NBA rumors

The Boston Celtics have made two moves to bolster their frontcourt with size and experience.

The team traded Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for rookie RJ Luis Jr.

Additionally, the Celtics signed veteran big man Chris Boucher to a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth $3.3 million.

According to Shams Charania, the former Raptors forward is expected to play a meaningful role in Boston’s frontcourt rotation. Boucher, who became a free agent after seven seasons in Canada, averaged 10 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17 minutes per game last season.

RJ Luis Jr., a 22-year-old guard/forward out of St. John’s, had recently signed a Two-Way Contract with the Jazz.

With the Niang trade, the Celtics also significantly reduced their projected luxury tax bill—by over $42 million. Back on June 15, even before the NBA Draft, projections had Boston’s total spending (salaries + tax) approaching $540 million. Today, that number has dropped to around $239 million—down by an astonishing $300 million.

Utah is acquiring Georges Niang with part of the $26.6M John Collins Trade Exception.

Niang is on an expiring $8.2M contract.

Celtics tax bill drops from $73.1M to $30.4M.

They are now $10.2M below the 2nd apron and $1.7M over the 1st.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 5, 2025

Jorge Garbajosa spoke to Mozzart Sport about the NBA Europe project. Here are his statements regarding the potential creation of an NBA league in Europe:

Garbajosa’s words: “The NBA has to take the lead on this. We are cooperating as much as we can, because we believe their arrival would be a great thing for the basketball ecosystem in Europe. As FIBA, we’ve talked with the NBA, we’ve talked with EuroLeague — we are fighting to have the best possible competitions in Europe and to ensure overall growth. Naturally, we are also taking care of national teams and the domestic competition calendar. We are working on a structured pyramid of competitions in Europe — this is what we’re asking from both the NBA and EuroLeague: to find the best model for everyone.”

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed forward Enrique Freeman to a two-way NBA contract, as confirmed by his agents Keith Kreiter and Sam Cipriano of Edge Sports to ESPN.

Freeman, selected by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, delivered a standout performance during the 2025 Summer League, averaging 16.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and shooting an impressive 56% from beyond the arc.

The Timberwolves’ move to secure Freeman adds size, athleticism, and shooting versatility to their developmental pipeline, as they look to build on their recent success.

According to Shams Charania, Mikal Bridges has agreed to a 4-year, $150 million extension with the New York Knicks. The contract includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and a trade kicker, and it makes him ineligible to be traded for six months.

Bridges took a slight discount from the max ($156M) to help the Knicks preserve financial flexibility. Alongside Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, he helped New York reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season. After early struggles, Bridges delivered in the playoffs with clutch performances against the Celtics.

BREAKING: New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges has agreed to a four-year, $150 million contract extension with the franchise, agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports Management tell ESPN. The new deal includes a player option for 2029-30 and a trade kicker. pic.twitter.com/xuiYvzykqJ

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 31, 2025

NBA Europe is a project that continues to gain credibility and make progress. A clear sign of this is the recent trip made by Adam Silver and Mark Tatum, NBA commissioner and deputy commissioner respectively, to the United Kingdom.

According to Marc Stein, a meeting took place between the two NBA executives and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The purpose of the meeting was reportedly to explore the possibility of launching a new European league.

Adam Silver and Mark Tatum also met with U.S. Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, private equity giants KKR and CVC, investment firm RedBird Capital Partners, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, and representatives from Galatasaray.

Jonathan Kuminga has rejected the Warriors’ two-year, $45 million offer, mainly due to Golden State’s insistence on a team option for year two and the removal of his built-in no-trade clause, per ESPN.

Agent Aaron Turner proposed alternatives, including a three-year, $82 million framework, but Kuminga has explored sign-and-trade deals with Phoenix and Sacramento, both offering longer deals with player options. The Suns have made the most aggressive push.

The Warriors are dissatisfied with the return packages and now consider ending trade talks. Kuminga may opt for the $7.9M qualifying offer, aiming for unrestricted free agency in 2026 while maintaining leverage over his next destination.

Source: ESPN

According to Sam Amick, the Golden State Warriors showed no interest in DeMar DeRozan or Devin Carter as part of a Jonathan Kuminga trade scenario with the Sacramento Kings.

A key obstacle was financial: as of a few weeks ago, the Kings were unwilling to commit $20 million AAV to Kuminga in a potential extension.

Nikola Vucevic averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season while shooting 53% from the field and 40.2% from three, but his market value appears to be cooling off. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, a mid-season buyout is currently more likely than a trade for the 34-year-old center.

Vucevic is entering the final year of a three-year, $60 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, set to earn $21.5 million in 2025-26. His age, contract size, and defensive limitations are making teams hesitant to pursue him via trade. So far, Chicago’s offseason has been quiet, marked by the trade of Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro, the re-signing of Tre Jones, and the No. 12 pick Noa Essengue in the NBA Draft.

Several European outlets, including BDP and Shot Vetakis, have linked 10-year NBA veteran Richaun Holmes to Fenerbahce and Panathinaikos.

The 31-year-old center was released by the Washington Wizards during the offseason and is now a free agent.

Holmes appears inclined to wait for potential NBA opportunities (possibly with the Celtics?), but both EuroLeague powerhouses are reportedly determined to bring him to Europe.

Holmes owns NBA-Career averages of 8.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 19 minutes per game.

The Detroit Pistons have signed Colby Jones to a two-way contract, sources told ESPN. The 23-year-old guard/forward averaged 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals over the final two months of last season, showing promising flashes as a rotation player in his second NBA year.

Free agent guard Jared Butler has agreed to a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN. The deal was confirmed by his agents Mark Bartelstein and Kieran Piller of Priority Sports.

The 2021 second-round pick split last season between the 76ers and Wizards, averaging 9 points in 17 minutes per game over 60 appearances. Butler brings scoring and playmaking off the bench to a Suns team looking to bolster its backcourt depth.

Free agent guard Lindy Waters III has signed a one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs, according to his agents Shy Saee and Winston Nelson of Klutch Sports, as reported by ESPN.

Waters, known for his outside shooting, has hit 37% from three-point range over his first four NBA seasons with Oklahoma City, Golden State, and Detroit.

Free agent guard Lindy Waters III has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs, agents Shy Saee and Winston Nelson of Klutch Sports tell ESPN. Waters has shot 37% from 3 in his first four NBA seasons in Oklahoma City, Golden State and Detroit. pic.twitter.com/RuUuvXfvdf

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 23, 2025

The Orlando Magic have waived Ethan Thompson, one of their two-way players. Thompson appeared in 31 games with the Osceola Magic, averaging 18.4 points per game in the G League.

Following this move and the recent signing of Orlando Robinson to a two-way deal, the Magic now have two open two-way roster spots.

Josh Okogie has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million contract with the Houston Rockets, per Shams Charania. The former Suns forward is entering his 8th NBA season.

Represented by Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports, Okogie averaged 6.3 points and 1.2 steals across 416 career games. Last season, he ranked among the league’s best in steals per 36 minutes.

Okogie brings energy and perimeter defense to a young Rockets team aiming to compete in the West.

Rockets officials and agent Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports negotiated the new deal for Okogie, who averaged a career high 1.2 steals and ranked fourth in steals per 36 minutes among players to appear in 40 games or more last season. https://t.co/xsy87967Su

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2025

According to ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers have waived Jordan Goodwin, who had emerged as a rotation player under JJ Redick, featuring in 29 regular-season games and 4 in the playoffs.

The move is part of the roster adjustment to accommodate the arrival of Marcus Smart. Both Goodwin and Shake Milton were released to open space.

Goodwin showed promise late last season, but with the backcourt restructured, the Lakers opted for veteran experience and depth.

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived guard Jordan Goodwin, sources tell ESPN. Goodwin emerged as a key rotation piece for JJ Redick late last season, playing 29 games and four playoff contests. Goodwin and Shake Milton were released to clear space for arrival of Marcus Smart.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 21, 2025

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward PJ Hall to a two-way NBA contract, per his agent Matt Bollero (ProMondo Sports) via ESPN. Hall played 19 games for Denver last season.

In Summer League, Hall posted stellar numbers: 24.2 points and 14.7 rebounds per 36 minutes, with 65.5% shooting, earning a spot in Memphis.

With Zyon Pullin waived, Hall joins Javon Small (No. 48 pick) as the team’s two-way players. One two-way slot remains open on the Grizzlies’ roster.

The Memphis Grizzlies are signing forward PJ Hall to a two-way NBA contract, agent Matt Bollero of ProMondo Sports tells ESPN. Hall, who played 19 games for the Nuggets last season, averaged 24.2 points and 14.7 rebounds on 65.5% shooting per-36 minutes in summer league.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 20, 2025

The Denver Nuggets are signing Curtis Jones to a two-way NBA contract, agent Austin Walton of NEXT Sports told ESPN. Jones went undrafted in 2025 out of Iowa State.

He stood out during Summer League action, averaging 15 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, while shooting an impressive 47% from beyond the arc.

Jones will now split time between the NBA and G-League, giving Denver another promising guard to develop in their system.

The Denver Nuggets are signing guard Curtis Jones to a two-way NBA contract, agent Austin Walton of NEXT Sports tells ESPN. After going undrafted out of Iowa State, Jones had a stellar summer league for the Nuggets, averaging 15 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 47% from 3.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 20, 2025

During the night between Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, NBA insider Shams Charania announced the imminent arrival of Marcus Smart to the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to Shams, the 1994-born guard has reached a buyout agreement with the Washington Wizards in order to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers.

Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection, is therefore ready to return to the big stage after two uneventful seasons between Memphis and Washington.

Also according to Shams Charania, the player would have a player option after the first year of the contract and was reportedly recruited primarily by Luka Doncic.