All about NBA free agency: deals, news and rumors

NBA free agency doesn’t start until June 30 at 6 pm ET, but the news is already being written around the entire Association.

Much of the initial noise is coming from New York, where the status of the Kyrie Irving has pundits and fans speculating about the future of the Brooklyn Nets’ star point guard. (Irving has a $36.5 million player option for the 2022-23 season.)

Meanwhile, other superstars with player options for next season include james harden ($47.4 million), Bradley Beal ($36.4 million) and Russell Westbrook ($47.1 million).

And which free agents will change teams this summer? Some of the biggest names include Zach LaVine, Jalen Brunson Y Deandre Aytonwho could provide a significant boost to a new franchise if they choose a change of scenery.

A host of young stars are also eligible for rookie contract extensions. While it is almost certain that the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant agree to a maximum deal, what does the future hold for the New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamsonwho played in just 85 games during his first three seasons due to injury and missed the entire 2021-22 season with a broken foot?

Stay tuned here throughout the offseason for the latest NBA free agency rumors, news and reports.

How Kyrie’s contract talk affects KD

June 22nd

• The shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, Pat Connaughton, will exercise his $5.7 million option for the 2022-2023 season, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Connaughton averaged a career-high 9.9 points in 65 games for the Bucks last season.

• Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers said contract extensions for Andrew Wiggins Y jordan poole they are a “huge priority”, adding that “we will make a great effort to maintain it”. However, he understands those deals might not happen right away. The deadline for Poole to sign a rookie extension on his contract isn’t until Oct. 31, and Wiggins has no deadline for an extension on the max contract he signed while with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

• james harden is on track to opt to exercise his $47.3 million player option, then extend his contract for perhaps as many as two more years and a hefty sum with the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports on SportsCenter. Harden’s extension would likely fall short of a max contract, but it would still be a significant commitment from Philly.

June 21

• John Wall of the Houston Rockets exercised his $47.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Rockets will continue to seek a trade for the 31-year-old point guard, but the two sides are expected to work on terminating the contract if a trade cannot be found, sources told Wojnarowski. Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists in 40 games for the Rockets in 2020-21.

• LA Clippers forward, Nicholas Batumwill decline his $3.3 million player option and become a free agent, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. There is expected to be mutual interest in reaching a new deal in July, the sources said. Batum started 54 of the 59 games he appeared in, averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in his second season with the Clippers.

19th of June

• The forward of the Denver Nuggets, Jeff Greenexercised his $4.5 million player option for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. Green had until Monday, June 20, to decide if he would accept the deal, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Green, who turns 36 in August, averaged 10.3 points in 75 games (63 starts) with Denver last season, his 11th team during his 14-year NBA career.

June 18

• The small forward for the Golden State Warriors, Andrew Wigginswho is heading into the final season of the $147 million rookie extension he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, told reporters he “would love to stay” in Golden State.

The third year escort jordan poolewho is entering the final year of his rookie deal, has until Oct. 17 to negotiate a new deal with the reigning NBA champions.

Gary Payton II, Andrew Iguodala, Kevin Looney, Otto Porter Jr.., Nemanja Bjelica, Damion Lee Y Chris Chioza They will also be unrestricted free agents. Juan Toscano-Anderson Y Quinndary Weatherspoon They will be restricted free agents.

June, 15

• The Dallas Mavericks acquired center Christian Wood from the Rockets in exchange for the 26th pick in the 2022 NBA draft and Boban Marjanovic, Marquese Chriss, Trey Burke Y Sterling Brown, four players with contracts about to expire. Wood is set to earn $14.3 million for the 2022-23 season, the final year of his contract. Wood averaged 19.1 points and 9.9 rebounds during his two seasons in Houston.