June 2024 Basketball Wiretap

LeBron James Declines To Answer Whether Game 5 Could Be Last With Lakers

Apr 30, 2024 10:31 AM

After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets in Game 5, LeBron James was asked to consider whether he may have played his final game with the franchise.

"I'm not going to answer that," replied James.

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.

The Lakers will try to retain James and are prepared to even offer him a three-year, $164 million deal.

James was also asked how he will approach his decision about playing next season.

"I don't have an answer ... to be honest. I haven't given it much thought," said James.

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Lakers 'Very Open' To Adding Bronny James Next Season

Apr 30, 2024 8:20 AM

The Los Angeles Lakers are "very open" to adding Bronny James to their roster next season and could potentially draft him.

Bronny James is evaluating his options after his freshman season at USC, which includes declaring for the draft or transferring to another school. Bronny was a projected lottery pick in the 2024 NBA draft before his cardiac arrest and disappointing freshman season with USC. Bronny was moved by ESPN from the lottery in 2024 to the second round in 2025 in their mock drafts.

LeBron James is expected to be a free agent this offseason and has spoken about his desire to play on the same team as Bronny in the NBA.

Shams Charania, Jovan Buha, Sam Amick/The Athletic

Tags: Bronny James, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

Discuss
LeBron James Expected To Play Up To Two More Seasons, Lakers Could Offer Max Three-Year, $164M Deal

Apr 30, 2024 2:06 AM

LeBron James is expected to play up to two more seasons in the NBA, sources told Shams Charania, Jovan Buha, and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

The Lakers are open to offering James any deal to return, including a three-year, $164 million max extension.

James has a $51.4 million player option for next season.

The Lakers are also open to the idea of drafting Bronny James.

James' relationship with Jeanie Buss is described as being "better than ever."

Shams Charania, Jovan Buha, Sam Amick/The Athletic

Tags: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor

Discuss
Kevin Durant Eligible To Extend With Suns Beginning July 8th

Apr 29, 2024 2:44 PM

Kevin Durant can extend his contract with the Phoenix Suns this offseason beginning on July 8th.

Durant can add one more season at just under $60 million for the 26-27 season when he will be 38. Durant will turn 36 at the start of training camp in September. 

The decision made by Durant and the Suns on an extension will be monitored across the league as a signal of how both sides view the pairing long-term.

Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal will combine to make approximately $150 million for the 24-25 season.

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Spurs Could Pursue Chris Paul In Free Agency

Apr 21, 2024 3:35 PM

The San Antonio Spurs could pursue Chris Paul if he becomes a free agent this offseason.

Paul's $30 million salary for the 24-25 season with the Golden State Warriors is non-guaranteed.

The Spurs struggled at point guard for most of Victor Wembanyama's rookie season, initially deploying Jeremy Sochan at the position in the starting lineup. San Antonio was far more effective with Tre Jones at the position.

Marc Stein/The Stein Line

Tags: Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Tobias Harris Expected To Receive Interest From Pistons

Apr 19, 2024 1:24 PM

The Detroit Pistons could pursue Tobias Harris in free agency, sources tell Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Pistons are attempting to accelerate their rebuild and could use a veteran presence on the wing.

Harris is coming off a five-year, $180 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Pompey also writes that "Harris may be as good as gone" from the Sixers this offseason.

Harris was traded by the Orlando Magic to the Pistons in 2016 shortly after signing a four-year, $64 million deal. Harris was subsequently part of a 2018 trade to the Los Angeles Clippers for Blake Griffin. Harris was traded in 2019 to the Sixers.

Keith Pompey/Philadelphia Inquirer

Tags: Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia Sixers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Mavericks Could Pursue Klay Thompson In Free Agency

Apr 17, 2024 9:14 PM

The Dallas Mavericks could have interest in Klay Thompson in free agency, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Thompson has received the support from several key stakeholders within the Golden State Warriors including Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr and Draymond Green.

Grayson Allen recently signed a four-year, $70 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, which could be a benchmark for the type of deal Thompson commands.

Thompson was drafted by the Warriors in 2011 out of Washington State.

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Tags: Klay Thompson, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Steve Kerr: Warriors Need Klay Thompson Back

Apr 17, 2024 11:17 AM

Klay Thompson enters free agency for the first time since 2019 when he had just torn his ACL, but was all but certain to re-sign with the Golden State Warriors. Thompson is expected to test free agency as he seeks what will likely be his last major NBA contract.

"We need Klay back," Steve Kerr said after the game. "He's still got good years left. And I know I speak for everybody in the organization: We want him back. ... What Klay has meant to this franchise and as good as he still is, we desperately want him back."

Thompson didn't speak with reporters after the Warriors were eliminated in the Play-In.

"That's life," Thompson said of free agency at Tuesday's shootaround. "Had so much success here, I'm not going to let whatever future happens make me salty about what I've been able to accomplish in a Warriors uniform. I don't let that seep in at all."

Conversations on an extension between Thompson and the Warriors stalled before the season and were never picked up. Sources tell ESPN that Thompson was bothered by the fact that there was much reassurance from the Warriors that a deal would eventually get done.

"[Klay is] going to make the best decision for him, the team's got a decision to make and they'll make the best decision for the team. ... I don't think there's any scenario where Klay leaves and that's the best decision for this team and organization," Green said. "[The organization] has shown nothing but respect, loyalty, love and trust. I've got no reason to think, oh man, they're not going to do right by Klay.

"I have no reason to think that our ownership group isn't going to take care of us the way we have taken care of this organization."

Sources tell ESPN that Thompson would like a new deal that aligns with Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr and Green. Curry and Kerr are signed through 25-26.

"I could never see myself not with those two guys," Curry said. "I understand this league changes and there are so many things that go into it and we're not going to play forever, but we've experienced so much together and at the end of the day I know they want to win, I know I want to win, and that's all I'm worried about."

Kendra Andrews/ESPN

Tags: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Chris Paul Will Not Retire In Offseason

Apr 17, 2024 11:07 AM

Chris Paul has no plans to retire this offseason as he all but certainly hits free agent. Paul's $30 million contract with the Golden State Warriors for 24-25 is non-guaranteed and they're not expected to pick it up unless it is used in a trade.

“I’ll talk to my wife and my kids, my family, my support system, see what it looks like,” Paul told The Athletic. “But this isn’t (the end of my career). I know it for sure.”

Steve Kerr talked about wanting Paul back with the Warriors next season.

“I haven’t thought about it,” Paul said. “I’m too in it. I was in the gym at 8 a.m. this morning, lifting and getting ready for this game. When it’s time for that, Mike (Dunleavy) and Steve (Kerr), we’ll have a conversation and see what it looks like. But I loved it. It’s honestly — this is my fifth year living without my family — I probably saw them more than any other year.”

Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Tags: Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Grayson Allen, Suns Agree To Four-Year, $70M Extension

Apr 15, 2024 10:04 AM

The Phoenix Suns and guard Grayson Allen have agreed to a four-year, $70 million extension. Allen was eligible to extend through June 30, as he was on an expiring contract. Phoenix now locks in a key rotation player, who was a crucial part of the Suns three-guard starting lineup.

Allen led the NBA in three-point percentage at a career-high 46.1% on 5.9 three-point attempts per game. He also averaged 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Overall, Allen shot 49.9% from the field and 87.8% from the free throw line, falling just shy of a 50/40/90 shooting season.

Phoenix acquired Allen in the three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers that sent Deandre Ayton from Phoenix to Portland and Damian Lillard to Milwaukee. The Suns also acquired Jusuf Nurkic and Nassir Little in that deal.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor

Discuss
Warriors Converting Usman Garuba To Standard Contract

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Sixers Signing Ricky Council IV To Four-Year, $7.4M Deal

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Clippers Signing Kai Jones; Waiving Josh Primo

Shams Charania and Law Murray/The Athletic

Sixers Will Make Paul George 'Top Target' In Offseason

Keith Pompey/Philadelphia Inquirer

Jaylen Nowell, Pistons Sign Deal For Remainder Of Season

Michael Scotto/HoopsHype

Jrue Holiday, Celtics Agree To Four-Year, $135M Extension

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Grizzlies Sign Zavier Simpson, Jack White To 10-Day Contracts

RealGM Staff Report

Celtics Convert Neemias Queta To Standard NBA Contract

RealGM Staff Report

Isaiah Thomas, Suns Sign Contract For Remainder Of Season

Shams Charania/The Athletic

D'Angelo Russell Likely To Decline Player Option With Lakers, Become Free Agent

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

LeBron James Expected To Opt Out, Seek No-Trade Clause In Next Contract With Lakers

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Donovan Mitchell 'All But Certain' To Decline $37.1M Player Option For 2025-26 Season

Eric Pincus/Bleacher Report

Jared Butler, Wizards Agree To Three-Year, Standard NBA Deal

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

NBA Projects 24-25 Salary Cap At $141M

Adrian Wojnarowski, Bobby Marks/ESPN

Wolves Convert Luka Garza From Two-Way To Standard NBA Deal

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Javonte Green, Bulls Agree To Deal For Remainder Of Season

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Malik Williams, Raptors Agree To 10-Day Contract

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Jaylen Nowell, Pistons Agree To 10-Day Deal

Shams Charania/The Athletic