NBA free agency 2024: Latest signings, news, buzz and reports
With the 2024 NBA Finals done, the league’s top decision-makers now have their eyes set on the draft and free agency.
The free agency window will open June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, but teams and players are already hinting at what could be an impactful summer of moves and contract extensions.
The free agency pool this summer could be loaded with big names such as LeBron James and Paul George, who both could decline the final year of their respective deals and test the waters. Other stars such as Klay Thompson and James Harden will enter the summer as unrestricted free agents.
Our NBA insiders will be tracking all of the latest signings, buzz, news and reports throughout the summer and into free agency, so stay tuned as we report on the biggest moves that will shape the league.
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June 24
4:00 p.m. ET: The Golden State Warriors have guaranteed forward Kevon Looney’s $8 million contract for the 2024-24 season, reported by ESPN’s NBA Insider Kendra Andrews. Looney was drafted by the Warriors in 2015 and last season averaged 5.0 points, 1.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 74 games.
3:30 p.m. ET: Denver Nuggets guard Reggie Jackson is picking up his $5.25 million option to return for the 2024-25 season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Jackson was fifth on the team during the regular season in points per game (10.2), third on the team in assists (3.8) and played in 82 games.
12:27 p.m. ET: Toronto Raptors wing Scottie Barnes intends to sign a five-year maximum rookie extension that could be worth up to $270 million, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, becoming the highest-paid player in franchise history. Barnes, 22, averaged 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists per game last season and made his first All-Star team.
June 21
5:12 p.m. ET: The Boston Celtics were celebrating an 18th NBA title on Friday on their duck boats, and are favored to repeat as champs. But which of their Eastern Conference rivals will be able to challenge them next season?
Speaking on “First Take”, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said three East teams — the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks — are worth paying attention to this offseason.
Windhorst detailed how the Knicks’ bevy of draft picks and tradeable assets (including Bogdan Bogdanovic and his $20 million team option) to help improve their roster. The Sixers — with their duo of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, plus their large amount of salary cap space — should be able to remain as a contender in the East if they bring in another star or a group of high-level contributors.
Regarding the Bucks, Windhorst said the team could make a move to improve around its All-Star tandem of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“There are starting to be rumblings that [Bucks head coach] Doc Rivers is looking at a change or two to some of their core pieces, not Dame or Giannis, but potentially looking at another manuever to alter their team,” Windhorst said. “They could be active in the trade market, I think it’s less likely than Philly or New York that they could make this big move, but don’t forget about Milwaukee.”
3:20 p.m. ET: Phoenix Suns‘ center Drew Eubanks declined his $2.6 million player option and is entering free agency sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Eubanks averaged 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 75 games with the Suns after signing a one-plus-one deal with the franchise. The power forward previously played with the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers.
12:15 p.m. ET: A factor that could be complicating a potential new deal for Klay Thompson is what can the Golden State Warriors do about Chris Paul‘s $30 million team option.
Paul’s deal is non-guaranteed through June 28 and if Thompson (who is a free agent) signs somewhere else, the Warriors may want to keep Paul to either play him next season or use him in a trade.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps explained on the “Hoop Collective” podcast that one path the Warriors could take is agreeing with Paul on pushing back the June 28 deadline, giving the team more time to decide what to do.
Golden State must decide whether to keep four-time NBA champion Thompson and their veteran core intact. Draymond Green has three years remaining on his deal, and Stephen Curry is eligible to add one more season to the two he has left.
11:02 a.m. ET: If Paul George and the LA Clippers don’t agree to an extension before the free agency period opens up on June 30, one path he could explore is opting into his final year of his current deal and getting traded somewhere else.
That strategy would allow the Clippers to get value in return for the nine-time All-Star instead of seeing him walk away for nothing.
Speaking on the “Hoop Collective” podcast, ESPN insiders Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, and Tim MacMahon explained that two Eastern Conference teams that fit that equation would be the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks.
The Sixers have been repeatedly linked to signing George if he were to hit the market as a free agent, with the team having up to $65 million in salary cap space and five first-round picks available to use in a trade.
As for the Knicks? As Windhorst said: “The Knicks could make a deal with any team because they have some expiring contract plus draft picks. If you’re thinking about how you’re going to beat the Celtics, you got to keep OG Anunoby, and if you acquire a player like Paul George. I’m not saying Paul George, if but you got a player like him.”
June 20
11:20 p.m. ET: Malik Monk intends to sign a four-year, $78 million deal, including a player option, to return to the Sacramento Kings, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Monk, 26, has had back-to-back strong seasons in Sacramento under coach Mike Brown.After averaging 13.5 points and 3.9 assists two years ago, he had career-highs in points (15.1) and assists (5.1) this past season for the Kings.
Monk finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year award voting two years ago and second this past season.
5:08 p.m. ET: The Chicago Bulls are trading two-time All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard Josh Giddey, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Bulls have been determined to land a playmaking guard to replace Lonzo Ball, who has missed the past two-plus seasons with knee injuries.
1:02 p.m. ET: Speaking on “The Lowe Post” podcast, ESPN insider Zach Lowe said to expect the free agency dominoes to fall once Paul George decides his future.
There has been no significant movement in extension talks between George and the LA Clippers. If George enters free agency, expect the Philadelphia 76ers to be in mix — especially after Joel Embiid‘s appearance on the ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Dallas, where George was a guest analyst.
“Joel Embiid was not subtle at all, winking and smirking at the camera with Paul George sitting literally shoulder-to-shoulder with him, on the crowded “NBA Countdown” desk,” Lowe said.
The Sixers could have up to $65 million in salary cap space, which could see the team either sign another big-name free agent or spread it across three or four signings.
Lowe feels “pretty optimistic” that OG Anunoby will stay with the New York Knicks, but added that the Sixers could be there looming if no new deal is reached. Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who could decline his player option for next season in search for a long-term deal, could also be on the Sixers’ radar, Lowe said.
June 19
1:47 p.m. ET: LeBron James can become a free agent by declining his $51.4 million player option, but agent Rich Paul says one destination is already off the table for the 21-year veteran. “LeBron is also not going to Phoenix for a minimum deal. We can squash that now,” Paul told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Paul also said LeBron’s eventual home, whether it be with the Los Angeles Lakers or another team, will not be determined by which team selects Bronny James in the upcoming 2024 NBA draft.
12:32 p.m. ET: Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has opted into his $9.1 million player option for the 2024-25 season, sources told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. Payton averaged 5.5 points per game on 56.3% shooting in 44 games for the Warriors last season.
9:25 a.m. ET: All-Star forward Pascal Siakam intends to sign a four-year, $189.5 million maximum contract to stay with the Indiana Pacers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday. Siakam, 30, plans to sign the deal once the league’s free agency moratorium ends on July 6, sources said.
June 18
8:32 p.m. ET: The NBA Draft is coming up quickly (June 26-27) and the player who is drawing a lot of intrigue is Bronny James.
The son of LeBron James isn’t expected to go in the first round or even in the early second round. However, teams have expressed interest in the 6-foot-2 guard with ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony slotting Bronny in his latest mock draft at No. 55 — to the Los Angeles Lakers.
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“[NBA teams] cannot get Bronny James into their building, teams drafting in the 20s or early 30s,” Givony explained on NBA Today.
Givony added the Phoenix Suns have a second workout planned for the 19-year-old, but added that Bronny’s agent Rich Paul (who also represents LeBron) doesn’t want him on a two-way contract. That would deter teams from selecting Bronny, especially if he is being targeted by the Lakers with that second-round pick.
12:15 p.m. ET: Now that Jayson Tatum has guided the Boston Celtics to an 18th NBA championship, expect him to get offered a big payout.
Speaking on the NBA Countdown ahead of Monday’s Game 5 win over the Dallas Mavericks, ESPN senior insider Adrian Wojnarowski explained the 26-year-old wing is eligible to receive a super max extension of five years, $315 million.
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A new league rule allows all teams to negotiate with their own free agents with the conclusion of the NBA Finals.
Tatum’s deal would be the largest deal in NBA history, and comes a season after Tatum’s teammate — Finals MVP Jaylen Brown — secured an 5-year, $303.7 million extension.
That would make the Celtics the only team in the league to have two super max deals, but secures its star duo for the foreseeable future.
June 17
10:31 a.m. ET: ESPN insider Brian Windhorst reports discussions between the Golden State Warriors and free agent Klay Thompson are ongoing.
“The key here is, it’s not just the amount the money. It’s the amount of years,” Windhorst said. “It’s the same thing with Paul George … Klay, he’s going to have to take a pay cut, he’s coming down, but how many years can he get?
“Andrew Wiggins took a pay cut, but he got four years. Draymond Green took a pay cut, but he got four years. That’s the thing … If I was a Warriors fan, I wouldn’t overreact to this, but I do think the negotiation season has absolutely started.”
Speaking on “Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty and Michelle” on ESPN Radio, Windhorst added that teams will be able to start negotiation with free agents on their roster once the NBA Finals concludes — which could be on Monday if the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5.
“This is a new rule this year … so as soon as the Finals ends [on Monday], you’ll start seeing contracts, I believe as soon as [Tuesday].”
June 12
5:15 p.m. ET: Speaking on the “Pat McAfee Show,” ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said Paul George‘s looming decision will affect the rest of the NBA’s free agency market.
Windhorst detailed that the LA Clippers star swingman could opt out of the final year of his current deal to become an unrestricted free agent. The two teams that have an interest in George are the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic. Both were eliminated in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, have the salary cap space and the need for an additional playmaker like George.
Windhorst said George could also opt into his contract and get traded to a team of his choice so that the Clippers don’t lose him without getting something in return.
Lastly, George could also simply sign an extension with the Clippers, but Windhorst said the two sides are currently “not on the same page.”
9:45 a.m. ET: Speaking to ESPN Cleveland on Tuesday, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst explained that Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman’s recent remarks that he isn’t interested in trading Darius Garland has made an impact around the league.
Garland has been linked with a move from Cleveland this summer but Windhorst said that could hinge on two factors: who the team hires as its next head coach and whether Donovan Mitchell commits his future with the franchise beyond next season.
The team fired J.B. Bickerstaff last month after four seasons despite a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals this postseason.
Mitchell, meanwhile, is eligible to sign an extension this summer but the five-time All-Star guard has not openly stated whether he’ll do so.
Garland and Mitchell are among the league’s most effective backcourt duos, but questions remain on if their similar player profiles could work in the long term.
June 7
5:45 p.m. ET: The Phoenix Suns are in the middle of a franchise renovation from the front office to the roster. What does it mean for former MVP Kevin Durant?
NBA Insider Brian Windhorst said on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption that the rest of the league is “keeping a side-eye” on Durant’s situation in Phoenix after the Suns were swept in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Still, Durant is expected to be a Sun at the start of next season, according to Windhorst.
Durant averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5 rebounds per game this season but the Suns finished sixth in the Western Conference.
June 4
3:20 p.m. ET: With two top 10 picks in the draft, what can the San Antonio Spurs do ahead of Year 2 of the Victor Wembanyama era?
Speaking with ESPN insider Zach Lowe on the Lowe Post, ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony said the Spurs are looking to accerelate their timeline in hopes of making a playoff run next year.
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With the fourth and eighth selection in the draft, the Spurs have several options as they bolster their point guard depth. Depending on where they go in the draft, among the top-10 prospects the Spurs would consider include Reed Shepphard, Nikola Topic, or Stephon Castle.
The Spurs could package one or both picks to bring in a proven backcourt playmaker such as Cleveland Cavaliers star Darius Garland. The 24-year-old point guard has been linked with a move, especially if Donovan Mitchell decides to sign an extension with Cleveland.
June 3
10:00 a.m. ET: The Phoenix Suns will re-sign forward Royce O’Neale according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, as he discussed the future of the Suns and their new head coach Mike Budenholzer on the Hoop Collective.
The Suns acquired O’Neale from the Brooklyn Nets and David Roddy from the Memphis Grizzlies for a trio of second-round picks at the February trade deadline.
In 30 regular season games with the Suns O’Neale averaged 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
May 15
10:43 a.m. ET: NBA insider Brian Windhorst broke down why the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets could be the top teams in pursuit of the Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell in the offseason if the All-Star guard doesn’t sign an extension in Cleveland.
On “Get Up,” Windhorst said, “The Lakers know they need to improve their roster. They’re going to be hunting for a star.”
Another team on the hunt for a star? The Heat. “They’ve been star-hunting for a year now,” Windhorst said.
Windhorst added that the Nets could be an attractive option too, given that Mitchell is from the New York area, Brooklyn controls the Phoenix Suns‘ draft assets after the Kevin Durant trade, and the Nets have the promising, young players to make a trade work.
May 14
9:07 a.m. ET: On ESPN’s “Get Up,” NBA insider Brian Windhorst outlined possible reasons why LeBron James attended Game 4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ second-round series against the Boston Celtics.
“I have been told the reason LeBron was in Cleveland was because he and [his wife] Savannah were there for Mother’s Day,” Windhorst said. “And Rich Paul, who was also at the game and represents several Cavaliers, called the Lakers and said, ‘Just so you know, LeBron’s going to be coming to the game tonight,’ so they weren’t surprised.
“Having said that, obviously since the end of the season, LeBron has sent several interesting messages — the non-comment on the Lakers going forward, the comments on podcasts and social media about how he doesn’t know what to do, and now he comes to this game, which he knows is going to be on this show. No matter what he says, he knows it’s going to be on ‘First Take.’ He knows.”
James wasn’t happy with the Lakers’ quiet trade deadline, Windhorst noted, adding that the Lakers could trade three first-round picks on draft night.
“So this little maneuver, to just put a little bit of doubt, I think, is mostly a bit of a thing for the Lakers, to remind the Lakers, ‘By the way, I’m still out here.'”
May 6
4 p.m. ET: Miami Heat president Pat Riley stated Monday that All-Star forward Jimmy Butler‘s contract will depend on his availability. This came in a news conference in which Riley was also critical of Butler’s comments after the Heat were defeated by the Boston Celtics.
“If you’re not on the court playing against Boston or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut on the criticism of those teams,” Riley said.
Butler had previously said, “If I was playing, Boston would be at home, New York damn sure would … be at home.”
The six-time All-Star is up for a possible two-year extension this summer.
3:30 p.m. ET: The LA Clippers hope to re-sign Paul George and James Harden as the team moves into its new $2 billion arena.
Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said the Clippers hope to retain both stars to continue playing alongside Kawhi Leonard at the Intuit Dome.
George has a player option on the $48.8 million due next season and can become a free agent if he and the Clippers are unable to come to an agreement on an extension before June 30. Harden will be an unrestricted free agent.
April 29
11:45 p.m. ET: LeBron James said he is undecided on his NBA future after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Denver Nuggets.
James, 39, said his immediate focus will be on his family and that his sights then will shift to training camp for USA Basketball ahead of the Paris Olympics this summer.
Asked how he would approach his decision about Year 22, James replied, “I don’t have an answer … to be honest. I haven’t given it much thought.”
James has until June 29 to either opt into the final year of his contract with the Lakers for $51.4 million or become an unrestricted free agent.
