.
But, playing postseason minutes for the first time, Queta struggled in the playoffs. Due to foul trouble, he was limited to just 21.7 minutes per game. He put together his best performance in Game 7, tallying 17 points (on 7-8 FG) and 12 rebounds in 33 minutes, all playoff career highs.
What is his market value after a career season? That remains to be seen.
Jordan Walsh is also eligible for an extension with the team
Walsh is also coming off a career year; in his third season, he averaged 5.4 points and 4 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game, shooting 50.9% from the field and 38.4% from three. Walsh started 25 games, oftentimes matching up against opposing teams’ best players, and recorded career-highs across the board. Walsh, who is 22 years old, was drafted 38th overall in 2023.
The Celtics agreed to a 3-year, $9 million extension with Ron Harper Jr on Saturday. Harper Jr. averaged 3.2 points in 11 minutes per game last season, after beginning the season on a training camp contract.
Jaylen Brown (July) and Payton Pritchard (October) are also both eligible for contract extensions in the coming months.
Ja Morant appears to be available in trade talks and the Milwaukee Bucks are leaders to acquire him.
Two-time NBA All-Star and one of the league’s most controversial players off the court, Ja Morant, was traded by the Grizzlies on Monday.
Morant was dealt to the Trail Blazers, uniting him with Portland stars Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson, in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported.
The deal ends a turbulent tenure for Morant in Memphis, where he became a household name while simultaneously finding himself in increasingly significant trouble due to gun-related incidents off the court as well as injury issues. Morant appeared in just 79 games over the past three seasons due to suspensions and injuries.
Ja Morant appears to be available in trade talks and the Milwaukee Bucks are leaders to acquire him. Getty Images
At his best, Morant is one of the top players in the NBA, and his early career reflected the talent that he possesses.
He won Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player in his first two seasons in the NBA, which included a 2021-22 season in which he averaged 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
Morant was named to the NBA All-Star Game in 2022 and 2023, as well as earning All-NBA Second Team honors in 2021-22.
Morant played just 20 games for the Grizzlies this season AP
But things quickly turned for him in 2023, when, in March of that year, Morant was suspended for eight games for conduct detrimental to the league and then started the 2023-24 season with a 25-game ban.
Both stemmed from Morant flashing a firearm on livestreams on his social media.
He was also suspended for one game by the Grizzlies after an incident in November with head coach Tuomas Iisalo following a loss to the Lakers.
Now with Morant and the remaining two years and $87 million left on his contract gone, the Grizzlies have disbanded the core group of players that was once the cornerstone of the franchise, which included Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Ja Morant in a trade that will send Jerami Grant and Kris Murray back to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to multiple reports.
ESPN's Shams Charania was first to report the deal.
Morant will receive a fresh start after his time in Memphis was filled with highlight reels and controversy, which was marked by off-the-court issues that led to three suspensions in the past three years. The two-time All-Star was suspended for eight games in March 2023 after he displayed a firearm in a live-streamed video from a Denver-area nightclub.
Just four months later, the NBA suspended him again, this time for 25 games, for another video in which he was showing a firearm. This season, he was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team following a postgame incident with head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Morant has only played in 79 games during the past three seasons due to injuries and off-the-court issues.
Morant signed a five-year, $197.2 million contract in July 2022 and is in the third year of that deal. Morant made $39.4 million for the 2025-26 season, is due $42 million and $44 million over the next two seasons and is scheduled to hit free agency in the summer of 2028.
Ja Morant age
Morant is 26 years old. He was drafted by the Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after two seasons at Murray State. During his sophomore season with the Racers, Morant averaged 26.8 points, 11 assists and 6.2 rebounds a game, earning Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors and being named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press.
Ja Morant stats for 2025-26
Playing in only 20 games this past season, Morant averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds in a career-low 28.5 minutes per game. He shot 41% from the floor and only 24% from 3-point range and was shut down in March due to a UCL sprain in his left elbow.
Ja Morant career stats
During his seven-season NBA career, Morant has averaged 22.4 points and 7.4 assists per game. The two-time All-Star was named the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player for the 2021-22 season.
CBAMavs here and I’m back after a long hiatus. This is a small preview at the last minute to help you know what the Mavericks can legally do to improve the roster for the 2026-27 season. It was important to wait until after the draft to use the actual numbers for the draft picks.
This is what the Mavericks’ current cap sheet looks like:
Under or Over?
The Mavericks are slightly under the salary cap ($2,960,632) but will operate over the cap. This is because staying over the cap allows them to take advantage of different salary cap exceptions that they’d have to renounce to actually dip below the salary cap. To operate under the cap, the Mavericks would have to renounce all their free agent’s cap holds (Middleton, Powell, Bagley, Williams, Cisse), lose their Traded Player Exceptions (TPE) ($20,830,154) [Davis], ($6,000,000) [Hardy], ($2,296,274) [Exum] and lose access to the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (NT-MLE) ($15,048,000 up to 4 years) and the Bi-Annual Exception (BAE) ($5,478,000 up to 2 years). The Mavericks would gain back the Room Exception ($9,369,000 up to 3 years) by going under the cap, but the Room Exception + the cap space acquired is less than the Non-Tax Mid-Level Exception by itself.
And they would be able to use these since the Mavericks currently sit $45,616,047 below the 1st apron.
This is what the Mavericks Cap Sheet looks like if they used the NTMLE, the BAE, and their largest TPE.
They would still be $4,259,893 below the 1st Apron even after using these exceptions. As they will be operating over the cap and are $45,616,047 below the 1st Apron. How can the Mavericks use that Apron Room?
Free Agents
Own Free Agents
Cap Holds
Khris Middleton $51,018,518 (Full Bird)
Marvin Bagley $2,450,001 (Non-bird rights)
Brandon Williams $2,450,001 (Full Bird)
Dwight Powell $7,600,000 (Full Bird)
Moussa Cisse $2,185,633 Restricted Cap Hold
Re-signing these players
Bird Rights: We can offer them anything they’d like, up to their specific max. 0-6 years’ experience is 25%, 7-9 years’ experience is 30%, and 10+ years’ experience is 35%. Not that any of our players deserve anything close to a max, though.
Non-Bird rights mean the Mavericks can only give a 20% raise. For Bagley, that means the Mavericks can only offer up to $3,697,105 using the non-Bird rights. This is likely not enough, so they would have to use another exception to sign Bagley if they wanted to keep him.
Signing other Free Agents
NT-MLE: 15,048,000 (up to 4 years with 5% raises) (total for 4 years/$64,706,400)
BAE 5,478,000 (up to 2 years with 5% raises) (total is 2 years/$11,229,900)
The MLE (and BAE) can be split among multiple players. The first year salary is what is used to reduce the MLE/BAE.
In the new CBA, the MLE and BAE can also be used at Traded Player Exceptions, in addition to the normal path of using them to sign a free agent.
Trading for Players
Trade rules below the 1st Apron
Up to $7.25 million in outgoing salary can bring back 200 percent plus $250,000
$7,250,001 to $29 million will be padded by a flat $7.5 million
Above $29 million will be limited to 125 percent plus $250,000
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 1: The sneakers worn by Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 1, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
