NBA rumors

Dalton Knecht is viewed as the most likely player on the Los Angeles Lakers to be traded before the start of the 2026-27 season. The young wing could therefore become one of the names to monitor closely on the trade market in the coming weeks.

The Lakers had previously explored a move for Jonathan Kuminga, offering Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaden Hardy in separate sign-and-trade packages. However, neither proposal led to a deal.

Knecht, selected in the 2024 NBA Draft, is set to earn $4.2 million during the 2026-27 season, making his contract relatively easy to include in a potential trade.

According to Tim MacMahon on a recent episode of The Hoop Collective, the Detroit Pistons have firmly reiterated their intention to keep Jalen Duren  and are not interested in facilitating a potential sign-and-trade.

Duren is reportedly seeking a contract with a starting salary close to 25% of the salary cap (around $41 million per year), but negotiations are currently at a standstill due to the significant gap between the player’s expectations and the Pistons’ offer, which is reportedly closer to $30 million than $40 million annually.

The 22-year-old center is now the last remaining restricted free agent without a contract following the deals reached in recent days by Peyton Watson and Bennedict Mathurin.

LeBron James is preparing to begin a new chapter with the Philadelphia 76ers, but new details have emerged regarding his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to Law Murray of The Athletic, James experienced some internal conflict over his role alongside Austin Reaves, particularly during Luka Doncic’s absence from the lineup. The situation reportedly highlighted difficulties in balancing the team’s offensive responsibilities.

In Philadelphia, James is expected to share more playmaking duties with Tyrese Maxey, creating a different dynamic in the backcourt. There is significant anticipation surrounding James’ impact on a Sixers roster with high expectations in the Eastern Conference.

Jonathan Kuminga’s decision to join the Minnesota Timberwolves could push the Los Angeles Lakers toward a more experienced option in Bruce Brown. According to Jake Fischer, Brown remains on Los Angeles’ radar after the franchise showed interest in him in previous years.

The Lakers seriously pursued him in 2023, before the Indiana Pacers stepped in with a two-year, $40 million offer. Brown could now be available for the veteran minimum, making him an affordable option.

Last season, he played every regular-season game for Denver, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 38.5% from three-point range.

The Golden State Warriors have agreed to a deal with Dalen Terry. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported the news, citing league sources.

Terry was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He has played four NBA seasons, also spending time with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The length and financial terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed. The 24-year-old will now attempt to earn a place in Golden State’s rotation.

The Miami Heat have reached an agreement with center Nick Richards on a one-year contract.

The 28-year-old Jamaican big man will become the 14th player on a standard contract on the Heat’s roster.

After four and a half seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Richards was traded to the Phoenix Suns and then, last year, to the Chicago Bulls.

With Chicago, the former Kentucky standout averaged 9.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in 22 minutes per game.

Free agent center Nick Richards has agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Heat, sources tell ESPN. After signing Klay Thompson, the Heat fill roster slot No. 14 with a reserve big man. pic.twitter.com/gAsCfab8b4

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 27, 2026

The Denver Nuggets have signed rookie Bryce Hopkins to a two-way contract.

The team selected the forward with the 49th overall pick in the last NBA Draft.

With the Red Storm last season, Hopkins averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.

During the Las Vegas Summer League, the forward made an impact, averaging 18 points per game on 53% shooting from the field, along with 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals.

The Orlando Magic have agreed to a deal with Malaki Branham. His agent, Deirunas Visockas, confirmed the agreement to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Branham was selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He has spent four seasons in the league, playing for the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards.

The guard has averaged eight points per game during his NBA career. The length and financial terms of his agreement with Orlando have not yet been disclosed.

The Minnesota Timberwolves could trade Josh Green for a lower-salaried player as they seek the financial flexibility needed to complete their deal with Jonathan Kuminga. According to The Athletic, the franchise must clear approximately $3 million to remain below the NBA’s second apron.

Green will earn $14.6 million in the final season of his three-year, $41 million contract. Minnesota could also waive and stretch his salary, but a trade would allow the team to preserve a roster spot and potentially acquire another contributor.

The Australian wing arrived from Charlotte alongside LaMelo Ball and averaged 4.3 points across 58 games last season while shooting 42% from three. His contract now appears to be Minnesota’s clearest path toward creating the room required for Kuminga.

The Houston Rockets have signed Rafael Castro to a two-way contract, while the team has waived guard Tristen Newton in a corresponding move.

Castro was eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft after completing his redshirt senior season at George Washington. At the NBA Draft Combine, he recorded a 9-foot-1.5-inch standing reach and a 7-foot-1.25-inch wingspan.

Rafael Castro’s numbers at George Washington

Castro spent three seasons at Providence, including one as a redshirt freshman, before transferring to George Washington.

He started all 63 games he played across his junior and senior seasons, averaging 14.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.52 blocks and 1.48 steals per game, while shooting 64.4 percent from the field.

Castro brings defensive credentials to Houston

Castro was selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team twice.

He was also a finalist for the 2025-26 Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year Award, which recognizes the top defensive player in college basketball.

Castro also played for Milwaukee’s teams during both the California Classic and the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

The New Orleans Pelicans are actively looking for a solution for Jordan Hawkins on the trade market. According to reports from the United States, the franchise has begun discussing a possible trade involving the guard following the signing of Bennedict Mathurin.

Hawkins, 24, is coming off a season in which he played a less central role in the rotation and could therefore change teams before the start of the 2026-27 season.

To make the deal more appealing, New Orleans could also be prepared to include Draft capital. Hawkins’ contract, worth approximately $7 million, is also expiring, which could help facilitate negotiations.

Bennedict Mathurin has agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, including a player option. The deal was reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.

According to Charania, Mathurin’s representatives approached the Los Angeles Clippers about withdrawing his $8.8 million qualifying offer. The other main option available to the wing was accepting that offer and remaining in Los Angeles for another season.

The Pelicans had aggressively pursued Mathurin for more than a year and view him as a significant part of their young core. The deal will also allow New Orleans to remain below the luxury-tax line this season.

Nikola Jovic’s value around the NBA appears to have declined. According to Jake Fischer, the Dallas Mavericks wanted draft compensation from the Heat to take on Jovic in trade discussions centered on Klay Thompson.

Jovic is entering a four-year, $62.4 million contract after averaging 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists last season. The Serbian forward shot 36.6% from the field and 26.9% from three, representing a significant decline from the previous campaign.

The average annual salary of $15.6 million appears to be the primary concern for interested teams. However, Jovic is still only 22 and previously displayed intriguing potential through his combination of size, perimeter shooting and ball-handling ability.

Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry attended a Ben Simmons workout in Florida on Tuesday. Carmichael Dave reported that the Australian was among the players Perry was scheduled to evaluate.

Simmons last played during the 2024-25 season, averaging 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists across 51 appearances for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. Injuries have significantly affected his career since his three consecutive All-Star selections.

Perry’s attendance does not necessarily mean Sacramento intends to sign Simmons, but it confirms that the Kings are evaluating him. His size, playmaking and defensive versatility could make him an option alongside the franchise’s young core.

The Miami Heat are expected to continue searching for another player capable of handling the ball. According to Brian Windhorst on The Hoops Collective podcast, the addition may come after the season has already started.

Miami currently has Davion Mitchell at point guard, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo can also initiate offense. However, the departures of Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. have reduced the number of established creators on the roster.

Windhorst added that the Heat could initially leave their 15th roster spot open. Miami also remains linked to center Nick Richards, who could provide additional frontcourt depth on a minimum contract.

Jonathan Kuminga reportedly prefers joining the Los Angeles Lakers over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The free agent is still weighing his future after the end of his stint with the Atlanta Hawks.

According to Jake Fischer, the Lakers have pitched Kuminga on a starting role alongside Luka Doncic and the possibility of securing a more lucrative contract next summer.

Los Angeles and Atlanta have resumed sign-and-trade talks, with Jaden Hardy potentially included in the framework. According to NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin, the main obstacle remains the Hawks’ demand for draft compensation to absorb additional salary.

Bennedict Mathurin’s future appears to have narrowed to two options: remaining with the Los Angeles Clippers for another season or moving to the New Orleans Pelicans.

According to Jake Fischer, Mathurin could accept the Clippers’ qualifying offer or sign with New Orleans through a sign-and-trade. Los Angeles remains central to either outcome because it retains matching rights on the restricted free agent.

Mathurin averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season between Indiana and Los Angeles. The Pelicans view him as a potential long-term starter alongside young core players Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears.

The Los Angeles Clippers are not actively searching for another center despite significantly reshaping their roster. The franchise appears ready to enter the season with Brook Lopez as its starter.

According to Jake Fischer, the Clippers are comfortable with a center rotation also featuring Isaiah Jackson, Yanic Konan Niederhauser and rookie Johni Broome. Lopez, 38, averaged 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season.

The decision confirms Los Angeles’ intention to focus its rebuilding efforts elsewhere on the roster. The new project centers around Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram, with Rui Hachimura and No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler among the other major additions.

Jalen Duren is expected to re-sign with the Detroit Pistons despite the difficulties that have emerged during contract negotiations. His new deal could be worth more than $160 million over four seasons.

According to Jake Fischer, Duren remaining in Detroit is still the most likely outcome. Tim MacMahon previously described the talks as “awfully nasty,” warning about the potential long-term impact on the relationship between the player and franchise.

Duren is a restricted free agent after averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while earning his first All-Star selection and All-NBA Third Team honors. Alternatively, he could accept his $9.6 million qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

The Dallas Mavericks rejected all trade interest in Kyrie Irving during the offseason, but several NBA teams continue to monitor the nine-time All-Star’s situation.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, rival franchises are wondering how firmly Dallas will maintain its stance once the season begins and the February 11 trade deadline approaches.

The main source of curiosity is the age gap between the Mavericks’ two leading players. Irving is 34, while Cooper Flagg is 19, a situation that could eventually push Dallas to reconsider its long-term plans.

Klay Thompson has cleared waivers and can now complete his move to the Miami Heat. The veteran guard previously negotiated a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks from his expiring $17.5 million salary.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, agent Greg Lawrence has finalized a two-year deal worth nearly $13 million. The contract will include a player option for the second season.

Thompson informed Dallas that he wanted to play for a championship contender. Miami subsequently made the four-time NBA champion and former Golden State Warriors sharpshooter its top free-agent priority.

Sylvain Francisco could have left Europe to sign with the Chicago Bulls. The new Panathinaikos guard revealed that at least five or six NBA franchises had expressed interest in him, including potential guaranteed two-year offers.

“I had an opportunity with Chicago, but the trade they wanted to make first stalled because everyone was waiting for LeBron’s decision,” Francisco told L’Équipe. His NBA out clause with ASVEL expired on July 20, four days before James signed.

“It’s a shame. I was a little angry, but it was something I couldn’t control,” Francisco added. “In the end, it could be a blessing in disguise. I’m staying in Europe.” After his ASVEL agreement fell through, the French guard joined Panathinaikos.

The Miami Heat are set to sign Klay Thompson to a two-year, $13 million contract once the veteran clears waivers. Thompson will become the 13th player on Miami’s roster with a standard contract.

The Heat should have enough room remaining below the first-apron hard cap to add another player, allowing them to reach the minimum of 14 standard contracts required for most of the NBA season.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami is considering Nick Richards and former Heat players Gabe Vincent and Keshad Johnson. Richards has worked out with Heat players during the offseason, while Vincent is a free agent after ending last season with the Atlanta Hawks.