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Lakers’ LeBron James Opting Out To Become Free Agent

June 29th, 2024 at 4:18pm CST by Tristan Tucker

4:18pm: Confirming James’ opt-out decision, agent Rich Paul tells Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link) that the star forward is open to discussing a deal worth less than the max if it means adding another impact player.

“He is prioritizing a roster improvement,” Paul said of James. “He’s been adamant about exuding all efforts to improve the roster.”

11:16am: Lakers superstar LeBron James is declining his $51.4MM player option for the 2024/25 season, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).

While the move will technically make James a free agent, the expectation is that he’ll return to the Lakers on a new deal, Charania reports. Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press confirms that LeBron plans to seek a new agreement with Los Angeles.

This was the expected move, as we previously relayed. As cap expert Yossi Gozlan observes (Twitter link), James can re-sign with the Lakers for a maximum of $162MM over three years, which would take him through his age-42 season. Additionally, he’s eligible for a no-trade clause.

The Lakers’ team salary would be in first-apron territory if they bring James back at the max. However, he may be willing to be flexible.

Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) says the four-time MVP would be open to accepting a lower salary to help the club access the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($12.9MM) if there’s a target that makes sense. Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link) explores what that math might look like.

The Lakers selected LeBron’s son, Bronny James, with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 draft on Thursday. Re-signing with the Lakers would allow for the elder James to play next to his son, something he’s expressed interest in doing in the past.

LeBron has maintained a high level of play even through his age-39 season, averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists while shooting 54.0% from the field and 41.0% from three in 71 games last season. His 71 games played last year represented his highest regular season total since 2017/18 with Cleveland, and LeBron helped push the Lakers to the playoffs, where they fell in five games to the Nuggets.

While the Lakers lost in the first round, they were competitive against the reigning champs, having been outscored by 11 points in the series. With new coach J.J. Redick on board, Los Angeles seems poised to build on its core heading into next year.

LeBron’s spent the last six seasons of his career with Los Angeles, winning a ring in ’19/20 and passing several milestones while donning the purple-and-gold, including becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in points scored.

Grizzlies Decline Luke Kennard’s 2024/25 Team Option

June 29th, 2024 at 4:15pm CST by Luke Adams

The Grizzlies did not exercise Luke Kennard‘s $14.8MM team option for 2024/25 prior to Saturday’s deadline, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).

While the move will make Kennard an unrestricted free agent, the two sides are “eager” to discuss a new, restructured deal, according to Wojnarowski.

Kennard was limited to just 39 games (22 starts) this past season for health reasons, including a left knee bone bruise, but was effective when he was available, with averages of 11.0 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game.

One of the NBA’s best three-point shooters, the 28-year-old wing has made at least 44.6% of his attempts from beyond the arc in each of the past four seasons, including 45.0% in 2023/24.

A $14.8MM salary isn’t unreasonable for a shooter of that caliber, but the Grizzlies would have been above the first tax apron if they had exercised Kennard’s option. As Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets, team salary is now $8MM below the luxury tax line and $11.5MM below the first apron.

The Grizzlies value Kennard and what he brings to the rotation, according to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Twitter link), so a new deal is possible. However, as Cole notes, the veteran sharpshooter figures to draw interest on the open market.

Bulls’ Torrey Craig Picking Up Option

June 29th, 2024 at 4:14pm CST by Arthur Hill

Bulls forward Torrey Craig has exercised his $2.8MM player option for next season, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).

Craig, 33, came to Chicago last summer, signing a two-year contract that paid him $2.5MM this season and included the option for 2024/25. The defensive specialist appeared in 53 games this year, making 14 starts and averaging 5.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.8 minutes per night.

Craig broke into the NBA on a two-way contract with Denver in 2017 and has spent time with Milwaukee, Indiana and Phoenix as well.

It’s unclear what his role might be next season as Chicago appears to be pivoting toward a younger and more athletic team. Craig’s salary could be useful in a trade as Arturas Karnisovas tries to remake the roster.

Craig is the only Bull who had a player option decision to finalize today.

Heat’s Caleb Martin, Thomas Bryant Opting For Free Agency

June 29th, 2024 at 4:11pm CST by Luke Adams

Heat forward Caleb Martin is turning down his $7.13MM player option for 2024/25 in order to become an unrestricted free agent, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Miami big man Thomas Bryant is also declining a player option and opting for unrestricted free agency, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (Twitter link). Bryant’s option would have paid him about $2.85MM.

Martin’s decision comes as no surprise. He ranked 23rd on our list of this summer’s top 50 free agents. While his 2023/24 numbers (10.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.2 APG) don’t jump off the page, he’s the type of connecting piece that every team could use.

The 28-year-old wing can help out in a lot of different ways, including as a shooter (.368 3PT% during his three years in Miami) and switchable defender. He should draw interest from multiple teams willing to offer him more than he would have earned on his option.

Bryant’s decision, meanwhile, could have gone either way. The Heat envisioned him as Bam Adebayo‘s backup at the five when they signed him last summer, but the fit wasn’t as smooth as either side had hoped.

Bryant averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in just 11.6 minutes per game across 38 appearances. While he may not receive offers above the minimum on the open market, it makes sense that he’d seek a situation where he might have a larger role.

Of the four Heat veterans who entered the week with player option decisions to make, only Josh Richardson opted in. Martin, Bryant, and Kevin Love all declined their options, though Love, at least, is considered a strong candidate to remain in Miami.

Celtics Decline Team Option On Neemias Queta

June 29th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Celtics have decided to decline the player option of reserve center Neemias Queta, making him a free agent, reports Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (via Twitter).

The move doesn’t necessarily mean Queta’s days in Boston are over, according to Himmelsbach, who suggests the two sides could explore a new deal.

Queta was initially selected by the Kings out of Utah State with the No. 39 pick in 2021. After two seasons in Sacramento, the seven-footer jumped ship to join the eventual champs. He averaged a career highs of 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per night with the Celtics across 28 contests, earning a promotion from his two-way contract to the 15-man roster.

He was not part of the club’s rotation during its title run, appearing for cameos in just three contests.

Thunder Declining 2024/25 Options On Joe, Wiggins

June 29th, 2024 at 3:30pm CST by Luke Adams

The Thunder won’t exercise their team options for 2024/25 on wings Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Both options were for very team-friendly rates — Joe’s was worth $2.165MM, while Wiggins’ was for $1.989MM. On the surface, it looks like a surprise that Oklahoma City is turning them down, given that the two players were solid rotation pieces in 2023/24.

However, as Charania notes, the Thunder don’t intend to let either player get away and will work on longer-term deals with both of them.

The thinking is that the Thunder will be able to keep Joe’s and Wiggins’ very small cap holds on the books, use up all of their cap room on other moves, then go over the cap to re-sign the two players to multiyear contracts using their Bird rights (or, in Joe’s case, Early Bird rights).

Joe and Wiggins will be rewarded with raises for the 2024/25 season and may in turn give the Thunder a better long-term rate than they would have if they became free agents a year from now (though that’s not a certainty).

Wiggins can be made a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer, and Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link) confirms he has received that offer (worth about $2.4MM). However, Joe has too many years of service to be an RFA, so I’d imagine the Thunder have a pretty good idea of what it will take to re-sign him.

Joe has spent the past two seasons in Oklahoma City after being waived by the Sixers. During that time, he has been one of the team’s most reliable shooters off the bench, averaging 8.8 points per game with a .412 3PT% in 151 outings (11 starts; 18.8 MPG).

Wiggins, the 55th overall pick in the 2021 draft, has been with the Thunder for three seasons, averaging 7.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 1.2 APG in 198 games (53 starts; 18.9 MPG) during that time. His career shooting line is an impressive .514/.394/.780.

Pacific Notes: Westbrook, Reaves, Murray, Suns FA Targets

June 29th, 2024 at 2:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Although Russell Westbrook is exercising his player option to guarantee his $4MM salary for the 2024/25 season, his return to the Clippers isn’t a certainty, a league source tells Law Murray and Jenna West of The Athletic, who write that there’s a chance “the player and team move on” this offseason. The Clippers have been linked to other veteran point guards in recent weeks, including Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry.

Here’s more from around the Pacific:

Although the Lakers still had some interest in Dejounte Murray before Atlanta agreed to trade him to New Orleans, L.A. remained unwilling to give up Austin Reaves as part of its package and was out of the running as a result, sources tell Shams Charania, Sam Amick, and West of The Athletic.
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link) names Monte Morris and Aaron Holiday as a pair of potential free agent point guard targets to watch for the Suns. Phoenix will be limited to minimum-salary offers, which means Holiday may be a more viable option than Morris. Gambadoro adds that previously reported target Kris Dunn would be a logical fit for the Suns, but says he’s not sure if Dunn will be “gettable.”
Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports shares his Suns free agency primer, breaking down potential options for the team on the free agent and trade markets and detailing the restrictions the front office will face as it navigates the second tax apron.

Hawks Picking Up Option On Garrison Mathews

June 29th, 2024 at 1:10pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Hawks are picking up their team option on marksman Garrison Mathews for the 2024/25 season, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Scotto notes that this could help clear a path for the Lipscomb alum, 27, to sign a contract extension with the club in the future. As Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets, Mathews will become eligible for extension-eligible on July 6.

In 2023/24, Mathews connected on 44% of his shot attempts from beyond the arc, a career best. The 6’5″ shooting guard averaged 4.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game on a .456/.440/.810 shooting line while appearing in 66 contests for the 36-46 Hawks. The journeyman wing has also played for the Wizards and Rockets since kicking off his career in 2019.

He was flipped to the Hawks late into the 2022/23 season, but finally carved out a consistent bench role as a floor-spacer last year.

More Conflicting Reports On Sasha Vezenkov’s Future

June 29th, 2024 at 12:43pm CST by Luke Adams

Sasha Vezenkov officially has a new NBA team, having been traded from the Kings to the Raptors on Friday. However, that hasn’t quieted whispers from the rumor mill about what his future holds.

Alessandro Maggi of Sportando reported earlier today that Vezenkov is expected to return to the EuroLeague, where he earned MVP honors in 2023. According to Maggi, Vezenkov is close to finalizing a four-year contract with his former team in Greece, Olympiacos.

However, Toronto-based reporter Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca disputed that claim, noting that the Raptors have Vezenkov and his guaranteed $6.66MM salary on their books for the 2024/25 season and have no plans to waive him. The expectation from the team is that he’ll be in training camp this fall, Grange adds.

This isn’t the first time this offseason that there have been conflicting reports about Vezenkov’s future. Earlier in June, an Italian reporter claimed Vezenkov was told he was no longer in Sacramento’s plans and the team would look to trade him, while Eurohoops said that Vezenkov told the Kings he wasn’t going to return for a second season and that he was undecided on whether he would stay in the NBA or return to Europe.

A follow-up report stated that Vezenkov intended to honor his contract and indicated there was “no truth” to the rumor that the forward was considering an NBA exit. His agent subsequently said on the record that staying in the NBA was the priority, though he added that Panathinaikos and Olympiacos had interest in his client.

Given all that context, it seems likely that Vezenkov will continue on his current contract if the Raptors are interested in bringing him to camp, but this could be a situation worth keeping an eye on as the offseason progresses.

Suns, Royce O’Neale Complete Four-Year Deal

June 29th, 2024 at 12:40pm CST by Luke Adams

JULY 6: O’Neale’s new contract with the Suns is official, according to the NBA’s transaction log. It has a base value of $42MM, with an additional $2MM in unlikely incentives, Hoops Rumors has learned.

JUNE 29: Free agent forward Royce O’Neale intends to sign a four-year, $44MM contract to remain with the Suns, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).

The deal won’t feature either a team or player option and will be fully guaranteed, reports Zach Lowe of ESPN (Twitter link). It will be the most lucrative contract of O’Neale’s career, topping his previous four-year, $36MM extension that’s about to expire.

The No. 19 player on our list of this year’s top 50 free agents, O’Neale has been a reliable, durable wing since entering the league in 2017, never appearing in fewer than 69 games in a season across stints in Utah, Brooklyn, and Phoenix. The Suns acquired the former Baylor standout from Brooklyn in a three-team deal at February’s trade deadline.

A versatile defender with the size to match up against bigger wings and forwards, O’Neale isn’t much of an offensive threat, having never averaged more than 8.8 points per game in a season. But he’s a solid three-point shooter, with a career rate of 38.1% from beyond the arc, and he has averaged 3.2 assists per game over the past two seasons.

Because Phoenix projects to operate over the second tax apron in 2024/25, the team would have had no means to replace O’Neale or Grayson Allen with an equivalent player in free agency, so there was an expectation that both players would be re-signed. The Suns extended Allen in April and have now reached a deal to retain O’Neale as well.

Since O’Neale was expected to receive interest on the open market from rival suitors, the belief was that Phoenix would have to go up to three or four years to beat out clubs who might offer a higher starting salary. That turned out to be the case, with the Suns making a guaranteed four-year commitment to the 31-year-old.

As cap expert Yossi Gozlan tweets, adding O’Neale’s new deal to the Suns’ books increases their projected team salary for next season to nearly $217MM. The luxury tax line is expected to come in around $171.3MM. There may be more moves to come that push the Suns’ salary in one direction or the other, but based on the current projections – and accounting for tax penalties – it would be the second-most expensive roster in NBA history, says Gozlan.