Month: November 2024

2018 NBA Free Agents

Hoops Rumors’ up-to-date list of 2018 free agents is below. These are players who were eligible for restricted or unrestricted free agency after the 2017/18 season or who have been released since then. The player’s 2018 age is in parentheses.

Generally speaking, only players who appeared in at least 10 regular season games in 2017/18 and/or finished the season on a 15-man NBA roster are listed below. Players who have appeared in games during the 2018/19 season and are no longer on a roster are also listed.

This list will continue to be updated throughout the 2018/19 season, so be sure to use it as a point of reference throughout the year. It can be found anytime under “Hoops Rumors Features” on the right-hand sidebar of our desktop site, or in the “Features” menu of our mobile site. If you have any corrections or omissions, please contact us.

Updated 4-10-19 (3:13pm CT)


Unrestricted Free Agents

Point Guards

Shooting Guards

Small Forwards

Power Forwards

Centers


Restricted Free Agents

Point Guards

  • None

Shooting Guards

  • None

Small Forwards

  • None

Power Forwards

  • None

Centers

  • None

Player Options

No decisions remaining. Click here for Hoops Rumors’ 2018/19 player option decision tracker.


Team Options

No decisions remaining. Click here for Hoops Rumors’ 2018/19 team option decision tracker.


Non-Guaranteed Contracts

Our list of players on non-guaranteed contracts for 2018/19 has been moved. Click here for that list of players, who aren’t free agents, but don’t yet have fully guaranteed salaries for the coming season.

Contract information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post.

Submit Your Questions For Hoops Rumors Mailbag

We at Hoops Rumors love interacting with our readers. This is why we provide an opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in our weekly mailbag feature, which is posted each Sunday.

Have a question regarding player movement, free agent rumors, the salary cap, the NBA draft, or the top storylines of the week? You can e-mail them here: hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com. Feel free to send emails throughout the week, but please be mindful that we may receive a sizable number of questions and might not get to all of them.

If you missed out on any past mailbags and would like to catch up, you can view the full archives here.

Poll: 2008 NBA Draft Take Two (Pick No. 14)

Scouting players and predicting how their skills will translate to the NBA is one of the more difficult tasks front offices have on their plates. Looking back over past drafts and how many lottery picks never evolved into stars, or even made a significant impact in the league, illustrates just how often stats, combine numbers and pure gut instinct often come up short.

Of course, we get the opportunity to critique these moves with the benefit of hindsight — a luxury that GMs don’t have on draft night. Having said that, it’s still fun to go back in time and take a theoretical look at how these drafts should have/could have gone.

We’ve been revisiting 2008 draft, which had a number of players who have gone on to post big numbers in the league. This was the year of Derrick Rose (No. 1 overall), Russell Westbrook (No. 4), Kevin Love (No. 5), Brook Lopez (No. 10) and Nicolas Batum (No. 25). Over the next few weeks, we’ll be posting a series of polls asking readers to vote on whom teams should have selected in each spot.

We’ll finish off the lottery portion of the draft with the Warriors, who held the No. 14 overall pick that year. In the “real world” draft, Golden State nabbed forward Anthony Randolph with its pick. Will he be the pick once again? That’s for you to decide. So cast your vote for who the Warriors should have selected and check back on Saturday to see the results, as well as to vote on whom the Suns should have taken with the No. 15 pick. Also, don’t limit yourself to a simple button click. Take to the comments section below and share your thoughts on the pick and why you voted the way that you did. If we fail to list a player who you think should be selected, feel free to post that in the comments section and we’ll be certain to tally those votes as well.

  1. Bulls — Russell Westbrook [Actual Pick — Derrick Rose]
  2. Heat — Kevin Love [Actual Pick — Michael Beasley]
  3. Wolves — Derrick Rose [Actual Pick — O.J. Mayo]
  4. Sonics/Thunder — DeAndre Jordan [Actual Pick — Russell Westbrook]
  5. Grizzlies — Brook Lopez [Actual Pick — Kevin Love]
  6. Knicks — Serge Ibaka  [Actual Pick — Danilo Gallinari]
  7. Clippers — Nicolas Batum [Actual Pick — Eric Gordon]
  8. Bucks — Goran Dragic [Actual Pick — Joe Alexander]
  9. Bobcats/Hornets — Danilo Gallinari [Actual Pick — D.J. Augustin]
  10. Nets — Ryan Anderson [Actual Pick — Brook Lopez]
  11. Blazers (from Pacers) — Eric Gordon [Actual Pick — Jerryd Bayless]
  12. Kings — George Hill  [Actual Pick — Jason Thompson]
  13. Pacers (from Blazers) — Robin Lopez [Actual Pick — Brandon Rush]
  14. Warriors — ?? [Actual Pick — Anthony Randolph]

If you’re a Trade Rumors app user, click here to vote.

Darren Collison Agrees To Plea Deal

The domestic violence case against the Kings’ Darren Collison has been resolved, with the point guard agreeing to a plea deal, James Ham of CSNBayArea.com reports. As part of the arrangement, Collison pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor domestic violence, Ham notes. The 29-year-old received a 20-day jail sentence, which he will serve in an Alternative Sentencing Program, where he will work on community service projects overseen by Placer County. He will not spend any time incarcerated, per the scribe.

In addition to community service, Collison was also sentenced to three years of informal probation and he is required to attend a 52-week “Batterer Treatment” class, which is mandatory by the state of California in all domestic violence convictions, Ham relays.

Words cannot describe the feelings and regret that I have been experiencing the last few months,” Collison said in a statement. “My family and I found ourselves in such an unfamiliar situation and it has been a difficult few months. This is far from who I am as a person and not something I am proud of. I take full responsibility for my actions. I have apologized to my beautiful wife that I have known and loved since high school. I appreciate and am thankful for the love and understanding from my family, friends and supporters. Now it is time to put this behind us and move forward.

The Kings also released a statement on the matter, which read: “Domestic violence is a serious issue across our nation and one that runs contrary to our organization’s values. We’re disappointed by Darren’s behavior and today he accepted full responsibility for his actions. He is committed to using this incident to help raise awareness through education of this critical issue in the community. We’re working with Darren and the NBA on the appropriate next steps.

With Collison now officially convicted of a crime, he will almost assuredly be facing a suspension by the NBA. The previous precedent established for what Collison and Sacramento could be facing was when Jeff Taylor pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic assault charge back in 2014 and received a 24-game suspension from the NBA as a result.

Salary Cap Snapshot: Cleveland Cavaliers

With the free agent signing period winding down and teams looking ahead to the preseason, we at Hoops Rumors will be tracking the Salary Cap figures for each team around the league.  These posts will be maintained throughout the season once financial data is reported. They will be located on the sidebar throughout the year, once all the teams’ cap figures have been relayed. You can always check RosterResource.com for up-to-date rosters for each franchise, with the Cavs’ team page accessible here.

Here’s a breakdown of where the Cavaliers currently stand financially:


Guaranteed Salary

Total Guaranteed Salary= $126,590,164


Cash Sent Out Via Trade: $3.5MM ($200K sent to Bucks in Matthew Dellavedova trade; $1.8MM sent to Sixers in Sasha Kaun trade; $750K sent to Hawks in Kyle Korver trade; $750K sent to Hornets in Chris Andersen trade) [Amount Remaining $0]

Cash Received Via Trade: $0 [Amount Remaining $3.5MM]


Payroll Exceptions Available

  • Trade Exception — $4,837,500 (Mike Dunleavy trade) — Expires on 1/7/18
  • Trade Exception — $2,194,500 (Mo Williams trade) — Expires on 1/7/18
  • Trade Exception — $1,333,420 (Sasha Kaun trade) — Expires on 8/15/17
  • Trade Exception — $980,431 (Chris Andersen trade) — Expires on 2/13/18
  • Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception — $433,529 (Used portions to sign Richard Jefferson and Kay Felder)

Total Projected Payroll: $126,590,164

Salary Cap: $94,143,000

Estimated Available Cap Space: $32,447,164


Luxury Tax Threshold: $113,287,000

Total Projected Payroll For Tax Purposes: $126,696,581

Amount Above Luxury Tax: $13,409,581

Projected Luxury Tax Bill: $24,773,953

Last Updated: 4/15/17

The Basketball Insiders salary pages and The Vertical’s salary database were used in the creation of this post.

Raptors Sign Masai Ujiri To Extension

The Raptors have locked up their team president and their primary basketball decision-maker for a few more years, the team announced today in a press release. Masai Ujiri, who had two years remaining on his previous contract, has signed a multiyear extension with Toronto, according to the announcement.Masai Ujiri vertical

In addition to Ujiri’s extension, the Raptors also confirmed a couple other pieces of front-office news, announcing that Jeff Weltman has been promoted to general manager, while Bobby Webster will get a new title of assistant GM/VP basketball strategy.

“I am grateful to the Board and Mr. [Larry] Tanenbaum for the opportunity to continue our progress to build the Raptors into one of the top franchises in the NBA,” Ujiri said in a statement. “I’m also excited that Jeff and Bobby are being rewarded for their hard work and valuable contributions to our program. My family thanks the NBA, Raptors players and coaches, staff, Raptors fans, the city of Toronto and Canada for this opportunity. Toronto is home for us.”

Ujiri, who was named the Raptors’ president and general manager back on May 31, 2013, has helped lead the franchise to three consecutive playoff berths, and has overseen the best stretch in franchise history. After failing to top 47 wins in their first 18 years of existence, the Raptors have established a new high in wins in a season for three straight years — the team won 48 games in 2013/14, 49 in 2014/15, and 56 last season. Toronto also earned a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals this past season, after having never previously won a seven-game playoff series.

Under Ujiri’s watch, the Raptors have turned into a contender in the East while also continuing to develop young talent. Bruno Caboclo, Lucas Nogueira, Delon Wright, Jakob Poeltl, and Pascal Siakam are all currently on rookie contracts. Toronto has also retained draftees such as DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas, and Terrence Ross with long-term deals, while adding players like DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph in free agency.

An ESPN report last month first indicated that the Raptors and Ujiri were discussing an extension.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Kevin Seraphin Drew Serious Interest From Barcelona

Kevin Seraphin will remain in the NBA for the coming season, after agreeing to a two-year deal with the Pacers this week. However, for most of the offseason, Seraphin had been expecting to play overseas in 2016/17, with FC Barcelona viewed as his likely landing spot. In an interview with Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype, the veteran big man explained why a deal in Spain didn’t materialize.

“Barcelona was my first option,” Seraphin said. “I talked to the GM. He called me. After that, I talked to the coach and they were my first option. But they made us wait. They were like, ‘We have to make room.’ Then they told us they could not do it because they couldn’t make room.”

Last week, a report indicated that Seraphin had switched representation, hiring Bouna Ndiaye after having been previously represented by Klutch Sports. The same report suggested that NBA opportunities were in play for the former 17th overall pick, and that was no coincidence. According to Seraphin, his new agent was calling NBA teams in search of a deal.

“I was looking forward to an opportunity to play a lot and show people what I can do,” Seraphin said. “Since it didn’t happen with Barcelona, we looked at opportunities in the NBA… And then Barcelona came back! But it was too late then because we were in the process of talking to NBA teams, then I tried out for a couple of days and now I’m with the Pacers.”

While Seraphin likely would have had a bigger role on the Spanish team than he will with the Pacers, he got a guaranteed deal worth more than the minimum salary from Indiana, and looks poised to be a part of the team’s regular-season roster. Indiana now has 16 players on guaranteed contracts, meaning someone with a guaranteed salary will have to be waived before the season gets underway.

Community Shootaround: Blockbuster Trades

In a piece published by The Ringer earlier this week, Kevin O’Connor conceded that “all is quiet on the mega-trade front, for now,” but wondered if there are a handful of situations around the NBA that could result in blockbuster trades over the course of the next 12 months.

As O’Connor notes, the trade market appeared to be primed for some significant deals earlier this summer, with the Bulls reportedly looked into moving Jimmy Butler, and names like Russell Westbrook, DeMarcus Cousins, and Blake Griffin popping up in the rumor mill as well. However, those players’ teams ultimately decided to stand pat, or even doubled down on investments in their stars — the Thunder signed Westbrook to a contract extension, while the Bulls opted to build around Butler after moving Derrick Rose.

None of those players will be on the move anytime soon, but O’Connor suggests that, if things don’t go well this season for some of those clubs, trade talks could materialize at the deadline or next summer.

For instance, if the Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo additions don’t work out well in Chicago, would the team consider embarking on a full-fledged rebuild and moving Butler? If the Thunder and Kings aren’t playoff teams this season, will those clubs look to fortify their rosters around Westbrook and Cousins, respectively, or will they explore trading him? Will Griffin’s impending free agency concern the Clippers, or will the team continue to be confident he’ll re-up? O’Connor also throws the Indiana Paul George into the discussion, suggesting that if George doesn’t sign an extension right away and the new-look Pacers struggle, PG-13 could become a trade candidate.

We’re still far away from any of those players genuinely landing on the trade block, and if those teams play well this season, speculation will die down. But if certain clubs are hit with a worst-case-scenario outcome this year, some intriguing players could become trade candidates.

What do you think? Will any of the players mentioned above become available, or be moved, by next summer? Is there another star player around the league that you expect to land on the trade block? Or will the 2016/17 league year be relatively quiet when it comes to trades?

Take to the comments section below to share your opinions on the possibility of a blockbuster NBA trade or two in 2016/17. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Heat Notes: Arison, Bosh, Shaq, Reed

Don’t read too much into Heat owner Micky Arison’s “look forward to seeing in camp” tweet to Chris Bosh, cautions Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Bosh was expected in camp regardless of his immediate playing status, and he still must pass a team physical before being cleared for any action. Bosh’s health and future with the Heat remain uncertain after missing the end of the past two seasons with blood clots, and Winderman suggests that Miami has few options with the veteran power forward and his hefty contract unless there is “an overwhelming consensus” that his NBA career is over.

There’s more news out of Miami:

  • Bosh may have looked impressive in his on-line workouts, but the Heat need to see him in a contact situation before making a decision on his ability to play with or without medication, Winderman writes in a separate story. That’s why it would be helpful to the team if he is cleared to participate in training camp.
  • Heat president Pat Riley calls the trade that brought Shaquille O’Neal to Miami in 2004 the most important move in franchise history, Winderman relays in another piece. O’Neal, who will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame tonight, came to Miami in 2004 in exchange for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and two draft picks. He led the Heat to the 2006 title before being traded to Phoenix two years later. “I’ll say this, and I mean this,” Riley said. “Shaq’s acquisition was bigger than any acquisition that we ever made, including the Big Three.”
  • After appearing in just 39 games with the Nets during his rookie season, Willie Reed hopes he has found the right situation in Miami, according to Joe Beguiristain of NBA.com. The 6’10” power forward signed with the Heat in July, accepting a two-year minimum-salary deal with a player option for the second season. Beguiristain notes that Reed often produced when given an opportunity, and scored 14 points to go with eight rebounds and four blocks in a March 5th game against Minnesota.

Central Notes: Wade, George, Seraphin, Novak

Dwyane Wade‘s reasons for signing with the Bulls after 13 years in Miami transcend basketball, relays ESPN.com. In an interview with Good Morning America that aired today, Wade said he hopes to serve as a voice to help end the wave of gun violence that has infected Chicago. That violence touched Wade’s family last week when his 32-year-old cousin, Nykea Aldridge, was killed in the city by a stray bullet. Wade, who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, and his mother, Jolina Wade, a former drug dealer, participated in a series of panel discussions on gun violence just before Aldridge was shot. “Now I’m back in the city of Chicago — I’m back for a reason,” Wade said. “I played 13 years in Miami. Now I’m back in the city, let me see what I can do as one person to help lend my voice and help shed light on the tragedy that’s going on and find a solution to start the process of making change.”

There’s more news out of the Central Division:

  • The Pacersagreement with Kevin Seraphin should have little effect on a planned long-term extension for Paul George, tweets Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Indiana needs to free up just $3.802MM to get George to his maximum salary for this season, Kyler notes. George will become eligible for an extension on September 25th.
  • Several European teams, particularly FC Barcelona, had expressed strong interest in Seraphin before he signed with the Pacers, according to Orazio Cauchi of Sportando.
  • Steve Novak was given the power to block a trade when he re-signed with the Bucks on Monday, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders. The 33-year-old free agent accepted a one-year, $1,551,659 deal to return to Milwaukee, where he played just three games last season before suffering a sprained left MCL.