NBA rumors

The New York Knicks are putting all contract extension talks on hold until later in the season. A team spokesperson confirmed the decision, explaining that the organization wants to focus entirely on preparing for the upcoming NBA campaign.

“As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of. As a result, we will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season,” the spokesperson said.

The move means that any pending extension discussions will have to wait, with the Knicks prioritizing their on-court preparation ahead of the new campaign.

The Philadelphia 76ers will have to adjust their frontcourt rotation after Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Head coach Nick Nurse has already begun considering alternatives for small-ball lineups, naming LeBron James and Dean Wade as potential options at center.

Nurse explained that both players could fill the “small five” role, alongside several other players already on Philadelphia’s roster. “Dean would be another candidate, I guess, if you call him a small five.

He’s pretty good sized. I think LeBron is another candidate. I think he’s played some small ball five as well. There’s like four or five guys,” Nurse said.

Keldon Johnson could re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, there is a “good chance” the forward ends up signing a new deal with the franchise.

Johnson is entering the final year of his contract, worth around $17.5 million, while San Antonio will have to carefully manage its payroll to keep its core together. The Spurs highly value Johnson, particularly because of how well he has embraced his role off the bench.

Last season, he came off the bench in all 82 regular-season games, averaging 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 23 minutes per game, earning his first NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart could become potential trade candidates for the New York Knicks this season if they do not sign contract extensions soon, according to Shams Charania.

Towns is eligible for a four-year deal worth more than $276 million, while Hart could sign a four-year, $131.2 million contract. Towns’ situation is particularly notable, as he revealed Monday that he and the Knicks are not close to reaching an agreement despite his willingness to accept a team-friendly deal.

If no progress is made, both players could therefore enter trade discussions during the season, with New York potentially forced to consider different options regarding their long-term futures.

There is almost no chance the Washington Wizards will give Anthony Davis a maximum contract extension, according to Joshua B. Robbins.

The big man’s future will therefore remain a storyline to monitor as February’s trade deadline approaches, particularly because of the influence of his agent, Rich Paul.

One of the NBA’s most powerful player representatives, Paul has repeatedly shown an ability to secure the deals his high-profile clients want, including with their preferred destinations. Robbins believes Paul has likely already assessed other teams’ interest in Davis and will continue doing so in the coming months, leaving Washington to determine how it wants to handle its star’s future.

Towns: “It don’t look good”

The New York Knicks are preparing to take the court for their first preseason game, but Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract situation remains unresolved.

The six-time All-Star addressed the possibility of reaching an agreement before the start of the regular season on Monday.

“It don’t look good,” Towns said when asked whether he expected to have a new contract in place before the season begins.

The gap between the Knicks’ offer and the maximum

Towns is eligible for a four-year extension worth more than $276 million. He is due $57 million this season and holds a $61.1 million player option for next season.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks’ latest offer was a four-year deal worth approximately $200 million.

“I just won a championship”

Towns played a key role in the Knicks’ championship run last season. New York defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the NBA Finals, ending a 53-year championship drought.

Towns averaged 15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists during the playoff run.

Asked whether winning the championship should be enough for the Knicks to reward him with a new contract, Towns responded bluntly.

“No s—, Sherlock. I just won a championship. You’d think it was pretty easy. Unless you guys [reporters] think I have something else to prove.”

Knicks focused on staying below the second apron

Knicks owner James Dolan has said the team will not go into the second spending apron, meaning difficult decisions will have to be made to keep the championship core together.

New York did not re-sign Mitchell Robinson during the offseason. Robinson, the longest-tenured Knick on last season’s roster, signed with the Boston Celtics.

Towns: “None of those things have come close to happening”

Towns acknowledged the challenges of maintaining a championship core but believes the Knicks have not done enough to find a compromise.

“Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks and also values me,” Towns said. “None of those things have come close to happening.”

Hawkins joins the Bulls

Jordan Hawkins and the Chicago Bulls have agreed to a Two-Way contract. The guard recently became a free agent after reaching a buyout agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Hawkins reunites with Bryson Graham

Hawkins will reunite with Bryson Graham, Chicago’s lead executive. Graham was part of the New Orleans Pelicans’ front office when Hawkins was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Bulls had a Two-Way spot available

Chicago was one of the few NBA teams with an open Two-Way roster spot, allowing the Bulls to add Hawkins to their roster.

LeBron James is dealing with chronic physical issues. According to Dave McMenamin, the Philadelphia 76ers star suffers from chronic arthritis in his left foot and sciatica in his lower back.

The report comes at the start of James’ new chapter in Philadelphia following his move from the Los Angeles Lakers. His physical condition will therefore be an important factor to monitor throughout the season, especially considering the workload expected for the 41-year-old veteran.

James joined the Sixers this summer, choosing Philadelphia for what could be one of the final seasons of his NBA career. The team will closely manage his condition throughout the campaign.

The perception among rival teams remains that the Dallas Mavericks could ultimately consider offers for PJ Washington. According to Marc Stein, Dallas’ current roster construction could lead the franchise to explore a potential trade involving the forward.

The Mavericks have a crowded group of forwards with different sizes and skill sets, which could make Washington expendable on the trade market. There are currently no indications of a concrete deal or active negotiations, but the belief around the league is that Dallas would be willing to listen to offers for the 27-year-old.

Washington remains under contract with the Mavericks as the season approaches.

Jordan Hawkins and the Memphis Grizzlies are parting ways. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the franchise and the guard have mutually agreed to end their relationship.

Hawkins, selected 14th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, will be placed on waivers and will be able to look for a new team in free agency once he clears the process.

Moussa Cissé’s $2.2 million salary for the 2026-27 season is now fully guaranteed. The Mavericks head to Macao with the maximum 15 standard contracts, while Dwight Powell is still hoping to earn a roster spot.

According to Marc Stein, the October 1 deadline passed with Cissé’s deal becoming fully guaranteed. Dallas will travel to Macao this weekend for two preseason games against Houston with all 15 standard roster spots currently occupied.

That leaves Dwight Powell still trying to secure a place on the team.

Jalen Duren has agreed to a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract to remain with the Detroit Pistons. The deal ends a prolonged restricted free agency standoff that saw the center miss Media Day and the start of training camp.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Duren accepted Detroit’s standing offer before the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline on his one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer. The Pistons had put the $200 million proposal on the table about two weeks ago after offers ranging from $170 million to $190 million throughout the summer. The process reportedly created some fractures in the player-team relationship.

The 22-year-old had also considered a potential sign-and-trade, but Detroit held firm and the two sides ultimately committed to a long-term deal.

Jamal Shead has agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract extension with the Toronto Raptors. The new deal will keep the guard under contract through the 2029-30 season.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the extension comes just two seasons after Shead was selected with the No. 45 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Shead appeared in all 82 regular-season games in 2025-26 and recorded 354 assists off the bench, the most in the NBA and a franchise record for a reserve.

The Knicks want to find a solution with Miles McBride, who is entering the final year of his contract. Mike Brown: “He wants to be here, we want him to be here. I have faith in Leon Rose and his representatives.”

“We’re gonna face a lot of adversity and challenges throughout the course of the year,” Brown said when discussing McBride’s contract situation. “There will probably be a time and place that I talk to him because he’s human, we’re all human, and we all want what’s best for ourselves, our families and the organization.”

Brown then made the Knicks’ position clear: “At the end of the day, he wants to be here, we want him to be here, and that’s something that I have faith in Leon Rose and Deuce’s representatives to figure out.”

McBride is entering the final season of his three-year, $13 million deal. He averaged career highs of 12.0 points and 2.6 assists last season while shooting 41.3% from three.

The Washington Wizards would have interest in a potential trade involving Jalen Duren and Anthony Davis. League sources confirmed an ESPN report indicating that Washington has explored the possibility as discussions continue around Duren’s future with the Detroit Pistons.

However, the scenario does not appear to be of interest to Detroit, just like the other trade possibilities that have emerged in recent weeks. The Pistons continue to view Duren as part of their plans, while the center faces a decision regarding his contractual future. Washington’s reported interest therefore adds another potential scenario to the situation surrounding Duren, but there is currently no indication that the two sides are close to a deal.

The Detroit Pistons have removed the weight clauses from their five-year, $200 million contract offer to Jalen Duren. According to The Athletic, the center was firmly opposed to signing a new deal with Detroit if those conditions remained part of the contract.

The franchise has now revised its proposal by taking out the clauses that had become an obstacle in negotiations. Duren has 24 hours to make his decision: sign the five-year, $200 million extension and remain in Detroit, or accept the qualifying offer instead, leaving his future open for another decision at a later stage.

The next 24 hours will determine Duren’s immediate future.

Knicks and Towns remain significantly apart

The New York Knicks are navigating a challenging contract extension negotiation with Karl-Anthony Towns, with the two sides reportedly still significantly apart on the value of a new deal.

According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Knicks are “far more interested” in signing Towns to a contract closer to four years and $200 million rather than the four-year, $276 million extension for which he is eligible.

Towns willing to take less than the maximum

Towns is reportedly prepared to sign for less than his maximum extension, but the two sides remain far apart on the value of the deal.

If they cannot reach an agreement, Towns could become an unrestricted free agent in the 2027 offseason.

Knicks looking to manage the second apron

New York continues to deal with second-apron salary-cap concerns and would like to reduce the impact of Towns’ $61 million player option for the 2027-28 season.

Towns is entering the final stage of his previous four-year, $220 million supermax extension, which he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2022.

Towns coming off an All-NBA season

Towns was named to an All-NBA team in his first season with the Knicks and played a key role in New York’s 2026 championship run.

Source: Jake Fischer / Bleacher Report

The relationship between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons has reportedly completely fractured. The franchise is now open to listening to sign-and-trade offers for the center, while Duren reportedly feels disrespected by the organization. Those feelings have also worsened in recent weeks.

The situation could lead to Duren leaving Detroit, with several teams already showing interest. The Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards have recently reached out to the Pistons to inquire about the player.

There are no details yet regarding any concrete offers, but Detroit’s willingness to listen to sign-and-trade proposals could open the door to a potential move for Duren in the coming weeks.

Davis will wait until the end of the season

Anthony Davis addressed his future Monday during the Washington Wizards’ Media Day, saying he expects to play the entire 2026-27 season before making a decision on what comes next.

Davis has a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season and will decide after this season whether to exercise it or enter unrestricted free agency next summer.

“When the season is over. I’m going to go through the season, and kind of do what I do at a high level, and then, when it’s over, you know, sit down and have those key conversations again with the front office.”

No extension talks during the summer

Davis is eligible for a contract extension, but according to The Athletic, Davis and the Wizards agreed not to discuss one during the summer, instead waiting until after the season begins.

Following his trade from Dallas in February, Davis said he wanted to evaluate Washington’s progress toward becoming a legitimate contender before making a long-term commitment.

Washington’s young core offers reasons for optimism

Davis pointed to several moves as reasons for optimism about the Wizards’ future.

Washington won the NBA Draft Lottery in May and selected AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick. The Wizards also added veteran talent through their moves for Khris Middleton and Deandre Ayton.

Davis will now evaluate the team’s progress throughout the season before deciding on his next move.

A theoretical option remains a four-year, $275 million maximum extension through the 2030-31 season, although his age, Washington’s young core and his injury history could factor into the eventual decision.

The Wizards also committed four years and $212.8 million to point guard Trae Young in an extension this offseason.

LeBron envisioned finishing his career at Madison Square Garden

Speaking for the first time in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform at Monday’s Media Day, LeBron James revealed that he had initially pictured himself ending his career with the New York Knicks.

James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he had “visions” of playing at Madison Square Garden, one of his favorite arenas.

“I had visions of playing in Madison Square Garden and finishing my career in the Garden. One of the best places I’ve ever played. I think it’s the No. 1 arena in the world, as far as for a basketball player.”

The Knicks’ championship changed his mind

That possibility disappeared after the Knicks won the NBA championship last season.

“But after they beat San Antonio, I was like, ‘Hey, I can’t.’ I couldn’t do it.”

James explained that the expected media and public reaction to joining a team that had just won the NBA title ultimately ruled out New York.

“Y’all wouldn’t have let me lay that down, at all.”

James chose Philadelphia

James instead opted to join the 76ers in pursuit of his fifth NBA championship, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons with the franchise, including the 2020 title-winning campaign.

Philadelphia now features a revamped core around James, with five-time All-Star and former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, acquired from the Boston Celtics, alongside All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey, former MVP Joel Embiid and rising guard VJ Edgecombe.

Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons remain without an agreement on a new contract. According to Marc Spears, the center has not spoken with Trajan Langdon for months, although there is still optimism within the franchise that the two sides will reach a deal.

“Jalen Duren, he’s not even talked to Trajan for months. A Pistons source told me that there’s still optimism that they think he’ll sign the big deal.”

If an agreement cannot be reached, Spears says an NBA general manager told him that the Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards have interest in a potential sign-and-trade involving Duren.

Jalen Duren will not attend the Detroit Pistons’ Media Day or the start of training camp. The All-NBA center has so far declined a fully guaranteed five-year, $200 million offer.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Duren and the Pistons remain at a stalemate in restricted free agency. The center will miss Monday’s Media Day as well as the opening of training camp.

Detroit has reportedly offered Duren a five-year, $200 million fully guaranteed contract, but the player has yet to accept the proposal. Thursday represents the key deadline, with Duren also facing a decision on a one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer.

Jalen Duren is expected to skip the Detroit Pistons’ Media Day on Monday as he remains a restricted free agent, according to Sam Amick and Hunter Patterson of The Athletic.

Deadline approaching

Duren has until Thursday to decide whether to accept Detroit’s one-year, $9.6 million qualifying offer or reach an agreement on a long-term extension with the Pistons.

The center has been away from Detroit for most of the offseason and has missed multiple team activities. Sources say he considered visiting the facility to support his teammates.

No progress on the latest offer

Detroit’s most recent proposal was a five-year, $200 million contract, without team or player options and including weight stipulations. Duren and his representatives did not react positively to those conditions.

As of Sunday evening, according to The Athletic, neither side had made progress in negotiations. Detroit can unilaterally extend the deadline for the qualifying offer, although it remains unclear whether the team intends to do so.

Duren eligible for $287 million

After making an All-NBA team, Duren is eligible for a potential five-year, $287 million contract.

According to sources, the perception that Detroit has handled the negotiations disrespectfully has become a significant factor in Duren’s stance.

Duren averaged 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists as the Pistons finished the regular season with a 60-22 record.

In 14 playoff games, he averaged 10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists, as Detroit lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in the second round.

Kings and Bucks interested

The Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks are among the teams with serious interest in Duren, according to sources.

Detroit has reportedly refused for months to discuss a sign-and-trade involving Domantas Sabonis or Myles Turner.

Duren believes he could secure a maximum contract next summer, which would cover four seasons if he signs with another team. He also believes he could make up the money lost next season by accepting the qualifying offer and maximizing his earnings over the following five years.

Dwight Powell’s one-year, $3.88 million contract requires the Dallas Mavericks to clear a spot because they already have 15 players on standard deals.

According to Marc Stein, Tarik Biberovic, Marcus Sasser and Moussa Cisse hold Dallas’ most movable contracts. However, management reportedly wants to retain all three and is exploring alternative solutions.

Biberovic recently reached the NBA after eight seasons with Fenerbahce, while Sasser arrived from Detroit and Dallas retained Cisse by matching the Knicks’ offer sheet. Powell has been with the Mavericks since 2014, making him the franchise’s longest-tenured player.