As first reported by ESPN, the Grizzlies are sending the two-time All-Star guard and No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft to Portland for a swap that includes forward Jerami Grant and forward Kris Murray.
Morant is still on a contract he signed in July 2022, a five-year, $197.2 million deal. The 26-year-old is set to make $42 million and $44 million over the next two seasons and will be a free agent in the summer of 2028.
The trade comes just before the flurry of NBA free agency, which opens its negotiation period on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET.
Here are the latest reactions to the Ja Morant trade and what it could mean going forward:
Ja Morant trade reactions and rumors
Ja Morant to Portland makes you wonder.
Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, and Scoot Henderson are all there as well.
Suddenly, a Jaylen Brown to Portland trade is not all that crazy to imagine.
The Portland Trail Blazers envision a starting backcourt of Damian Lillard and Ja Morant alongside Deni Avdija on the wing. A very unconventional move that the franchise believes has upside. Ja Morant gets his fresh start. Jerami Grant and Kris Murray off to Memphis.
Following the trade of Ja Morant to Portland, the Grizzlies have now traded all three of their former franchise cornerstones — Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. — since being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.…
The Sacramento Kings were eyeing the possibility of adding Ja Morant dating back to the last NBA trade deadline, but drafting Darius Acuff, Jr., recently cooled that talk.
New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) celebrates during the fourth quarter.
Landry Shamet will be back on Broadway.
Shamet is planning on signing a four-year, $24 million deal to remain with the Knicks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) celebrates during the fourth quarter during game two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The deal was hammered out on Monday, according to the report, and keeps Shamet in the Big Apple after being a key part of the first Knicks squad to win an NBA championship in 53 years.
Shamet averaged 9.3 points per game during the regular season and 6.0 points per game during the playoffs, while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 47.5 percent from 3-point range.
Jan 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Leonard adds something the Raptors have only had when they won the title in 2019
Yes, you’ve heard that right — the Toronto Raptors have been in dire need of a true number one option on offense since they won the Larry ‘O Brien trophy seven years ago. In the midst of the ongoing talks on bringing back 2x Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to ‘The 6ix,” a question begs itself — will Kawhi be the same solution the Raptors find after all these seasons? The answer boils down to how willing GM Bobby Webster is to pull the trigger on a deal that reunites the Raptors with the Klaw.
Best Scorer on the Floor
Leonard is fresh off arguably his best regular season in the NBA thus far, putting up a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals on a consistent 50.5/38.7/89.2 shooting splits. He also managed to silence the doubts regarding his durability after suiting up for 65 appearances, which was good enough to qualify him for the In-Season Awards. Leonard finished seventh in Regular Season MVP voting while bagging his seventh All-NBA selection after being included in the second All-NBA team. Although many may know him as a bona fide playoff riser, recency bias might suggest that he’s past his prime — especially after the play-in game against the Golden State Warriors last April.
In a disappointing season-ender for the Clippers, Leonard tallied 21 points on 8-17 from the field, coupled with an abysmal 1-6 shooting from downtown. He also grabbed 7 boards and dished 3 assists, but turned the ball over five times, committing all of them in the second half. Leonard also managed to put up just six field goals in the last 24 minutes of play and scored just 7 points in the process. Based on this performance, it’s easy to say that his best years as a playoff performer are already behind him, but to declare that means not seeing the whole picture. Two-time Best Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green, held Leonard to 0 points in the second half when they were matched up against each other, according to a report by Dean Oliver.
Oliver also notes that Kawhi was a non-factor in the second half. “Kawhi Leonard was worth -8.3 net points in the second half, a half they lost by 13. He was worth -6.9 in a game they lost by 5, a threshold loss,” said Oliver. While stats like these suggest that Leonard’s load was carried by his teammates after the second-half collapse that saw them give up a double-digit lead, neglecting Green’s factor in his underwhelming production discredits the long-time Warrior’s match-up mastery and also the defensive schemes they ran against him.
With all of these factors in consideration, Leonard presents himself as a sort of “mystery box” just like he did seven years ago when questions surrounding his commitment as well as injury recovery were all up in the air. But just as the gamble that former president of Basketball Operations, Masai Ujiri, took on paid off with a Larry O’Brien trophy, so will a deal that ships Leonard back to Toronto elevate the team’s ceiling, and I think that’s a wager worth betting on.
Unlocking Scottie, Offloading Pressure
Jan 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
When Scottie Barnes was drafted 4th overall by the Raptors, many were skeptical of his choice since they thought a point guard would have been a better fit, considering Kyle Lowry’s recent departure back then. Now, Barnes operates as a point guard himself, but has the length and two-way ability that makes him a threat not just on playmaking but also guarding the other team’s best player. With Kawhi, I think he becomes just that, a two-way playmaker wing who orchestrates the offense and gets crucial stops on the other end without being relied heavily on producing buckets.
With Brandon Ingram off the floor for the series-clincher, offense was expected to revolve around Barnes. The former Florida State Seminole went off to a hot start, contributing to each of the Raptors’ first 16 points in the opening period. The Cleveland Cavaliers, however, remained in striking distance, lunging in when Barnes was off the floor to deliver their blows. The game started to swing towards the Wine and Gold after Donovan Mitchell’s superb scoring in the early phases of the third quarter. While Barnes finished with efficient numbers after going 8-14 on the field and a perfect 7-7 shooting on the charity stripe, his teammates weren’t nearly as effective as he was as they ended up losing the game, 102-114.
The majority of shots for Toronto came from RJ Barrett, Jamal Shead, and Barnes, with only Barnes having produced at a high clip. While Ingram’s absence could have negatively affected their chances on offense as a go-to crunch-time scorer, he was likewise inconsistent from the field throughout the series. The Raptors’ success hinges on Barnes’ growth as a player, and therefore, management should surround him with pieces that enable him to reach that potential. Having a more consistent number one option on offense, like Leonard, would definitely help him prosper.
What’s the price to pay?
ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that if Leonard were to sign a long-term extension after a trade, it would be with the Raptors. Although Leonard’s preference is to stay in Los Angeles, the Clippers are leaning towards “moving in a younger direction,” as per Charania.
Speculations have been swirling all week that the package would center around either Ingram or Barrett. With none of those players being 25 and under, the Raptors would have to give up young players and draft assets for the 34-year-old All-Star.
Whichever package GM Bobby Webster might put together for a swap that would bring Leonard back to the north side will not only have implications for the directions of both the Raptors and the Clippers, but this offseason will certainly have repercussions for the Klaw’s legacy in whichever city he decides to suit up for next as he nears the twilight of his career.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Thomas Bryant #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on in the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on April 02, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thomas Bryant is expected to sign a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Free agent center Thomas Bryant intends to sign a one-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN. Bryant averaged 12.2 minutes and 6.2 points over 60 games for the Cavs, who worked with Mark Bartelstein and Zach Kurtin of @PrioritySports on the new… pic.twitter.com/4ONsWu07wD
The Cavs are thin in the frontcourt. Finding talent behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen has been an issue for years. Bryant is arguably the most successful backup big that they have tried in this era, providing some quality minutes in the regular season before showing diminishing returns in the playoffs.
Bryant averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds last season. He’s a strong rebounder who occasionally spaced the floor and made double-big lineups with Mobley viable. Bryant shot 35.9% from deep last season.
Still, his lack of mobility was on display in the playoffs as he struggled to keep up with more athletic teams like the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.
There’s value in retaining talent. The Cavs understand that frontcourt depth is a weakness, and they don’t want to make it worse by losing a viable backup big. Bryant also deserves credit for being a strong locker room presence. He’s worthy of a one-year deal to return.
Nonetheless, an argument can be made that Cleveland has taken the wrong approach with fleshing out their rotation. The lack of athleticism and versatility on the wing is impossible to ignore. Continuing to sign players who don’t address that area of weakness can lead to someone like Bryant unfairly receiving the blame.
It’s not Bryant’s fault that the Cavs haven’t found other options to play in the frontcourt. But I can understand why some fans were surprised and even disappointed to see the Cavaliers commit to Bryant before free agency even officially begins.
Fans are clamoring for change, even after a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. There’s a sense of uneasiness that has crept into online discourse about the Cavs. That’s why signing a reliable backup option like Bryant can be met with anguish. He’s a solid veteran to have on your bench. But he’s not what this team needs. And until the Cavs find some true depth on the wing, signings like this will be met with complaints.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 11: General manager Rafael Stone looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center on February 11, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The soap opera meta drama that is the NBA offseason has already begun in one sense with the draft, and the trades of big name players like Giannis and Lamelo. (You are a big name if people just know you by one name.)
Tonight at 7pm CST, though, we’ll see the start of the real drama. Who will sign where? Who will get traded as part of this? What sort of redundant player will the Rockets sign (currently suggestions are Marcus Smart, as clearly the Rockets main issue is what they’re best at, defense, and not what they’re worst at, offense). Smart looked good in the series against the Rockets, and had a better season that you might think. I’d really rather not watch him for a full season (or whatever he manages to play) as a Rocket, though. Doubling down on grit, rather than “can get his own shot” will surely be the best path forward, though.
There’s some talk the Rockets might exchange Smart for DFS to the Lakers, which, if it happens, is fine I guess. Fine in a “free continental buffet” of gummy bagels sort of way.
There are a few interesting unrestricted free agents out there, though the Rockets ability to sign one is very limited in high dollar ranges barring a trade. I don’t really bother listing unrestricted free agents, as there’s really no reason to do so until the situation heads towards “qualifying offer” territory, or they get an offer from another team for their current team to match.
The two biggest names who are unrestricted free agents will be familiar – LeBron James, and James Harden. Most people think that the Cavs will bring Harden back on some sort of deal. Where LeBron takes his talents could be interesting. Though he was still a very good player at 41, just not the best player in the NBA, as he spent much of his career being. This will mark the first time I’m aware of in James’ 20+ year career that he has hit free agency without a new deal obviously in place.
There are still some players who seem likely to be traded around too. Jalen Brown is the most notable, rumors with the Rockets and Brown have been hot and cold, but are currently cold.
The NBA, in its wisdom, decided to start the action not at the stroke of midnight on the East Coast, but at 7pm. This is much more reasonable, and respectful of Brian Windhorst’s bedtime.
Anyhow, I’ll probably add things to this story as significant NBA, or relatively insignificant Rockets events break.
Discussion Question: Socrates once asked “Can virtue be taught?”* Tonight, for our symposium, I’ll ask, “Can shooting be taught?”
Let me leave you with a trade to ponder. (Ducks.)
Memphis wouldn’t do this? Are you sure? There’s no more toxic asset in the NBA right now than Ja Morant. But what if…
BREAKING! UPDATE! BREAKING! BROKE! BROKEN!
Portland has, of their own free will, apparently, traded for Ja Morant. He went for the low, low, price of Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. No other terms are known just now. So we’re safe from that trade.
Of the Grizzlies “Team of The Future, Look Out Western Conference” no one remains. Kind of an Ozymandias type thing for the Rockets, maybe.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics have picked up team options for Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, and Dalano Banton ahead of next season, as first reported by The Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. Queta is due to make $2.7 million next season, Walsh will make $2.4 million, and Banton $2.8 million.
Both Walsh and Banton’s options are non-guaranteed (last year, the Celtics picked up JD Davison’s non-guaranteed option, but waived him later in the summer before he signed with the Houston Rockets).
The Celtics also declined team options for Max Shulga and Amari Williams, both of last year’s second-round picks. They did not extend a qualifying offer to John Tonje, who is an unrestricted free agent. Both players are eligible to return to the Celtics on two-way contracts, which they began the season on.
Neemias Queta remains a likely candidate for an extension
Neemias Queta could very well sign an extension with the Celtics in the coming days after establishing himself as the team’s starting center last season.
Queta, who is 26 years old, has had a long journey to get to this point; he was the 39th overall pick in 2021 but was waived by the Sacramento Kings two years later. He joined the Celtics on a two-way contract shortly after and began his tenure with the organization in Maine.
Queta was fourth in the team’s frontcourt depth chart during his first two seasons in Boston. But he became the starting center after the Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis and saw Al Horford and Luke Kornet walk away in free agency.
Last season, Queta averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 65.3% from the field. He averaged 25.3 minutes across 76 games, both career-highs.
But, playing postseason minutes for the first time, Queta struggled in the playoffs. Due to foul trouble, he was limited to just 21.7 minutes per game. He put together his best performance in Game 7, tallying 17 points (on 7-8 FG) and 12 rebounds in 33 minutes, all playoff career highs.
What is his market value after a career season? That remains to be seen.
Jordan Walsh is also eligible for an extension with the team
Walsh is also coming off a career year; in his third season, he averaged 5.4 points and 4 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game, shooting 50.9% from the field and 38.4% from three. Walsh started 25 games, oftentimes matching up against opposing teams’ best players, and recorded career-highs across the board. Walsh, who is 22 years old, was drafted 38th overall in 2023.
The Celtics agreed to a 3-year, $9 million extension with Ron Harper Jr on Saturday. Harper Jr. averaged 3.2 points in 11 minutes per game last season, after beginning the season on a training camp contract.
Jaylen Brown (July) and Payton Pritchard (October) are also both eligible for contract extensions in the coming months.
Ja Morant appears to be available in trade talks and the Milwaukee Bucks are leaders to acquire him.
Two-time NBA All-Star and one of the league’s most controversial players off the court, Ja Morant, was traded by the Grizzlies on Monday.
Morant was dealt to the Trail Blazers, uniting him with Portland stars Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson, in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported.
The deal ends a turbulent tenure for Morant in Memphis, where he became a household name while simultaneously finding himself in increasingly significant trouble due to gun-related incidents off the court as well as injury issues. Morant appeared in just 79 games over the past three seasons due to suspensions and injuries.
Ja Morant appears to be available in trade talks and the Milwaukee Bucks are leaders to acquire him. Getty Images
At his best, Morant is one of the top players in the NBA, and his early career reflected the talent that he possesses.
He won Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player in his first two seasons in the NBA, which included a 2021-22 season in which he averaged 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
Morant was named to the NBA All-Star Game in 2022 and 2023, as well as earning All-NBA Second Team honors in 2021-22.
Morant played just 20 games for the Grizzlies this season AP
But things quickly turned for him in 2023, when, in March of that year, Morant was suspended for eight games for conduct detrimental to the league and then started the 2023-24 season with a 25-game ban.
Both stemmed from Morant flashing a firearm on livestreams on his social media.
He was also suspended for one game by the Grizzlies after an incident in November with head coach Tuomas Iisalo following a loss to the Lakers.
Now with Morant and the remaining two years and $87 million left on his contract gone, the Grizzlies have disbanded the core group of players that was once the cornerstone of the franchise, which included Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Ja Morant in a trade that will send Jerami Grant and Kris Murray back to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to multiple reports.
ESPN's Shams Charania was first to report the deal.
Morant will receive a fresh start after his time in Memphis was filled with highlight reels and controversy, which was marked by off-the-court issues that led to three suspensions in the past three years. The two-time All-Star was suspended for eight games in March 2023 after he displayed a firearm in a live-streamed video from a Denver-area nightclub.
Just four months later, the NBA suspended him again, this time for 25 games, for another video in which he was showing a firearm. This season, he was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team following a postgame incident with head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Morant has only played in 79 games during the past three seasons due to injuries and off-the-court issues.
Morant signed a five-year, $197.2 million contract in July 2022 and is in the third year of that deal. Morant made $39.4 million for the 2025-26 season, is due $42 million and $44 million over the next two seasons and is scheduled to hit free agency in the summer of 2028.
Ja Morant age
Morant is 26 years old. He was drafted by the Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after two seasons at Murray State. During his sophomore season with the Racers, Morant averaged 26.8 points, 11 assists and 6.2 rebounds a game, earning Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors and being named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press.
Ja Morant stats for 2025-26
Playing in only 20 games this past season, Morant averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds in a career-low 28.5 minutes per game. He shot 41% from the floor and only 24% from 3-point range and was shut down in March due to a UCL sprain in his left elbow.
Ja Morant career stats
During his seven-season NBA career, Morant has averaged 22.4 points and 7.4 assists per game. The two-time All-Star was named the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player for the 2021-22 season.
CBAMavs here and I’m back after a long hiatus. This is a small preview at the last minute to help you know what the Mavericks can legally do to improve the roster for the 2026-27 season. It was important to wait until after the draft to use the actual numbers for the draft picks.
This is what the Mavericks’ current cap sheet looks like:
Under or Over?
The Mavericks are slightly under the salary cap ($2,960,632) but will operate over the cap. This is because staying over the cap allows them to take advantage of different salary cap exceptions that they’d have to renounce to actually dip below the salary cap. To operate under the cap, the Mavericks would have to renounce all their free agent’s cap holds (Middleton, Powell, Bagley, Williams, Cisse), lose their Traded Player Exceptions (TPE) ($20,830,154) [Davis], ($6,000,000) [Hardy], ($2,296,274) [Exum] and lose access to the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (NT-MLE) ($15,048,000 up to 4 years) and the Bi-Annual Exception (BAE) ($5,478,000 up to 2 years). The Mavericks would gain back the Room Exception ($9,369,000 up to 3 years) by going under the cap, but the Room Exception + the cap space acquired is less than the Non-Tax Mid-Level Exception by itself.
And they would be able to use these since the Mavericks currently sit $45,616,047 below the 1st apron.
This is what the Mavericks Cap Sheet looks like if they used the NTMLE, the BAE, and their largest TPE.
They would still be $4,259,893 below the 1st Apron even after using these exceptions. As they will be operating over the cap and are $45,616,047 below the 1st Apron. How can the Mavericks use that Apron Room?
Free Agents
Own Free Agents
Cap Holds
Khris Middleton $51,018,518 (Full Bird)
Marvin Bagley $2,450,001 (Non-bird rights)
Brandon Williams $2,450,001 (Full Bird)
Dwight Powell $7,600,000 (Full Bird)
Moussa Cisse $2,185,633 Restricted Cap Hold
Re-signing these players
Bird Rights: We can offer them anything they’d like, up to their specific max. 0-6 years’ experience is 25%, 7-9 years’ experience is 30%, and 10+ years’ experience is 35%. Not that any of our players deserve anything close to a max, though.
Non-Bird rights mean the Mavericks can only give a 20% raise. For Bagley, that means the Mavericks can only offer up to $3,697,105 using the non-Bird rights. This is likely not enough, so they would have to use another exception to sign Bagley if they wanted to keep him.
Signing other Free Agents
NT-MLE: 15,048,000 (up to 4 years with 5% raises) (total for 4 years/$64,706,400)
BAE 5,478,000 (up to 2 years with 5% raises) (total is 2 years/$11,229,900)
The MLE (and BAE) can be split among multiple players. The first year salary is what is used to reduce the MLE/BAE.
In the new CBA, the MLE and BAE can also be used at Traded Player Exceptions, in addition to the normal path of using them to sign a free agent.
Trading for Players
Trade rules below the 1st Apron
Up to $7.25 million in outgoing salary can bring back 200 percent plus $250,000
$7,250,001 to $29 million will be padded by a flat $7.5 million
Above $29 million will be limited to 125 percent plus $250,000
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 1: The sneakers worn by Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 1, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 31: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 31, 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
James Harden declined his player option and plans to sign a new deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Harden’s player option was worth $42.3 million dollars next season.
Cleveland Cavaliers' James Harden is declining his $42.3 million player option for 2026-27 and the sides are working through a new multiyear deal together, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/UiE1bn3BnP
Harden’s new deal could be in the $28-30 million a year range, according to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon.
“Harden’s yearly salary is expected to drop into the $28 million to $30 million range, but he can sign a contract that extends for up to three seasons.”
Editor’s note: The Athletic has since updated their story and changed Harden’s expected salary to $32-$38 million.
The Cavs understood this was part of the deal when they traded for Harden in February. This was never going to be a one-year rental. Cleveland is working to restructure a team-friendly contract that keeps both sides happy. Harden gets long-term insurance while the Cavs are able to cut costs.
Harden’s new deal could help them get under the second apron and put them in a position where ducking the first apron becomes possible. Though that would require additional moves. The Cavs have decisions to make regarding Keon Ellis and Dean Wade’s future.
Cleveland had the highest payroll in league history last season. This culminated in a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced a swift exit at the hands of the New York Knicks.
Harden averaged 16 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 4.3 turnovers in the Conference Finals. He shot 38.9% from the field and 17.9% from the three-point line. No one on the roster can feel proud of the way that series went down. The eventual champs ran them out of the gym.
The Cavs are hoping to take another step next season. They’re betting on internal growth, generally indicating that the core of this team will be back for another run. Signing Harden to a new deal is another sign of this. Of course, things can change quickly, and actions speak louder than words.
Harden is likely entering the final chapter of his career. He turns 37 in August, and a three-season deal would take him to the edge of his 40s. This could be the last major deal that Harden gets to sign as an NBA player.
Simmons, who turns 30 years old next month, didn't play in the NBA this past season and instead pursued a career in professional fishing. He last played for the Los Angeles Clippers, appearing in 18 games after the Brooklyn Nets bought out his contract during the 2024-25 season. Simmons became a co-owner and angler for Sport Fishing Championship's South Florida Sails in December 2025.
“I plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my (butt) on the court, and then the team realizing that my abilities will be needed,” Simmons said in regards to a potential return to the NBA. “I don’t have a plan on where.”
“Maybe I’ll go back to Philly,” he added. “Miami would be nice. And not because it’s Miami – I like Erik Spoelstra, I like the Heat, I like their organization, I like the culture.”
Simmons, the No. 1 pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, was once one of the top defensive players in the league, with point-forward capabilities that offset his inability to shoot from the outside on offense. Persistent injury problems eventually limited his long-term effectiveness.
The 6-foot-11 Australian appeared in more than 50 games just once over his five most recent NBA seasons, and missed the entire 2021-22 campaign due to an extended holdout and back injury with the 76ers.
Ben Simmons fishing career
Simmons began pursuing a professional fishing career while not playing in the NBA during the 2025-26 season, according to reports. He became a co-owner and angler for the South Florida Sails of the Sport Fishing Championship in December 2025.
“Who would’ve thought we’d be on ESPN for some fishing?” Simmons told Men's Health.
Ben Simmons contract
Simmons noted in the interview that he's an unrestricted free agent and coaches have told him there's a spot in the NBA for him if he's healthy. The five-year maximum contract extension he signed with the 76ers was set to expire after the 2024-25 season, prior to Simmons agreeing to a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets.
Ben Simmons stats
Simmons has career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists on 55.8% shooting. He averaged 5 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game with the Nets and Clippers during the 2024-25 season.
The city is honoring the Knicks’ legendary championship clinch by installing temporary street signs feting them in Manhattan – but New Yorkers say it’s only a matter of time before the instant-classic markers are clinched by die-hard fans.
The 18 blue and orange signs, dispersed across Sixth and Seventh avenues Monday, will remain up for a month, with each honoring a member of the team.
The new sign for Jalen Brunson Boulveard at West 11th Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan seen on June 29, 2026. New York City has honored the entire Knicks roster by temporarily naming streets after the players. Stephen Yang for NY PostA NYC DOT employee putting up a sign at “Josh Hart Street” on Monday. NYC DOT
“I probably would have been up attempting to” snag Jalen Brunson’s sign if people weren’t around, quipped fan Caleb Vasquez to The Post.
“It’s amazing,” he said of the street-sign gesture. “It’s been 53 years, it’s the least we could do to celebrate the team.”
Syd Bland, 29, a project manager from Brooklyn, said of Brunson’s sign at Seventh Avenue South and West 11th Street, “Listen, it’s 3:02 right now on a Monday.
“It’s going to be gone by 11:58 tonight.”
A 41-year-old artist named Faust added, “To be honest, I was walking up Sixth Avenue, and I thought it already got taken.
Ayanna Reed-Steward, Mia Hernandez, Syd Bland, Taylor Ghosten-Jordan and Kendyll Smith (left to right) taking a selfie at the Jalen Brunson Boulevard sign. Stephen Yang for NY Post
“Funny enough, I think on Bowery there was a street sign named after the Ramones, and that was the most stolen street sign in New York history. So I wouldn’t be surprised if this one takes the new crown.”
City Hall and the Department of Transportation, which produces the signs, did not respond to a Post request for comment about what steps they might be taking to combat the potential thefts.
A female director at JPMorgan Chase was already infamously caught on video emptying a celebratory public Knicks trash can on the street — then stealing it during the team’s parade — a move that got her fired.
The sign for “Trey Jemison III Place” at West 50th Street and 7th Avenue. Stephen Yang for NY Post
Each new Knicks city street sign will feature a player’s name and will correspond to their jersey number – with the likes of Jalen Brunson taking Seventh Avenue South and West 11 Street and Karl-Anthony Towns repping Seventh Avenue and West 32 Street.
“This New York Knicks team brought so much life to our streets during their magical playoff run, so it’s only right we return the favor,” Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn said in a statement.
“With each postseason win, more and more New Yorkers came together in the streets, on sidewalks and in plazas to watch the Knicks play and celebrate their improbable comebacks. New Yorkers will never forget this historic championship run or the players that brought them together for the most joyful 10 weeks we’ve ever experienced.”
Jay Jones, 42, posing with his son Roman, 9, in front of the new Brunson sign. Stephen Yang for NY Post
The DOT signs will be up for four weeks, a rep for the city said, adding to iconic 34th Street being painted in the team’s colors through the 2026-27 NBA season.
The champs’ respective street signs can be found as follows:
Sixth Avenue and West Houston Street – Jordan Clarkson #00
Sixth Avenue and Bleecker Street – Dillon Jones #1
Sixth Avenue and Minetta Lane –Miles “Deuce” McBride #2
Sixth Avenue and West 3rd Street – Josh Hart #3
Sixth Avenue and West 4th Street – Pacôme Dadiet #4
Sixth Avenue and Washington Place – Jose Alvarado #5
Sixth Avenue and West 8th Street – OG Anunoby #8
Sixth Avenue and West 9th Street – Kevin McCullar Jr.# 9
Seventh Avenue South and West 11th Street – Jalen Brunson #11
Seventh Avenue and West 13th Street – Tyler Kolek #13
Seventh Avenue and West 20th Street – Jeremy Sochan #20
Seventh Avenue and West 23rd Street – Mitchell Robinson #23
Seventh Avenue and West 25th Street – Mikal Bridges #25
Seventh Avenue and West 32nd Street – Karl-Anthony Towns #32
Sixth Avenue and West 44th Street – Landry Shamet #44
Seventh Avenue and West 50th Street – Trey Jemison III #50
Seventh Avenue and West 51st Street – Mohamed Diawara #51
Seventh Avenue and West 55th Street – Ariel Hukporti #55
Aaron Friedman, a 45-year-old software engineer, agreed with other locals that there is “a high likelihood” for theft.
“I think people are going to try,” added a 35-year-old fan named Ricky.
“I was thinking I might pop out … when they’re taking it down, but I doubt they’ll give it to me,” he said of city workers.
The Knicks celebrate their NBA championship win earlier this month. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThen team’s historic postseason win – the Knicks’ first in 53 years — lands the Knickerbockers a ticker-tape parade through the Canyon of Heroes. Stephen Yang for NY Post
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement, “This championship belongs to every fan who packed our parks and plazas and every neighbor who high-fived a stranger after another impossible comeback.”
“These street signs are a tribute to the players who delivered the championship generations of fans waited their whole lives to see and the city that stood behind them every step of the way,” he said.
“Long after the confetti is gone, New Yorkers will be able to walk these streets and remember the team that brought our city so much joy. Knicks in five.”
DENVER, CO - MARCH 29: Quinten Post #21 of the Golden State Warriors looks to pass during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 29, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors are looking to make some loud moves during this offseason period, but every team needs to make some quiet ones, as well. And the Dubs did just that on Monday, when, per a Keith Smith report, they extended the Qualifying Offer to a trio of young players: Quinten Post, Taran Armstrong, and Nico Mannion.
Post is the most notable name in that trio, as the seven-foot marksman started 35 games for Golden State a year ago. The 52nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Post has played in 109 games for the Warriors, and has averaged 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.5 blocks per game, while shooting 36.4% on threes.
The Qualifying Offer, which is a one-year deal based on what a player was making the prior year, should be about $2.64 million for Post. Should he accept the deal, he’ll return to the Warriors on a one-year contract for that price, and enter unrestricted free agency next offseason. If he rejects the contract (which is more likely), then he becomes a restricted free agent, and the Warriors will have the opportunity to match any contract he is offered this summer.
As for Armstrong and Mannion, this is just about keeping their rights should they return to the NBA at some point down the road. Neither player was on Golden State’s roster last season, as Armstrong (who has yet to make his NBA debut) briefly signed a two-way contract, while Mannion (the team’s second-round pick in 2020) hasn’t been in the NBA since the 2020-21 season. Neither player figures into Golden State’s plans this year: Armstrong signed a two-year deal in Australia last month, while Mannion has been playing in Europe for five years.
Bob Iger is said to be eyeing a new Magic Kingdom in Las Vegas — an NBA franchise.
The former Disney boss — and Thrive Capital founder Josh Kushner, brother of President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner — have enlisted bankers as they weigh a push for a majority stake in a potential Las Vegas expansion team, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing people familiar with the private talks.
No bid price has been disclosed, and the NBA has not yet approved a Las Vegas franchise.
The possible play would run through Thrive Eternal, Kushner’s new long-term investment vehicle aimed at buying stakes in sports teams, cultural brands and other assets built to outlast the tech cycle, according to the report.
Former Disney CEO Bob Iger (second from left) and Thrive Capital founder Josh Kushner (far left) are reportedly exploring a bid for an NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
Iger rejoined Thrive as an adviser after stepping down as CEO of Disney in March.
The reported pursuit would mark another high-profile ownership bid in what has quickly become a crowded race for one of the most coveted prizes in professional sports ownership.
The NBA’s Board of Governors voted in March to formally study expansion in Las Vegas and Seattle, with Commissioner Adam Silver saying the league hopes to determine by the end of the year whether to add one franchise, two franchises or none at all.
After stepping down as Disney CEO, Bob Iger is reportedly eyeing an NBA franchise in Las Vegas. REUTERS
Las Vegas has long been viewed as the leading contender after evolving into one of the NBA’s showcase destinations.
The city hosts the league’s annual Summer League, staged the NBA Cup’s semifinal and championship games and already has an NBA-ready venue in T-Mobile Arena.
The Iger-Kushner team would face stiff competition.
Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has also been linked to a separate ownership group exploring a Las Vegas bid.
LeBron James, who for years publicly expressed interest in owning an NBA team in Las Vegas, poured cold water on speculation about his interest earlier this year, saying he was not pursuing an ownership bid.
Josh Kushner has a net worth exceeding $5 billion, according to Forbes. Getty Images
For Iger, the effort would represent his latest move into sports investing after ending his second stint atop Disney in March.
The longtime entertainment executive helped transform Disney into a media powerhouse through acquisitions including Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and most of 21st Century Fox, while overseeing ESPN’s decades-long relationship with the NBA.
His relationship with Kushner has also deepened in recent years.
Iger first joined Thrive Capital as a venture partner after retiring from Disney in 2022. He famously came back to Disney’s board when it recruited him to replace Bob Chapek later that year.
Although he returned to Disney, Iger remained an investor in Thrive after joining a syndicate that purchased a minority stake in the venture capital firm in 2023.
His return this spring coincided with the launch of a new arm called Thrive Eternal. Its first announced investment was a minority stake in Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants.
Kushner has built Thrive into one of Silicon Valley’s most influential investment firms through early bets on companies including Instagram and OpenAI, while increasingly expanding beyond traditional venture investing into sports and entertainment.
Thrive declined to comment. The Post has sought comment from Iger and the NBA.
