Category: NBA

It was Bruce Lee who said, “Be water, my friend”.

Water is shapeless. Formless. Water will take the shape of whatever it’s in.

Water is weak, right?

Marcus Aurelius said that one should “Be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands unmoved, and the rage of the sea falls still around it.” Should an NBA team want to be the rock, or the waves crashing over it?

The Houston Rockets’ brain trust has shown signs of being each. Rafael Stone has some H20 in his approach. Perhaps he should lend his surname to Ime Udoka, who is rock solid in his principles. At times, it’s felt like Udoka’s rigidity has overridden Stone’s flexibility. The Rockets have been seemingly exclusively interested in signing “Udoka guys”.

Not anymore.

If you expected Marcus Smart to be the Rockets’ first signing of the summer, you weren’t alone. He is officially a Rocket now, but he wasn’t first in line. That would be Bogdan Bogdanovic. He is decidedly not a Udoka guy:

But he’s exactly what the Rockets need.

Rockets sign elite movement shooter

The last two seasons have not been kind to Bogdanovic. Last season, he managed just 23 appearances. The year before, he played 54 games, but scored just 10.3 points per game while shooting a solid-but-unexceptional 36.3% from long-range.

If you want a best-case scenario, look to 2023-24. In 79 games, Bogdanovic averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 37.4% from deep. The year before that, he hit 40.6% of his triples.

Bogdanovic can hit movement threes, come off screens, and shoot off the dribble. He isn’t strictly a shooting specialist, either. Bogdanovic can handle the ball and set up teammates. He can do just about anything you like:

Besides rebound or defend, that is.

It’s not that Udoka would insist on rebounders at every position, but the idea that the Rockets would ever sign a subpar defender under his watch was unthinkable before now. This could represent an organizational shift:

Hopefully.

Rockets badly need spacing

The details surrounding the Bogdanovic signing haven’t emerged as of this writing, but it’s a one-year deal, so we can safely assume it’s a minimum.

Quick: Find a list of players with Bogdanovic’s offensive skillset who are also strong defenders. Sort them by salary. You’re going to find that these are $25 million-a-year players at a minimum.

Yet, the Rockets need shooting. They also need additional ball-handling. They do not have $25 million to spare.

Simply put, they need non-Udoka guys.

They got one. The extent of Bogdanovic’s role remains to be seen. Udoka may not trust him defensively.

Still, he is a Houston Rocket. That’s the point here. The Rockets made a signing that was contrary to Udoka’s principles. They were able to address roster needs in the process.

They were water.

It’s day two of LeBron James being the hottest free agent on the market. While no one knows his next move just yet, our latest update might tilt the scales in favor of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that money isn’t the driving factor behind LeBron’s next destination — and that the King is even willing to accept the veteran minimum if it means competing for a championship.

LeBron James is willing to accept a minimum contract to play for a contender, per @ShamsCharania

He doesn't intend to make a "financially-driven decision" pic.twitter.com/KgKoTJukke

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 1, 2026

Naturally, this opens the door to all 29 teams. Everyone has enough cap space to offer LeBron the minimum. But only one team has roots as deep as Cleveland. And money was one of the only obstacles they had to clear.

The Cavs were never going to be able to offer James a large chunk of cash to return. Any homecoming would be contingent on James wanting to be back in Cleveland. That’s because the Cavs flat-out don’t have any money to offer.

From that perspective, the Cavs were starting this race with a heavy disadvantage. Other teams, including the Golden State Warriors, would be able to give James a contract that they couldn’t match. Now it looks like that might not matter.

Cleveland had the highest payroll in NBA history last season. They were far above the Second Apron and have been working to get below it this summer. They’ve already lost Dean Wade and Keon Ellis to free agency, while James Harden has opted out of his contract to help restructure a more team-friendly deal.

All of this can work towards keeping money available for James. But if this report is true, money might not be that important.

Of course, James won’t complain if the Cavs can offer him more. Though it sounds like that won’t be a deal-breaker. James wants happiness and an opportunity to win another title. In my opinion, Cleveland can offer both.

The Cavs made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. And while they were thumped in four games by the eventual champions — the one thing that’s been missing this entire time is a wing. Now? They might have the quintessential wing on their roster. James can complete the puzzle and make his hometown team a championship contender again. Money won’t get in the way of that.

With the acquisition of Miles Bridges, the Phoenix Suns opened one roster spot. After sending both Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale to Charlotte, the organization needed to replace the shooting it lost. That became the priority, and the Suns addressed it by signing veteran sniper Luke Kennard to a two-year, $13 million contract with a player option for the second season.

On paper, it appears to be exactly what Phoenix needed. But how much does it ultimately improve the roster? Does Kennard adequately replace the shooting the Suns lost? And how should this signing be viewed in the context of the entire Miles Bridges transaction?

So what grade do the Suns deserve for adding Luke Kennard? Let’s talk it out.

Player Grade: B

Luke Kennard isn’t going to wow you with a complete basketball skill set. He’s a sharpshooter. That’s what he does, and that’s why he’s here. He’s not going to grab a bunch of rebounds, he’s an average playmaker, and he’s a below-average defender. When you look at his overall report card from Basketball Index, the holes in his game are easy to spot.

But when you’re truly elite at one skill, and it’s the exact skill your team needs, you begin to understand why his overall grade comes in at a B. The Suns aren’t asking him to rebound. They aren’t asking him to be a stopper defensively. They’ll surround him with players on the second unit who can help cover those deficiencies while allowing him to operate where he’s most comfortable.

There will absolutely be nights when he frustrates you. He’ll miss a defensive assignment. He won’t have the lateral quickness to keep someone in front of him, and opposing guards will get downhill. The hope is that Phoenix’s interior defense is improved enough to compensate for those shortcomings. That’s why fit matters when evaluating Kennard. I can easily see him playing 20 minutes a night and knocking down 3 to 4 three pointers. That kind of production would be incredibly valuable for the second unit.

He’s your stand in the corner and let it fly guy. And over the course of his career, he’s proven to be one of the best in the league at doing exactly that.

Acquisition Grade: A+

When you looked at the list of available free agents whose primary skill was shooting, I thought Kennard would simply be out of Phoenix’s price range. The Suns ended up using their full mid-level exception to sign him, but it’s not like they were the only team interested. He had other options, and some of those teams are viewed as much stronger championship contenders. He also could have stayed with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that clearly valued what he brought during its postseason run.

The fact that the Suns were able to bring him to Phoenix despite those alternatives continues to reinforce something we’ve seen throughout this offseason. Phoenix is still a desirable destination. It’s still a place that attracts free agents.

Knowing Kennard and Grayson Allen were teammates at Duke, I’m sure the two had conversations about what it was like to play in Phoenix. While Grayson’s first couple of seasons were spent in a locker room dealing with plenty of turmoil, the organization looks much different today. You can see the direction the franchise is headed. You can see the way it’s operating. And that’s something players want to be a part of. Clearly, Kennard does.

Overall Grade: A-

This was a great acquisition for Phoenix. It’s refreshing not to spend free agency digging through the veteran minimum market, hoping one of those signings can outperform expectations. Instead, the Suns identified a player who fills a clear need and used one of the few meaningful tools at their disposal to acquire him.

Kennard is going to be part of the rotation. He’s going to play meaningful minutes, and he’ll provide much-needed offense for the second unit through efficient three-point shooting. That’s exactly what this roster lacked after the Miles Bridges trade, and it’s exactly what the Suns addressed.

It’s an impressive signing, and about as close to a best-case scenario as Phoenix could have hoped for. Once again, it showcases the Suns’ ability to operate effectively on the margins, maximizing the limited flexibility they have while continuing to add quality talent to the roster.

And there goes the other unrestricted free agent.

ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that Kelly Oubre Jr. will be signing a two-year, $17 million dollar deal with the Pacers, ending his tenure in Philadelphia after three seasons.

Free agent forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has agreed to a two-year, nearly $17 million deal to sign with the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/qzUyLGX7DP

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026

Given their financial restraints, it always felt likely the Sixers could only retain one of Oubre or Quentin Grimes. That only got trickier when Grimes scored a contract that will pay him $15 million per year from the Lakers.

Oubre though went for a much more reasonable number, one the Sixers could have spent while staying under the first apron.

The Pacers were one of several teams that reportedly met with Oubre according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports. According to Iko, Oubre also met with the Sixers, Lakers, and Trail Blazers.

In his three years in Philadelphia, Oubre started 150 games, averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game on 45.7%/32%/75.4% shooting splits. In the 2025-26 campaign, he posted the highest three-point percentage of his career at 36% on 4.8 attempts per game.

Oubre was a productive wing in his time here, especially when his shot was falling. He was put through the Sixers injury ringer more than most role players. He missed 32 games this past season with various ligament injuries in his elbow and knee. He got off to a torrid start his first season as a Sixer, averaging 16 points per game in his first eight games before being struck by a car while riding a bicycle.

In the two seasons the Sixers made the playoffs with Oubre, he’d been given some of the toughest defensive assignments ranging from Jalen Brunson to Jaylen Brown.

After being selected 25th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2026 draft, it wasn’t yet known whether or not the 20-year-old rookie was going to continue to play for his Spanish club, Valencia, with whom he just won the Spanish ACB League championship, or head for the States and an NBA contract.

On Wednesday, Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz said, “We are still working through all of that with Sergio,” when asked if he would be with the Mavs this summer. Now, it looks like we have our answer.

A report from the Spanish-language site Encestando.es has said de Larrea is, in fact, bound for Dallas, where he intends to sign a four-year contract. In fact, Valencia has apparently already signed a replacement player for de Larrea’s roster spot, so it seems highly likely de Larrea will be spending the season with the Mavericks.

Now, Marc Stein confirms that de Larrea is indeed expected to play for Dallas, at least for the Summer League. The plans for de Larrea beyond that, though, are still up in the air.

Mavericks first-round pick Sergio De Larrea, I’m told, is now indeed expected to play in summer league next week … while the broader topic of plans for next season continue to be worked through.

We discuss next on @DLLS_Mavs! https://t.co/Gsk4bRHvxY

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2026

Initially, de Larrea was selected by the New York Knicks before being traded to Dallas. Had he stayed with New York, the impression was that he would be a “draft and stash” candidate, staying in Spain to continue to develop. It’s something New York has leaned on more heavily recently, and seemed especially interested in now, as it would mean a one-year reprieve from having to pay his salary while they’re trying to keep their NBA Championship team core intact this offseason.

The situation is much different for the Mavs, a team in the midst of developing Cooper Flagg, and that is in desperate need of minutes at the guard position, the return of Kyrie Irving notwithstanding.

Whether de Larrea will be a part of Dallas’ Summer League team, having just finished his Championship run with Valencia, is unclear, as are the plans for fellow international rookie Vsevolod Ishchenko, but Dallas seems like a team that is interested in bringing over their prospects sooner rather than later.

The Knicks are losing the longest-tenured player from their championship roster.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, free agent center Mitchell Robinson has agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million contract with the Boston Celtics. The deal reportedly includes a player option in the third season, giving Robinson the chance to re-enter free agency before turning 31.

Free agent center Mitchell Robinson has agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal to sign with the Boston Celtics, with a player option in third season, sources tell ESPN. Robinson departs the Knicks after serving a key role on the historic championship team. pic.twitter.com/tl3R6nlU1m

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026

The departure closes the book on an eight-year run in New York that saw Robinson evolve from an intriguing (and very raw) second-round project into one of the league’s premier offensive rebounders and rim protectors. Drafted 36th overall in 2018, Robinson outlasted front office changes, coaches, and roster overhauls before finally reaching the mountaintop as a key reserve on this season’s championship team.

While Karl-Anthony Towns occupied the starting center spot, Robinson remained one of the Knicks’ most important role players. His ability to erase mistakes at the rim, dominate the offensive glass and change the physicality of games made him a perfect complement to New York’s skill-heavy starting lineup. He was especially valuable in the postseason, where his rebounding and interior defense frequently swung momentum.

Boston’s interest is obvious. The Celtics have been searching for more size and defensive muscle in the frontcourt, and Robinson gives them exactly that without demanding touches on offense. If healthy, he projects as a major piece of Boston’s rotation and adds another wrinkle to what is already shaping up to be one of the Eastern Conference’s biggest rivalries.

The move also creates a significant hole for the Knicks. Behind Towns, New York’s center depth is suddenly much thinner—especially after losing Ariel Hukporti to the Philadelphia 76ers. The organization has expressed confidence in young big men before, but replacing Robinson’s unique combination of elite rebounding, shot-blocking, and playoff experience won’t be easy. Whether the answer comes through free agency, a trade, or internal development, the center spot immediately becomes one of the front office’s top priorities.

For many of us, this is a sad day under the orange-and-blue skies. Over the years, we watched our favorite jester go from goofy to great. Injuries and the inability to score anywhere beyond two feet from the rim have always been the cloud that hangs over Mitch, and the reluctance to pay him a starter’s salary for reserve minutes is understandable, but the loss in the rebounding column and locker room will certainly be felt as the Knicks begin another march toward the Finals. His final season in New York concluded with a parade down Broadway. Now he’ll join the enemy in their attempts to prevent another. Yeah, that really stings.

Thanks for everything, Big Country. Go Knicks.

Drafted here
Grew up here
Became a champion here
Thank you Mitchell Robinson pic.twitter.com/9ZmpaB5Dvz

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 1, 2026

The Knicks are champions, but the rest of the Eastern Conference isn’t standing still. We’ll keep this hub updated throughout free agency with every signing, trade, waiver and notable roster move involving New York’s conference rivals.

Last Updated: July 2, 2026, 3 p.m. EST.

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Atlanta Hawks

Reported moves:

• Acquired Devin Carter and a 2033 second-round pick from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the draft rights to Alpha Kaba.
• Declined the team option on Jonathan Kuminga, making him an unrestricted free agent.
• Guaranteed the contract for Buddy Hield for the upcoming season.
• Re-signed CJ McCollum to a one-year deal.
• Re-sgned FA center Jock Landale to a one-year, $14 million deal.
• Traded for Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder using an existing trade exception.
• Drafted Kingston Flemings eighth overall and Zuby Ejiofor twenty-third overall.

Knicks Take: The Hawks are getting younger, deeper, and more flexible without making a franchise-altering move. Devin Carter is a worthwhile developmental addition, while moving on from Jonathan Kuminga avoids an expensive gamble. Keeping Hield, Wiggins, and McCollum gives Atlanta a solid veteran core around its young talent, but unless these pieces are flipped for a difference-making center, the Birds remain in the same competitive tier. They’ve improved around the edges without significantly changing the Eastern Conference landscape.

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Boston Celtics

Reported moves:

• Signed free agent center Mitchell Robinson to a three-year, $47.4 million deal with a player option in the third season.
• Re-signed Ron Harper Jr. to a three-year, $9 million contract after declining his team option.
• Exercised the team option on JD Davison (later waived to manage apron/salary flexibility; he has since signed elsewhere).
• Signed Mike Conley to a one-year, $3.88 million deal.
• Exercised team options on Dalano Banton, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh.
• Traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.

Knicks Take: Boston strengthened their biggest weakness by signing Mitch—one of the league’s top offensive rebounders and rim protectors. It’s a win-now boost for the Celts, though his injury history makes the three-year deal a gamble. Beantown stays firmly in contention mode. Re-signing Harper Jr. and the Davison move add useful depth, but Robinson is the big addition. For the Knicks, losing him to a top rival stings and keeps Boston as a major roadblock to another Finals push.

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Brooklyn Nets

Reported moves:

• Acquired Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team deal (Nets sent Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls and the No. 33 pick to Minnesota; Chicago sent Mo Gueye to Minnesota).
• Declined team options on big man Day’Ron Sharpe and forward Josh Minott only to immediately lock them into new team-friendly deals. Sharpe re-signed on a two-year, $20 million contract, while Minott agreed to a two-year, $9 million package.
• Signing guard Keon Ellis to a two-year, $18 million contract.
• Signed FA Moe Wagner to a two-year, $19 million deal.
• 2026 NBA Draft Additions: The front office landed their potential franchise point guard by selecting Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. with the No. 6 overall pick. They followed that up by using the newly acquired No. 28 selection on consensus All-American forward Joshua Jefferson out of Iowa State, and added forward Tyler Bilodeau later in the evening.

Knicks Take: After spending the last few seasons stuck between rebuilding and competing, Brooklyn added legitimate young talent while bringing in Julius to stabilize the offense. Mikel Brown Jr. could become the franchise point guard they’ve been searching for, Jefferson was one of the better value picks in the draft, and Bilodeau adds another intriguing developmental forward. On top of that, retaining Sharpe and Minott on team-friendly contracts while adding Ellis gives them fairly-priced, rotation-caliber depth.

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Charlotte Hornets

Reported moves:

• Traded LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, first-round pick swaps in 2028/2029/2030, and three second-round picks (2029/2032/2033).
• Traded Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and a 2033 first-round pick (additional picks involved in the deal).
• Re-signed guard Coby White to a three-year, $74 million contract extension.
• 2026 NBA Draft Additions: The front office kept and utilized both of their mid-first-round selections, drafting Washington big man Hannes Steinbach at No. 14 overall and Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson Jr. at No. 18 overall.

Knicks Take: Charlotte seems to be in teardown mode, moving two of their biggest names for young talent, veterans, and a massive pile of future assets. The Ball deal brings defensive/rim protection help in Reid plus draft capital; Bridges adds more picks and rotation pieces (Allen/O’Neale). It’s a clear bet on the young core (Miller, Knueppel, etc.) and future flexibility over short-term contention. High risk but potentially high reward if the rebuild accelerates. And who knows—the Stingers still could still have enough roster talent to be a pest during the season and reach the play-in round.

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Chicago Bulls

Reported moves:

• Acquired center Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets as part of a major three-team trade that sent Julius Randle to Brooklyn.
• Signed center Zach Collins to a two-year, $17 million contract extension, featuring a team option in the second year.
• Guaranteed the $2.41 million contract for forward Leonard Miller for the upcoming season.
• Drafted forward Caleb Wilson fourth overall and guard Dailyn Swain fifteenth overall in the first round.
• Acquired guard Kam Jones from the Indiana Pacers in a draft-night trade for the No. 38 pick, then subsequently waived him ahead of free agency.
• Signed FA Norman Powell to a two-year, $45 million deal.
• Lost FA Collin Sexton, signing a a two-year, $19 million deal with the Lakers.

Knicks Take: The Bulls have fully committed to a long-term rebuild. Claxton gives them a defensive anchor, Wilson adds another high-upside piece alongside Matas Buzelis and Rob Dillingham, and Collins returns on a flexible, low-risk deal. Chicago isn’t trying to contend this season; the focus is building a young core while using its remaining cap space to accumulate more future assets.

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Cleveland Cavaliers

Reported moves:

• James Harden declined his $42.3 million player option for the 2026-27 season and paused negotiations on a new multiyear deal to give the front office financial runway to pursue LeBron James.
• Lost forward Dean Wade to the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year, $39 million deal in free agency.
• Lost guard Keon Ellis to the Brooklyn Nets on a two-year, $18 million contract in free agency.
• Re-signed FA center Thomas Bryant with a one-year deal.
• Explored trade scenarios involving Max Strus and Dennis Schröder to clear extra cap space and navigate second-apron restrictions.
• Drafted Arkansas combo guard Meleek Thomas with the No. 34 overall pick in the second round.

Knicks Take: The Cavs aren’t rebuilding, but they’re gambling on cap flexibility. Restructuring Harden’s deal only makes sense if it leads to another major addition, and losing Wade and Ellis leaves Cleveland noticeably thinner on the wing. Unless the Cavs turn that flexibility into a significant acquisition, they’ve weakened one of the roster’s biggest strengths without clearly improving elsewhere.

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Detroit Pistons

Reported moves:

• Signed forward John Collins to a three-year, $51 million contract, with the final two seasons reportedly non-guaranteed.
• Traded longtime big man Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies for three future second-round picks (salary-clearing move that opens up cap flexibility).
• Re-signed wing Kevin Huerter to a three-year, $27 million contract.
• Drafted Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie and center Ugonna Onyenso via a complex series of draft-night trades.
• Lost Tobias Harris to the Spurs in free agency.

Knicks Take: Detroit will continue to be a legitimate Eastern Conference threat. Collins gives Cade Cunningham another ideal frontcourt partner, Huerter returns on a team-friendly deal, and the Pistons continue adding young talent through the draft. Trading Isaiah Stewart creates breathing room under the cap for more moves. They’ve improved without sacrificing flexibility and look poised to remain one of the Knicks’ toughest challengers. Meanwhile, well see if Jalen Duren will be taking up residence in Sacramento next season.

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Indiana Pacers

Reported moves:

• Traded guard Kam Jones, two future second-round pick swaps (2028 and 2030), and cash considerations to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the No. 38 overall pick.
• Drafted Purdue point guard and NCAA all-time assists leader Braden Smith with the No. 38 pick, intending to sign him to a two-way contract.
• Signed Kelly Oubre Jr. to a two-year, nearly $17 million deal.

Knicks Take: The Pacers have had a quiet offseason, adding Smith on a two-way deal after trading into the second round. With Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubac anchoring a proven core, Indiana remains a contender. Their biggest remaining need is adding a reliable wing to strengthen the bench while Johnny Furphy recovers from an ACL injury.

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Miami Heat

Reported moves:

• Acquired eight-time All-NBA forward Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks in a monumental blockbuster trade.
• Traded cash and the draft rights to No. 41 pick Otega Oweh to the Oklahoma City Thunder to move up and select Louisville guard Ryan Conwell with the No. 37 overall pick.
• Traded the draft rights to No. 13 overall pick Nate Ament to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of the package to land Antetokounmpo.
• Lost Norman Powell to the Bulls in free agency.
• Re-signed FA Simone Fontecchio with a one-year deal.
• Re-signed forward Andrew Wiggins with a three-year, $64 million contract.
• Signed FA Tim Hardaway, JR. (OAKAAKUYOAK) to a one-year, $6.5 million deal.
• Waived guard Terry Rozier ahead of the offseason to clear extra financial runway.

Knicks Take: Pat Riley landed his whale, and Antetokounmpo instantly makes Miami one of the Knicks’ biggest threats. Pairing Giannis with Bam Adebayo creates a dominant defensive frontcourt, but the trade leaves the Heat thin on depth after sacrificing young talent. Miami’s title hopes now hinge on filling out the roster with quality, low-cost role players.

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Milwaukee Bucks

Reported moves:

• Traded two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and big man Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in an absolute earthquake of a blockbuster deal. In return, Milwaukee hauled in Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., guard Kasparas Jakučionis, the No. 13 overall pick, unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033, a 2030 pick swap, and a 2033 second-round pick.
• Drafted wing Nate Ament with the acquired No. 13 pick and added guard Brayden Burries in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft to jumpstart their young core.
• Re-signed forward Ousmane Dieng to a three-year, $17.5 million contract after he showed promising flashes of production following his mid-season arrival.

Knicks Take: Milwaukee has fully embraced a rebuild, turning Giannis Antetokounmpo into a haul of draft picks and young talent. Retaining Ousmane Dieng is a smart, low-risk move, but Tyler Herro and Kyle Kuzma don’t fit the new timeline and could be flipped for more assets. It’s the end of an era, but the Bucks have positioned themselves well for the future.

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New York Knicks

Reported moves:

• Re-signed Landry Shamet to a four-year, $24 million contract.
• Re-signed Jose Alvarado to a three-year deal (reported ~$14+ million) after he declined his player option.
• Declined to extend a qualifying offer to Ariel Hukporti (became a free agent, signed with Philly).
• Re-signed Mohamed Diawara (prior second-round pick) on a new multi-year deal.
• Lost Mitchell Robinson to the Boston Celtics (see above . . . if you can see through the tears. . . .)
• 2026 NBA Draft: Actively traded down/out of the first round (No. 24 originally) in multiple deals, acquiring several future second-round picks and cash. Selected Jack Kayil (G, No. 39) and Tyler Nickel (F/G, No. 47); also added other second-rounders like prospects in multi-team swaps. Added undrafted free agents/prospects (e.g., Oziyah Sellers, Keith Palek III, and others) to Summer League.
• Reportedly interested in veteran center options (e.g., Kevon Looney) as potential insurance/backup if Robinson departs.

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Orlando Magic

Reported moves:

• Waived forward Jonathan Isaac ahead of free agency, shedding his salary to clear roughly $6.5 million in cap space.
• Acquired the draft rights to USF big man Izaiyah Nelson (the No. 51 overall pick) from the Washington Wizards in exchange for the draft rights to Tennessee forward Felix Okpara (the No. 46 overall pick).
• Lost backup center Moe Wagner to unrestricted free agency, with multiple suitors expected to pry him away from Florida.
• Signed center Nikola Vucevic to a one-year, $3.9 million deal.
• Re-signed FA guard Jevon Carter with a one-year, $3.5 million deal.
• Hired former assistant Sean Sweeney as the team’s new head coach to replace Jamahl Mosley.

Knicks Take: Orlando is navigating the financial reality of Paolo Banchero’s looming max extension. Moving on from Isaac creates flexibility, while drafting the defensive big Nelson adds inexpensive frontcourt depth. With luxury tax concerns growing, expect the Magic to focus on affordable shooting and backcourt help rather than splashy moves.

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Philadelphia 76ers

Reported moves:

• Traded Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks for Jaylen Brown.
  Signed forward Dean Wade to a four-year, $39 million contract in free agency, utilizing the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
• Signed center Ariel Hukporti to a one-year, $3.4 million contract.
• Accepted the team options on forward Dominick Barlow ($3.4 million) and wing Dalen Terry ($2.5 million).
• Declined the $2.8 million team option on forward Trendon Watford, making him an unrestricted free agent, and opted not to extend a qualifying offer to Tyrese Martin.
• Drafted Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
• Signed FA guard Anfernee Simons to a two-year, $12.3 million deal.
• Lost Kelly Oubre Jr. to the Pacers.
• Hired Mike Gansey as the franchise’s new President of Basketball Operations to replace Daryl Morey.
• Lost free agent guard Quentin Grimes, who is signing a four-year, $60 million to join the Los Angeles.

Knicks Take: The Sixers quietly had a strong offseason. Signing Wade away from Cleveland gives the Sixers a versatile defender and floor spacer, while adding Hukporti provides affordable frontcourt depth. Rookie Philon Jr. strengthens the backcourt around Joel Embiid. They’ve improved their rotation without sacrificing financial flexibility, making them a tougher contender in the East. They may still be on the market for a shooter, with Grimes on the move.

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Toronto Raptors

Reported moves:

• Sandro Mamukelashvili declined his player option and entered unrestricted free agency. Agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal to sign with Los Angeles Lakers.
• Acquired Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers in trade (sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks). Leonard is in the final year of his deal at ~$50M and is expected to sign a two-year extension with Toronto.
• Re-signed guard Alijah Martin with a two-year, $4.8 million deal.

Knicks Take: Toronto took a big swing by reuniting with Leonard, instantly raising its ceiling despite his injury history. The Raptors may lose Sandro in free agency, but adding Kawhi makes them a much tougher team and another contender the Knicks will have to reckon with in the East.

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Washington Wizards

Reported moves:

• Drafted BYU forward and consensus top prospect AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
• Signed guard Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million maximum contract extension featuring a player option for the 2029-30 season.
• Traded the draft rights to No. 46 overall pick Felix Okpara to the Orlando Magic in exchange for the draft rights to USF big man Izaiyah Nelson (the No. 51 overall pick); also involved other second-round shuffling.
• Shut down ongoing trade inquiries regarding 10-time All-Star forward Anthony Davis, publicly reaffirming their commitment to keeping him long-term.

Knicks Take: Washington has accelerated its rebuild into a win-now approach. Extending Trae, keeping Davis, and drafting Dybantsa gives the Wizards a legitimate foundation with immediate playoff aspirations. They could be a surprise team this season.

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Biggest Winners So Far

1. Philadelphia 76ers — The Brown acquisition makes them one of the Knicks’ biggest threats in the East. Adding Simons and Hukportio to their bench only made them deeper. They’ve positioned themselves as the greatest threat to the crown.
2. Detroit Pistons — Landing Collins addresses a real need without sacrificing the future. They continue building around their young core and look like a rising Eastern power. Keep an eye on Duran, though, and losing Stewart might prove more important than initially assumed.
3. Toronto Raptors — Reuniting with Kawhi is a massive swing that instantly raises their ceiling and makes them a serious playoff contender again.
4. New York Knicks — Continuity on the wings and backcourt (Shamet, Alvarado, Diawara) preserves championship depth while adding future assets in the draft. Robinson’s departure stings, and Leon Rose needs to find a center, STAT. (But not STAT, he’s too old.)

Biggest Losers So Far

1. Cleveland Cavaliers — Losing Dean Wade and Keon Ellis thins out the wing rotation while they scramble for cap flexibility—without a clear star addition yet.
2. Boston Celtics — Mitchell Robinson bolsters them, but the Jaylen Brown trade has their fanbase in meltdown mode.
3. Milwaukee Bucks — Trading away Giannis marks the end of an era. They’re now officially in a rebuild with young talent and picks.
4. Charlotte Hornets — Full teardown mode after moving LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, but they’ve loaded up on future assets.

This tracker will be updated as free agency unfolds.

The Washington Wizards have re-signed Jamir Watkins to a two-way contract, the team announced Wednesday.

The Washington Wizards have signed forward Jamir Watkins to a two-way contract.

— Wizards PR (@WizPRStats) July 1, 2026

Washington has re-signed Watkins just days after it declined his $2.15 million team option for the 2026-27 season. The Wizards did something similar in 2024, when they declined Tristan Vukcevic’s team option before signing him to a two-way contract.

By signing Watkins to a two-way deal, the Wizards have roughly $13 million in luxury tax space and the full $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign a free agent.

Watkins, 24, was selected No. 43 by Washington in the 2025 NBA Draft. He averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds across 50 games last season.

The stout defender closed his rookie campaign with a 24-point outburst on 5-for-9 3-point shooting against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Florida State product signing a two-way deal keeps the Wizards at 14 standard contracts.

Guard: Trae Young | Tre Johnson | Bub Carrington | Jaden Hardy | D’Angelo Russell

Wing: AJ Dybantsa | Kyshawn George | Bilal Coulibaly | Will Riley

Forward: Anthony Davis | Justin Champagnie | Cam Whitmore

Center: Alex Sarr | Tristan Vukcevic

Two-way: Jamir Watkins

Washington could open another roster spot by waiving or buying out Russell, who opted in to his $5.9 million player option but never reported to Washington following last February’s trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

Wizards general manager Will Dawkins was noncommittal on whether Felix Okpara would sign a standard deal, which opens the door for him to start his career on a two-way contract. Dawkins also mentioned Washington’s desire to add another big man to back up Sarr and Davis.

The agent for LeBron James indicated nearly half the teams in the NBA are interested in signing the league's all-time leading scorer and the decision won't be about money.

Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said he spoke with "12 to 14" teams about James after NBA free agency negotiations officially began during an episode of The Ringer's "Game Over" podcast featuring Paul and former ESPN commentator Max Kellerman released on Wednesday, July 1. Paul also confirmed the Golden State Warriors were one of the teams to contact him regarding James, but remained non-committal about any favorites to land his 41-year-old client.

James announced on Tuesday he plans to play elsewhere next season after spending the past eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers. Paul revealed negotiations with the Lakers never reached the point where the team's front office made a formal contract offer to James.

LEBRON JAMES: Where will he play after Lakers exit? Five potential landing spots

"There didn't need to be one," Paul told Kellerman. "They wanted to bring him back, obviously, but there didn’t need to be one and I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time.”

Paul explained that James began the NBA offseason telling Paul he was "80%" about a return to the Lakers, but his thinking progressively changed even though remaining with the franchise would have netted James his biggest potential payday.

"I don’t believe that there was anything that took place," Paul said about James' shift in mindset. "... I think you get to a place where in your mind, you start to decide, OK, it’s time for me to move on elsewhere.”

Paul reiterated James is in search of "complete happiness" and money won't dictate his potential landing spot for the first time in his career. Paul would not put a timeline on when James might decide on his next team.

"His legacy is etched in stone," Paul said, "but if you can find humility and peace and still be competitive and give yourself the chance at the possibility of winning, that is complete happiness. That’s the Holy Grail. That’s all you can ask for.”

“I think we’ll look at all situations," Paul added, "and ultimately he’ll make the best decision for him.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James agent: 12-14 teams interested to start NBA free agency

It’s no secret the Washington Wizards need to add depth behind their presumed starting frontcourt of Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr.

Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said as much last week, stating the team’s desire to add another forward or center in free agency.

Nearly a day into the NBA’s legal tampering period, several teams have already added frontcourt help. Mitchell Robinson (Celtics), Moritz Wagner (Nets), Nikola Vucevic (Magic) and John Collins (Pistons) are just a few free agents who have already inked new deals.

The Wizards can use the roughly $13 million in luxury-tax space or the full $15 million midlevel exception to sign a free agent.

Below is a list of five available free-agent big men Washington could target.

Marvin Bagley III

Bagley, 27, averaged 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds on 62.6% FG across 38 appearances with the Wizards last season before he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a deal that brought Davis to Washington. The 6-foot-10 forward produced in a bench role in each of his previous two stints as a Wizard and would assume a similar role during the 2026-27 season.

Andre Drummond

Drummond, 32, averaged 6.4 points and 8.4 rebounds with the Philadelphia 76ers last season in a backup role. The 6-foot-11, 279-pound center would help the Wizards, who ranked 24th in rebounds per game last season, solve their rebounding issues while providing a bruising presence off the bench.

Kevon Looney

Looney, 30, is a veteran option Washington could target on a one-year deal. The three-time NBA champion averaged 2.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in just 21 games with the New Orleans Pelicans last season as he battled injuries.

Nick Richards

Richards, 28, just finished a three-year, $15 million contract that included stints with the Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound forward would give Washington another bruising presence behind Sarr and Davis while assisting with the team’s rebounding issues.

Dwight Powell

Powell, 34, is an older option who’s spent the past 12 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks as a depth forward. Powell averaged 3.3 points and 4.1 rebounds on 64.4% FG across 63 appearances last season

In an odd development, as it coincided with the start of free agency, the NBA officially unveiled the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup groups, schedule, and a new championship venue on Tuesday.

The format remains unchanged, with teams drawn into groups based on their 2025-26 regular-season records.

With all that, the New York Knicks now know their path to repeat as the defending champions of the not-fake-anymore tournament. And the Knicks, coming off a championship season, landed in a top-tier group.

Now, for the conspirators out there, New York will be part of the highly suspicious ‘East Group B’ alongside (get ready) the Cleveland Cavaliers (ECF and LBJ suitors), Philadelphia 76ers (Ariel Hukporti’s new team), Miami Heat (new home if Giannis and LBJ suitors), and Indiana Pacers (2025 Finals runner-up with their No. 1 player back).

Oh, surprise, the doubly-reigning-champion Knicks landed in Group of Death of the 2026 edition of the Cup. Cash cow, NBA!

(To be honest, which I’m not, perhaps the draw results also had to do with the Pacers being disastrous and statistically awful, and the Heat for being mediocre at best only to then pull off the Giannis trade and instantly become kind of good.)

The groups are set for the Emirates NBA Cup 2026!

All 30 NBA teams were randomly drawn into groups of five within their conference based on win-loss records from the 2025-26 regular season.

The groups are available below. pic.twitter.com/bZHTlRGs29

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) July 1, 2026

The tournament will tip off on Oct. 30, with group play games scheduled every Friday through Nov. 27, along with additional “Cup Nights” on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25. Each team will face the other four squads in its group once, with the three group winners and one wild card team per conference advancing to the knockout stage.

The knockout-stage dates have also been set, with the quarterfinals to be held Dec. 4-5, followed by the semifinals on Dec. 8 or Dec. 9. The tournament will end on Dec. 11 with the championship game, which again, will mark the 83rd game in whoever makes it there’s schedule, even though the stats won’t count for anything.

This year’s Cup final is also changing, if only in venue, as it will take place at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis instead of Sin City, marking the first time the event will be held outside Las Vegas. The choice of such a historic venue is part of the NBA’s plan to bring the Cup into more traditional basketball arenas, and the venue could change once again in the future.

For the Knicks, the stakes are clear. After becoming the first team to win both the NBA Cup and the NBA championship in the same season, New York will enter the tournament with a chance of pulling off the first-ever back-to-back in tournament history, as well as becoming the first NBA franchise to sandwich an NBA title with two Cup championships. See how we appreciate the tournament now, fellas? Give it some respect!

The Knicks’ 2025 Cup title preceded their championship run, while other Cup finalists, such as the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Pacers, also translated Cup success into deep playoff runs but ultimately failed to win the ultimate prize in June.

You can follow Antonio on Twitter at @chapulana.

The Lakers secured their starting center of the future in a massive trade with Utah on Wednesday, agreeing to send two first-round picks (2031 and 2033) and two pick swaps (2028 and 2030) to the Jazz in exchange for 24-year-old Walker Kessler, sources not authorized to speak publicly on the matter confirmed Wednesday to The Times.

Kessler, who was limited to five games last season because of a shoulder injury, is expected to sign a four-year, $130-million contract with the Lakers, people with knowledge of the situation said.

The center was a restricted free agent, but the Lakers worked around difficult negotiating limitations by throwing in nearly every first-round asset they had in addition to digging into their $51 million in salary-cap space. If the Lakers had only presented an offer sheet to the Jazz to lure Kessler away instead of working on a trade, Utah would have had until July 7 to match the offer.

Kessler’s addition, a day after LeBron James told the Lakers that he’d return for an unprecedented 24th season elsewhere, highlighted a flurry of transactions that will help the Lakers remake their roster around Luka Doncic. Soon after the Kessler trade Wednesday, the Lakers agreed to terms with three free agents — center Sandro Mamukelashvili, guard Quentin Grimes and guard Collin Sexton.

Kessler is a much-needed defensive backstop. The 7-foot-2 center has averaged 2.4 blocks over his career. He was off to a strong start last season in Utah before a season-ending shoulder injury. The previous season, he averaged 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds. His 4.6 offensive rebounds per game in 2024-25 led the league.

Mamukelashvili declined a $2.8-million player option with the Toronto Raptors and was rewarded with a four-year, $52-million deal with the Lakers, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Times. Primarily coming off the bench, the Georgian center averaged 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds for the Raptors last season.

His three-point shooting has improved in recent seasons; Mamukelashvili shot 38.9% from three-point range last season on 3.7 attempts per game, improving from 37.3% on 2.6 attempts the previous season. The long-range shooting element would stand out in a revamped front line that includes the returning Deandre Ayton, who was the Lakers’ major free-agent signing last year. He exercised a $8.1-million player option after career lows in points (12.5), rebounds (eight) and minutes (27.2) per game.

Grimes, 26, averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Philadelphia 76ers last season. He agreed to a four-year, $60-million contract, The Times confirmed.

Sexton agreed to a two-year, $19-million contract, The Times confirmed, after the guard played for the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls last season. The Lakers will be his fifth team in his eight-year career, which began in Cleveland, where he was named All-Rookie second team in 2019.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

If it wasn’t clear before the Lakers made their flurry of moves on Wednesday morning, then it certainly is now.

Rui Hachimura will not be a Laker next season.

The writing was on the wall coming into free agency and Wednesday’s moves effectively made it impossible for the team to bring back Hachimura. The trade for Walker Kessler paired with the signings of Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton exhausted all of the Lakers’ spending power.

To make those deals official, the Lakers will have to renounce all their cap holds, which includes Hachimura’s. In doing so, it means the team can no longer go over the cap to sign him. And with no spending power and no ability to go over the cap, it means Hachimura won’t be in LA.

Even before Wednesday, the assumption from most was that Hachimura wouldn’t be back.

In their latest Substack piece late Tuesday night, Jake Fischer and Marc Stein called it “increasingly likely” Rui will leave the Lakers this summer.

Lakers free agent Rui Hachimura, Clippers free agent John Collins and Pistons free agent Tobias Harris are also known to be on San Antonio’s list. Hachimura, for that matter, is also believed to still be drawing interest from Brooklyn and Detroit and is regarded as increasingly likely to join James. Smart and Phoenix-bound Luke Kennard out the exit door in Lakerland.

Similarly, on his newest podcast episode on Wednesday morning, Zach Lowe made a passing comment that he believes Rui will be playing elsewhere next season.

“The Lakers now have a lot of cap space and how they use it is going to be very interesting and Luka Dončić is going to be watching it very carefully. Rui Hachimura is a free agent. I think he’s going to be on another team next year.”

All of that also aligns with reporting prior to the start of free agency. Dave McMenamin of ESPN said that Rui would likely be the “odd man out” for the Lakers and would have to find his deal somewhere else.

Having said all that, it’s unclear where he would go. Before free agency, reports linked him to the Nets and the Spurs. There were also some links to the Pistons, but their signing of John Collins on Wednesday morning almost certainly takes them out of that running.

The aforementioned Fischer and Stein report was about the Spurs, so he’s still on that list. However, that same report also said that San Antonio isn’t looking to give out more than a two-year deal on forwards this summer.

Free agency is a very fluid situation with lots of bluffing and negotiating, so things can change quickly. But barring some drastic late change, Rui’s time in LA is finished.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

The Walker Kessler saga is officially over, and so is his tenure in Utah. The Utah Jazz are sending Walker Kessler to the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus the right to swap first-round picks in 2028 and 2030.

BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, sources tell ESPN. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/rt8b17fEQZ

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026

The Lakers are paying Kessler $130 million over 4 years, which is about $32.5 million AAV. Additionally, his contract includes a player option on the fourth year, and a 15% trade kicker.

Kessler turns 25 years old in late July, and has averaged 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.2 assists in 25.3 minutes per game for his career, shooting 68.1% from the field. Ironically, Kessler arrived in Utah in the package for Rudy Gobert as the No. 22 overall pick in the 2022 draft. This Gobert trade has now amounted to six first-round picks, and three swaps (4 of the picks are still outstanding).

In his 4 seasons with Utah, he has been a great rebounder, rim protector, and lob threat around the rim. He flashed a hint of 3-point shooting early in the past season, making 6/8 before going out with shoulder surgery. However, any outside shooting is only theoretical, as he is a career 54.5% free throw shooter.

Los Angeles’ Perspective

Looking at the Lakers’ side of things, this fills a massive hole on their roster at the center position, which they tried to patch with Mark Williams and Deandre Ayton with little success. Kessler is the dominant rim protector, elite offensive rebounder, and finisher that a Dončić/Austin Reaves-led offense needs. Ayton will now have a much smaller role, off the bench, which better suits his skillset.

On the other hand, the Lakers have no tradable first-round picks over the next seven years, and have committed $475 million to Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. Kessler is undoubtedly a great fit, but they are paying a steep price for a player that hasn’t proven himself on a high-stakes NBA stage.

Kessler has struggled with confidence finishing around the rim and playing through contact, especially in his sophomore year, which can’t happen on the Lakers. Los Angeles scrutiny will be on an entirely new level. Whether he’s fully grown past that is unclear, and it’s a real question when you’ve traded your remaining first-round picks for him.

Another concern worth considering is Kessler’s durability. He has only played 63 games in the past two seasons, and is coming off a surgery which repaired a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The labrum has been a years-long issue going back to his Auburn days that required surgery after repeated subluxing. I’m sure the Lakers looked into Walker’s medical records, but his health will be something to continue to monitor.

How much can a team giving that much money to those three players, without any flexibility, really win? We will see how they continue to round out their roster this offseason, but so far they have lost LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and likely won’t be able to re-sign Rui Hachimura.

A Luka Dončić team needs shooting, perimeter defense, and solid bigs. Now they have a solid big in Kessler, but no flexibility to improve their shooting or perimeter defense.

Utah’s Perspective

For the Jazz, this is a bitter-sweet deal. On one hand, they recoup a lot of the draft capital they traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. and have more cap flexibility in the future. Utah already has significant money tied up in Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr, so signing Kessler to a $130 million deal would have squeezed their books even further.

Not paying Kessler gives the Jazz more flexibility to chase free agents this offseason, and to re-sign Keyonte George next summer. The picks they got in return are also valuable assets that could be used in a trade or win-now move.

However, as of today, this trade makes Utah a worse basketball team. Jusuf Nurkic is now the starting center unless more moves are made. JJJ could play some center minutes, but is a more natural powerforward. He plays best next to a rim-protecting center, which is what made his pairing with Walker Kessler so enticing. Now we never get to see what those two could have been together on defense.

While paying Kessler this contract would have been expensive, it’s surprising Utah didn’t just match the contract which was being reported all week.

I was personally bracing myself for the Jazz to match a Kessler contract worth $35+ million AAV, making it surprising that the Jazz didn’t just pay him the $32.5 million. The front office must have determined that these first-round picks are more valuable than Walker Kessler on that contract.

Utah Jazz restricted free agent Walker Kessler has had meetings with a couple of teams and is headed to another meeting, league sources tell The Athletic. He holds multiple offers in the mid to high 30’s annually, along with structure of his choice, including player options

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 30, 2026

The Jazz have spent the last four seasons tanking for high lottery picks and collecting assets. After the JJJ trade and drafting Darryn Peterson, Utah seemed to be turning the page and making win-now moves. This Kessler deal doesn’t fit that narrative, but maybe it turns into a greater opportunity in the near future.

For a moment this offseason, it really seemed like Utah was building something rare. A frontcourt pairing of JJJ and Walker Kessler along with a dynamic offense is everything the Jazz needed to turn this rebuild around. It’s too bad we didn’t get to see this team play out.

As Kessler leaves, so does a big part of Utah’s defense, replaced by two first-round picks that won’t convey until the next decade. Utah got good value, but is that value worth downgrading the team? As of right now, it’s too early to determine who has won the trade. Whether this trade ages well for the Jazz will depend on what they do next.