Mason Plumlee Signs One-Year Deal With Suns

JULY 3: Plumlee has officially signed with the Suns, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.


JUNE 30: The Suns have reached a one-year agreement with free agent center Mason Plumlee, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets. He’ll be signing for the 10-year veteran’s minimum worth approximately $3.3MM, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.

Phoenix entered the market looking for frontcourt depth after Drew Eubanks declined his player option in order to test the free agent waters.

Plumlee will be playing for his seventh team since entering the league during the 2013/14 season. He has had stints with Brooklyn, Portland, Denver, Detroit, Charlotte and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Hornets dealt him to the Clippers at the 2023 trade deadline. This past season, Plumlee appeared in 46 games (11 starts) and averaged 5.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 14.7 minutes per game.

Plumlee is a traditional center who doesn’t venture outside the arc but he’s always been a solid rebounder, passer and screener. A notoriously poor free throw shooter, he’s improved in that aspect during the last two seasons. Plumlee sank 70.7% of his attempts last season.

Phoenix is operating over the second tax apron and can only offer minimum deals to free agents. The Clippers will now be looking for a replacement for Plumlee.

Timberwolves Sign Joe Ingles To One-Year Contract

JULY 6: The Timberwolves officially confirmed in a press release that they’ve signed Ingles.


JULY 3: Free agent forward Joe Ingles has an agreement in place with the Timberwolves on a one-year contract, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).

While Wojnarowski doesn’t specify the financial details, Minnesota’s position relative to the second tax apron means the team an only offer the veteran’s minimum, so it’ll be a one-year, minimum-salary deal for Ingles.

Ingles spent last season in Orlando following eight years in Utah and one in Milwaukee. He averaged 4.4 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game across 68 appearances off the bench for the Magic in 2023/24, becoming an unrestricted free agent after the club declined his $11MM option on Saturday.

Ingles, who will turn 37 before opening night, is unlikely to play big minutes in Minnesota, but he brings value as a shooter (.410 career 3PT%), a secondary ball-handler and play-maker, and as a veteran leader who has the size to defend forwards and bigger wings.

That skill set made Ingles a top target for Tim Connelly and the front office with the team set to lose Kyle Anderson in free agency, tweets Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Moving to Minnesota will give Ingles the opportunity to reunite with Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert, his former teammates with the Jazz.

A minimum-salary contract will pay Ingles a salary of $3,303,771 in 2024/25 while the Wolves take on a cap hit of $2,087,519.

FA/Trade Rumors: Sixers, Heat, DeRozan, Warriors, Markkanen, Lakers, More

Signs are pointing toward Paul Reed being traded or waived rather than returning to the Sixers, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, who notes that waiving Reed or using his pseudo-expiring $7.7MM contract as a trade chip would allow the team to maximize its cap room. Pompey adds that Philadelphia has had discussions with free agent forward Haywood Highsmith, while Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald tweets that the 76ers have also “poked around” on Caleb Martin.

Although the Heat remain in the mix for both of their free agents and could technically make Martin and Highsmith big offers, they’ve told people they don’t intend to surpass the second tax apron due to the roster-building restrictions that second-apron teams face, says Jackson (Twitter link). That limits Miami’s ability to make a competitive offer to either player.

Despite the Heat’s financial restrictions, Jovan Buha of The Athletic has heard from league sources that Miami is viewed as the “slight” favorite to land DeMar DeRozan. The team doesn’t have the spending flexibility to make it work without additional moves, but DeRozan likes the idea of playing for the Heat and the two sides have remained in touch, tweets Jackson.

Here are a few more rumors and notes related to the trade and free agent markets:

  • The Warriors and Spurs are considered the most serious suitors for Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report (video link), who says Golden State has been the most aggressive team in its pursuit of Markkanen.
  • Appearing on SportsCenter on ESPN (Twitter video link), Adrian Wojnarowski said the Lakers aren’t interested in using their tradable draft picks just to move off contracts, but would be open to including draft assets for a quality player. However, they’re not pursuing a deal for a high-salary impact player, since they’re skeptical the three-star model is feasible under the new CBA, Wojnarowski explains.
  • While a report on Monday suggested the Nets are open to reuniting with Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, sources tell Brian Lewis of The New York Post that’s not expected to happen.
  • In an appearance on Sactown Sports 1140 (YouTube link), Sam Amick of The Athletic said that he’s skeptical the Kings will land Markkanen or Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, noting that Sacramento still appears to be taking a hard line in its desire to keep Keegan Murray off the table in trade talks. “I don’t know how long the list of guys is that they would give Keegan up for, but it’s not anybody currently available on the market,” Amick said.

Why Klay Thompson Left Warriors, Joined Mavericks

Several authors — including Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Sam Amick of The Athletic, and Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews of ESPN — have written recent stories about Klay Thompson‘s departure from the Warriors, with various sourced details from within the organization and those close to Thompson.

All three stories indicate there have been multiple incidents from both sides over the years that “splintered” the relationship, but perhaps most importantly was majority owner Joe Lacob spearheading a “cold, mostly uncommunicative approach to Thompson’s next contract in his three summers of extension eligibility,” a source tell Slater. While that may have been a common negotiating tactic for Lacob with key Warriors stakeholders over the years, the 34-year-old swingman “operates on his own wavelength,” as Slater writes.

According to Shelburne and Andrews, Thompson was “miserable” over the past year-plus for several reasons, including disappointing contract negotiations and a perceived disrespect that the Warriors had chosen to extend or re-sign players like Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole and Draymond Green but were unwilling to give him long-term security. It was also difficult for Thompson to reconcile with the fact that he was no longer physically able to be the same player after a pair of major injuries — a torn ACL and a torn Achilles tendon — cost him two-and-a-half seasons.

Thompson’s discontent was palpable throughout the 2023/24 season, which saw him benched at one point before he reclaimed his starting job to close the campaign. Sources tell ESPN that Thompson’s actions exasperated “even his loyalists in the locker room” last season. He also had several “emotional meetings” with head coach Steve Kerr, who said after the season ended he wanted to bring Thompson off the bench  and reduce his minutes in ’24/25, per Slater.

While it has been reported multiple times that the Warriors offered Thompson a two-year extension worth around $48MM last offseason, the team’s front office evidently did not keep that offer on the table during the season. According to ESPN’s duo, Thompson’s agents put “at least four” contract proposals on the table and each were declined, with the team saying it wanted to wait. The final offer came in at about $40MM over two seasons, per Shelburne and Andrews. The Warriors never made counteroffers, according to Amick.

Sources tell Slater that Thompson asked Stephen Curry not to put pressure on the front office and ownership to bring his longtime backcourt partner back, as Thompson wanted the team’s interest to come organically. ESPN’s authors hear that Thompson also spoke to Kerr and Green and told them similarly.

According to Slater, once it became clear that re-signing Thompson wasn’t a top priority for the Warriors and that they wanted him to be patient as they attended to other business, Thompson’s decision became “easy.” Thompson never received a formal offer from Golden State in free agency, but several sources tell Slater the 34-year-old unofficially decided to leave weeks prior.

Being heavily scrutinized in a large market weighed on Thompson, and he was looking for a “fresh start” with a new organization. He “loved watching” the Mavericks‘ run to the NBA Finals, and was also interested in playing for the Thunder and Lakers, per ESPN.

Dallas was Thompson’s top choice, both for his potential fit alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and for being in a media environment that is a little more laid back. Thompson played with former rival Irving on Team USA in the 2016 Olympics and the two were in regular contact about the possibility of teaming up in Dallas, according to Amick, who adds that Thompson viewed the Mavs as his best chance to win a fifth championship ring.

Oklahoma City had interest in Thompson but used its cap room to sign Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, Shelburne and Andrews note. Thompson had “positive” conversations with key Lakers stakeholders like LeBron James, J.J. Redick and Rob Pelinka, and L.A. was willing to offer him a four-year, $80MM contract as part of a sign-and-trade; however, sources tell Amick that offer was contingent on the Lakers convincing Golden State to take back D’Angelo Russell (he also could have been routed to a third team).

Ultimately, Thompson had reservations about the attention playing in Los Angeles would bring, thinking it would be too similar to the unhappy end to his tenure with Golden State, per ESPN’s authors. Despite offering less money (he’ll reportedly receive $50MM over three years in the sign-and-trade), Thompson liked the fit with the Mavs, who made him their top priority in a meeting led by GM Nico Harrison and VP of basketball operations Michael Finley, as Amick writes.

All three stories have more details on Thompson’s departure and decision to join the Mavericks and are worth reading in full.

Kemba Walker Returns To Hornets In Coaching Role

The Hornets have officially announced Charles Lee‘s staff for the new head coach’s first season in Charlotte, and the group includes one particularly notable name. According to a press release, former Hornets star Kemba Walker has been hired as a player enhancement coach.

Walker officially announced his retirement as a player on Tuesday and wasted no time transitioning into the next stage of his career. He hinted in Tuesday’s announcement that a new job in the NBA might be coming, writing, “Basketball will forever be a part of my life so this isn’t goodbye. I’m excited for what’s next.”

The ninth overall pick in the 2011 draft, Walker became the Hornets’ full-time starting point guard in his second NBA season and maintained that role through the 2018/19 campaign. He earned three All-Star berths and averaged 19.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 34.1 minutes per game across 605 total regular season games during his time in Charlotte before leaving for Boston in a sign-and-trade in 2019.

Lee is a former Celtics assistant, but his time in Boston didn’t overlap with Walker’s.

Most of the rest of Lee’s staff has been previously reported. It includes assistant coaches Lamar Skeeter, Josh Longstaff, Chris Jent, Blaine Mueller, Ryan Frazier, Matt Hill, and Jermaine Bucknor, the Hornets confirmed.

Zach Peterson has been hired as an assistant coach and director of player development, while Zeke Chapman has been named head video coordinator.

Monte Morris Signs With Suns

JULY 3: Morris’ one-year, minimum-salary contract is now official, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.


JULY 2: Free agent point guard Monte Morris intends to sign a contract with the Suns, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 had reported (via Twitter) earlier today that Morris appeared to be the club’s top option among free agent point guards.

Phoenix is limited to minimum-salary offers as a second-apron team, and Morris’ deal will be for one year, tweets Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports. It’s a nice get for the Suns, who had been in the market for a reliable option at the point.

Morris is coming off a down year in which he missed the first half due to a quad injury, changed teams in a midseason trade, and took some time to get back into game shape. He averaged just 5.0 points and 2.1 assists in 14.4 minutes per game across 33 total appearances with Detroit and Minnesota.

However, the 29-year-old has a solid NBA track record as both a backup and a starter. Across five seasons in Denver and Washington from 2018-23, he averaged 10.5 PPG, 4.0 APG, and 2.5 RPG with a shooting line of .480/.392/.829 in 339 games (166 starts; 25.8 MPG).

With three ball-dominant stars in Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant, the Suns didn’t really use a traditional point guard much in 2023/24, and I wouldn’t expect Morris to crack the team’s starting lineup. But having a veteran ball-handler who can help organize the offense should provide new head coach Mike Budenholzer with more options in his first year at the helm.

According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link), the Timberwolves had interest in re-signing Morris, but his return was considered a long shot after he didn’t have a role in the playoffs and the team acquired Rob Dillingham on draft night.

Kings Sign Isaiah Crawford, Isaac Jones To Two-Way Deals

JULY 3: Both signings are now official, per NBA.com’s transaction log. For now, all three Kings two-way slots are full, with Mason Jones occupying the third.


JUNE 27: The Kings plan to sign a pair of undrafted free agents to two-way contracts, according to reports from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter links).

Louisiana Tech wing Isaiah Crawford, who is ranked No. 10 on ESPN’s best undrafted players list, will be heading to Sacramento, as will Washington State big man Isaac Jones, who is ranked No. 5 on ESPN’s list. Both players were viewed as fringe second-round picks heading into the 2024 draft, with Jones ranking No. 59 on ESPN’s big board and Crawford slotting in at No. 67.

Crawford had an impressive senior season for the Bulldogs in 2023/24, averaging 16.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.1 SPG and 1.7 BPG on .485/.414/.728 shooting in 32 games (32.9 MPG). The 6’5″ forward possesses a 7’0″ wingspan and has some 3-and-D upside, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

Jones, meanwhile, was one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process even though he ultimately went undrafted, impressing at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and G League Elite Camp prior to being invited to the draft combine in Chicago. The 6’8″ forward/center is another prospect with excellent length, as he has a 7’3″ wingspan, per Givony.

Wizards Re-Sign Tristan Vukcevic To Two-Way Deal

The Wizards have re-signed center Tristan Vukcevic on a two-way contract, according to NBA.com’s transaction log. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype confirmed the move (Twitter link).

Washington drafted Vukcevic with the 42nd pick in 2023, but he spent most of the season with KK Partizan in Serbia before joining the Wizards in March. He started four of the 10 games he played during his brief time in the NBA, averaging 8.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per night.

The Wizards held a $2.42MM team option on Vukcevic for the 2024/25 season and could have issued him a qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent after declining that option. However, neither move was necessary to bring him back on a more team-friendly contract.

While the Wizards traded away starting center Daniel Gafford at last season’s deadline, they should have no shortage of options at the five heading into 2024/25. The club drafted Alex Sarr with the No. 2 pick and agreed to a three-year deal with Jonas Valanciunas in free agency. Richaun Holmes and Marvin Bagley are among the other big men on the roster, though neither is owed guaranteed money beyond this season, so they could be trade candidates.

Given Washington’s depth up front and Vukcevic’s two-way contract that allows him to be transferred freely back and forth from the G League, he could end up seeing a good deal of action for the Capital City Go-Go.

Jaylon Tyson Signs Rookie Contract With Cavaliers

Former Cal wing Jaylon Tyson has signed his rookie scale contract with the Cavaliers, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.

Tyson, who spent his three college seasons at three different schools – Texas, Texas Tech, and Cal – had a breakout year in 2023/24 for the Golden Bears. He declared for the draft following a junior season in which he averaged 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 34.3 minutes per contest (31 games), with a shooting line of .509/.360/.796.

As the 20th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Tyson should be in line for a contract that pays him about $3.3MM in his rookie year and $16.1MM for four seasons, assuming his third- and fourth-year team options are picked up down the road.

[RELATED: Rookie Scale Salaries For 2024 NBA First-Round Picks]

With Tyson signed, the Cavaliers are now carrying 12 players on standard contracts, including 10 fully guaranteed salaries (Craig Porter has a partial guarantee, while Sam Merrill‘s salary is non-guaranteed).

Hornets Waive Marques Bolden

The Hornets have waived center Marques Bolden, the team announced today (via Twitter). He had been occupying one of the team’s two-way slots.

An undrafted free agent in 2019 out of Duke, Bolden has bounced back and forth between the NBA and the G League over the past five years. In 2023/24, he began the season on a two-way contract with the Bucks. After being waived by Milwaukee, he signed a 10-day contract with the Hornets, then stayed with Charlotte on a two-year, two-way deal.

Bolden appeared in just 11 games at the NBA level last season, averaging 3.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per night. In 31 G League games for the Bucks’ and Hornets’ affiliates, the 26-year-old put up 12.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG in 24.6 MPG with a solid shooting line of .548/.429/.769.

Bolden was listed on the Summer League roster recently announced by the Warriors (Twitter link), so this move had been anticipated. The Hornets now have a pair of open two-way slots, with Leaky Black filling the third.