NBA rumors

Quentin Grimes will not return to the Philadelphia 76ers next season, according to The Athletic. The guard, an unrestricted free agent, is not expected to be back in a Sixers uniform after the team’s offseason evaluations.

Philadelphia has already agreed to sign Dean Wade using its midlevel exception. Following that move, the 76ers have around $15 million remaining under the first apron.

The Sixers still have work to do on the roster, with two open standard spots available.

The Houston Rockets have agreed to sign Bogdan Bogdanovic, according to The Athletic. The Serbian veteran will join the franchise on a one-year deal, though the agreement has not yet been formally completed.

Houston was looking for added experience and shooting on the perimeter, two areas where Bogdanovic can help the Rockets’ roster.

Bogdanovic will turn 34 before the start of the season and is coming off a difficult year in which he missed 59 games due to a hamstring injury. The Los Angeles Clippers declined his team option, making him a free agent.

Kristaps Porzingis signed a two-year, $40 million extension with the Golden State Warriors, but the contract includes a key detail. According to The Athletic, the deal is guaranteed for only $3 million in each season.

The Warriors can waive Porzingis before July 7, 2026 and pay him only $3 million for the upcoming season. If they keep him this year, they can do the same before July 7, 2027 for the 2027/2028 season.

The structure gives Golden State significant payroll flexibility if the franchise decides to make further major roster changes. Another important element is trade eligibility: because the deal was technically structured as an extension rather than a new free-agent signing, Porzingis can be traded immediately.

Precious Achiuwa will remain with the Sacramento Kings. According to Chris Haynes, the free agent forward has agreed to terms on a new deal with the franchise.

The agreement is a two-year contract worth $11.5 million.

For Sacramento, Achiuwa’s return provides physicality, energy and additional frontcourt depth.

Achiuwa will now continue his time with the Kings as the team looks to strengthen its rotation for the new NBA season.

Kawhi Leonard could be close to a stunning return to the Toronto Raptors, the franchise he led to the 2019 NBA championship.

According to the report, the Los Angeles Clippers are nearing a deal to send Leonard to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks.

For the Raptors, it would be a major win-now move, adding Leonard to a projected starting five with Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl.

Leonard is entering the final year of his contract and would be eligible to extend with Toronto for up to two seasons and $124 million in total money.

According to Shams Charania, Kawhi views this as an opportunity to retire in Toronto.

The Clippers, meanwhile, would receive a significant package to move forward, centered around Ingram, Gradey Dick and future draft capital.

The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers reportedly have a trade package on the table for Kawhi Leonard.

According to Brett Siegel, Toronto’s offer includes Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and a first-round pick.

The Clippers, however, are trying to maximize their return for Leonard and also want Jamal Shead included in the deal.

The talks remain open, with Los Angeles looking to extract as much value as possible for one of the biggest names on the NBA market.

For Toronto, a potential Kawhi Leonard return would mark a major reunion with the player who led the franchise to the 2019 NBA championship.

Luke Kennard is expected to be one of the names to watch as NBA free agency opens. According to The Athletic, the Phoenix Suns are expected to show significant interest in the guard.

Kennard is coming off a season in which he led the NBA in three-point shooting, hitting 47.8 percent from beyond the arc across his time with the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers acquired Kennard at the trade deadline, and he became one of their playoff heroes last season.

Phoenix is looking for shooting help after trading Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen to the Charlotte Hornets.

The Lakers are also interested in Kennard, setting up a possible free-agency battle with the Suns.

Free agent center Jock Landale intends to return to the Atlanta Hawks on a one-year, $14 million deal, according to ESPN. Landale finished last season strongly after being traded to Atlanta, finding a bigger role and consistent production with the Hawks.

The Australian big man averaged 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds last season with Atlanta, numbers that helped secure his return to the team. The deal was finalized Tuesday by Landale’s agents, Sammy Wloszczowski and Mike Lelchitski of SIG Sports.

For the Hawks, Landale’s return adds size, energy and frontcourt depth to the roster on a short-term agreement.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly working on a few trades ahead of the NBA market. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shared the update while avoiding any details about the players involved.

“They are working on trades, I’m not going to tell you who they’re working on because I can’t deal with it in my life,” Windhorst said.

Chris Haynes then added a major name to the picture: according to league sources, the Cavaliers have interest in a second reunion with LeBron James.

The appeal would be clear: the greatest player in franchise history finishing his career in Cleveland, where everything started.

No further details have emerged about a possible deal, but the LeBron-Cavaliers storyline is once again becoming one of the most intriguing topics on the NBA market.

The Sacramento Kings are looking to move Zach LaVine, according to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee.

LaVine has been the subject of trade rumors and speculation for the past year, but the size of his contract has limited the market for his services.

General manager Scott Perry is working to overhaul an aging and expensive roster, and moving LaVine could be a key step in that process.

If Sacramento cannot find a deal before the February trade deadline, LaVine’s expiring contract will come off the books next summer, giving the Kings significant salary cap relief.

Robert Williams III is expected to leave the Portland Trail Blazers in NBA free agency, according to Jason Quick.

Williams is hoping to land a contract in the $15 million per year range, while Portland is not expected to retain him.

His departure would leave the Blazers with an immediate need at center behind Donovan Clingan. As things stand, second-year big man Yang Hansen would be the only backup option.

Portland is also thin at power forward, with Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara currently the main choices at the position. The Blazers are expected to remain active as they look to add frontcourt depth.

The Jalen Duren situation continues to develop quickly. According to Sam Amick, the Detroit Pistons big man is very interested in playing for the Sacramento Kings.

At the same time, Domantas Sabonis is also reportedly interested in the possibility of landing with the Pistons, making a potential swap between the two teams even more intriguing.

Duren, coming off a third-team All-NBA season, has been exploring sign-and-trade scenarios after being underwhelmed by Detroit’s offer in restricted free agency.

The Kings and Pistons could become two teams to watch as NBA free agency opens, with Sacramento eyeing a new frontcourt piece and Detroit potentially intrigued by Sabonis’ experience and production.

The Washington Wizards have interest in signing Russell Westbrook this summer, according to Marc Stein.

For Westbrook, it would be a possible return to Washington, where he already played during the 2020-21 season and averaged a triple-double.

Last season, Westbrook appeared in 64 NBA games with Sacramento, averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 29.1 minutes per game.

The veteran guard remains an experienced and athletic option, with the Wizards potentially looking at his leadership for a young roster still under construction.

Donovan Clingan has become a crucial part of the Portland Trail Blazers’ new direction. After the trade for Ja Morant, the team now considers the young center essentially off limits in trade talks.

Portland values Clingan’s elite rim protection as a necessary piece behind a backcourt featuring Morant and Damian Lillard, two undersized guards who have not consistently excelled defensively.

The Blazers are still expected to remain active on the market. They want more frontcourt depth and also have a crowded guard rotation with Morant, Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson.

Inside the organization, the decision to acquire Morant in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray was viewed as a no-brainer. Clingan’s presence, however, is now seen as vital to Portland’s long-term identity.

Kristaps Porziņģis has agreed to re-sign with the Golden State Warriors on a two-year, $40 million deal, according to The Athletic.

The second year of the contract will be a player option. Porziņģis joined the Warriors from the Atlanta Hawks just before February’s trade deadline in a deal involving Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.

During his short stint with Golden State, Porziņģis averaged 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, appearing in only 15 games for the franchise.

Availability remains the key question. The 30-year-old has played just 122 games over the last three seasons. If he can stay healthy, his outside shooting and defensive length could be a major boost next to Stephen Curry.

Deandre Ayton will remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2026/27 NBA season.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the center is opting into his $8.1 million player option.

HoopsHype also reported the news, citing league sources.

Last season with the Lakers, Ayton averaged 12.5 points on 67 percent shooting from the field, along with 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 72 games.

Ayton’s decision gives the Lakers continuity in the frontcourt as they continue shaping their roster for next season.

Sandro Mamukelashvili is set to become an NBA free agent.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Toronto Raptors big man is declining his $2.8 million player option for the 2026-27 season. The move will allow Mamukelashvili to test the open market.

George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN that Mamukelashvili is expected to have a strong developing market in free agency. He now becomes one of the frontcourt names to watch on the NBA market.

The Brooklyn Nets are expected to keep Day’Ron Sharpe and Josh Minott on new deals.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Sharpe intends to sign a new two-year, $20 million contract to return to the franchise. The Nets declined Sharpe’s team option in order to work out a new agreement.

Brooklyn followed the same path with Josh Minott, who intends to sign a two-year, $9 million deal. Minott’s contract will include a team option for the second season.

Draymond Green is declining his $27.7 million player option for the 2026-27 season with the Golden State Warriors.

The move allows Green to become a free agent and negotiate a new deal with Golden State, potentially adding guaranteed salary over multiple years while lowering his cap hit for next season.

According to ESPN, the decision gives the Warriors more flexibility as they explore paths to add LeBron James in free agency and Anthony Davis via trade.

Golden State remains focused on retooling the roster around Stephen Curry and Green, with Steve Kerr returning as head coach.

Zach LaVine will remain with the Sacramento Kings for the 2026-27 season.

According to ESPN, the guard is opting into his $49 million player option for next year.

LaVine arrived in Sacramento in 2025 as part of the three-team trade involving the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. The two-time All-Star will now enter the final year of his deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027.

For the Kings, this is a major offseason domino, with Sacramento already carrying a heavy salary structure around LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, De’Andre Hunter, Keegan Murray and Malik Monk.

James Harden is declining his $42.3 million player option for the 2026-27 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

According to ESPN, the two sides are already working through a new multiyear deal to continue together.

Harden is therefore expected to remain in Cleveland, but under a new contract instead of the player option for next season.

Fred VanVleet will remain with the Houston Rockets for the 2026-27 season.

According to Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who told ESPN, the veteran guard is opting into his $25 million player option for next season.

VanVleet will therefore continue his run in Houston, where he arrived in 2023 after his time with the Toronto Raptors.

The Denver Nuggets are entering a delicate stage of their NBA offseason. According to The Athletic, the franchise cannot discuss a potential contract extension with Nikola Jokic before July 6 and still does not have full clarity on how the three-time MVP will handle his future.

Denver, however, remains confident that Jokic wants to continue his career in Colorado. Team sources still believe his plan to be “a Nugget forever” remains intact, although the situation will stay worth monitoring until there is a formal resolution.

In the meantime, the front office led by Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer is working to improve a roster that was eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets are reportedly looking for another creative ballhandler, someone who can reduce the offensive burden on Jokic and give the team more options.

Another key area is internal free agency. Denver wants to re-sign Peyton Watson, a restricted free agent, and 25-year-old wing Spencer Jones. According to The Athletic, ownership has not issued a mandate to cut costs, leaving open the question of how aggressive the Nuggets will be on the market.

The hottest name to monitor is Cam Johnson, viewed by rival teams as the most likely Nuggets player to be moved. Johnson has only one season left on his $23 million contract and has drawn interest from several teams, including the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks.

Aaron Gordon is another situation to watch. Denver is fielding calls on some of its key players, outside of untouchable star Jokic, but is not actively shopping them. Gordon remains highly valued inside the organization, and so far the offers have reportedly been underwhelming compared to how the Nuggets see his worth.

Denver’s direction appears clear: secure the future around Jokic, add more offensive creation and only consider major moves if they truly improve the roster.

Marcus Smart could be on the move this offseason. According to The Athletic, the belief around the league is that the Los Angeles Lakers guard will opt out of his $5.4 million player option and seek a longer-term contract.

The Houston Rockets are viewed as the most likely team to land Smart once free agency opens, partly because of his connection with head coach Ime Udoka, who coached him in Boston.

For the Lakers, losing Smart would be a major defensive blow after he started 54 of 62 games and became their most consistent perimeter stopper.

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly exploring a blockbuster scenario: trading Jimmy Butler’s contract for Anthony Davis, currently with the Washington Wizards, and then signing LeBron James in free agency.

According to Kevin O’Connor, that would create a potential core of Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Draymond Green and Anthony Davis. Butler could also become a potential buyout candidate.

The Boston Celtics have set a high asking price for Jaylen Brown. According to Sam Amick, Boston has been asking for up to four first-round picks.

The Portland Trail Blazers are currently seen as the frontrunners to win the Brown sweepstakes.

The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers have discussed a trade centered around Kawhi Leonard, according to The Athletic.

The reported package would send P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson and draft picks to Los Angeles, with Leonard moving to Dallas.

The Miami Heat are expected to be active in the shooter market. According to Barry Jackson, the franchise will try to add at least two reliable three-point threats in free agency.

Among the options mentioned are Landry Shamet, Anfernee Simons and Quentin Grimes, players who could provide spacing and perimeter scoring.

The Miami Heat are expected to prioritize two veteran names in free agency: Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mike Conley Jr.. According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, Miami is set to have strong interest in both players.

The Heat have very limited financial flexibility after their blockbuster deal to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, but the front office is already working to strengthen the supporting cast around its new superstar.

Hardaway Jr. would bring shooting, experience and perimeter scoring, while Conley Jr. would add playmaking, leadership and reliability at point guard.

For Miami, the goal is clear: add ready-to-contribute veterans who fit a win-now roster, despite limited cap flexibility.