NBA rumors

The Dallas Mavericks have signed Jett Howard to a two-way contract. Michael Scotto reported the agreement between the player and the Texas franchise.

The move comes alongside another two-way roster decision. According to Scotto, Dallas is waiving Tyler Smith, the forward originally selected with the 33rd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.

Smith appeared in 12 games for the Mavericks last season, averaging 4.7 points in 13.8 minutes per game. Howard now gets a new opportunity inside the Dallas organization.

The Los Angeles Lakers are signing Arthur Kaluma to a two-way NBA contract. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the deal was confirmed by agents Todd Ramasar and Mike Simonetta of Life Sports Agency.

Kaluma spent the 2025/26 season in the Lakers’ G League program and impressed at the Las Vegas Summer League. He averaged nearly 19 points while shooting 61% from the field and 50% from three-point range.

The move will require a corresponding two-way roster decision. According to Benjamin Royer, one among Chris Mañon, Peter Suder and AK Okereke will have to be waived, with Suder or Okereke considered the most likely options.

The NBA offseason is back in full swing with a three-team trade involving the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks.

According to Shams Charania, the Thunder have traded Luguentz Dort to the Hawks, who also acquire Ryan Nembhard from Dallas. In return, the Mavericks receive French forward Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, from Atlanta.

Oklahoma City receives three future second-round picks and creates a $17.72 million trade exception, matching Dort’s outgoing salary.

The deal also allows the Thunder to move comfortably below the second tax apron, continuing the cost-cutting strategy that already saw Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins traded earlier this offseason. Overall, Oklahoma City has cleared approximately $224 million in combined salary and luxury tax commitments while adding seven future second-round picks during the summer.

The New York Knicks have signed restricted free agent center Moussa Cissé to a two-year offer sheet, as reported by Jake Fischer.

The Dallas Mavericks now have until Monday to match the offer and retain the 23-year-old big man.

According to Shams Charania, the contract is partially guaranteed in the first season and non-guaranteed in the second.

Before turning their attention to Cissé, the Knicks reportedly explored trades for Yves Missi of the New Orleans Pelicans and Moussa Diabaté of the Charlotte Hornets.

Cissé averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 38 games with the Mavericks last season. He also dominated under the boards in the G League with the Texas Legends, posting 14.8 points, 13.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.

The New York Knicks have signed restricted free agent center Moussa Cissé to a two-year offer sheet, I’m told. Dallas will have through Monday to match.

More NBA from @TheSteinLine: https://t.co/dper6CKfhf

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 18, 2026

Pat Riley addressed LeBron James’ free agency and the possibility of the superstar returning to the Miami Heat. The Heat president confirmed that conversations have taken place with Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent and CEO of Klutch Sports.

“We’ve had conversations with Rich Paul and they were very good,” Riley said, leaving the door open to a potential move to Miami. His comments come as LeBron’s decision continues to shape the market and even the NBA schedule.

Riley then joked about Florida’s advantages over rival destinations: “If LeBron wants to come to the 305, we got a golf course. The weather’s nice. Steve Kerr, same thing down here. And there’s no state tax. So that’s a little better than California.”

The Golden State Warriors reportedly feel like underdogs in the race for LeBron James. Andscape’s Marc J. Spears said on NBA Today that the franchise internally views itself as more of a dark horse at this stage.

“I’m kind of hearing today that the Warriors internally kind of feel like they’re a dark horse at this point,” Spears said. According to the report, the sense is that LeBron James is probably heading to the Eastern Conference.

Golden State therefore remains in the background, but not in a leading position in the chase for the star. LeBron’s future continues to be one of the central storylines of the NBA market.

The Philadelphia 76ers are continuing their pursuit of LeBron James. According to ESPN, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown have all been in communication with the star, with Maxey leading the charge.

Maxey, like James a Klutch Sports client, has trained with him during several offseasons and has previously called him a “big brother.” Embiid shared the 2024 Paris Olympics experience with LeBron on Team USA, while Brown has received public praise from James.

ESPN lists the Sixers among the top potential destinations for James, along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. Bob Myers has also pitched Philadelphia’s case, saying the 76ers could represent his best chance to win.

LeBron James is reportedly giving strong consideration to the Golden State Warriors’ pitch. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Draymond Green recently spoke directly with James during a trip, laying out the reasons to choose San Francisco.

The Warriors’ idea centers on one final major chapter alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr. Golden State believes it remains one of the top suitors and sees the appeal of a title run with Curry in what could be LeBron’s final NBA season.

Curry has also reportedly had direct communication with James, while general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and owner Joe Lacob have been involved in talks with Rich Paul. Green, meanwhile, described his pitch as “crazy” and something that could make LeBron think twice.

Austin Reaves spoke to reporters for the first time after signing his new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The guard admitted he has not fully processed LeBron James’ departure, saying that starting a season without him will feel different after eight years in purple and gold.

Reaves signed a four-year, $180 million deal, a contract that according to ESPN gives the Lakers more financial flexibility moving forward. “My heart was in L.A. the whole time,” Reaves said, confirming his desire to remain with the franchise long term.

In the Lakers’ new era, Reaves will be asked to lead alongside Luka Doncic, whom he described as one of his best friends. Los Angeles is moving forward with a very different roster, including new additions Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Ziaire Williams has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the free-agent forward will sign a one-year, $3 million contract.

Williams joins to address the Lakers’ wing depth. Last season with the Brooklyn Nets, he averaged 10.2 points in 22.9 minutes per game.

With Williams’ addition, Dave McMenamin reported that the Lakers currently have all 15 roster spots filled. Charania also added that Los Angeles continues to strongly pursue Jonathan Kuminga as a potential starting forward.

Klay Thompson has emerged as a player of strong interest for the Miami Heat. According to Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Miami would be interested in the Dallas Mavericks veteran whether LeBron James joins the Heat or not.

Thompson, 36, would address Miami’s need for another shooter with size, length and experience. The key issue remains his contract situation with Dallas, as the Mavericks would reportedly prefer to explore the trade market before considering a buyout.

Last season, Thompson averaged 11.7 points over 69 games while shooting 38.3% from three on 7.6 attempts per game. He ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time three-point list, behind Stephen Curry, James Harden and Ray Allen.

Trevon Brazile has signed with the Denver Nuggets. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the player agreed to a four-year, $9.3 million deal.

The contract includes the first two seasons fully guaranteed. Brazile was selected with the No. 35 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after his college career at Arkansas.

The Nuggets acquired his rights in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs. Denver now adds another young profile to its roster plans.

LeBron James is moving closer to a decision on his future. Speaking on NBA Today, Shams Charania said that most of the information is now in, with general managers, presidents, owners and players all making their pitches.

According to Charania, the leading suitors remain Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Minnesota. LeBron has privately made it clear that he wants to join a team where he can compete for a championship and find happiness in the right culture and environment.

The decision will not be financially driven, which allows James to consider very different situations: teams with only the minimum, other exceptions or salary-cap space. That flexibility also gives him the chance to take his time before making a final choice.

Discussing a LeBron James decision inching closer for NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/cin2LRhZii

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2026

Charles Bassey has signed with the Golden State Warriors. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the center agreed to a one-year, $2.85 million deal.

The contract is partially guaranteed for $1.4 million. Bassey joins Golden State to add depth to Steve Kerr’s frontcourt rotation.

His arrival helps fill the void left by Quinten Post, who recently signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. ESPN first reported the agreement between Bassey and the Warriors.

Alpha Diallo is leaving Europe to sign with the Denver Nuggets. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the forward has agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Western Conference contender.

Diallo, 29, is coming off a season in which he was named EuroLeague Defender of the Year. After establishing himself as one of Europe’s top two-way players, the former Providence standout now makes the NBA jump on a guaranteed contract.

For Denver, Diallo brings defensive impact, physicality and experience to the rotation of a team with major ambitions in the West. Agents Jared Mucha and Javon Phillips of Excel Sports Management confirmed the agreement to ESPN.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed Isaiah Evans to a four-year, $9.3 million deal. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported the agreement, citing league sources.

The contract includes three fully guaranteed seasons and a team option for the fourth year. Evans was selected with the No. 33 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Evans comes from Duke, where he earned All-ACC Team honors. Minnesota adds a young prospect to its roster with a significant investment for a second-round pick.

Gary Trent Jr. will continue to wear the Milwaukee Bucks jersey. The guard has agreed to a four-year, $64 million contract with the Wisconsin franchise, according to ESPN.

Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 9.7 points per game, shooting 41% from the field and 39% from three-point range. His financial trajectory has been steadily rising: in the summer of 2024, he signed for the league minimum before later securing a two-year, $7.5 million deal. He subsequently declined the final year of that agreement to return to the free-agent market, drawing interest from several teams.

The Bucks, who hold Bird Rights on the player, were able to retain him with a significantly more lucrative offer. According to ESPN, Trent will earn $15.2 million in the first season of his new contract.

With his return, Milwaukee’s backcourt looks particularly competitive. The roster already features Tyler Herro, Caris LeVert, Ryan Rollins, and Kevin Porter Jr., while the team selected Brayden Burries with the 10th overall pick in the Draft. Trent’s decision to stay therefore gives the Bucks another high-quality option and added depth heading into the upcoming NBA season.

LeBron James’ free agency has entered its second week without a final decision. According to ESPN, some teams interested in signing the four-time NBA champion have had the chance to pitch their project indirectly.

Rich Paul, James’ agent and CEO of Klutch Sports, has reportedly facilitated voice notes from team executives, owners or general managers to LeBron through Paul himself. Bob Myers, president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, also publicly made the case for the Philadelphia 76ers on the “Game Over” podcast.

ESPN reports that James is still absorbing information from every suitor and that there is currently no timetable for the 41-year-old veteran’s decision. Paul has already made clear that money will not be the determining factor in James’ choice.

The Los Angeles Clippers have signed Baba Miller to a four-year, $9.61 million deal. Agents Deirunas Visockas and Guillermo Bermejo of Gersh Basketball told HoopsHype about the agreement.

The deal includes two guaranteed seasons for the 2026 NBA Draft second-round pick. According to the report, it is currently the highest overall amount signed by any second-round selection in this draft class.

Miller joins the Clippers’ project with a meaningful investment and a contract structure that reflects the franchise’s confidence. For Los Angeles, it is a forward-looking move on a young and versatile prospect.

The New York Knicks have signed Jordan Clarkson to a one-year deal worth approximately $3.9 million.

This is a veteran minimum contract, which will count for just under $2.5 million against the salary cap.

The news was reported by Shams Charania.

Clarkson finished the 2025/26 season averaging 8.6 points in 17 minutes per game.

Mo Bamba has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Utah Jazz. The news was reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, citing sources close to the agreement.

The 7-footer, represented by Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports and Greer Love, spent part of last season in Utah. Financial terms of the contract have not yet been disclosed.

For the Jazz, Bamba’s return adds size, rim protection and frontcourt depth to a roster still being shaped for the new season.

According to Shams Charania the Golden State Warriors have decided not to match the three-year, $30 million offer sheet received by Quinten Post.

The big man will therefore join the Memphis Grizzlies, where he will be part of a significantly revamped frontcourt.

Post finished the 2025-26 season averaging 7.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.