With LeBron James’ decision made, the rest of the business of the NBA is getting done: Draymond Green is headed back to Golden State (as expected), and we have a Johni Broome trade. Here is all the latest (if you want more on the biggest-name free agents, follow this link to a look at the seven biggest-name free agents still on the market).
We have a trade: Johni Broome to Clippers
This is essentially a salary dump for Philadelphia as it clears out roster space so that Kentavious Caldwell Pope can sign with them (expect that to become official in the next 24 hours), and it costs them a second-round pick.
Philadelphia is trading forward Johni Broome to the LA Clippers, along with a second-round pick (the most favorable of Philly’s three 2027 second-rounders) to the LA Clippers, a trade broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and since confirmed by the teams. The 76ers also get $1 million in cash in the deal.
Philadelphia waived Dalen Terry (a non-guaranteed contract) and now traded Broome to create the roster space to sign LeBron James and KCP while staying under their first apron hard cap.
Broome, a 6’10” forward who was the No. 35 pick out of Auburn a year ago, played in 11 games for a total of 55 minutes in Philadelphia last season. Broome showed some potential at NBA Summer League, posting 19 points and 13 rebounds against Detroit, then following it up with 23 points and 11 boards against Indiana.
Broome is on a fully guaranteed $2.5 million contract this year, and the Clippers can take a look at him in training camp then decide what, if any, role he will have on the team.
Mavericks, Dereck Lively talk extension
New Dallas team president Masai Ujiri understands what he has in Cooper Flagg and what that means for roster building, something he talked about at his introductory press conference: “Every decision we are going to make here is going to be future-based. We have a 19-year-old generational player on our roster. We have to think that way.”
Center Dereck Lively can be part of that future, and he and the Mavericks have started to talk contract extension, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line. He added that the talks have just begun, the deadline to get a deal done is the start of the season in October.
Following a promising 55-game campaign as a rookie the year the Mavericks reached the NBA Finals behind Luka Doncic, Lively has struggled with foot issues that have led to two surgeries on his right foot. He played in just seven games last season. That will lead to an interesting negotiation about just what Lively expects and how much the Mavericks are willing to bet on his health. That said, the bouncy 22-year-old center fits the Flagg timeline.
Other NBA rumors
• Christian Koloko has signed a non-guaranteed contract with the New Orleans Pelicans and will head to camp to compete with Kobe Bufkin (and potentially others) for a roster spot, reports Michael Scotto of Hoopshype. The Pelicans currently have 14 guaranteed spots filled on the roster and are a little more than $8 million below the tax line, according to Spotac.
• Dwight Powell has been on the Mavericks bench — and a mainstay of the team’s culture — for the past 12 years, but may be squeezed out of the roster as it moves towards youth. He and his representatives are staying in touch with the team and hoping something opens up, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
• DeMar DeRozan — already known to be talking to Miami, Cleveland and Denver — has also had conversations with the Washington Wizards, reports ESPN’s Charania.
Read the full article here