The NBA offseason still has a handful of unresolved situations and, with that, comes drama and buzz about the futures of the best free agents and potential trade targets.
We’ve got you covered, tracking all the rumors from in and around the league.
Sept. 15
Kuminga, Warriors at stalemate
“Do you want to be here?”
“Do you even want me here?”
The Warriors and restricted free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga remain at a standstill about a new deal, with the player having a crucial face-to-face conversation with team owner Joe Lacob in August, according to ESPN. Warriors GM Dunleavy offered Kuminga a three-year, $75.2 million deal with a team option in the third season, but according to the report, “the subliminal understanding that the contract is more trade asset than commitment to a partnership.”
Kuminga, a four-year veteran, wants a player option in his deal. The Warriors, however, are seemingly not budging there and want to include a team option in any potential contract.
Sept. 4
Ben Simmons retiring?
While nothing definitive has crossed the news wires yet, Ben Simmons is reportedly debating between signing on as a late-offseason free agent or retiring, per the New York Post. To add fuel to the latter’s fire, his agent, Bernie Lee, told NBA reporter Marc Stein that he notified the NBPA that he no longer represents Simmons.
Simmons, 29, has dealt with numerous injuries in his seven-year career, including undergoing multiple back surgeries. He has also disappeared almost entirely as a scoring presence of any kind: Simmons averaged 15.9 points per game from 2017-18 through 2020-21, then in the seasons following his year off due to injury and a holdout with the Sixers, his average dropped to 5.9 per game, and fell to 2.9 in 2024-2025 during his 18 games with the Clippers after he was waived by the Nets in early February.
The Knicks are one of the clubs reportedly interested in bringing Simmons aboard, however, they can only offer him the veteran minimum. The Celtics, Kings and Suns were also reported to have interest in Simmons back in July, per ESPN.
Sept. 3
Washington has signed a four-year, $90 million extension with the Mavericks, per ESPN. The 27-year-old Washington was entering the final season of a three-year, $46.5 million deal. In what was his first full season with the franchise, Washington averaged 14.7 points and a career-high 7.8 rebounds per game last year, while shooting 45.3/38.1/72.2. Dallas is coming off a 39-43 season that saw it lose in the final round of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Aug. 31
It appears that Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee to start the 2025-26 season, per ESPN. The news comes after the Bucks signed his brother, Thanasis, to a one-year deal. Antetokounmpo reportedly explored a potential move this offseason after 12 seasons with Milwaukee after the team lost in the first round of the playoffs for the third straight season. His current contract is set to take him through the 2027 season with a $62.7 million player option for 2028.
Aug. 9
Could the No. 6 and No. 7 picks in the 2021 NBA Draft be traded for each other? Such a scenario exists, as the Warriors have interest in a trade centered around sending Kuminga to the Chicago Bulls for Giddey, according to Bleacher Report. Both players are restricted free agents.
Last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points in 24.3 minutes per game in 47 regular-season contests while shooting 45.4/30.5/66.8. Meanwhile, Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 46.5/37.8/78.1. Furthermore, after Chicago traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings, Giddey averaged 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 49.5/45.7/80.3 across his last 24 games. Giddey spent the first three seasons of his NBA career with the Oklahoma City Thunder before being acquired by Chicago in the 2023-24 NBA offseason.
July 30
Kuminga continues to reject a two-year, $45 million offer from the Warriors, per ESPN. Kuminga reportedly doesn’t want a team option in the contract, while the Kings and Phoenix Suns have shown continued interest in acquiring Kuminga via a sign-and-trade and are willing to offer him a contract in the ballpark of a four-year, $90 million deal.
July 28
Nearly a month after he accepted his player option for the 2025-26 season, questions still linger around James’ future with the Lakers. With nothing being reported as settled between the NBA’s all-time scoring leader and the Lakers, James is believed to have a curiosity about potentially joining the Mavericks. However, Dallas is only interested in adding James if he were to be bought out of his contract. Joining the Mavericks would allow James to reunite with two of his top teammates ever: Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. He could also join Cooper Flagg, the highly-touted first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, as Dallas seeks to contend following a disappointing 2024-25 season that was defined by its shocking decision to trade Luka Dončić.
July 26
The Warriors are being cautious about whether they want to commit to signing Kuminga to a long-term deal in the event that Antetokounmpo becomes available on the trade market, per The San Francisco Standard.
July 19
The Clippers, who still have two open spots on their projected 15-man roster, are “strongly considering” signing the veteran free agent point guard, according to ClutchPoints. Paul, who started all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs during his 20th season, is hoping to be a starter again for the 2025-26 season, per The Associated Press.
July 18
Amid speculation over his NBA future, Valanciunas is expected to be with the team when the season starts. Nuggets general manager Ben Tenzer said the team has “no concerns” about the possibility of the newly added center not showing up for training camp this fall, according to HoopsHype. The 33-year-old was reportedly close to accepting a three-year contract offer from the EuroLeague, but the Nuggets were never motivated to let him out of his contract.
July 13
The Celtics superstar is taking part in recruiting efforts to get free agent Lillard to Boston, according to a report from The Boston Globe. Lillard and Tatum are both expected to miss most or all of next season recovering from a torn Achilles injury. The pair previously played together on Team USA during the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Last season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points in 58 games for the Bucks, who surprisingly released the nine-time All-Star and stretched the remaining $112.6 million owed to him over the next two seasons to clear cap room.
July 12
Multiple teams actively talking about trading for LeBron James
Four teams have contacted James’ agent about the possibility of trading for him, according to a report from ESPN on Saturday. The 40-year-old Lakers star opted into his $52.6 million player option with the team in June and neither side has discussed a contract extension, leading many to believe that James’ time in Los Angeles is nearing an end. James averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds in 71 games for the Lakers last season. He’s currently set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
July 10
There’s still an air of uncertainty around Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks, but he made one thing certain: he won’t be taking his talents to the Big Apple.
Antetokounmpo discussed the possibility of living and playing in New York during a stream with popular internet personality IShowSpeed. “A lot of people have tried to convince me to play [in New York], however nah,” Antetokounmpo mentioned, additional making it identified that he would not play for the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets. Antetokounmpo was requested if that meant he’d be remaining with the Bucks. “We’ll see,” he replied. “Most likely, I really like Milwaukee.”
Although Antetokounmpo’s title has been concerned in commerce rumors because the Bucks’ first-round playoff exit, he has been comparatively silent about his future in Milwaukee. He reportedly hasn’t requested a commerce, however ESPN reported in Might that Antetokounmpo was extra open to the concept of presumably transferring on from Milwaukee than he was prior to now.
The Bucks had been arguably among the many extra aggressive groups within the first week of free company. They surprisingly signed former Indiana Pacers heart Myles Turner to a four-year deal. In one other surprising transfer, they waived-and-stretched All-Star guard Lillard to make the deal occur, forcing them to tackle the remaining $112 million on his contract. Antetokounmpo, 30, is beneath contract via the tip of the 2027-28 season, however he can decide out of his deal following the 2026-27 season.
July 8
Nikola Jokić not signing contract extension
Jokić has reportedly knowledgeable the Nuggets that he will not signal a contract extension this offseason. Jokić, a three-time MVP, was eligible so as to add three years at $212 million to his pre-existing contract, which has two years left at $106 million. It is probably that Jokić is selecting to place off signing an extension with the Nuggets till after this season, as a result of if he waits till the 2026 offseason he can signal a deal through which he’d earn a further $80 million. Nevertheless, it is alarming as there was some rumbling in regards to the Nuggets’ willingness to commerce Jokić if it helped them keep away from the second tax apron, and it is necessary they lock up arguably the game’s greatest participant on a longer-term deal.
July 6
The Suns are anticipated to buyout Beal’s contract within the coming days. The reported particulars of the buyout would price Beal $13.9 million of his remaining $110.8 million deal. It could then clear the best way for the Suns to waive Beal and stretch the remaining $96.9 million over the following 5 years and end result within the workforce ducking each tax aprons. As soon as Beal clears waivers, potential suitors that might choose him up embrace the Clippers and the Miami Warmth.
July 2
Lillard was waived by the Bucks and already has groups lining as much as purchase his companies regardless of being set to overlook everything of the 2025-26 NBA season with an Achilles harm. Contenders such because the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Warriors are among the many groups desirous about bringing within the veteran level guard as soon as he clears waivers. Lillard, who turns 35 on July 15, is a nine-time All-Star coming off his fourth straight All-Star season.
Throughout his two seasons in Milwaukee, whom he joined in a commerce after 11 years in Portland, he averaged 24.6 factors and 7 assists per recreation. Nevertheless, he wasn’t capable of make a lot of an influence on every of their postseason runs, as he handled a strained Achilles throughout the 2024 playoffs and returned from deep vein thrombosis halfway via the Bucks’ first-round collection within the 2025 playoffs. He then sustained a torn Achilles within the elimination Sport 5 towards the Pacers this season.
June 30
Clarkson and the Utah Jazz are reportedly finalizing a contract buyout. Clarkson, who’s heading into his twelfth NBA season, was set to make $14.3 million. Now, he’ll head to the open market and be one of many prime unrestricted free brokers in a somewhat weak 2025 class. Clarkson, who gained the NBA Sixth Man of the 12 months award in 2020-2021, averaged 16.2 factors per recreation and three.7 assists, whereas taking pictures a career-low 40.8% from the sector.
June 29
The previous first total choose is reportedly negotiating a contract buyout from the Path Blazers. Ayton, 26, was beneath contract for $35.5 million this season. He is now arguably essentially the most coveted heart available on the market. Ayton averaged 14.4 factors, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per recreation in 40 appearances for Portland final season.
The Houston Rockets have a big-money dedication to the previous third total choose. Smith, who turned 22 in Might, plans to signal a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension that is absolutely assured via the 2030-31 season. Smith began 39 video games for Houston final season, averaging 12.2 factors, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per recreation.
Like a few different stars forward of free company, Harden will even decline his participant possibility for the 2025-26 season with a view to signal an extension. The star guard intends to signal a two-year, $81.5 million extension with the Clippers after declining his participant possibility for subsequent season, ESPN reported. The deal will preserve Harden in Los Angeles for not less than a 3rd season. As a part of the brand new contract, Harden’s contract for the 2026-27 season is reportedly partially assured. Harden was named an All-Star for the eleventh time this previous season, serving to the Clippers earn the fifth seed within the Western Convention earlier than dropping to the Nuggets within the first spherical of the playoffs.
Portis agreed to a three-year, $44 million cope with the Bucks forward of his pending free company, ESPN reported. Portis, 30, has arguably been one of many league’s higher function gamers over the previous few years, however he solely performed 49 video games final season because of a 25-game suspension for utilizing Tramadol, an opioid ache remedy.
The three-time All-Star ahead has declined his participant possibility for subsequent season however will signal a three-year, $100 million extension with the Timberwolves, ESPN reported. The deal reportedly features a participant possibility for the 2027-28 season. Randle, 30, was a key piece for the Timberwolves of their run to a second straight Western Convention finals look, averaging 21.7 factors per recreation within the postseason in his first 12 months with the workforce. The Timberwolves acquired him in a cope with the Knicks simply days earlier than the beginning of coaching camp this previous season.
The veteran wing will check the open market, declining his $15.4 million participant possibility for subsequent season, ESPN reported. Finney-Smith was a key a part of the Lakers’ rotation after they acquired him in a midseason commerce. The choice by Finney-Smith places the Lakers roughly $9 million under the primary luxurious tax apron.
OKC re-signs function gamers
A pair of end-of-the-rotation gamers will stay in Oklahoma Metropolis after profitable the NBA title. Each Jaylin Williams and Ajay Mitchell have agreed to new offers forward of hitting the open mark, ESPN reported. Williams’ deal is reportedly a three-year, $24 million pact with an possibility for the third 12 months, whereas Mitchell’s deal is a three-year, $9 million pact.
The veteran wing, who’s identified for his prowess as a 3-point shooter, will check free company. He’s declining his $20 million early termination possibility with the Warmth, however continues to be seeking to work out a cope with the workforce, in accordance with ESPN.
June 28
The Thunder are buying and selling guard Jones and a second-round choose to the Wizards, in accordance with ESPN. The Wizards are additionally sending guard Colby Jones to the Thunder, who will then launch him.
Mitchell intends to signal a two-year, $24 million deal to return to Miami, in accordance with ESPN. The 26-year-old guard was a vivid spot for Miami after being traded from Toronto as a part of the multi-team deal that despatched Jimmy Butler to Golden State.
Batum is declining his $4.9 million participant possibility for the 2025-26 season to grow to be a free agent, in accordance with ESPN, though there stays curiosity in a brand new deal between the veteran ahead and the Clippers.
Merrill will signal a four-year, $38-million contract to remain in Cleveland, in accordance with ESPN. The 28-year-old averaged 7.2 factors per recreation on 40.6% taking pictures from the sector, together with 37.2% from distance, in 71 appearances final season.
Kuminga is anticipated to grow to be a restricted free agent after the Warriors supplied him a $7.9 million qualifying supply, in accordance with ESPN. The Warriors have the appropriate to match any supply and may discover sign-and-trade choices as effectively. Kuminga fell out and in of the rotation for Steve Kerr final season after the commerce for Butler, however the Warriors nonetheless think about him a precedence signing this offseason.
June 27
T-wolves intend to signal Naz Reid to new deal
All indicators pointed in the direction of Reid declining his $15 million participant possibility after the 2025 season, however it was unclear if that might result in a summer season of free company or a brand new cope with the Timberwolves. Now, it appears the latter is extra probably. Reid intends to signal a five-year, $125 million deal that might preserve him in Minnesota via the 2030 season. Reid, the NBA Sixth Man of the 12 months in 2024, posted career-bests in factors (14.2) and rebounds per recreation (6.0) final season.
Suns, Devin Booker “energetic in figuring out” document extension
The Suns stay steadfast in constructing round guard Booker. The ten-year veteran is coming off a 2024-25 season through which he averaged 25.6 factors per recreation, his lowest mark since 2018, to go along with a career-high 7.1 assists per recreation. Booker has three years remaining on a four-year, $220 million contract he signed previous to final season however is eligible for — and reportedly working towards — a document extension, which might tack on a further two years at $150 million ($75 million AAV) and preserve him beneath contract in Phoenix via the 2031 season.
As an alternative of heading into the free-agent market, Drummond will make $5 million for the ultimate 12 months of a two-year contract he signed previous to the 2024-25 season with the 76ers. The 2-time All-Star averaged 7.3 factors and seven.8 rebounds throughout his thirteenth NBA season final 12 months.
Raptors half methods with president Masai Ujiri
Ujiri grew to become Toronto’s govt vp and basic supervisor in 2013 and was the architect of the workforce’s 2019 NBA Finals triumph, the workforce’s lone championship. The Raptors are coming off a 30-52 season and have not gained a playoff collection because the 2019-20 NBA season.
June 26
Reaves turned down a four-year, $89.2 million extension supply from the Lakers, in accordance with The Athletic. This was the utmost supply that the Lakers may make to Reaves, who signed a four-year, $53.8 million contract with the Lakers in 2023; Reaves is getting into the third season of that deal, which features a $14.9 million participant possibility for the 2026-27 season. Final season, Reaves averaged a career-high 20.2 factors, 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals per recreation, whereas taking pictures 46.0/37.7/87.7. The Lakers went 50-32 and claimed the No. 3 seed within the Western Convention earlier than dropping to the Timberwolves in 5 video games within the first spherical of the playoffs.
June 25
Knicks interviewing James Borrego
New York is interviewing Borrego, the previous head coach of the Charlotte Hornets and a present assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, for its head-coaching emptiness, in accordance with ESPN. Throughout Borrego’s 4 seasons as its head coach (2018-19 season to 2021-22 season), Charlotte went a mixed 148-183. He has been a part of head coach Willie Inexperienced’s teaching employees in New Orleans the previous two seasons. Borrego is the fourth one who has interviewed with the Knicks, with former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown, former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins and Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori being the opposite three.
John Collins opts into participant possibility with Jazz
Collins has opted into his participant possibility for the 2025-26 season as a substitute of testing free company. The veteran ahead averaged 19 factors per recreation and eight.2 rebounds all through his eighth season. He may have commanded a line of suitors on the open market, however it’s potential no workforce would have supplied him greater than the $26.58 million he is set to make by remaining with the Jazz.
Fred VanVleet, Rockets comply with new deal
Houston is signing VanVleet to a two-year, $50 million deal, in accordance with ESPN. VanVleet had a $44.9 million workforce possibility within the ultimate 12 months of his three-year, $128.5 million deal for subsequent season, which Houston was set to say no. The 31-year-old averaged 14.1 factors, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per recreation, whereas taking pictures 37.8/34.5/81.0 final season.
June 24
Pelicans, Wizards make four-player commerce
New Orleans is buying and selling CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round choose to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 choose within the 2025 NBA Draft, in accordance with ESPN. McCollum is getting into the ultimate season of a two-year, $64 million deal, whereas Poole is getting into the third season of a four-year, $128 million deal. The Wizards and Pelicans every missed the playoffs final season.
June 23
Daniel Gafford intends to signal extension with Mavericks
The middle, who’s set to enter his seventh season, has one 12 months remaining on a three-year, $40.1 million deal that he signed in 2023. Gafford’s subsequent deal is anticipated to be one other three-year extension, value $60 million, that might run via the 2028-29 season. It could be a lift in pay for Gafford after a career-best season through which he averaged 12.3 factors per recreation and 6.8 rebounds.
Middleton has picked up his $33.3 million participant possibility with the Wizards for the 2025-26 season, in accordance with ESPN. The three-time NBA All-Star was traded to Washington forward of the NBA commerce deadline by the Bucks. The 33-year-old has been coping with ankle accidents and solely made 37 appearances final season for each groups. Middleton helped the Bucks win the 2019 NBA Finals.
June 22
Durant will be a part of the Rockets in a blockbuster commerce that may see him go away the Suns, in accordance with ESPN. In return, the Suns will reportedly obtain veteran guards Jalen Inexperienced and Dillon Brooks. They’re going to additionally obtain six draft picks, together with the No. 10 total choose within the 2025 NBA Draft. The opposite 5 picks are second-round alternatives. Durant, who will probably be 37 initially of subsequent season, is getting into the ultimate season of a four-year, $194.2 million deal.
June 19
Rockets lengthen head coach Ime Udoka
Houston signed Udoka to a “long-term” extension that makes him one of many highest-paid head coaches within the NBA, in accordance with ESPN. Earlier this month, the Rockets denied the Knicks permission to talk with Udoka about their head-coaching emptiness after they fired Tom Thibodeau. In Udoka’s second season as head coach, the Rockets went 52-30, claiming the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention earlier than dropping to the Warriors within the first spherical of the playoffs. Houston is a mixed 93-71 beneath Udoka, who was beforehand the top coach of the Celtics within the 2021-22 NBA season, with Boston reaching the NBA Finals.
June 15
The Magic have acquired Bane from the Grizzlies for guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, together with 4 unprotected first-round picks and a first-round choose swap, ESPN reported. The picks Memphis is receiving are the No. 16 choose within the 2025 NBA Draft, the Suns’ 2026 first-round choose in 2026, Orlando’s 2028 unprotected first-round choose and Orlando’s 2030 first-round choose. The choose swap is a evenly protected first-round choose in 2029, in accordance with ESPN. Bane, who’ll flip 27 later in June, has been an enormous purpose why the Grizzlies have made the playoffs in three of the final 4 seasons. The 2020 first-round choose has averaged 20.2 factors per recreation in that stretch, together with 19.2 factors per recreation this previous season. He is additionally been among the many recreation’s prime 3-point shooters over that point, making 40.7% of his makes an attempt from deep because the begin of the 2021-22 season.
June 14
Houston signed Adams to a three-year, $39 million extension, ESPN reported. Adams, who will probably be 32 initially of subsequent season, averaged 3.9 factors and 5.6 rebounds per recreation this 12 months in his first wholesome season with the Rockets.
June 13
Russell Westbrook to say no possibility, grow to be free agent
Westbrook will decline his $3.4 million participant possibility with the Nuggets for the 2025-2026 season, per ESPN. Westbrook is recovering from hand surgical procedure to restore a number of fractures sustained throughout the season, however prior to now these varieties of accidents have price him 14 and 12 video games in a season, respectively, so the expectation is that he’d be able to go effectively earlier than coaching camp within the fall. The veteran guard averaged 13.3 factors and 6.1 assists whereas taking pictures practically 52% on 2-point makes an attempt in 75 video games for the Nuggets.
June 12
Spurs, 76ers discussing first-round choose swap
Per a number of studies, Philadelphia has mentioned transferring up within the draft from No. 3 to No. 2 with San Antonio. The Spurs have already got a full backcourt — which is the place the presumed second-overall choice, Rutgers‘ Dylan Harper, would find yourself — whereas the Sixers want to add to their very own backcourt that already consists of Tyrese Maxey. Whether or not the Spurs would really search for a deal that might internet them some further draft property to make up for the hole between the second and third picks is unknown, however the two groups have not less than mentioned the swap.
June 11
Warmth and Tyler Herro working towards extension
The Warmth and Herro appear to be on the identical web page as the 2 sides work towards an extension. Herro is getting into the penultimate 12 months of his prior deal, through which he is set to be paid $31 million in 2025-26 and $33 million in 2026-27. The extension he and the Warmth are eyeing is reportedly a three-year deal, value $149.7 million ($49.9 million AAV). The potential elevate is warranted for Herro, who’s coming off a 2024-25 season through which he posted career-bests in factors (23.9 per recreation) and assists (5.5) and earned his first All-Star nod.
June 2
Raptors eyeing offseason shake-up — is Giannis Antetokounmpo on the desk?
After three consecutive playoff-less seasons, Toronto is seeking to make modifications and will reportedly attempt to purchase a “massive fish” this offseason. Getting Antetokounmpo can be like reeling in an excellent white shark. Toronto has amassed gamers with the salaries wanted to construct a bundle for a transfer like this — buying and selling for and increasing Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Realistically, if Antetokounmpo is on the desk, no person ought to be off limits for Toronto, together with younger star Scottie Barnes. It could make sense for Antetokounmpo, too, as a result of, whereas he hasn’t formally requested to be traded away from Milwaukee, he is expressed a want to remain in a a lot weaker Japanese Convention. In keeping with an ESPN report from Might, the two-time MVP mentioned he is “open-minded about exploring whether or not his greatest long-term match is remaining in Milwaukee or enjoying elsewhere.”
Examine again for updates.
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