NBA rumors

Free agent guard Klay Thompson has signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, concluding his legendary 13-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors, sources informed ESPN on Monday.

Thompson’s decision to join the Mavericks was largely driven by his desire to compete for a fifth NBA championship with the reigning Western Conference champions.

The agreement, facilitated by his agent Greg Lawrence of Wasserman, involved a complex multi-team sign-and-trade. As part of the deal, Mavericks guard/forward Josh Green will be traded to the Charlotte Hornets, and the Warriors will receive two second-round picks.

Dallas will send its own 2031 second-round pick and the less favorable of the 76ers’ or Nuggets’ 2025 second-round pick, according to sources.

Thompson and Lawrence discussed the specifics of the move with Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and VP Michael Finley at the Bottle Inn in Hermosa Beach, California.

While the Lakers were a compelling option for Thompson, the financial benefits of residing in Texas versus California, combined with the Mavericks’ recent near-championship performance, heavily influenced his decision.

During the final season of Thompson’s remarkable career with the Warriors, contract negotiations and his impending free agency created tension between him and the franchise. His departure seemed more likely as the season progressed.

Thompson, 34, saw his role change throughout the season, which increased his dissatisfaction. He was pulled from the closing lineup in early February and later moved to a bench role that month. He averaged 17.9 points last season, his lowest since the 2012-13 season.

Thompson’s legacy with the Warriors is firmly established. The trio of Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green accumulated 518 wins in the regular season and playoffs, ranking sixth all-time. Their 98 playoff victories together are third in NBA history, and their four championships are tied with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker for the most by an All-NBA trio over the past 50 years, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

The Warriors expressed their gratitude in a statement, saying they look forward to retiring his No. 11 jersey.

“The joy and happiness that Klay brought to Warriors fans and Dub Nation worldwide cannot be overstated,” the statement read. “His ability to deliver in high-pressure moments on the biggest stage, including numerous Game 6 heroics, has defined his career.

“Klay’s legacy will endure, and we eagerly await the day we can retire his #11 jersey at Chase Center, alongside the other Warriors legends who have shaped this dynasty, including Klay himself.

“We thank Klay for his contributions and wish him all the best as he embarks on this new chapter.”

Goga Bitadze remains with the Orlando Magic on a three-year, $25 million contract.

The Georgian big man is coming off a 4.9-point average season with 4.5 rebounds in 15.6 minutes of usage.

Agents Jeff Schwartz, Mike Lindeman and Jared Mucha of @excelbasketball reached a deal with Magic on the rotation big man.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024

Tobias Harris and the Detroit Pistons have agreed to a 52 million contract over 2 years that will bring the forward back to Michigan, where he previously played from 2016 to 2018.

The news was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.

Harris leaves the 76ers after 6 seasons – 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 49% shooting in 378 games-.

At the Pistons, the forward will become a valuable asset to the young group Langdon is building, both on the court and in the locker room.

Isaiah Hartenstein is headed to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a three-year, $87 million contract, as reported by Shams Charania.

The big man best monetizes his excellent year with the New York Knicks, who would have loved to retain him but could offer at most 72.5 million over four years.

At the Thunder, Hartenstein will be able to play either as a back-up or as a starting center along with Chet Holmgren.

The big man ended last regular season with the Knicks producing 7.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 25 minutes per game.

BREAKING: Free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein plans to sign a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Hartenstein departs the Knicks for an enormous contract and gives OKC a new anchor inside. pic.twitter.com/DptmkuaP3v

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2024

Jalen Smith and the Chicago Bulls have agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract, reports Adrian Wojnarowski.

The big man leaves the Pacers after two and a half seasons (10.2 points and 6 rebounds in 19 minutes per game).

Smith will most likely replace Drummond, who signed a two-year deal with the 76ers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have reached agreement to retain guard Isaiah Joe and forward Aaron Wiggins on the team.

The news was reported by Shams Charania.

Joe, 8.8 points with 41 percent from three in his two seasons with the Thunder, will sign a four-year, 48-million deal.

Wiggins, 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds with 56 percent from the field in 2023-24, agreed to a five-year, 47 million deal.

Both players had a Team Option in their previous contract, but the Thunder did not exercise it in order to sign both on long-term deals.

Sources: The Oklahoma City Thunder and free agent F Aaron Wiggins have agreed to a new five-year, $47 million deal. After OKC declined his $2M team option, Wiggins receives $45M in new money, with a significant raise next season. Thunder lock in a key rotation piece long-term. pic.twitter.com/r5zmEDPX2M

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2024

Free agent sharpshooter Isaiah Joe has agreed to a new four-year, $48 million deal to return to the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Joe joined OKC after being waived by the 76ers in 2022, and now earns a long-term contract. pic.twitter.com/zxpE7H5JgY

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2024

As widely expected, the Philadelphia 76ers and Tyrese Maxey have agreed to a contract extension of an estimated 204 million over five years, the maximum possible for the 23-year-old former Kentucky guard.

The news was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.

Maxey ended last year with 25.9 points and 6.2 assists per game, 45 percent from the field, 37 percent from three and 87 percent from the line.

The Orlando Magic are poised to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a three-year, $66 million deal, Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

KCP is then leaving the Denver Nuggets after two seasons, and the NBA title won in 2023.

The Magic were in absolute need of adding shooters to the roster after finishing last year among the league’s worst in both volume and efficiency from long range.

Caldwell-Pope’s contract includes a Player Option in his final season.

Paul George has reached an agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year, $212 million contract, according to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The contract includes a player option for the final season, 2027-28. George will join MVP centre Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, forming one of the most formidable ‘Big 3’ teams in recent NBA history, aiming to compete against the defending champions, the Boston Celtics.

The Philadelphia 76ers are the main favourites to sign Paul George to a free agent contract, according to a report by ESPN.

After informing the Los Angeles Clippers of his decision to switch teams, George is set to meet with a 76ers delegation in California.

George’s choice comes after a failed contract extension deal with the Clippers, who had also explored a trade option.

George, who is coming off a 22.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game season, could sign a four-year contract worth $212 million.

His departure marks the end of the Leonard-George era at the Clippers, who will now try to rebuild the roster while keeping Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

Veteran point guard and free agent Chris Paul will sign a one-year, $11 million-plus contract with the San Antonio Spurs, as reported by ESPN.

After being released by the Golden State Warriors, Paul will join the Spurs for his 20th NBA season, working with coach Gregg Popovich and young talent Victor Wembanyama. Last season, Paul played 58 games with the Warriors, averaging 9.2 points and 6.8 assists.

Kelly Oubre Jr. remains with the Philadelphia 76ers, signing a two-year, $16.3 million contract, as reported by ESPN.

The deal includes a player option for the 2025-26 season. Oubre, 28, averaged 15.4 points and five rebounds last season, becoming a reliable part of coach Nick Nurse’s rotation.

Naji Marshall has signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN.

Marshall, who just finished his fourth season with the New Orleans Pelicans, will bring stability and defence to the Texan team.

His signing marks the end of Derrick Jones Jr.’s tenure with the Mavericks, as the latter agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Derrick Jones Jr. has signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN.

The signing came just hours after Paul George announced his decision to move to another team, with the Philadelphia 76ers considered the favourite.

Jones, coming from the Dallas Mavericks, played his best professional season, averaging 8.6 points and 34.3 per cent three-point shooting.

The news was initially reported by The Athletic.

Lithuanian centre Jonas Valanciunas has signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards, according to sources cited by ESPN.

Valanciunas, 32, brings experience and depth to the centre department of the Wizards, who recently selected young Frenchman Alex Sarr as the second pick in last week’s NBA draft.

Last season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Valanciunas averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game on 55.9 per cent shooting.

Russell Westbrook will leave the Los Angeles Clippers.
The franchise is working on a trade.

The Clippers are actively working on trades to move Russell Westbrook, sources say. More on NBA Free Agency Special on @Stadium: https://t.co/UzzmWYRXTM

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2024

Los Angeles Clippers are working with Russell Westbrook to find a trade partner that works for both sides and it’s believed the star has played his last game for the franchise, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2024

The Utah Jazz are ready to cut centre Omer Yurtseven.

The Uzbek player is coming off a 5-point, 4.6-rebound average season in Salt Lake City..

The Jazz are planning to waive center Omer Yurtseven, source tells ESPN. Another center into the free agency market.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2024

Kevin Love, as expected, will remain with the Miami Heat.

The player will sign a new two-year, $8 million-plus deal to stay in Florida.

Free agent F/C Kevin Love is finalizing a two-year, $8 million-plus deal to return to the Miami Heat sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/uUFBaErvb8

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2024

Luke Kornet remains with the Boston Celtics.

A new one-year deal is on the way.

Kornet’s agents Jim Tanner and Max Wiepking of @_tandemse bring Kornet back to the defending NBA champions and keep him out of free agency. https://t.co/yPBijLFt6X

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2024

The Utah Jazz are dreaming big: the franchise would indeed be interested in Paul George this offseason, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. The player is indeed ready to test free agency after deciding to opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Jazz would have enough cap space and plenty of NBA Draft picks to try to sign George and acquire via trade one or two other level players to try to make it big again.

According to what Jake Fischer writes, “the Utah Jazz’s project is very appealing, even if it is hardly feasible.

The Washington Wizards will decline the $2.42 million Team Option included in Tristan Vukcevic’s contract, reports Mike Scotto.

The 21-year-old Serbian big man produced averages of 8.5 points with 3.6 rebounds in the 10 games he played with the Wizards last season.

According to Shams Charania, the Chicago Bulls and Patrick Williams have agreed to a new five-year, $90 million contract – Player Option for the final season-.

Williams, the 4th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, ended last season early due to a foot injury.

Before the stop the 22-year-old forward from Florida State was scoring 10 points (40% from three) with 3.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks in 27 minutes.

According to The Athletic both the Golden State Warriors and Klay Thompson will approach Free Agency under the assumption that the 4-time NBA Champion will end up on another team.

The Warriors were hoping to keep Thompson as an alternative to some options they are working on these hours, but the player would now be determined to find a new team.

The team would also be ready to help Thompson in any Sign and Trade scenario.

The Lakers, Clippers and Mavericks are considered the most likely destinations for the former Washington State sharpshooter.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Phoenix Suns and Royce O’Neale have agreed to a new four-year, $44 million contract.

After arriving in Arizona before the last Trade Deadline, O’Neale produced averages of 8.1 points (37 percent from three), 5.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 25 minutes per game.

Free agent F Royce O’Neale intends to sign a new four-year, $44 million deal to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/NaBcMJyiuV

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2024

LeBron James has decided not to exercise the player option for 2024-25 included in his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to Chris Haynes The Chosen One is considering taking a pay cut to help the team get the full midlevel exception.

LeBron James is now eligible to sign a three-year $162M deal with the No Trade clause.

With LeBron James opting out to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, the superstar is considering opening up a pathway for the team to obtain the full midlevel exception for the right targets, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/rzew2q2V9Q

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers would have a little over $30 million left to spend below the $178.7 million first apron if they use the $12.9 million mid-level exception with the current roster build.

They could create more space through trades to re-sign LeBron James to more than that. https://t.co/GXkkGwbutP pic.twitter.com/7tnvat22e5

— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) June 29, 2024

The Detroit Pistons have extended a qualifying offer to Simone Fontecchio.

By extending a qualifying offer to Fontecchio prior to the June 30 deadline, Detroit owns the right to match any offer sheet he may sign with another team.

The @DetroitPistons today announced the following: pic.twitter.com/TpyCGkrX6t

— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) June 29, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks for two first round picks, Larry Nance Jr., E.J. Liddell and Dyson Daniels.

The Pelicans will send the Los Angeles Lakers’ first round pick in 2025, plus the least favorable 2027 first round pick between the Pelicans and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pelicans deferred their acceptance of a first round pick from the Lakers in this year’s draft to receive it in 2025.

According to reports from ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Dallas Mavericks have agreed to trade Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Quentin Grimes.

The Pistons will acquire Hardaway by taking advantage of their salary cap space. Hardaway, who signed a four-year, $72 million contract in 2021, is entering the final year of his contract. Grimes, on the other hand, is under a $4.3 million expiring contract.

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley plans to sign a five-year contract worth $175 million to stay in Canada.

Quickley, 25, is a restricted free agent and joined the Raptors in December in a trade involving OG Anunoby and the New York Knicks.

In 38 games, all as a starter, with the Raptors, Quickley averaged 18.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game.

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