The NBA Draft is in the books and while the 30 NBA franchises prep their new young additions for Summer League in Las Vegas, a slew of big-name NBA veterans could be on the move in free agency. The 2024 class is headlined by the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, who just posted the best numbers in league history for a player in his age-39 season, with averages of 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds per game on 54% shooting in 71 games played. On the second day of the NBA Draft, James got more incentive to stay with the Lakers when the club drafted his son Bronny with the No. 55 overall pick in the second round. The 4-time NBA MVP has said for years that he’d like the opportunity to play with his eldest son before retiring.
Clippers two-way All-Star wing Paul George is also an unrestricted free agent and could field offers from multiple suitors, including Philadelphia, which is likely to re-sign restricted free agent guard Tyrese Maxey (this season’s Most Improved Player).
Point guards
Shooting guards
Small forwards
Power forwards
Centers
Keep up with all of the signings and deals with Yahoo Sports’ NBA free agency tracker.
The free agency negotiating window opens 6 p.m. ET Sunday, when each NBA team can negotiate with players on the market and perhaps even reach a deal. Those deals can’t be signed until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET, but there will be plenty of transactional action until then and beyond.
Here is our big board of the top free agents on the market.
Top free agents by position: point guards | shooting guards | small forwards | power forwards | centers
See the full big board here.
DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
DeRozan has long been one of the league’s most underrated stars. He is a professional scorer who has developed into a productive playmaker, and that has made him one of the game’s great clutch players. He should be the consolation prize for teams that fail to land George. Beyond them, it is a crapshoot.
Speaking of crapshoots. Bridges missed the entire 2022-23 season upon pleading no contest to felony domestic violence. When he returned to the Hornets last season, he was immediately accused of violating a resulting protective order charges that were later dropped for insufficient evidence.
Harden orchestrated his way to L.A. last season because Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was one of the few people who could pay him as if he were still performing at an MVP level. So how much do you pay a soon-to-be 35-year-old who had no other suitors but the Clippers when he was available via trade last season?
Charlotte Hornets have decided to waive Seth Curry ahead of his contract deadline today, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Although the Hornets did not want to finalize a contract for the 2024-2025 season, both sides are still interested in negotiating a new deal in July.
Curry, who was traded to Charlotte in February, averaged 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game across eight games with the team.
ESPN Sources: The Charlotte Hornets are waiving guard Seth Curry but interest exists on both sides to keep talking on a new deal in July free agency. Team had a deadline today on guaranteeing Currys contract for the 2024-2025 season. pic.twitter.com/o1qIwpanIy
Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2024
PJ Tucker has reportedly exercised his player option for next season and will be staying with the Los Angeles Clippers for another year, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. With the option, he’ll earn $11.5 million for the 2024-2025 season.
Clippers’ PJ Tucker has exercised his $11.5 million player option for the 2024-25 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/SixNbge63W
Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 28, 2024
The 39-year-old forward has bounced around the NBA, but landed with the Clippers in 2023. In February, Tucker was fined $75,000 for publicly requesting a trade away from Los Angeles after riding the bench for several months. However, it seems he has chosen to stick around for the time being.
The Toronto Raptors had until midnight Friday to decide whether or not to pick up Bruce Brown’s $23 million option or let him go as a free agent. Now that the Raptors have picked up that option, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the expectation is that Brown will be traded to a team looking to add an expiring contract and help on the wing.
The Toronto Raptors are picking up the $23 million option on guard Bruce Browns contract, sources tell ESPN. Brown will be a valuable trade asset on an expiring contract for the Raptors.
Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2024
The Empire State Building lit blue and orange Tuesday night, officially celebrating a Mets victory. But the lights sparked into those same colors for the Knicks mere minutes after news broke that New York sent a staggering five first-round picks across the East River in order for Brooklyn to finally part with defensive stalwart Mikal Bridges.
Rival teams were sensing Brooklyns growing willingness to part with Bridges in recent days, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Utah and Houston were two of the other teams league personnel had mentioned were actively involved in pursuing Bridges. The Nets had swept away offers for Bridges in previous transaction cycles that compiled as many as four first-round picks, sources said. And through Monday, none of Brooklyns conversations with those three teams or others were considered anything close to serious, sources said. That is until the Knicks came back with four unprotected first rounders beginning in 2025 plus a protected first-round pick from the Bucks, and then the rights for Brooklyn to swap firsts with New York in 2028, league sources confirmed to Yahoo Sports.
It all equates to six total years of draft capital, one of the largest if not the largest returns for a player never to be named an All-Star in NBA history. Bridges is arguably worth more to the Knicks than any other team, a chance to bring a fourth Wildcat from Villanovas three-year run behind Jalen Brunson that netted national titles in 2016 and 2018. Bridges also marks as one of the best options New York could have found to counter Bostons lineup of two-way wings that just claimed this years championship. Bridges always had an eye for New York, sources said, especially after the Knicks added Donte DiVincenzo last summer following the February 2023 trade deadline deal that brought Josh Hart through the door. These Wildcat connections run deep, and Kyle Lowry has even been mentioned by NBA figures as a target for New York in free agency, sources said.
Read the full story here.
The Brooklyn Nets and big man Nic Claxton have reportedly agreed on a four-year, $100 million contract to keep him with the franchise. Claxton, an unrestricted free agent this summer, has spent his entire career with the Nets since being drafted No. 31 overall with the first pick of the second round in 2019 out of Georgia. He scored 11.8 points per game and posted a career-high of 9.9 rebounds, to go along with 2.1 blocks per game in 2023-24.
Nic Claxton intends to a sign a four-year, $100M to return to the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell ESPN.
Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
The Toronto Raptors are looking toward a future with Scottie Barnes leading the way. The 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year was a first-time All-Star this past season and has reportedly agreed to a maximum rookie extension that could be worth up to $270 million over five seasons. Barnes will play out the final year of his rookie contract this season, and with the extension, will not be a restricted free agent next summer. He’ll be paired up with Immanuel Quickley in Toronto, forming the Raptors’ nucleus for the next several seasons.
ESPN Sources: Toronto Raptors All-Star guard Scottie Barnes intends to sign a five-year maximum rookie extension that could be worth up to $270 million. Barnes is the franchise cornerstone and will become the highest paid player in Raptors history. pic.twitter.com/c5efNmNl4a
Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2024
ESPN Sources: Golden State and Chris Paul intend to move back the date to guarantee the $30 million on his 2024-2025 contract to the start of free agency on Sunday. Deadline was originally today. This gives Warriors time to keep exploring trades.
Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2024
Three-time All-Star and perennial All-Defensive team selection Bam Adebayo is staying put in Miami for the long haul. The star center and the Heat have agreed on a three-year, $166 million extension, per the AP’s Tim Reynolds. Adebayo signed a five-year, $163 million extension with Miami in November 2020, and the new extension kicks in for the 2026-27 season, locking Adebayo up for the next five years with the Heat. In addition to the All-Star and All-Defensive team selections, Adebayo has finished in the top five of the Defensive Player of the Year voting in each of the last five seasons.
Bam Adebayo intends to sign a three-year extension with the Miami Heat, source tells AP. pic.twitter.com/ldPsdQHH36
Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 26, 2024
After finishing as the runner-up for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, Malik Monk has reportedly been rewarded by the Kings. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Monk and the Kings have agreed to a four-year, $78 million contract. Monk is heading into his eighth season in the league and has had stops with the Hornets and Lakers before signing his initial deal two years, $19.4 million with the Kings back in 2022. He posted career highs in points per game (15.4) and assists per game (5.1) as the Kings won 46 games, but narrowly missed the playoffs, losing in the Play-In Tournament.
ESPN Sources: Free agent G Malik Monk intends to sign a four-year, $78 million deal including a player option to return to the Sacramento Kings. Monk had career-bests of 15 points and five assists on his way to the NBAs Sixth Man of the Year runner-up. pic.twitter.com/J8KuOwPl0H
Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2024
With Immanuel Quickley signing a contract worth $175 million on Friday, former Kentucky teammate Tyrese Maxey joked on social media that it was time for Quickley to cash in on an old debt.
“Ummm sirrrr…. Remember back in school when I paid for your chick fil a,” Maxey wrote on X, in response to the news of Quickley’s 5-year, $175 million extension with the Toronto Raptors.
Ummm sirrrr. Remember back in school when I paid for your chick fil a. @IQ_GodSon https://t.co/helsNUdGrj
Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) June 28, 2024
Maxey is due for a big payday himself as a restricted free agent this offseason. Maxey, a young All-Star and key player with the Philadelphia 76ers, is arguably the top point guard in the free agency market.
The 23-year-old guard averaged 25.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists this season, making him an attractive target for other teams, but it’s likely that the 76ers will cash out big to keep him in Philadelphia long-term. Maxey will be back to paying for his own chicken sandwiches soon enough.
Two-time NBA All-Star forward Pascal Siakam “intends” to remain with the Indiana Pacers, after helping the club to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014. The deal, reportedly worth $189.5 million over four seasons, keeps Siakam alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner and can keep Indiana in contention in the East. After spending his 7 1/2 seasons with the Raptors, and capturing an NBA title in 2019, Siakam was traded to Indiana this past season and averaged 23.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game on 54.9% from the floor in 41 regular season games with the Pacers.
ESPN Sources: All-NBA forward Pascal Siakam intends to sign a new four-year, $189.5 million maximum contract to return to the Indiana Pacers. Siakam plans to sign deal once leagues free agency moratorium ends on July 6. pic.twitter.com/Klz10dQv9a
Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 19, 2024
After being traded to the Knicks just ahead of New Year’s Day, OG Anunoby has found a long-term home in New York, reportedly agreeing to a a 5-year, $212.5 million deal to remain with the Knicks. In 23 regular season games with the Knicks last season, the 6-7 wing who is entering his eighth NBA season this fall averaged 14.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He’ll join Jalen Brunson as one of the Knicks stars as the club tries to build on a deep playoff run next season.
Free agent F OG Anunoby intends to sign a five-year, $212.5 million contract to return to the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. Deal will include a player option and a trade kicker. pic.twitter.com/q5VcjOeryW
Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
Restricted free agent guard Immanuel Quickley has agreed with the Toronto Raptors on a massive extension that is set to keep him north of the border for the next half decade. The deal is reportedly worth $175 million over five seasons.
Quickley was traded to the Raptors as part of the deal that sent OG Anunoby to the Knicks on Dec. 30, 2023.
ESPN Sources: Guard Immanuel Quickley intends to sign a five-year, $175 million contract to stay with the Toronto Raptors. Quickley arrived in trade with Knicks and established himself as a cornerstone player for Toronto. pic.twitter.com/7jtWabVxmr
Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2024
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is expected to be one of the most sought-after wings in free agency after declining his player option with the Denver Nuggets. The Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers are expected to be among the teams interested in signing the 11-year veteran.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is declining his $15.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season and will become a free agent, per @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/AIwYopCyDI
Ball Dont Lie (@Balldontlie) June 27, 2024