It’s peak NBA rumor season.
Now that the NBA draft has passed, it’s on to that dead-period before free agency officially begins. As teams negotiate potential deals and make calls about available players, there’s naturally been a bunch of rumors going around.
Free agency begins on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, and any trades or deals can officially be consummated on July 6, when the league’s moratorium ends.
The Miami Heat asserted themselves with a blockbuster move for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to join Bam Adebayo in South Beach. The Minnesota Timberwolves sent out Naz Reid but added LaMelo Ball, pairing him with Anthony Edwards. The move comes after they were able to acquire Ayo Dosunmu in a trade with the Chicago Bulls.
The NBA champion New York Knicks expressed desire to avoid the second apron, but re-signed the hometown veteran guard Jose Alvarado, while the Oklahoma City Thunder extended big man Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $75 million contract.
The Los Angeles Lakers answered questions about Austin Reaves, rewarding him with the largest contract for an undrafted player – $185 million across four years. They’re not done looking to build around Luka Doncic on their quest to bring an 18th championship to the franchise.
Stay locked with USA TODAY for all the latest NBA news and rumors:
The 2026 NBA Draft is behind us. Congratulations to all the fellas out living their dreams.
It’s time to turn the attention to the start of free agency as trade rumors swirl and the official “tampering” period beginning on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. Keep in mind, contracts can’t actually be signed until July 6.
ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks said on Sirius XM NBA Radio that teams have “mixed feelings” about Celtics star forward Jaylen Brown. It caused a stir over “eye test versus analytics,” which agitated Brown enough to respond on X. Marks believes the Portland Trail Blazers could be a team that goes after the 2024 Finals MVP. However, according to ESPN, Boston did re-sign Ron Harper Jr. to a three-year $9 million deal.
The Golden State Warriors are bringing back 40-year-old center Al Horford on a two-year, $14 million deal, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Horford averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 45 games. Golden State just had a good showing in the NBA draft, but they need to figure which players – such as Kristaps Porzingis – they will bring back. It’s assumed Draymond Green will opt in to his $27.7 million player option, the final year on his deal.
How will Lakers build around Luka Doncic? Will LeBron James return?
Luka Doncic is the main guy in L.A. The Lakers have to build around him. They resigned Austin Reaves but that won’t be enough to contend in the West. Nobody truly knows what LeBron James will do, he’s been linked to the Heat, Warriors and of course, remaining with the Lakers, which seems most likely.
Deandre Ayton will likely pick up his player option, although there are reports the Lakers are looking at Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. L.A. may offer Robinson a “long-term” deal at around the mid-level exception of $15.1 million, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. He also reported Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford could be in the mix.
Rui Hachimura had some of the best shooting performances in the playoffs and there are questions about his contract that need to be answered as he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. If he wants to be back in L.A., it’s his choice. But will he like the price?
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said during NBA draft coverage on June 24 that Ja Morant is done in Memphis, however the Grizzlies are having a difficult time finding a trade partner for their 26-year-old, two-time All-Star.
“It’s not really a question for the Grizzlies, they’re going to really try to trade him,” Windhorst said. “I think we’ve probably have seen the last moments of Ja Morant in a Grizzlies uniform. It just depends on of how it’s going to play itself out. They are looking to totally reset their franchise and Boozer’s selection at No. 3 is a part of that. They’ve had difficulty finding a trading partner for Ja Morant. There’s not that many teams that need franchise point guards, quite frankly. A lot of them just drafted them last night that they want to develop.”
According NBA insider Chris Haynes, the New Orleans Pelicans will not pick up the team option on veteran center Kevon Looney. Looney, 30, will be a free agent.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: NBA free agency live updates: Latest rumors on top players available
Read the full article here