Tobias Harris’ journey with the Philadelphia 76ers seems to have come to an end, as many fans hope.
Several NBA executives believe it is likely that Harris could end up with the Detroit Pistons in free agency, even if he has other offers.
Harris, a 13-year veteran with career averages of 16.3 points and 6.2 rebounds, has not made the impact he hoped for in Philadelphia, and could be blamed for an early exit from the playoffs this year.
Despite desires from teammates and staff for Klay Thompson to stay, there appears to be no significant progress in contract negotiations with the Golden State Warriors.
Following the 2023-24 NBA season, which ended for the Warriors with a play-in loss to the Sacramento Kings, Thompson is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after the last year of his five-year, $190 million contract signed in summer 2019.
According to ESPN’s Zack Lowe, there have been no “substantive” talks for months between Thompson’s camp and the team, despite interest from other teams in free agency.
The negotiations have reportedly been a burden for Thompson, as noted by ESPN’s Kendra Andrews last November, which might explain the absence of in-depth discussions.
How might a new contract for Thompson be structured? Lowe suggests that Jrue Holiday’s four-year, $135 million extension with the Boston Celtics could serve as a framework for a deal between Thompson and the Warriors.
While it seems unlikely that Thompson will play elsewhere next season, there is still a possibility that both sides may not come to an agreement. With NBA free agency beginning on July 1, Thompson and the Warriors have about two and a half months to work something out.
A shake-up at the Detroit Pistons. The franchise is searching for a new President of Basketball Operations, but will keep Troy Weaver in the executive ranks as GM.
Weaver was hired by the Pistons in 2020 after a long stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Brooklyn Nets have named their new head coach. Jordi Fernandez will take over from Kevin Ollie, who took over on an interim basis after Jacque Vaughn was sacked during the All-Star Game.
Fernandez, the assistant head coach of the Sacramento Kings, was selected at the end of a month-long search in which Nets general manager Sean Marks evaluated numerous candidates.
Fernandez, 41, brings a wealth of experience to the job, having worked under Michael Malone in Denver and as part of Mike Brown’s staff with the Kings, where he helped turn the team around.
His recent experience coaching the Canadian national team to a medal at the 2023 FIBA World Championships has further enhanced his reputation.
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen has agreed to a four-year, $70 million contract extension with a player option.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia is raising his projected payroll for 2024-2025 to $206 million, with another $104 million in luxury tax. To keep the core together, he will pay the highest tax in the league. Allen’s extension was key with the limited roster flexibility under the rules.
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen has agreed on a four-year $70 million contract extension with a player option, Mitch Nathan, Aaron Mintz and Steven Heumann of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/RWX8VVsxGR
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 15, 2024
According to Shams Charania, the Golden State Warriors have decided to convert Usman Garuba’s Two-Way Contract to a standard NBA deal for the rest of the season.
This will allow the Spanish big man to help the team in the postseason.
Garuba has played mostly in the G League since his arrival to the Warriors (12.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.3 BPG for Santa Cruz).
DeMar DeRozan talked about his future after Thursday morning’s practice at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena: “This is the place I want to be”.
“I love the ownership, I love everything about the city and the franchise, from the highest point to the lowest point – the office, the staff,” he added, emphasising his attachment to the club and his motivation to bring the team back to victory.
“My main goal has always been to make this organisation, this city, successful. It is always easy to complain and say what is wrong. But I want to make it clear: this is where I want to be.”
The Boston Celtics have agreed to a contract extension with guard Jrue Holiday (details here).
The former UCLA pointguard spoke to the media after the announcement.
“I want to be here. I want to win multiple rings. And I’ve heard people say that here plenty of times, so I’m ready for that.”
In his first season with the Celtics Holiday put together averages of 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, shooting 48 percent from the field and an excellent 43 percent from three-point range.
Fewer points and fewer assists compared to his time with the Bucks, but rebounds and 3-point percentage are both career-highs.
The five-time All-Defense has always been one of the league’s most versatile point guards, and despite being 33 years old he remains among the most feared perimeter defenders.
it's all love ☘️ pic.twitter.com/NMiS2Czww1
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 11, 2024
EXTENDED ✅
📝: https://t.co/qCp4rQH1WA pic.twitter.com/2EpjlvWdXq
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 11, 2024
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday has agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $135 million, his agent Jason Glushon of Glushon Sports Management told ESPN.
Holiday opted to waive his $37.3 million player option for the 2024-25 season in favour of a long-term deal that will keep him under contract through the 2027-28 season.
This contractual move allows the Celtics to save several million dollars against next year’s salary cap and retain a talented and expensive core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White and Holiday himself.
Thanks to this extension, the Celtics will operate as a “second apron team” in 2024-25, limiting their free agency and trade options to exceed the salary cap threshold.
Holiday joins a select group of players who have signed guaranteed contracts worth more than $100 million at the age of 33 or older, a list that includes LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Al Horford.
BREAKING: After arriving in a blockbuster offseason trade, Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday has agreed on a four-year, $135 million contract extension, his agent Jason Glushon of @GlushonSM tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Llln2yczSI
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2024
The Boston Celtics announced that they have signed center Neemias Queta to a standard NBA contract.
Queta has played in 26 games with the Celtics since signing a two-way contract last September.
The Portuguese big man is averaging 4.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 11.4 minutes per game.
We have signed Neemias Queta ☘️ pic.twitter.com/kyA5iLLMjV
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 9, 2024
Lindsey Harding, coach of the Sacramento Kings in the G League, is in the running for head coach of the Charlotte Hornets.
In her first season in Stockton, she was voted G League 2024 Coach of the Year, leading her team to the Western finals.
The Hornets were granted permission to interview her on Monday.
The Washington Wizards announced today that they have signed guard Jared Butler to a multi-year NBA contract. In a related move, the team waived forward Isaiah Livers.
In 35 games with Washington this season, Butler is averaging 5.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting a career-best .490 from the field. Over his last 10 games with the Wizards, he is averaging 9.2 points and 5.2 assists per game and tallied a season-high 17 points on 7-10 shooting in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on April 2. The Baylor product also played in 16 games for the Capital City Go-Go (the Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate) this season, averaging 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.
Butler holds career averages of 4.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 83 career games over three seasons with Utah, Oklahoma City, and Washington. He originally signed his two-way contract with Washington on July 28, 2023.
Livers was acquired via trade from Detroit on January 14 along with Marvin Bagley III. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season with joint capsule inflammation in his right hip on February 26.
Official: We have signed @J_Hooper11 to a multi-year NBA contract.
📰 Read more: https://t.co/lNC0CBjpRp
🤝 pres. by @RobinhoodApp pic.twitter.com/tgywu5nQJB— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 5, 2024
The Philadelphia 76ers sign Jeff Dowtin Jr. for the rest of the season.
Former Raptors guard ties with a two-way.
The Sixers have signed guard Jeff Dowtin Jr. for the rest of the season, sources told ESPN. Dowtin, 26, played for 76ers coach Nick Nurse last year with the Raptors, and has been on a two-way deal with Philadelphia.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) April 4, 2024
The first names are already circulating for the succession of Steve Clifford on the bench of the Charlotte Hornets.
These include Jordi Fernandez of the Sacramento Kings, Charles Leede of the Boston Celtics, Chris Quinn of the Miami Heat, and Kevin Young of the Phoenix Suns.
Sources: Among the league’s assistant coaching candidates expected to be considered in the Charlotte process: Sacramento’s Jordi Fernandez, Boston’s Charles Lee, Miami’s Chris Quinn, Phoenix’s Kevin Young, and others.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 3, 2024
Steve Clifford will step down as coach of the Charlotte Hornets at the end of the season to take up a management role within the franchise, according to a report by ESPN.
Clifford, 62, communicated his decision to assistants and players, and will lead the team in the final seven games starting with the game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Toronto Raptors put Malik Williams on a 10-day contract.
The centre averaged 11.1 points with 9.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals with Sioux Falls in the G League.
The Toronto Raptors are signing center Malik Williams to a 10-day contract out of the NBA G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, agent Brian Jungreis of Seros Partners tells @TheAthletic @Stadium. The 6-11 big man has averaged 11.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks for Sioux Falls.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 3, 2024
The Cleveland Cavaliers may have to do without Dean Wade until the end of the NBA regular season. In fact, the player has not taken the court since March 8, initially for personal reasons. However, it later emerged that the player had a knee problem, while now there is talk of a knee sprain. Consequently, since there are only 7 games left until the end of the regular season, it is likely that the player will be out until the end of this one according to Chris Fedor’s report.
According to Tim MacMahon, the Atlanta Hawks may consider trading Trae Young this summer. The well-known ESPN reporter added that “the possibility was only recently floated”. The Los Angeles Lakers would be involved in this rumor, however, as Jovan Buha of The Athletic recently stated that the yellow-violet franchise would have the most realistic name in Trae Young for the offseason. In fact, Buha confirmed that the Lakers will be looking to add a third superstar to their roster next summer, and already in the past, the Yellowviola have been monitoring the Hawks’ point guard situation with interest.
Undoubtedly, the rumor cannot please D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, since they could be forced to leave the Lakers in case of Trae Young’s arrival. Nothing concrete yet, since these are rumors, but over the summer it is possible that the Lakers-Young track could become hot.
Sensational news in the night. Kevin Porter Jr. has reportedly agreed a deal with PAOK for the rest of the season. This was revealed by The Athletic.
The player is expected in Greece shortly. Free since October, the former Rockets player plea-bargained in January for a domestic assault case.
Porter is expected to join the Greek club soon. The 23-year-old Porter was traded and waived in October. In January, he reached a plea deal in a New York City domestic assault case. https://t.co/a8U22AeGEk
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 1, 2024
Veteran playmaker Isaiah Thomas signed a new 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.
The 35-year-old played just two minutes during the previous deal, but was praised by teammates and staff for the level of form he showed up with in Arizona.
OFFICIAL: Suns sign Isaiah Thomas to a second 10-day contract. pic.twitter.com/VLRLOt9g2K
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 30, 2024
Detroit Pistons guard Quentin Grimes will miss the rest of the season to rehab lingering muscle soreness related to knee injury suffered in January, reports The Athletic’s Shams Charania. No surgery required and bone bruise in knee has healed. Grimes will be eligible for an extension prior to next season.
Kings guard Malik Monk is feared to have suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee and will undergo further testing, sources tell The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Arguably the NBA’s best Sixth Man has averaged nearly 16 points and five assists a night.
Grayson Allen is having the best season of his career with the Phoenix Suns, recording personal averages in points, rebounds and assists, and leading the NBA in three-point shooting percentage with 47.9 per cent.
However, the player denies thinking about his next contract: “I haven’t thought about it, I’m not playing for the contract or anything, but I feel really fortunate to be in a position where I’m on a team where I’m comfortable in an important year for my career.
The Atlanta Hawks could continue to trim their salary cap next summer and try to trade center Clint Capela. According to a report by Grant Afseth of NBA Analysis Network, the franchise would be willing to give Onyeka Okongwu more minutes in that role, in part because his results have not been great in recent years. Capela will make $22.3 million next season, and his contract expires in the summer of 2025. As a result, the Atlanta Hawks will try to trade the Swiss center.
Capela is averaging 11.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season.
The Toronto Raptors signed Kobi Simmons to a 10-day contract.
The guard comes from a G League season with the Raptors 905 of 15.1 points, 5.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds average.
The Toronto Raptors are signing guard Kobi Simmons to a 10-day contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The three-year NBA vet has averaged 15.1 points, 5.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds for the Raptors 905 this season in the G League.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 24, 2024
The Chicago Bulls announced the return of Javonte Green on a 10-day contract.
The forward had previously defended the Bulls’ colors from 2021 to 2023.
Green was playing in the G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors (12.8 points, 6.8 rebounds per game).
Roster Update: We have signed Javonte Green to a 10-day contract. pic.twitter.com/Nt1eMNyAIz
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 23, 2024
Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook is expected to return to the lineup next week — perhaps as soon as Monday vs. the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. Westbrook — one of the league’s top sixth men — had surgery to repair a fractured left hand three weeks ago.
Westbrook — a nine-time All-Star and the 2017 NBA MVP — has averaged 11 points, five rebounds and 4.4 assists in 23 minutes a game this season. His recovery and return could turn out to be well ahead of the initial timeline.
Victor Wembanyama, a young up-and-comer for the San Antonio Spurs, will be involved in discussions regarding the team’s market moves in the upcoming offseason. Wembanyama expressed satisfaction with the open communication with coaches and managers, emphasising the importance of understanding each other’s needs for the team’s improvement. He also emphasised the absence of internal conflicts, considering it a strength for the team’s future.
Victor on his involvement with front-office decisions moving forward:
“It’s a lot of communication with the coaches and the front office, to know where we’re comfortable with each other in the game and where we’re not comfortable to know what kind of pieces we would need to add.
— Matthew Tynan (@Matthew_Tynan) March 21, 2024
Marcus Morris is signing a 10-day deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Shams Charania reports.
The veteran forward played 37 games with the 76ers (6.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG), before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs, who released him on Feb. 29.
Free agent Marcus Morris has agreed to a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Morris is expected to be available for Monday’s Cavs game vs. Pacers. pic.twitter.com/WfqISwSJDb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 17, 2024
