The Pacers‘ interest in signing Max Strus may be an indication that free agent forward Harrison Barnes will remain with the Kings, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack column.
Stein reported recently that Indiana was interested in adding Barnes, who has huge supporters in Rick Carlisle, his former coach in Dallas, and Tyrese Haliburton, his ex-teammate in Sacramento. However, the Pacers only have $30MM in cap space, and Stein assumes Barnes is no longer in their plans if they’re preparing an offer for Strus in the $16MM range.
Sacramento radio host Carmichael Dave tweets that Barnes’ return to the Kings is “picking up major steam,” but the final details of a new contract still have to be worked out.
Stein offers inside information on a few more free agents:
- Even though the Lakers are reported to have significant interest in Bruce Brown, Stein believes somebody will offer the Nuggets free agent more than the mid-level exception. L.A. appears certain to match any offer for restricted free agent Austin Reaves, who is eligible for nearly $102MM over four years from a rival team. A source told Stein that it should be considered an “automatic match.”
- Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks are increasingly expected to commit to the Rockets shortly after the start of free agency, according to Stein, who says there would be “legitimate leaguewide surprise” if it doesn’t happen. Stein hears that Brooks will likely get a two-year contract with an annual salary in the $14-16MM range, while Houston is prepared to make a two-year, maximum-salary offer of $83.6MM for VanVleet. Stein states that the Rockets are confident new coach Ime Udoka can maximize Brooks’ game while limiting his excesses, while VanVleet is viewed as a leader and culture setter for a young roster.
- The “prevailing expectation” is that Sixers guard James Harden and Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will re-sign with their current teams, according to Stein. He added that it remains difficult to project the length and dollar value of their new contracts as of Thursday morning.
- According to Stein, multiple rival teams expect Andre Drummond to join the Mavericks, who added two new centers last week by drafting Dereck Lively II and trading for Richaun Holmes. Sources tell Stein that free agent Christian Wood and JaVale McGee are no longer in the team’s plans, though McGee has one more guaranteed year left on his contract, along with a $6MM player option for 2024/25.
- Free agent guard Damion Lee is considered likely to sign a new deal with the Suns, Stein adds.
Man, are the Rockets trying to get worse?
“We have a young team, let’s add the NBA’s biggest cancer.”
I am more surprised how much they are willing to give Brooks. Is he worth that much given how the market is not there for that much.
2nd team defense last year. If they can get him to shut up and just play his stout defense and not worry too much about offense it could be a great signing.
The rockets won’t be competitive in the next 2-3 years so bringing in someone like fvv to try to bring a little leadership to the organization makes sense
Unfortunately I don’t see that happening. He didn’t bring it to Memphis and actually did the opposite took them down.
Yes. Brooks ran his mouth in the playoffs on LeBron and then got shut down completely. Don’t need these me-first types around the young players on the Rockets. Sign VanVleet and Lopez to short term high value contracts. That’s the smart move. I know FVV isn’t worth that money based on stats alone but they need some real leadership in the locker room and that is worth the extra money.
what is the point in having opening free agent window when all the top players already know where they are going and how much they are getting 48 hours before free agency starts
McGee is looking like a buy out candidate. Both him and Christian Woods do not look like a tradeable asset. they will not get back much more than a last off the bench player.
Blowing 60 million on FVV and Brooks…. How are these the moves by an actual NBA front office
These “reports” are not coming from the rockets so they should be taken with a grain of salt. Now having said that, there’s really not a lot of available players that are likely to leave their current teams and teams with significant cap space have to spend it because of the new CBA, so it is possible that if the rockets can’t sign other guys they want, that they spend a lot of money on one and two year deals just to satisfy the salary cap floor while also keeping flexibility for the following offseasons. The per years might seem high but in this situation, I think the rockets are more concerned with the length of contracts, unless it’s a guy they see in their long term plans.
Austin Reaves for 4/100 is absurd
that is why he will most likely resign with the lakers. He got his bag.
That’s a lot for FVV but if it’s only a 2 year, that’s manageable
I don’t like what they have collected. I like Smith. Not 6’3 Green at SG. Or Sengun 6’9 C they love. They should of traded for Henderson. They don’t have enough yet. Sign Beverley, Harden, J Green. Trade for PJ Tucker. Keep Boban. keep building. Green and Sengun are not enough. Do it all for one year contracts with team options
So you want them to become the same team they were 6-7 years ago but at this point in their careers? Hey maybe Terrence jones can come back, the chuck wagon too. I agree sengun is too small to play center but suggesting they bring back the gang isn’t very wise
Not Terrance Jones kicking homeless people while they are sleeping. How about Chuck Hayes
For a one year plus team option
It’s pointless trying to talk rockets with guys like Luke. Their evaluation of the Rockets roster and what they think the team needs to do is so far off from logical that there is no way to have a reasonable conversation.
Are you kicking homeless people with Terrance Jones? Calm down dude . Didn’t mean to upset you. I’m not a Rockets fan but they need to keep rebuilding. I’m not saying sign Harden for 5 years. maybe one or two
Sengun was 6′ 11″ in 2022-2023 and seems to have got taller this offseason
If he’s 6’11 then keep him but if shorter then trade him. Play Green at PG, Porter at SG
And sign Brooks for one year too
I’m surprised teams haven’t thought of signing players to more 1-2 year deals. That’s a good idea Luke…
The thing I’m surprised at is that the Rockets want FVV at all given that they have three guys who can already be the lead ball handler on the roster. Certainly he can play, but they already have Sengun, Amen Thompson, and KPJ. And that’s not counting Nix or Washington. I don’t like KPJ as a PG, but he’s still in that role and is expected to reprise that role, maybe splitting time with Thompson the way the Pacers did things with Mathurin behind Hield. As is, the PG rotation isn’t crowded, but I feel like having FVV in front of those guys will complicate the allocation of minutes to the youngsters.
If they want a veteran leader who eats up cap space and can play the point, they should try and get Kyle Lowry’s expiring contract and a first for something. Lowry’s a candidate to just get waived, after all, but he’s also a decorated player and a champion. Bringing him back to the Rockets seems like a good move on paper. It’s possible he wants to chase a ring, but I don’t think FVV is the move from an on-court perspective, necessarily. Though I get that there aren’t a ton of free agents worth paying a bunch of money, and they do need to burn cap space. Maybe they could work out a three-team deal between the Heat, themselves, and another team?
I’m sure someone will tell me I’m totally off-base or wrong that Lowry will accept staying with the Rockets, but I thought it was worth discussing.
Rockets just seem intent on being a dumpster fire…
First Udoka…
Then Harden…
Then Brooks…
No chance of building a decent culture…