Draymond Green was always returning to the Golden State Warriors. That was never in doubt, even after he opted out of his player option to give the Warriors the financial flexibility to chase LeBron James and other free agents.
Now Green is officially back, agreeing to a one-year, $27.7 million contract that is essentially the same one he opted out of, a story first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, who was informed by Green's agent, Rich Paul.
If the Warriors had been successful in landing LeBron, Green likely would have signed a multi-year contract at a lower first-year salary, reports Anthony Slater of ESPN. Now Green, Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski will all be in the final year of their contracts. The Warriors can extend Curry starting Aug. 29, and give him up to two years, $135 million, if he wants it (he may choose to wait to re-sign, giving the team more financial freedom to add to the roster).
Green played in 68 games for the Warriors last season, averaging 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, shooting just 41.8% from the floor (32.6% from 3). However, Green's real value comes as a passer and secondary playmaker, plus the nine-time All-Defense forward is still a high-level defender.
The Warriors also are expected to make official soon the signing of De'Anthony Melton for two years, $11 million. That would leave the Warriors about $8.3 million below a hard cap at the second apron with 12 players on the roster. Expect them to sign two more players to minimum deals, leaving the 15th and final roster spot open heading into the season.
Real Madrid's Croatian forward #11 Mario Hezonja (C) aims a throw next to Valencia's US forward #07 Braxton Key during the EuroLeague "Final Four" semi-final basketball match between Valencia Basket Club and Real Madrid Baloncesto at the Telekom Center Athens in Athens on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Angelos Tzortzinis / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers formally agreed to a deal to sign forward Mario Hezonja earlier this week. If only it were that simple. Hezonja is currently having trouble being released from Real Madrid as the Spanish club argues that Hezonja missed his window to leave for the NBA.
Hezonja had an NBA out clause in his contract that was to be exercised by July 20. That has become a point of contention since he missed that window and did not secure an NBA deal until July 26.
“The Cavs and other teams have been pursuing Hezonja this offseason in hopes of capitalizing on a July 20 NBA out in his Real Madrid pact,” said Marc Stein. “The Spanish giants have reportedly pushed back on releasing the Croatian forward since he did not have his NBA team lined up until July 26.”
Cleveland has been linked to Hezonja since earlier in the summer, but, understandably, was holding out on making a move until LeBron James had announced his next decision. The Cavs were hoping to land a big fish. Instead, they chose the consolation prize of taking Hezonja on a minimum deal. That’s why this process didn’t advance until James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Does this mean the Cavs will miss out on Hezonja, too? Probably not.
Stein also reported this today:
“Cleveland has yet to formally sign Mario Hezonja but is “working through” the needed steps, one source close to the process tells @TheSteinLine, to make the deal official. Hezonja and the Cavaliers agreed to a one-year minimum deal Sunday after LeBron James chose Philadelphia.”
Real Madrid will argue that Hezonja did not notify them in time of his buyout window. How far they are willing to argue is undetermined. But one potentially simple solution would be paying a fine and sending money back to Real Madrid to settle everything.
The likely report this morning came from the idea if they won't let him leave for the NBA, Hezonja's side may argue then the clause lets him leave but the NBA may disallow it.
The other way to solve this is giving back more money to Real Madrid.
If you’re thinking this feels like a lot to deal with for a minimum player, you’re probably right. We’d all like this process to be simplified. Still, there’s a chance it’s all handled swiftly and over before we know it.
"It's funny to me that people that don't have rings and saying, 'He's a ring chaser,' No. He's continuing to chase," O'Neal told Smith. "He's chasing the chance to continue to be great, to continue to add legacy to his book. Listen, he knows, well he doesn't really know yet, but you know and I know when this thing is over, it's over. You can't come back. Once you retire, once your body says I can't go no more, it's over."
"This guy feels he has two, three more years left," O'Neal continued. "Why not try to get another championship? I did it. I did it with Boston. After I won three in a row and then won one in Miami, hey, towards the end of my career, let me go play with Paul and KG and be like the fourth guy and rebound and set picks and see if I can win one. And that's what he's doing."
O'Neal's one season with the Celtics became his 19th and final year as an NBA player. He played in just 37 games during the regular season and made just two playoff appearances due to injury.
O'Neal's run with the Celtics was preceded by a one-year stint as a teammate of James with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2009-10 season. He won three NBA championships in a row with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000-02) and a fourth title with the Miami Heat in 2006.
Why Shaq feels 'sorry' for Tyrese Maxey
Though O'Neal made it a point to defend James in front of Smith, one of James' noted antagonists, the Hall of Fame center and 'Inside the NBA' host also expressed skepticism about how the Sixers' new starting lineup will fit together. He called the roster "fabulous" on paper, but singled out Tyrese Maxey as "the person I feel sorry for" with Jaylen Brown and James added this offseason.
"He came in a regular guy. Joel Embiid was hurt most of the year. Tyrese rose up like, 'Hey, I'm the star. This is my team,' " O'Neal said. "Now you bring Jaylen Brown in. Is he going to take a step back? Not only that, you bring LeBron in, is he going to take another step back? Now Joel comes in shape and he wants to play, (Maxey's) going to have to revert back to being a regular guy. And will that affect him?
"He was becoming a star," O'Neal added, "and sometimes somebody, one or two people on that team is going to have to defer. Defer to who, I don't know. Whether it's defer to Jaylen, defer to LeBron, defer to Embiid, I don't know. But four big-name guys, everybody can't get off every night."
In Philadelphia, James will attempt to become the first player in NBA history to win championships with four different teams.
Even with his concerns, O'Neal was unequivocal when discussing expectations: "It's championship-or-bust for LeBron and Jaylen."
The team and forward Draymond Green agreed Tuesday, July 28 to a one-year, $27.7 million contract, a person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose terms of the deal.
The contract is exactly the same amount Green would’ve earned in his player option, which he declined in late June. The arrangement suggests that Green opted out to offer financial flexibility for the Warriors to pursue other players, like James, in free agency and trades.
In fact, Golden State is the only team in the NBA to not add a player through a trade or free agency this offseason, which represents something of a failure for a team that did not qualify for the postseason.
The Warriors did select former Michigan standout Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 overall pick, but the Warriors will now try to straddle the line between building for the future — with Green at 36 years old, Stephen Curry at 38 and Jimmy Butler (who is coming off a torn ACL) at 36 — and competing right now.
Yet, as the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder remain poised to contend, and as teams like the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves remain steady, Golden State’s aging roster may find it difficult to match the play of those squads.
Draymond Green stats
A four-time All-Star and four-time NBA champ, Green averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists across 68 games this season for Golden State. Known for his defensive prowess, Green is a nine-time All-Defensive selection.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Well, we’ve been here before.
LeBron James has once again ducked Northeast Ohio by choosing to sign with a team other than the Cleveland Cavaliers. I think I speak for all of us when I say this left me feeling bummed out.
Not as bummed as 2010. But maybe slightly more disappointed than 2018, when it felt all but certain we’d be entering a dark age of Cavalier basketball following The King’s departure.
This time around is a little different than the other two.
In 2010, James left us all hanging. It felt like the hometown hero was turning his back on us. To this day, the first decision remains controversial in Cleveland. I don’t think that relationship would have ever been repaired if James hadn’t returned in 2014 and eventually fulfilled his promise.
2018 was totally different. By then, he’d already brought a title to Cleveland and done all he could to elevate a lackluster roster to another finals appearance. The 2018 playoff run felt like his last dance in Cleveland. They’d expended all of their resources and met the end of the road. I think most of us made peace with James ending his career somewhere else.
But then hope returned.
Last month, it felt like James might actually make another homecoming. Not only would he close his career with a storybook ending, but he’d be joining a team that actually has a chance of winning the title. This would have been more than a farewell tour. James was the exact type of player the Cavs had been missing throughout this era.
We all know what happened next.
James chose to join the Philadelphia 76ers, stating that this would be the last decision of his career. It all ends in Philly — not Cleveland.
So, now that we’ve laid it all out, we want to know how you feel about LeBron’s decision.
Does this change your view of him? Are you left feeling scorned and betrayed? Disappointed? Or do you have zero bad feelings in the wake of another decision? Let us know in our poll and leave a comment with your explanation!
At the turn of the century in Queen City Book Store in Buffalo, amidst dozens of X-Men-tangential series and Tom Lyle’s high-key off-key emo Adam Warlock, there was a skinny self-published-looking collection of short stories and essays called The Nihilist’s Notebook. Maybe drawings, too. The last story ends as a man opens the trunk of his car to show another man the dead body he’s selling him to cannibalize, when an asteroid blazes overhead and crashes down, ending the world.
That juxtaposition was seared into my brain ever since, as was a mystery: does the transgressive leave a shadow in the light of annihilation?
In a big-picture sense, the 2027 Knicks definition of success is no mystery: repeat as champions. But as they now know better than anybody, that’s a long road. The built-in baby-teeth motivation of winning for the first time served its purpose, but winning for the second requires bigger teeth, and sharpening them means chewing on small-term goals along the way. And what triggers our hunger as seductively as the superlative? The taboo?
Until next spring, the question of ultimate success is pending. Once the games count again in October, the Knicks have plenty of reasons to keep pushing. Eight, let’s say.
GETTING AHEAD OF THE JONESES
So it’s hardly 1987, when for the 18th straight season a new champion was crowned. But the NBA’s currently in its most anti-incumbent era since, with the Knicks the eighth consecutive kings of yoink! When the 1988 Los Angeles Lakers became the first team since the Red Auerbach Celtics to repeat, it was kind of a big deal. Maybe not so much after Detroit knocked them off en route to their own repeat. After which Chicago won three straight, which . . . wow, right? Then Houston repeated. Bulls won three in a row again! Spurs blipped, then the Lakers went back-to-back-to-back.
Where was I? Ahh, yes. Believe it or not, if the Knicks were to win it all again in 2027 they’re in pole position to finish the 2020s as the team of the decade. That’d give them ownership of two decades, as they’re also the team of the 1970s, the league’s only other fragmented decade. Think about it. “The ‘70s Knicks” means something; it’s a proper noun, an ethos. Does it work with any other team from that time that won a ‘chip?
The ’70s Blazers, maybe, though for reasons more precious and parochial than cultural. The only team besides the Knicks to win more than once that decade were the Celtics, but unlike The ‘60s Celtics and The ’80s Celtics I’ve never gotten the sense the John Havlicek/Dave Cowens sides made the same kind of impact. Plus they’re the Celtics. So, no.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE FRIDAY NIGHT RUN-THROUGH AT THE LOMAXES
The Knicks have been around since the Truman presidency. There aren’t many heights nor hells this franchise hasn’t known. There are a few weird gaps. They’ve never won 46 games. Or 34. Or 25. Something else they’ve never done: win back-to-back titles.
Their best runs were reaching three straight Finals from 1951-1953, losing the first two to Minneapolis and then Rochester, and winning two titles while reaching three outta four Finals from 1970-1973. Simply repeating as Eastern champs would put these Knicks in a special place in team history. Repeating as NBA champs makes a case for them as the franchise GOATs.
LEAVE THEM OTHER CRABS BEHIND
If NBA teams were 30 crabs, 21 of them are either at the bottom of the bucket or within any number of crabs near enough to drag them down. Two crabs escaped long ago. Three are comfortably perched atop the bucket, looking down on the rabble. That leaves four crabs in-between the muck and the majesty. One is the Knicks.
The Knicks, Heat, Pistons and 76ers née Nationals have all won three championships. Only the Celtics, Lakers, Warriors, Bulls and Spurs have more. If the Knicks win this season, they’ll be all alone in sixth place. That doesn’t sound like much, but it’d give them bragging rights over 24 other teams. More importantly, it’d give us as fans bragging rights over 24 other fan bases. Is that petty? Petty’s what crabs is.
61
A magic number in New York sports. Roger Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961. When 1986 NLCS MVP Jesse Orosco struck out Marty Barrett to win the World Series for the Mets he wore the number 47, but when Orosco broke in with the club in 1979 his first number was 61. The same number Rick Nash wore helping the 2014 Rangers to their first and only Stanley Cup Finals since 1994; Nash followed that up with a 42 goals in 2015. Props to those who remember Orestes Destrade, #61 for the Pinstripes in 1987. Admittedly this is Destrade hitting a home run for the Marlins, not the Yankees, when he wasn’t wearing 61. But it came against the Braves, and the ‘90s Braves went from easy to root for to easy to despise faster than you can say “Sammy Sosa.”
The Knicks record for wins in a season is 60, in 1970 and 1993. This year, they’re the hunted. What better way to stay sharp than to have something to play for over 82 games? Relatedly:
BE THE BIG FISH IN THEIR OWN POND
2013 was the last year Jason Kidd played. Same for Grant Hill. One ex-Knick, one never was, though Hill was rumored to be coming to the Knicks for so long it feels like played here. 2013 was also the last year the Knicks won their division. Droughts are the norm, apparently; the last one before then was 1994.
It’s not gonna get them a banner or anything, but I dunno. I grew up devouring box scores and standings. There’s just something cool about winning as much as you can, period. Divisions mean less ever, probably. I don’t care. It’s there. It exists. Win it. Relatedly:
BE THE BIG FISH IN AN EVEN BIGGER POND
1993 was the last year Michael Jordan played (the first time). Same for Bill Laimbeer. The man who tortured the ‘90s Knicks and the man who tortured the ‘80s Bulls. You probably knew MJ was born in NYC. Did you know Laimbeer was born in Boston? Two men born in two places many consider good enough. Both grew to surpass them — at the direct expense of their birthplace.
1993 was also the last time the Knicks finished the regular season tops in the East. Seems like it’s up for grabs, don’t it? The last two Eastern number ones, Cleveland and Detroit, are stuck somewhere between sad and meh. LeBron or no LeBron, superteams don’t jell overnight, and as long as Joel Embiid is a 76er their priority will always be game 83. Indiana’s never won more than 50 in the Tyrese Haliburton era. Boston? Har. Everybody else in the East? Har-dee-har-har.
There’s something cool about the road to the Finals going through MSG, something that’s only happened in 1953, 1954, 1970, 1971 and 1993. If the Knicks were to face a slate of, say, Washington, Boston and Philadelphia, they wouldn’t have to fly the entirety of the Eastern playoffs. Bet that came in handy last year, when New York went two months flying just once to Atlanta and once to Cleveland, versus San Antonio in the same period flying to the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Denver, Portland, Minnesota twice and Oklahoma City three times.
FIVE’S ALIVE
I was four when I started kindergarten. One morning a boy in my class went up to everybody as we were putting stuff away in our cubbies and asked how old we were. Everyone before me was five, to which he’d respond “Five’s alive.” When I told him my age he sneered. “Four’s a bore.” I was devastated.
1967 brought the Knicks the tail end of the Dick McGuire era and the arrival of a rookie named Cazzie Russell. It also brought a modest improvement from 30 to 36 wins. From such humble beginnings came four consecutive years of improved winning percentages, culminating with 60 wins in 1970 and the championship. If the Knicks win at least 54 games this season, it’d be five straight years, a franchise first. That won’t be on too many people’s minds this year, in the locker room or watching the games. But if they win a 54th game and your window is open keep an ear out for me, hollering with joy.
MIKE BROWN, KNICKERBOCKER TRAILBLAZER
There is somewhat of a chance Mike Brown coaches the Knicks for the entire 2026-27 season. If he does, he’ll move within twentysomething games of Don Chaney and Mike Woodson for the most in franchise history by a Black coach. While eight of the 22 non-Black Knick head coaches (36%) lasted at least three full seasons, 0% of their 10 Black coaches have.
Again: since the Truman administration. 50 years since Willis Reed became the Knicks’ first Black coach. Eddie Donovan, Hubie Brown and Mike D’Antoni all finished comfortably below .500. Brown would need to last two more seasons to approach their tenure. Would you bet that he does? It’s weird we can’t say yes with certainty. Not “weird” as in “unheard of,” a coach winning a title and being canned within two years. Weird as in “especially and peculiarly dumb,” which racists are and racism is.
DETROIT, MI - MAY 17: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons talks to the media after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round Two Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s been one week since LeBron James made The Decision, Episode IV, announcing he would be taking his talents to the City of Brotherly Love by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The old me — a simple man conditioned to look at the NBA one way and the bad-to-terrible Pistons another — would be jazzed for news like this. I love counterculture, moves that stray from the expected and represent something fresh and new.
LeBron with the Cavs for one last ride? Booooooring. LeBron back in Miami? Better, but still boring. It was the Warriors with Steph Curry or the Timberwolves with Anthony Edwards that struck me as the most interesting destinations. The 76ers felt like a longshot, a crazy/weird/fun outcome that would never happen.
Until it did.
The thing about the old days is that none of those blockbuster moves mattered in relation to the Pistons.
The last Earth-shaking move that impacted the Pistons was the Celtics building the Original Big 3 with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Everything since then has had zero impact on Detroit, since Detroit had zero impact on the NBA for so long.
Well, that’s not the case anymore.
The Pistons are coming off a 60-win season and were a game away from their first conference finals since they lost to those Celtics in 2008. With the additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron, the 76ers are one of many teams in the Eastern Conference that pushed their chips to the middle of the table.
Depending on your POV, Detroit should have been one of those teams too. I was very open in wanting that big move. Instead, they reportedly swung and missed on several stars and shifted focus to making the roster fit better around Cade Cunningham.
They didn’t bring back the band, but they spun their own version of mid-80s Van Halen, replacing David Lee Roth with Sammy Hagar.
—
Admittedly, I don’t think the 76ers are going to win the title this year.
Is that a hot take? I don’t think so.
Taking a ton of high-usage stars as they’re doing and trying to mash them together is going to take a season to iron out. LeBron will fit flawlessly, because that’s just how he is, but Joel Embiid is a black hole. For several reasons, his health at the top of the list, I’m not convinced he’s a player you can win with as a pillar.
I’m interested to see how he adjusts and stays on the floor.
Brown, too, wanted a bigger role in his departure from the Celtics. Now, he’s gone from presumed co-star to third- or maybe even fourth-wheel. I’m more interested in seeing how that dynamic unfolds — and how much shade he throws at teammates and coaches during late-night Twitch streams — as the season plays out.
I think Philly’s year is next year. Maybe LeBron agrees. After all, he did sign a two-year deal. It took two years in Miami, Cleveland and Los Angeles to get to the mountaintop. He knows how this goes.
Still, that doesn’t change the fact that the East is now a Beast. The Knicks are the champs, No. 1 in my book until proven otherwise. The Cavs struck out on LeBron and the Celtics swapped Brown for the remnants of Paul George, but both remain formidable.
The Heat and Raptors are rising with additions of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard.
The Pacers are in a similar spot with the return of Tyrese Haliburton.
Even the Hawks, who I was bullish on going into the playoffs but cooled on this summer, are better.
Hell, the Magic didn’t really improve, but I also don’t think they can be worse. The ultimate wildcard in all of this is the Wizards. With No. 1 pick A.J. Dybantsa flanked by fading stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young, they could grab the sixth seed or miss the play-in tournament entirely.
The point is, the East is different. It might be the deepest it’s ever been.
—
The Pistons are still good, but their offseason moves don’t seem like ones that will elevate their ceiling. Rather, it feels like they’ve raised their floor.
They didn’t build the addition; they renovated the house.
Let’s ignore the Jalen Duren Situation, because I’m just so god damn tired of it, and pretend he’s back. The Pistons are betting on another jump from Duren and Ausar Thompson. If those two improve — and I’m extremely confident both, specifically Ausar, will — that raises the ceiling.
If someone like Ron Holland finally emerges and graduates from Hustle Man to Bonafide Playoff Guy, then you’re really cooking with oil when you factor in the added shooting of John Collins and Isaiah Joe.
The problem is the Pistons have a lot of ifs. The entire premise of making a leap and winning the East is predicated on a convoluted series of “if this, then that” statements. They’re banking on internal development while the rest of the East bet on external additions.
It’s the same path Oklahoma City took when they lost to the Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals in 2024. The difference is the Thunder saw their deficiencies — needing more shooting + perimeter defense — and addressed them by trading Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso.
The deal worked out for both sides. OKC got the role player they coveted, and it lifted them to a title. The Bulls still sink, but they’ve gotten two extremely productive seasons out of Giddey — who is shooting it better and averaging damn near a triple-double.
—
Building a title contender is not linear. There is no road map.
The Pistons appear done making moves for now, but the real test for Trajan Langdon and the front office comes in February, when they’ve seen 40+ games from this roster and can measure it against the rest of the East.
Every season, conferences shift in ways we don’t expect. Someone will have an Orlando-like collapse. Another will make a Pistons-like leap and emerge out of nowhere. Father Time will finally clip someone else. By the trade deadline, Langdon won’t just know how the core has developed — he’ll know exactly where it stands relative to his peers.
If this same roster — flaws and all — is the group heading into the playoffs in April, then it’s time to rethink how we view Langdon’s patient approach.
LeBron James is (finally) off the board, but there are other big names out there. So where do things stand with the other top free agents still available around the NBA?
Let's break down where things are with the top seven free agents — and the biggest names — still on the board.
1) Jalen Duren (restricted)
Detroit and restricted free agent Jalen Duren have made modest progress (at best) toward a deal and, according to all reports as well as league sources, the sides remain well apart on a new contract for the All-NBA center. There also is little urgency to get a deal done soon, something ESPN’s Shams Charania spoke about on NBA Today (hat tip Hoopshype).
"It seems both sides are dug in on their positioning. The Pistons have a level, a threshold that they have for Jalen Duren. Jalen Duren clearly wants more than that. And so they are, I mean technically there's not really a level of urgency quite yet. We're still late July. We haven't even hit August yet. This will go into August, well into August potentially. Would not surprise anyone involved in these negotiations if it does even go till September. The deadline is really media day. So we'll see when Jalen Duren and his reps and the Pistons can find some common ground here."
Duren, while eligible for a 30% of the cap max, reportedly is seeking a contract at least at the 25% max – the same five-year, $251 million deal that Victor Wembanyama just signed. However, rather than a contract that is slightly above a $50 million-a-year average, the Pistons reportedly started with an offer more in the mid-$30 million-a-year range (five years, $180 million ballpark). Duren's only leverage is the threat of playing for the $9.5 million qualifying offer and becoming a free agent next offseason.
When we were talking about Duren's extension in the middle of last regular season, he looked like a lock for the max, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds a game while playing elite defense in the paint. However, after a rough playoffs where he averaged 10.2 points per game and disappeared for stretches, how much was on the table shrank. Still, expect the sides to find a deal.
2 and 3) James Harden and Draymond Green
We're combining these two future Hall of Famers because they are in the same situation: Both opted out of their current deals to give their teams more flexibility to chase LeBron James and other free agents. Both are going to re-sign with their teams on deals that are a little less next season than the money they opted out of, but with the security of more money over multiple years. The only question is the final numbers, but Shams Charania reported at ESPN to expect both deals to get done within a week.
Cleveland is currently about $35.5 million below the second apron with 13 roster spots filled. They can sign Harden to the rest of that, but they are trying to use their nearly $8 million in mid-level exception to lure Jonathan Kuminga to Cleveland, which would cut into what Harden gets paid next season.
4) Jonathan Kuminga
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers are the two primary suitors for the 23-year-old free agent wing, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
The challenge is how to make it work financially for either team. Kuminga initially wanted a contract in the ballpark of the $23.4 million team option the Hawks did not pick up for him. However, based on reports, now his goal appears to have dropped below $20 million a season (but more than the $15 million mid-level exception).
That large a salary with the Lakers or Cavaliers could only happen via a sign-and-trade, which gets complex. The Lakers reportedly have offered a sign-and-trade involving Jarred Vanderbilt and draft assets, but he makes $12.4 million next season, well below what Kuminga wants to make, and any sign-and-trade has to be for at least three years (if Kuminga is taking less than he wants, he will want a short deal so he can get back on the market). The Lakers reportedly offered two years, $10 million, but Kuminga believes he's worth more.
Cleveland is even more complex because not only are they offering roughly the same thing financially — they could sign-and-trade Max Strus at $16 million or Dennis Schroder at $14.7 million — but they are a team flirting with the second apron and still must pay Harden. They are not going much higher.
One other part of this: Atlanta has 17 players on the books and is $4.9 million below the luxury tax line without Kuminga on the books. Which means, whatever players they take back in a sign-and-trade puts them into the tax and will give them 18 players on the roster, necessitating more trades to get back below the number. Atlanta is only doing that if it thinks the draft compensation is worth it.
5) DeMar DeRozan
Three teams that got mentioned in the LeBron James sweepstakes but missed out — Miami, Denver and Cleveland — are the teams expressing interest in DeRozan, ESPN’s Charania said on NBA Today.
DeRozan had been linked to the Heat before, and Miami has about $8 million of its mid-level exception remaining, but Miami is reportedly prioritizing Klay Thompson if (when?) he gets bought out in Dallas. Cleveland also has more than a minimum contract to offer, but they are also talking to Atlanta about a Kuminga sign-and-trade. Denver is currently the only team in the league over the second apron and can only offer a minimum contract.
DeRozan, 36, can still get a bucket and averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists per game in Sacramento last season.
6) Peyton Watson (restricted)
Watson's situation is a lot like Jalen Duren's, hung up in restricted free agency with the two sides far apart on a number, although unlike Detroit, Denver will at least entertain the idea of a sign-and-trade (the Bucks, Hawks and Clippers are reportedly interested).
Denver's offer to Watson has to be described as low-ball. This is from the well-connected and respected Tony Jones at The Athletic.
The Nuggets have offered Watson, a restricted free agent, $70 million over five seasons, according to league sources who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity because the deal is not final... The Nuggets' payroll is in the second apron because they decided to match Oklahoma City's offer sheet for Jones. Denver is attempting to move a contract or two to get back under the second apron and clear enough money to retain Watson, the league sources said.
That is a $14 million-a-year average, below even the mid-level exception. This comes one year after the Nuggets gave Christian Braun five years, $125 million — then Watson essentially took over Braun's role on the Nuggets last season and outplayed him. Watson wants a number in the ballpark of Braun, and the Nuggets need his athleticism and two-way play.
Just from an outside perspective, it's far more likely Watson would accept and play for his $6.5 million qualifying offer and become a free agent next season than it is Duren would do that. That said, like Duren, there is not real pressure here to get a deal done right now and this could drag out up closer to the start of Nuggets training camp.
7) Bennedict Mathurin (restricted)
Another, much less discussed restricted free agent, Mathurin's rights belong to the LA Clippers (he came over in the Ivica Zubac trade last season).
The Clippers want to re-sign Mathurin, who averaged 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in the 26 games he played for them last season after the trade. The problem is everything with the Clippers — including the Kawhi Leonard trade — appears to be on hold while the league office and its hired law firm finish up the Aspiration investigation around Leonard.
While the Clippers are standing still, the New Orleans Pelicans and another unnamed team "have shown interest" in Mathurin, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line. This would almost have to be a sign-and-trade with New Orleans because it can't offer more than the $6 million taxpayer midlevel exception right now (unless it makes other moves to shed salary first).
Mathurin could play for his $8.8 million qualifying offer, but it sounds like one way or another — with the Clippers or someone else — his payday is coming. Just not all that quickly. Again, like with Duren and Watson, until we get close to the start of training camp, there is no real pressure to do a deal.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Ime Udoka and General Manager Rafael Stone of the Houston Rockets speaks with the media during the NBA Media Day at Toyota Center on September 29, 2025 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 Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Now that LeBron James has finally chosen the team he will, in all likelihood, finish his career with, all the major signings, trades, and additions have been made for this offseason.
This offseason will go down as one of the most active in terms of star-level players switching teams in recent NBA history. From Giannis Antetokounmpo to Jaylen Brown, NBA teams will look a lot different this upcoming season.
Some people around the NBA speculated that the Rockets may be one of those teams to try and make a major move this offseason, but that was not the case. The Rockets were coming off their second straight first-round defeat, this time to the Los Angeles Lakers, after an up-and-down regular season filled with injuries and inconsistent play.
The Rockets, however, felt they could not see the full potential of their team because of the above-mentioned injuries. Fred VanVleet, the Rockets’ on- and off-court leader, missed the entire season after a severe right knee injury consisting of a torn ACL and tears in both menisci.
VanVleet’s injury was a devastating blow, as the Rockets were never able to find a capable point guard to make up for his loss. Not having a legitimate point guard hampered the Rockets all regular season and even more in the playoffs.
The Rockets lost several games throughout because they couldn’t get the ball up the court without turning it over. They also couldn’t get into their offensive sets fast enough and at times looked lost on offense. The Rockets are hoping that VanVleet’s return will solve those issues.
VanVleet wasn’t the only Rocket to miss time; Steven Adams, the Rockets’ best screen setter and rebounder, missed the last few months, including the playoffs, after he suffered a season-ending injury.
The most devastating injury to the Rockets’ playoff chances, however, didn’t happen right before the playoffs when Kevin Durant, who only missed four games all season, played in only one playoff game after suffering two separate injuries, one right before the playoffs and another in the one game he did play in.
That injury was the straw that broke the camel’s back as the Rockets lost to the Lakers 4-2. The injuries also played a big part in the Rockets’ offseason plans and showed why they made the moves they did and did not make.
The Rockets front office and coaches want to see the team fully healthy
The Rockets, unlike some teams this offseason, had a fairly quiet offseason. They didn’t make any major splashes in free agency and have not made any trades so far this summer.
The Rockets did bring in two veterans to help solidify their league-worst bench. Marcus Smart was their first signing, and the Rockets hope he can bring much-needed help to their backcourt, even with VanVleet expected to be ready for training camp.
Bogdan Bogdanovic was also signed during free agency. The veteran is known for his instant offense off the bench, something the Rockets lacked all season as their bench was one of the lowest scoring in the league.
Both moves will help the team, but neither is as seismic as last year’s trade for Kevin Durant or the blockbuster moves some other teams made this offseason.
That shows the Rockets were content to run it back, but this time with a healthy team. Rafael Stone and Ime Udoka both stated after the season that they wanted to see how the team would look with a healthy roster, something they did not get to see at all last season.
We learned from the lack of major moves and the signing of Tari Eason to a long-term deal that the Rockets are going to give this current version of the Rockets a full, healthy season before they potentially “blow it up,” as some other playoff teams have done recently.
The league has not had this much parity in a long time, so the Rockets should know by the end of next season whether this is the team to lead them into the future.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 15, 2026 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Zach Barron/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Over the past weekend, LeBron James decided to take his talents to the Philadelphia 76ers, which just happens to be the NBA market geographically closest to Washington. James, who is 41, is still more than capable of being a key starter for a top level team. And that’s going to shake up the power rankings.
John Schuhmann of NBA.com posted his latest power rankings for the Eastern Conference yesterday. After Washington acquired Trae Young and Anthony Davis last winter, wouldn’t that make a Young/Davis/AJ Dybantsa trio a postseason team, which means Top 10 in the East? Nope. He had them at No. 12. Here is Schumann’s blurb.
Key question: Can the young guys keep developing?
The Wizards were the worst team in the league last season, but there were some individual signs of progress with their young core …
Kyshawn George saw the third biggest jump in points + rebounds + assists per 36 minutes among 290 players that played at least 500 minutes in each of the last two seasons.
Alex Sarr, George and Bub Carrington saw the second, eighth and 11th biggest jumps, respectively, in effective field goal percentage among 123 players with at least 500 field goal attempts in each of the last two seasons.
Trae Young should help those players get better shots. The Wizards ranked 26th in shot quality last season, but their shot-quality score was much higher (top-five level) off of Young’s passes in the five games he played. However, the offense was still bad (106.6 points scored per 100 possessions) in his 104 minutes on the floor. The young guards will also have to adjust to getting far fewer touches, and it remains to be seen if Sarr and Davis can fit together offensively.
Dybantsa is the future, but there’s a decent team here if the returners can find their way in what may be a very different offense from what we’ve seen over the last few seasons.
I think Schuhmann is hedging his bets here. If Dybantsa fires on most or all of his cylinders, Young plays all season and Davis remains in Washington for the whole 2025-26 season (not to mention remaining healthy), then the Wizards should be a postseason team. But the Wizards also haven’t shown they can make a jump from worst team in the NBA to just a below average team. Also, it wouldn’t shock me to see Anthony Davis get traded by the deadline in Feb. 2027 for … more draft picks. So I can see why he is skeptical.
In addition to Schumann, Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation’s NBA Editor is also skeptical of the Wizards’ improvement relative to other NBA teams for the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season. In his latest rankings, post LeBron to Philly, the Wizards are at No.27 (and by extension, 13th in the East). That’s better than No. 30. But the Wizards are still effectively at the bottom of the barrel, even with a potential future All-Star in Dybantsa.
Do you think that the Wizards are ranked too low in the power rankings? Let us know in the comments below. And in case you missed it, our SB Nation Reacts poll is also below, but right above the comments section!
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 18, 2007: The Great Lakes Classic trophy is awarded to the winning team between the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions following their annual preseason game was on display prior to the game on August 18, 2007 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Detroit won 23-20. Great Lakes Classic Trophy07-1206979 (Photo by Diamond Images/Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
“The Battle for the Barge,” as fans would call the GLC, was regularly played between two teams who were only “Classic” in that they have both been around a long time, both were founded in Ohio (the Lions were originally the Portsmouth Spartans), and both have been classically bad since the Browns returned in 1999.
Detroit has seen a strong turnaround since 2022, with four straight winning records and two playoff appearances, while Cleveland has made the playoffs twice since 2020 but has seen four losing seasons in that timeframe as well.
According to Joel Walkowski, author of the book “Honolulu Blues: How The Detroit Lions Saved My Life,” fans of the Browns and Lions are 1a and 1b in having “the worst go of it of any franchise,” similar to the NBA’s GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James:
“I exist on this planet to make the argument that the Lions fans have the WORST go of it of any franchise…”
“I gotta give a hat tip to the Cleveland Browns. That is the Jordan-LeBron debate of this…”
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) July 28, 2026
Obviously, Walkowski has a bias, as we all do.
A look at the historical numbers between each team:
Record: CLE – 567-560-14, DET – 615-717-34
Winning %: CLE – 50.3%, DET – 46%
Championships: CLE – 8, DET – 4
Maybe Walkowski is on to something, big picture and in the long-term. For the more recent history, the Browns have been far more downtrodden and have had an organization that has made mind-numbing decision after mind-numbing decision.
Then again, Detroit and Cleveland are also the only two teams since the strike-shortened season of 1982 to have winless seasons, so both fan bases have gone through a lot.
Overall, which fan base do you think has it worse? Do you agree with Walkowski because of the whole history of the franchises or do you think it is the Browns given the history since The Return in 1999?
Join the conversation below in our comment section
With Summer League play in the rearview mirror and most of the major free agency decisions having been made, now is a good time to look back on some players whose fantasy values have been affected by the changes. Today's column focuses on those who stand to be more valuable to fantasy managers, starting with a Grizzlies wing heading into his second NBA season.
▶ Returnees
G/F Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
Coming off a shoulder injury that limited him to four games in his final college season, many were unsure what to make of Coward's fantasy value going into the 2025-26 campaign. As a rookie, he would appear in 62 games for the Grizzlies, averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 three-pointers per game, finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting.
With the franchise moving on from Ja Morant and Santi Aldama this summer, Coward should be empowered to be one of the Grizzlies' leaders moving forward. He played well in Summer League, helping lead Memphis to the title game in Las Vegas, and has already established good chemistry with lottery pick Cameron Boozer. While Coward finished last season ranked outside the top-100 in fantasy basketball, his floor should be higher than that in 2026-27.
C Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers
Kessler's time in Utah came to an end this summer, with the Jazz agreeing to a sign-and-trade with the Lakers. The 7-footer appeared poised for a breakout campaign in 2025-26, but a torn labrum in his left shoulder ended Kessler's season after just five games. In Los Angeles, he'll be asked to serve as the lob threat to play off Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. And the Lakers' defensive issues mean there are likely to be even more shot-blocking opportunities for Kessler, who has averaged 2.4 rejections per game in his four NBA seasons.
G Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
This has been a summer of significant change for the Hornets, who bid farewell to LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges in two separate trades. The departure of the former should mean more time on the ball for Knueppel, last season's runner-up for Rookie of the Year, even with the Hornets re-signing Coby White. He started 80 of the 81 games he played in 2025-26, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.4 three-pointers per game. Already one of the best shooters in the NBA, more playmaking opportunities will raise Knueppel's fantasy ceiling next season.
G Egor Dëmin, Brooklyn Nets
Of the five players the Nets selected in the first round of the 2025 draft, Dëmin is the one who has shown the most promise. Remember when his perimeter shot was considered to be a significant question mark? Well, Dëmin was productive in both summer leagues the Nets appeared in. In Las Vegas, he averaged 21.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.0 three-pointers in three appearances. Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle will be the first options offensively for the Nets next season, but Dëmin's upside can't be ignored, especially with his improved shooting.
F/C Naz Reid, Charlotte Hornets
Reid's time in Minnesota came to an end this summer when the Timberwolves dealt him to Charlotte as part of the LaMelo Ball trade. However, the move east puts the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year in a position to start consistently, especially after the Hornets also traded Miles Bridges. A consistent top-100 player in fantasy basketball the last few seasons, Reid should be selected much earlier in drafts this fall due to the opportunity in front of him.
F/C Paul Reed, Detroit Pistons
Reed's play during the postseason was one of the bright spots for the Pistons, who were eliminated by the Cavaliers in the second round. And with Detroit trading Isaiah Stewart to Memphis, Reed will now serve as the backup center, provided the Pistons get a deal done with restricted free agent Jalen Duren. While he may not be a player worth selecting with a top-100 pick, Reed's consistent role makes him more valuable to fantasy managers than in the past, when he was little more than a streamer when someone was injured.
▶ Rookies
F AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
Dybantsa only appeared in two games in Las Vegas, but even when considering the level of competition, he looked ready to make an immediate impact for the Wizards next season. In those outings, the former BYU standout averaged 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Dybantsa did not shoot the ball well from three in Las Vegas, but that should not be a major concern once he's able to share the floor with Trae Young and Anthony Davis, among others, in the nation's capital.
F Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls
More active than most of the top picks who saw action in Las Vegas, Wilson was highly productive for the Bulls. In four games, he averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.5 blocks and 3.3 three-pointers while shooting 50 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from three. Wilson did have some issues with turnovers, averaging 5.3 per game, but that should not be a major concern for fantasy managers once the regular season begins. He should be a force once the games truly count.
F Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies
Viewing Boozer as a "high floor" player may be selling him short, especially when considering how well he played in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He played in all six of Memphis' games in Sin City, averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 three-pointers while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 77.3 percent from the foul line. This season marks the official beginning of a new era in Memphis, and Boozer is expected to be one of the leaders. He's got the ability to take on that role.
F Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors
One of the questions lingering over the Lakers this summer was whether they could land LeBron James in free agency. Well, he picked Philadelphia, which gave Lendeborg's fantasy value as a rookie a boost. The Most Valuable Player of the Vegas Summer League, he filled the stat line on most days, averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.7 three-pointers per game. With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody set to begin the season on the sideline as they recover from knee injuries, Lendeborg may find himself in the starting lineup as a rookie. And his versatility should mesh well with a lineup headlined by Stephen Curry.
G Brayden Burries, Milwaukee Bucks
During his lone season at Arizona, Burries spent most of his time off the ball due to Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley running the point. The Bucks put the ball in his hands quite often in Las Vegas, and Burries delivered. In four appearances, he averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers, shooting 50 percent from the field.
Milwaukee's backcourt is a bit crowded following the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, with Tyler Herro joining a rotation that already had Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. However, with Burries showing that he's capable of playing either guard spot, there should be no lack of opportunities for the rookie. That said, fantasy managers may have to exercise some patience due to the veterans in front of him.
G Meleek Thomas, Cleveland Cavaliers
Thomas put on a show in Las Vegas and appears ready to provide needed scoring off the bench as a rookie in Cleveland. In four games, the second-round pick averaged 27.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 3.5 three-pointers, leading the entire Summer League in scoring. The opportunity to play off James Harden and Donovan Mitchell should benefit Thomas, as the offensive gravity of both veterans can open up the floor for their teammates.
F Allen Graves, Toronto Raptors
After drafting Collin Murray-Boyles last summer, the Raptors may have another potential category league star on their hands. Graves may have come off the bench during his one season at Santa Clara, but he was an advanced-stats darling in the pre-draft process for his ability to contribute in multiple areas.
In four games in Las Vegas, he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.8 three-pointers on excellent shooting splits (51.0/50.0/100). The lingering Kawhi Leonard situation makes it somewhat challenging to project Graves' value in redraft leagues, but managers in dynasty leagues should not hesitate to select him if available.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 10: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks guards Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs during the game on April 10, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The FanDuel Sportsbook has put out win totals for all 30 NBA teams for the upcoming 2026-27 season. It’s been quite a fun offseason, as the player and coach movement has been interesting to follow. As the league enters the final stretch of the offseason before camp begins in September, now is a good time to take stock of the league with the season win totals offered by FanDuel.
Dallas Mavericks: O/U 35.5 wins
I suppose there’s no reason to bury the lead here. FanDuel has given the Mavericks an over/under of 35.5 wins for the 2026-27 regular season. This win total places the Mavericks at 11th in the Western Conference.
Per Basketball Reference, this is the lowest win total that Dallas has been given since Luka Doncic’s rookie year in 2018-19, where the line was also 35.5 (the Mavericks went on to win 33 games that year). This number has also moved in recent days. As recently as last week, the Mavericks win total was 34.5. Perhaps there is some optimism out there amongst bettors.
It’s hard to square exactly what the team is in the odds market. Last year’s team had an over/under of 41.5 wins, and they never once looked like they would go over the total in route to a 26-win campaign. If the Mavericks were to go 36-46, that would hit the over and yet, I’m not sure many of you would be pleased with the result. It’s hard to improve by 10+ wins in just one season, especially when you account for the sheer overhaul that the organization underwent this offseason. As our colleague Matt wrote in recent days, this is setting up to be a gap year(s).
Full odds via the FanDuel Sportsbook
Western Conference
San Antonio: 60.5 wins
OKC Thunder: 60.5 wins
Minnesota: 48.5 wins
Denver: 48.5 wins
Houston: 46.5 wins
LA Lakers: 45.5 wins
Portland: 43.5 wins
Golden State: 39.5 wins
Phoenix: 39.5 wins
Utah: 36.5 wins
Dallas: 35.5 wins
LA Clippers: 28.5 wins
New Orleans: 28.5 wins
Memphis: 28.5 wins
Sacramento: 21.5 wins
The top two seem to be in a league of their own out West. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One thing that stands out to me: There are VERY clear tiers among teams in the west. The top two are on a tier of their own, followed by a solid middle class. But the bottom of the West, from the play-in on down, is going to be a complete mess. Prepare accordingly.
First blush, I like Houston over, Portland under and Utah over.
Eastern Conference
New York: 51.5 wins
Philadelphia: 50.5 wins
Detroit: 49.5 wins
Boston: 49.5 wins
Cleveland: 47.5 wins
Miami: 45.5 wins
Toronto: 45.5 wins
Orlando: 44.5 wins
Atlanta: 44.5 wins
Indiana: 43.5 wins
Charlotte: 37.5 wins
Washington: 35.5 wins
Chicago: 29.5 wins
Milwaukee: 24.5 wins
Brooklyn: 24.5 wins
The East is wide open, which means these two may figure prominently into the title picture. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As tiered as the West is, buddy the entire Eastern Conference is a free-for-all. Of note, the books think the East is far deeper than the west, as Indiana at tenth in the East has a win total that would tie Portland for seventh in the West.
Early on, put me down for the Celtics over, the Knicks and Sixers under, and the Pacers over.
What do you think about the early odds? Let us know in the comments!
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 06: Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Rocket Arena on April 06, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Kings defeated the Cavaliers 120-113. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In a segment on NBA Today, ESPN’s Shams Charania noted that “DeMar DeRozan has interest from Cleveland”. Charania also mentioned that “Miami, Denver and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan”.
Shams Latest On Cavs Offseason:
“Miami & Cleveland have aspirations to compete for a championship in the eastern conference. That’s why they are trying to move swiftly on their next step…both teams have their own business to handle as well. Cleveland has to get James Harden… pic.twitter.com/IO47UVdRTy
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Believeland shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
The Sacramento Kings bought out DeRozan earlier this month. DeRozan will turn 37 by the time the season tips off in October. Age hasn’t hindered his ability to be a microwave scorer and availability averaging 18.4 points while shooting 49.7% from the field in the 77 games played this past season.
The Cavaliers clearly need wing talent after Dean Wade signed with the 76ers and Keon Ellis signed with the Brooklyn Nets. DeRozan projects as a more awkward fit for Cleveland’s roster given that he has been the primary scoring option for the majority of his career. The unknown of how he will find his spots on a team with the ball primarily in James Harden and Donovan Mitchell is yet to be seen.
A clear benefit for the Cavaliers in a DeRozan addition would be the pressure to the rim DeRozan provides, as well as being a sufficient scorer without support. The warts of the acquisition would be that DeRozan has never established a consistent outside shot.
Kenny Atkinson’s offense really allows three-point shooters to thrive i.e., Sam Merrill and Max Strus. There have not been many players like DeRozan who have come into the Cavaliers’ offense with his iso-mid-range heavy skillet. Caris LeVert was the closest comparison; however, LeVert was much more of a willing three-point shooter.
The common thread between DeRozan and fellow forwards attached to the Cavaliers and others is that the teams interested were those affected by the LeBron James sweepstakes. This could be a common theme for the remainder of the summer as teams try to find suitable replacements at the wing.
It’s worth noting that DeRozan and Harden grew up as childhood friends. We’ll see if that factors at all in these discussions.
They have brought back all three centers in Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis and Charles Bassey. They also have brought back guard De’Anthony Melton, who officially will be signed in the near future, depending on what kind of exception he falls under. They also have added Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 11 overall) and Lajae Jones (No. 54 overall) through the NBA draft.
As I was typing this, they brought back Draymond Green, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Most notably, the Warriors whiffed on the LeBron James sweepstakes, leaving them mostly in the same place months after finishing a 37-win season where two of their top players are rehabbing leg injuries.
What does the free-agent landscape look like nearly a month after its June 30 starting date? How does it fit with the Warriors?
Another Return
Green opted out of his $27.7 million player option to open financial flexibility for the Warriors’ pursuit of James. He’s now a Philadelphia 76er, and Green now is a Warrior again on the same exact contract.
The one-year contract he essentially turned down is what he’s returning on. The most interesting part is that despite being eligible for one, Green’s contract does not include a no-trade clause, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported, per sources.
Despite being eligible, there is not a no-trade clause in Draymond Green's one-year contract, per source. It's the same as the player option he gave up. Warriors would've given longer-term deal if they landed LeBron James, but didn't. https://t.co/saLoNFa66t
It always was a matter of when, not if, for Draymond and the Warriors.
Like last year, Gary Payton II continues waiting as a free agent. Like last year, he also is expected to come back to the Warriors on a veteran’s minimum contract.
Payton had one of his more productive seasons ever in a year where he averaged a career-high 7.5 points per game. At just 6-foot-2, Payton shot 71.2 percent on 2-pointers as one of the game’s most unique rim attackers. He also shot a lowly 29.1 percent from 3-point range, and his defense hasn’t produced the same impact as years past. But Payton played a career-high 73 games and still has unquestioned chemistry with Steph Curry.
The Big Names
James Harden? No. Russell Westbrook? No. DeMar DeRozan? Maybe.
Look, all the selling points are there with DeRozan. He’s not a star anymore but still is a known name. And he can still get you buckets, too.
DeRozan averaged 18.4 points per game for the Sacramento Kings last season, his lowest in 13 years when he averaged 18.1 in 2012-13. Those numbers also would make him the Warriors’ second-leading scorer going into next season. Jimmy Butler’s 20 points per game are in rehab mode for many more months, and DeRozan did average more points per game last season than Porziņģis, Brandin Podziemski or anybody else not named Butler and Curry.
Though DeRozan would be another old player on the Warriors at 37, he’s someone who isn’t often on the injury report. DeRozan played 77 in Year 17, which is what he has averaged the last five seasons. He also could now be out of the Warriors’ price range.
Restricted Free Agency
Maybe restricted free agency really is that big of a headache for all teams and all sides involved.
Jalen Duren, Peyton Watson and Bennedict Maturin are going through it right now with their respective teams, and the most likely outcome is all three re-sign with them. A sign-and-trade is a possibility for any of Duren, Peyton and Mathurin, just not with the Warriors.
Who Else?
Let’s catch up to where the Warriors stand now that Green has agreed to return. The Warriors with Green, and including Melton, are at 12 players.
That’s not including Jones, their second-round pick. Nothing has been decided on that front. The Warriors could add Jones and his cheap projected contract to the 15-man roster or opt to sign him to their third two-way contract.
LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons currently own the two occupied two-way contracts. They too could be cheap options. Sorting out two-way contracts doesn’t need to be hurried.
Wherever the Warriors turn to next, it will have to come on an inexpensive price tag.
Bradley Beal could have been added to the Big Name category, and the 33-year-old also played in six games last year, and he’s purely a hypothetical right now. Gabe Vincent was mentioned as a veteran ball-handling option, per source, during summer league that would help fill a need.
Names like point guard Brandon Williams, who scored a career-high 26 points against the Warriors last season, are the ones to monitor. The Warriors aren’t in a position to reject taking flyers on guys like Jett Howard, and there’s still a veteran route of players such as Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk.
From all accounts, the Warriors aren’t in a rush. There weren’t deals lined up waiting for the LeBron news. Green is back, and at least one other familiar name eventually could be too. Free agency is running dry, and the Warriors still have work to round out their roster.
