Category: NBA

NBA free agency: Tracking deals and the best available players originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It’s been a hectic start to the NBA offseason — and the action won’t be slowing down.

The 2025 NBA free agency period opened Monday as a long list of veterans hit the open market. The start of free agency comes less than a week after the 2025 NBA Draft was held.

This offseason has already seen the likes of Kevin Durant, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Desmond Bane, Anfernee Simons and Jalen Green change teams, among others. So, which other notable names will be on the move?

From the best available players and more, here’s what to know about NBA free agency:

When does NBA free agency start in 2025?

Teams were allowed to start negotiating and striking deals with free agents from rival clubs starting at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT/3 p.m. PT on Monday, June 30.

But contracts can’t be made official until Sunday, July 6.

What is the NBA salary cap in 2025-26?

The salary cap for 2025-26 is set at $154.6 million, the NBA confirmed Monday. That marks a roughly $14 million increase from last season.

The luxury tax is $187.9 million, with the first apron at $195.9 million and the second apron at $207.8 million.

Who are the best NBA free agents in 2025?

Here’s a look at the top names on the open market. This list will be updated with reported deals as free agents get scooped up (players listed alphabetically by last name):

Guards

• Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons
• Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards
• Bruce Brown Jr., New Orleans Pelicans
• Jared Butler, Philadelphia 76ers
• Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz (buyout)
• Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas Mavericks
• Dante Exum, Dallas Mavericks
• Javonte Green, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls (restricted)
• Eric Gordon, Philadelphia 76ers
• Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia 76ers (restricted)
• Tim Hardaway Jr., Detroit Pistons
• Gary Harris, Orlando Magic
• Aaron Holiday, Houston Rockets — reportedly re-signing with Rockets for 1 year, minimum
• Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls
• Cory Joseph, Orlando Magic
• Luke Kennard, Memphis Grizzlies
• Caris LeVert, Atlanta Hawks
• Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets
• De’Anthony Melton, Brooklyn Nets
• Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs
• Cameron Payne, New York Knicks
• Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors
• Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
• Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat
• D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets
• Dennis Schröder, Detroit Pistons
• Landry Shamet, New York Knicks
• Cameron Thomas, Brooklyn Nets (restricted)
• Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
• Russell Westbrook, Denver Nuggets
• Delon Wright, New York Knicks

Wings

• Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies (restricted) — reportedly re-signing with Grizzlies for 3 years, $52.5M
• Nicolas Batum, Los Angeles Clippers — reportedly re-signing with Clippers for 2 years, $11.5M
• Brandon Boston Jr., New Orleans Pelicans
• Amir Coffey, Los Angeles Clippers
• Dorian Finney-Smith, Los Angeles Lakers — reportedly signing with Rockets for 4 years, $53M
• Jeff Green, Houston Rockets — reportedly re-signing with Rockets for 1 year, minimum
• Caleb Houstan, Orlando Magic
• Johnny Juzang, Utah Jazz
• Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors (restricted)
• Jake LaRavia, Sacramento Kings
• Trey Lyles, Sacramento Kings
• Doug McDermott, Sacramento Kings
• Taurean Prince, Milwaukee Bucks
• Antonio Reeves, New Orleans Pelicans (restricted)
• Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets — reportedly re-signing with Rockets for 1 year, $3M
• Jabari Walker, Portland Trail Blazers

Bigs

• Precious Achiuwa, New York Knicks
• Deandre Ayton, Portland Trial Blazers (buyout)
• Marvin Bagley III, Memphis Grizzlies
• Chris Boucher, Toronto Raptors
• Thomas Bryant, Indiana Pacers
• Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks
• Luka Garza, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
• Al Horford, Boston Celtics
• Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers (restricted)
• Luke Kornet, Boston Celtics
• Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors
• Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
• Sandro Mamukelashvili, San Antonio Spurs
• Larry Nance Jr., Atlanta Hawks
• Paul Reed, Detroit Pistons — reportedly re-signing with Pistons for 2 years, $11M
• Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets — reportedly re-signing with Nets for 2 years, $12M
• Ben Simmons, Los Angeles Clippers
• Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
• Mo Wagner, Orlando Magic
• Trendon Watford, Brooklyn Nets
• Guerschon Yabusele, Philadelphia 76ers

Reports via Chris Haynes, ESPN’s Shams Charania, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto

NBA rumors: Ex-Kings coach Mike Brown a ‘strong candidate' for Knicks job originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Former Kings coach Mike Brown could be on his way to the East Coast.

The 55-year-old has emerged as a strong candidate for the New York Knicks head coaching vacancy and will take a second meeting with the franchise, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday, citing sources. 

Mike Brown will have a second meeting with the New York Knicks for their head coaching job and has emerged as a strong candidate, sources tell ESPN.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025

As things stand, Brown appears to be a top target for the Knicks, who fired Tom Thibodeau on June 3 after New York was eliminated from the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.

Brown, the unanimous NBA Coach of the Year in 2022-23 after helping the Kings end the longest playoff drought in league history, was fired in late December after suffering a winless five-game homestand in Sacramento.

The timing of Brown’s dismissal — just five months after he signed a multiyear contract extension meant to keep him in Sacramento through the 2026-27 season — sent shockwaves throughout the league.

Brown is 454-304 in 11 seasons as an NBA head coach. He led the Kings in 31 games last season, recording a 13-18 record.

Now, it appears his lengthy coaching career could resume in New York.

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Kevon Looney, Pelicans reportedly agree to two-year, $16M free-agent contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s the end of an era for the Warriors.

Kevon Looney has left the only NBA franchise he has known for the past decade, agreeing to a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday, citing sources.

Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN. Life Sports Agency CEO Todd Ramasar and the Pelicans reached a deal tonight for the three-time NBA champion who departs Golden State after 10 years. pic.twitter.com/FAvVBa4Tk6

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025

Looney, affectionately known by Dub Nation as “Loon,” was selected No. 30 overall by Golden State in the 2015 NBA Draft and went on to become a fan favorite as a three-time champion with the Warriors.

The 29-year-old center has dealt with various injuries throughout his 10-season career, from surgeries for hip and core muscle issues to a neuropathic condition that threatened his career — all the while pushing through to become Golden State’s dependable Iron Man. Despite all the setbacks, Looney evolved into one of the Warriors’ most reliable players and played in 290 consecutive games from March 20, 2021, to March 8, 2024.

Looney leaves the Warriors just one contest shy of 600 regular-season games with Golden State, averaging 5.0 points on 57.5-percent shooting from the field with 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 17.2 minutes across those 599 appearances.

The big man appeared in 89 NBA playoff games with the Warriors and started 27, most notably shutting down the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2022 Western Conference semifinals with 8.2 rebounds per game and providing stellar defense on superstars like James Harden and Anthony Davis early in Golden State’s dynastic run.

When the 2024-25 NBA season ended, Looney said he already had preliminary discussions with the Warriors’ front office about returning and felt optimistic that a deal would get done. But after a decade in this league, Looney knew that nothing is guaranteed.

“But it’s the NBA, things always change, especially when you don’t win it all,” Looney said. “I’m just ready for whatever.

“They’re going to try to do whatever is best to make the team better. Hopefully I’m in those plans.”

Even though things didn’t pan out between Golden State and Looney, when all is said and done, there is no Warriors dynasty without him. But now, he will continue his successful NBA career on a new team — and Dub Nation certainly hopes Loon’s new fanbase appreciates him like they did.

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There are many very tall footballers who have a legendary status among fans. Peter Crouch, Jan Koller, and Per Mertesacker are just three of them. All were just over or under two meters tall. If they were to stand in front of Victor Wembanyama, they would probably all get a stiff neck. The NBA superstar of the San Antonio Spurs is in fact 2.21m tall and thus even among basketball players a giant. Despite this, he recently showed that he has a few football skills on the local pitch.

🤩🇫🇷 Pro basketball player Victor Wembanyama with this free-kick! He is 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m). ⛹️‍♂️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/RYMtYIPakY

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 30, 2025

The Frenchman's free-kick lands exactly in the corner. No wonder the crowd present completely freaks out and celebrates the giant. Probably Wemby had looked over the wall beforehand and thus spotted the goalkeeper.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

---

📸 BERTRAND GUAY

NBA rumors: Jake LaRavia, Lakers agree to two-year, $12M contract in free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Less than an hour into the negotiation period of NBA free agency, the Kings already appear to have lost a key rotation piece.

Forward Jake LaRavia reportedly agreed to a fully guaranteed two-year, $12 million free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN insider Shams Charania reported Monday, citing sources.

Free agent forward Jake LaRavia has agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. LaRavia had a strong finish after joining the Sacramento Kings last season. pic.twitter.com/hXw9E1PzZV

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025

Sacramento acquired LaRavia from the Memphis Grizzlies at February’s trade deadline; the Kings sent guard Colby Jones and center Alex Len to the Washington Wizards to complete the three-team deal.

In 19 games with the Kings last season, LaRavia averaged 6.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 19.3 minutes, while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range. The third-year forward was a significant defensive contributor off the bench, recording nearly a steal per game in Sacramento.

Interestingly, LaRavia previously hinted at his desire to return to the Kings after they removed coach Doug Christie’s interim tag early in the offseason.

“I had even told (the Kings) in the exit interviews that if they gave him (Christie) the head coaching job, I’d look forward to going back there even more,” LaRavia told Ben Pfeifer of Basketball Insiders. “I really did enjoy being there in Sacramento, even outside of the coaches and the players, the fanbase there was amazing. I could see going back there as an option.”

The Kings brought in another versatile power forward in last week’s NBA Draft, taking Stanford big man Maxime Raynaud with the No. 42 overall pick in the second round.

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NBA rumors: Dennis Schröder will agree to sign Kings contract in free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings addressed their point guard problem on the first day of NBA free agency.

Veteran guard Dennis Schröder will agree to sign a contract with Sacramento, The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported Monday, citing league sources.

Dennis Schröder will agree to sign with the Sacramento Kings, league sources tell @TheAthletic.

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) June 30, 2025

Schröder, a 12-year NBA veteran, was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft but since has been on nine different teams, and now 10. Just last season, he bounced around three organizations, starting with the Brooklyn Nets before being traded to the Golden State Warriors and then ending the year with the Detroit Pistons.

Over his career, the 31-year-old has averaged 13.9 points on 43.2-percent shooting from the field and 34.2 percent from 3-point range, with 2.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 27.3 minutes.

After trading De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in February, the Kings tried to fill the void with Malik Monk and Markelle Fultz. It wasn’t sustainable for an already choppy offense, and new general manager Scott Perry made it his top priority to bring in someone new to help run the offense.

Now, after checking the top thing off his to-do list, Perry and Co. can shift their focus elsewhere this offseason.

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Veteran NBA player Malik Beasley is under federal investigation relating to gambling allegations in connection to league games, according to multiple media reports.

According to ESPN, which was first to report the investigation, the allegations are from the 2023-24 season when Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks. ESPN cited a gambling industry source who said that at least one prominent U.S. sportsbook noticed unusually heavy betting interest on Beasley's statistics starting around January 2024.

“There have been no charges against Malik,” Beasley's attorney, Steve Haney, told the Associated Press. “It’s just an investigation at this point. We hope people reserve judgment until he’s charged — or if he’s charged. It’s not uncommon for there to be a federal investigation.”

Haney told ABC News that he understands that the U.S. attorney's office in the Eastern District of New York is leading the investigation. A spokesperson for that office declined to comment for this article.

Read more:LeBron James exercises $52.6-million option and will be first to play 23 NBA seasons

On Sunday, NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement that the league is “cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation” into Beasley.

Beasley has played for six teams during his nine-year NBA career, including a stint with the Lakers during the 2022-23 season. He played for the Detroit Pistons last season, averaging 16.3 points a game and setting a franchise record by making 319 three-point shots during the regular season.

In April 2024, the NBA banned then-Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter after finding that he had violated numerous league rules in relation to sports betting, including limiting his participation in one or more games and disclosing confidential information to bettors. Porter eventually pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and has yet to be sentenced.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Growing up as a basketball-mad kid in Belfast, CJ Fulton never could have imagined the position he would now be in.

The 22-year-old had already been a trailblazer in college basketball with Lafayette and the Charleston Cougars, but now he has moved a step closer to the biggest goal of them all - the NBA.

In his senior year last season, the guard averaged 7.8 points and 6.5 assists per game for the Cougars.

After missing out in the initial NBA draft, Fulton will play for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA's Summer League.

"I never thought I'd be in this position, it was about what contracts or leagues I could get in Europe," Fulton said of his post-college career prospects.

"The opportunity came up to work a few NBA workouts and I obviously couldn't turn those down.

"It's a crazy position to be in but I'm just embracing the opportunity."

• Fulton to join Timberwolves for Summer League
• Fulton invited to second pre-draft NBA workout

The NBA Summer League is a pre-season tournament that allows teams to assess their drafted players, squad players who lacked minutes in the regular season or, in Fulton's case, undrafted players.

Fulton was on holiday in Los Angeles with some friends when his agent sent a text to say the Timberwolves wanted him to join them for a workout.

Two days later he was in Minnesota, and another workout followed with the Denver Nuggets.

But it was once he was back home in Belfast, seeing family and friends, that his agent called with the news he was hoping for.

Although Fulton missed out on selection in the draft, Minnesota liked what they saw and he was going to be part of their Summer League roster.

"I had a workout there and it must have been alright," said a modest Fulton, whose father Adrian represented Ireland.

"I was buzzing. I kind of had an idea I would be getting an update from my agent after the draft as the Timberwolves had been in touch, but I was over the moon and I'm really excited."

'The NBA would be unreal'

The Summer League, which takes place over the space of 11 days in Las Vegas in July, is an opportunity for Fulton to impress in front of the biggest names in the sport.

Fulton is aiming to become the third Irish-born player to earn the chance to compete at the highest level in the United States after Pat Burke and Susan Moran.

"It gives teams a chance to evaluate their group and make a decision on their roster going into the year," added the Ireland international.

"It's crazy to think about and I never thought I'd be in this position.

"We've a training camp in Minnesota for a few days and then we head out to Vegas as a team. I'll try and learn as much as I can and embrace the opportunity.

"Hopefully I can give a good account of myself, but it will be really cool to see all the talent. There will be 30 teams there and celebrities - the whole deal, so I'm really excited."

Fulton says "you never know what can happen" but feels he has options outside the NBA if the Timberwolves look elsewhere.

He says the G-League, the NBA's team-affiliated development league, could be on the cards or he could return to Europe to forge a professional career - as was his initial plan before his NBA dreams sparked into life.

"The NBA would be unreal but we'll see what happens.

"I never really thought it was in the picture for me. My goal coming out of college was to try and get to the highest levels of Europe.

"I didn't think I would get this opportunity but now that I'm here I'll try and make the most of it.

"It would be pretty big."

The Nets are retaining one of their key young pieces.

Brooklyn is re-signing forward Ziaire Williams to a two-year, $12 million deal, per multiple reports.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the second year of the contract is a team option for the 2026-27 season.

Acquired by Brooklyn in a July 2024 trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, Williams had his best pro season as a Net, starting 45 games while averaging 10.0 points and 4.6 rebounds.

The 23-year-old, listed at 6-foot-9, 215 pounds, was originally drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans and dealt to the Grizzles in a draft night trade. Over the course of his four NBA seasons, Williams has averaged 8.3 points and 3.2 rebounds.

What to make of Tatum's encouraging update in Achilles surgery rehab originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

You knew Jayson Tatum wasn’t going to be laid up for long.

The Boston Celtics star underwent surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon on May 13, one day after suffering the devastating injury in a Game 4 second round loss to the New York Knicks. About a month and a half later, Tatum is back in the gym doing this:

Tatum in the gym less than 50 days after injury 💪🔥

(via @jaytatum0) pic.twitter.com/LtKVggjsUX

— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) June 30, 2025

The video, which Tatum shared on his Snapchat, shows the Celtics star doing a rather intense core workout while wearing a very large brace on his right leg.

This type of workout is an impressive milestone for Tatum at such an early stage of his rehab. It sounds like he’s been itching to reach that milestone, too; here’s what the All-Star forward wrote Friday on X regarding his recovery process:

“Day 45… this is some bulls—“.

Recovery from an Achilles injury can be very grueling, as several NBA players have missed entire seasons due to similar ailments before returning to action. Tatum has a few factors working in his favor, though; he’s just 27 years old and had surgery immediately following his injury, which should aid his recovery time.

In fact, the biggest challenge for the Celtics might be ensuring Tatum doesn’t get too aggressive in his rehab and try to return to action before he’s fully healthy. Boston already has traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis this offseason to get under the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax, and if the team doesn’t look like a serious contender in 2025-26, it may not be worth trying to rush Tatum back for the end of the regular season.

President of basketball operations Brad Stevens recently suggested the Celtics have no intention of expediting Tatum’s return.

“We won’t put a projected timeline on him for a long, long time,” Stevens told reporters Wednesday. “As we look at it, there’s no reason to. It’s baby steps right now. He’s actually progressed great, but I don’t know what that means with regard to projected timelines.”

“And that’ll be in consultation with him and (trainers) Nick (Sang) and Phil Coles and everybody else to make sure when he hits the court, he is fully ready and fully healthy. And that will be the priority.”

Knowing Tatum, he’ll attack his rehab with full force and do everything he can to get back on the court as quickly as possible. But when Tatum can return to action versus when he should might be two different answers.

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NBA free agency: Tracking deals and the best available players originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s been a hectic start to the NBA offseason — and the action won’t be slowing down.

The 2025 NBA free agency period opened Monday as a long list of veterans hit the open market. The start of free agency comes less than a week after the 2025 NBA Draft was held.

This offseason has already seen the likes of Kevin Durant, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Desmond Bane, Anfernee Simons and Jalen Green change teams, among others. So, which other notable names will be on the move?

From the best available players and more, here’s what to know about NBA free agency:

When does NBA free agency start in 2025?

Teams were allowed to start negotiating and striking deals with free agents from rival clubs starting at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT/3 p.m. PT on Monday, June 30.

But contracts can’t be made official until Sunday, July 6.

What is the NBA salary cap in 2025-26?

The salary cap for 2025-26 is set at $154.6 million, the NBA confirmed Monday. That marks a roughly $14 million increase from last season.

The luxury tax is $187.9 million, with the first apron at $195.9 million and the second apron at $207.8 million.

Who are the best NBA free agents in 2025?

Here’s a look at the top names on the open market. This list will be updated with reported deals as free agents get scooped up (players listed alphabetically by last name):

Guards

• Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons
• Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards
• Bruce Brown Jr., New Orleans Pelicans
• Jared Butler, Philadelphia 76ers
• Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz (buyout)
• Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas Mavericks
• Dante Exum, Dallas Mavericks
• Javonte Green, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls (restricted)
• Eric Gordon, Philadelphia 76ers
• Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia 76ers (restricted)
• Tim Hardaway Jr., Detroit Pistons
• Gary Harris, Orlando Magic
• Aaron Holiday, Houston Rockets — reportedly re-signing with Rockets for 1 year, minimum
• Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls
• Cory Joseph, Orlando Magic
• Luke Kennard, Memphis Grizzlies
• Caris LeVert, Atlanta Hawks
• Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets
• De’Anthony Melton, Brooklyn Nets
• Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs
• Cameron Payne, New York Knicks
• Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors
• Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
• Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat
• D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets
• Dennis Schröder, Detroit Pistons
• Landry Shamet, New York Knicks
• Cameron Thomas, Brooklyn Nets (restricted)
• Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
• Russell Westbrook, Denver Nuggets
• Delon Wright, New York Knicks

Wings

• Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies (restricted) — reportedly re-signing with Grizzlies for 3 years, $52.5M
• Nicolas Batum, Los Angeles Clippers — reportedly re-signing with Clippers for 2 years, $11.5M
• Brandon Boston Jr., New Orleans Pelicans
• Amir Coffey, Los Angeles Clippers
• Dorian Finney-Smith, Los Angeles Lakers — reportedly signing with Rockets for 4 years, $53M
• Jeff Green, Houston Rockets — reportedly re-signing with Rockets for 1 year, minimum
• Caleb Houstan, Orlando Magic
• Johnny Juzang, Utah Jazz
• Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors (restricted)
• Jake LaRavia, Sacramento Kings
• Trey Lyles, Sacramento Kings
• Doug McDermott, Sacramento Kings
• Taurean Prince, Milwaukee Bucks
• Antonio Reeves, New Orleans Pelicans (restricted)
• Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets — reportedly re-signing with Rockets for 1 year, $3M
• Jabari Walker, Portland Trail Blazers

Bigs

• Precious Achiuwa, New York Knicks
• Deandre Ayton, Portland Trial Blazers (buyout)
• Marvin Bagley III, Memphis Grizzlies
• Chris Boucher, Toronto Raptors
• Thomas Bryant, Indiana Pacers
• Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks
• Luka Garza, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
• Al Horford, Boston Celtics
• Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers (restricted)
• Luke Kornet, Boston Celtics
• Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors
• Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
• Sandro Mamukelashvili, San Antonio Spurs
• Larry Nance Jr., Atlanta Hawks
• Paul Reed, Detroit Pistons — reportedly re-signing with Pistons for 2 years, $11M
• Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets — reportedly re-signing with Nets for 2 years, $12M
• Ben Simmons, Los Angeles Clippers
• Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
• Mo Wagner, Orlando Magic
• Trendon Watford, Brooklyn Nets
• Guerschon Yabusele, Philadelphia 76ers

Reports via Chris Haynes, ESPN’s Shams Charania, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto

NBA rumors: Stretch center a ‘high priority' for Warriors in free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors’ priority this NBA offseason is in place.

Golden State’s “high priority” in the opening hours of free agency is signing a stretch center, with veteran Al Horford surging as a “preferred target,” The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported Monday, citing league sources. 

While adding a stretch center is Golden State’s priority, Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency is the biggest question the Warriors have to answer this offseason, and as Slater noted, adding a free agent could complicate general manager Mike Dunleavy’s workflow. 

“If the Warriors use the taxpayer midlevel exception (projected at around $5.7 million) on Horford or another free agent, they’ll be hard-capped at the second apron, currently projected at $207.8 million,” Slater wrote. 

“The Warriors currently have nine players under contract at $170.5 million. Kuminga’s qualifying offer, extended over the weekend by the Warriors, is $7.9 million, but his cap hold is $22.9 million, further clogging the Warriors’ books if his situation drags deeper into July.”

In addition to Slater, NBA insider Marc Stein reported in his latest Substack, citing league sources, the Warriors’ interest in Horford. 

Before the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline, Golden State was the team most interested in trading for Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević. 

Dunleavy and Co., however, were unable to agree to a trade package with Chicago for the two-time All-Star.

Many believe the Warriors need a stretch five who can help anchor the rotation against bigger teams on defense while providing dynamic shooting on offense.

It now appears the Warriors will prioritize filling a massive hole ahead of a crucial 2025-26 season.

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NBA rumors: Stretch center a ‘high priority' for Warriors in free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors’ priority this NBA offseason is in place.

Golden State’s “high priority” in the opening hours of free agency is signing a stretch center, with veteran Al Horford surging as a “preferred target,” The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported Monday, citing league sources. 

While adding a stretch center is Golden State’s priority, Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency is the biggest question the Warriors have to answer this offseason, and as Slater noted, adding a free agent could complicate general manager Mike Dunleavy’s workflow. 

“If the Warriors use the taxpayer midlevel exception (projected at around $5.7 million) on Horford or another free agent, they’ll be hard-capped at the second apron, currently projected at $207.8 million,” Slater wrote. 

“The Warriors currently have nine players under contract at $170.5 million. Kuminga’s qualifying offer, extended over the weekend by the Warriors, is $7.9 million, but his cap hold is $22.9 million, further clogging the Warriors’ books if his situation drags deeper into July.”

In addition to Slater, NBA insider Marc Stein reported in his latest Substack, citing league sources, the Warriors’ interest in Horford. 

Before the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline, Golden State was the team most interested in trading for Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević. 

Dunleavy and Co., however, were unable to agree to a trade package with Chicago for the two-time All-Star.

Many believe the Warriors need a stretch five who can help anchor the rotation against bigger teams on defense while providing dynamic shooting on offense.

It now appears the Warriors will prioritize filling a massive hole ahead of a crucial 2025-26 season.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Spurs, Clippers among potential suitors for Kornet in free agency: Reports originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2025 NBA free agent class isn’t loaded with stars or franchise-altering players, but there are several veterans worth pursuing, and that includes Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet.

The 29-year-old veteran is able to become an unrestricted free agent when the market unofficially opens at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.

Any team in need of a big man this offseason should consider signing Kornet, and at least two Western Conference teams are reportedly expected to have interest in him.

Longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein wrote Sunday his Substack, “To add to another (Jake) Fischer report from Saturday night: The Clippers have also been described as a team to watch, alongside San Antonio, in the Luke Kornet chase.”

The Spurs could use a backup center who can give them quality minutes when Victor Wembanyama needs a rest. San Antonio could even play both of them at the same time, as Kornet was part of several two-big lineups in Boston. The Clippers have a very good starting center in Ivica Zubac, but their frontcourt depth overall is not great.

The Los Angeles Lakers need a center, too. They tried to acquire then-Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams at the trade deadline but the deal fell through. Williams was dealt to the Phoenix Suns during the 2025 NBA Draft last week.

The Spurs have the full mid-level exception available to them, which is around $14.1 million. Other teams with the full MLE that could use frontcourt depth include the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz.

The Athletic’s John Hollinger did contract projections for the top free agent centers earlier this month, and his salary for Kornet was in the MLE tier at $13,834,865.

The Celtics are among the teams that don’t have the full MLE available.

Kornet has spent the last three-plus seasons in Boston and carved out a valuable role for himself as a trusted center off the bench. He excels in pick-and-rolls, he rebounds at a good rate, and he defends pretty well at 7-foot-1. He’s also an excellent team chemistry guy.

Kornet displayed his value in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks last month when he scored 10 points with nine rebounds and seven blocks in a Celtics win.

The Celtics’ frontcourt depth is pretty thin after trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks last week. And with Kornet and Al Horford able to test free agency this week, Boston’s frontcourt could look a lot different next season.