Week 2 ends on the eve of NBA Free agency that starts June 30th 6pm ET. Some of the game’s biggest names will either sign a new deal with their team or sign elsewhere. Many teams this past week made moves to try and position themselves to sign players and keep themselves under the luxury tax, first apron, or second apron. It’s important to understand that the official 2024-2025 season begins Monday, July 1st so teams that made moves prior will be accounted for this past season. Teams that made these moves most likely want to shred some salary to avoid the first and second apron of the salary cap. Free agency typically signals the start of a new league season.
Monday June 24th
Kenny Atkinson was signed as the Cavs head coach. He has previous coaching experience with the Nets as a head coach, where he was fired unfairly I think. He coached with the Warriors prior to taking the position and agreed to be the Hornets head coach in 2022, but ultimately turned down the deal and returned to Golden State. Atkinson is a really smart coach and a second chance at a head coaching job was something that he deserves.
Scottie Barnes signs a 5 year potentially 270 million dollar deal with the Raptors. His contract can reach up to 270 million dollars if he makes an all NBA team within the next 4-5 years. He's a cornerstone player for the Raptors to build around.
Reggie Jackson opted into his 5.25 million dollar contract with the Nuggets. They were tight against the salary cap and keeping Kentavious Caldwell-Pope seemed unlikely until they traded Jackson later in the week.
Chris Finch signed a contract extension through 2027-2028 with Minnesota. He helped them make the western conference finals for the first time since 2004.
The Warriors guaranteed Kevon Looney’s 8 million dollar option. It keeps the center on the roster for next season.
Tuesday, June 25th
Arguably the biggest move of the offseason so far took place when the Brooklyn Nets traded Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for 2025, 2027, 2029, 2031 unprotected first round picks. A 2028 first round unprotected pick swap, Bojan Bogdanovic, a bucks unprotected first round pick, and a second round pick. A sneaky side deal also took place during the trade. The Nets were able to acquire their picks lost in the James Harden trade for the Suns first round picks acquired in the Kevin Durant trade. Essentially the Nets were able to regain their picks they lost in exchange for trading the Suns picks they acquired. The reason this is important, is because Houston is extremely interested in trading for Kevin Durant and having the Suns picks gives them the ammo they need for a trade that size. It gives Phoenix an opportunity to pivot from their current roster if the Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker pairing doesn't work out. Houston has the right to 2025, 2027, and 2029 first round pick swaps from the Suns after trading with the Nets. Personally I love the trade for both the Nets and Knicks.
Wednesday June 26th
Heat extend Bam Adebayo to a 3 year 166 million dollar deal. Bam is arguably one of the best defenders in the league guarding 1-5. It gives Miami another centerpiece in case they cannot sign Jimmy Butler.
OG Anunoby signed a 5 year 212.5 million dollar deal with the Knicks. A deal the Knicks had to do considering the players and picks they gave up in the deal at the deadline this past season. He allows the Knicks to now play 5 out and switch a lot on defense after just acquiring Mikal Bridges the day before. However, bringing back Isaiah Hartenstein seems unlikely now for the Knicks.
Moments before the NBA draft started The Wizards traded Deni Avdija to the Trailblazers for the 14th overall pick (now Bud Carrington), 2029 first round pick, two second round picks and Malcolm Brogdon. Interesting trade to me. Avdija played really well this season and is only 23 years old. Could potentially be making room on the wing for new rookies to play.
Nic Claxton signed a 4 year 100 million dollar deal with the Nets. Overall good deal for both parties. Nets get a good young player on a good contract.
Minnesota traded for Rob Dillingham during the draft and sent 2030 and 2031 first picks to San Antonio; their luxury tax increased from 56 to 84 million after the deal.
Denver traded pick 28 and 56 and future seconds to the Suns for pick No. 22. Suns are able to get cheap players to help them operate in the second apron. Smart trade for the Suns overall.
Thursday June 27th
The Hawks traded AJ Griffin for pick 44 in the draft from Houston. Very puzzling trade to me because Griffin is a younger wing and can shoot the ball well. He’s a former first round pick in the 2022 draft.
Kings traded away Davion Mitchell and Sasha Vezenkov to the Raptors for Jalen McDaniels. Opens up cap space for the Kings if they feel the need to get a third max player to pair with Fox and Sabonis.
As mentioned earlier, the Nuggets traded Reggie Jackson to the Hornets for three unprotected second round picks. Move frees up space to sign Caldwell-Pope.
Friday June 28th
Immanuel Quickly signed a 5 year 175 million dollar deal with the Raptors. Move signals the Raptors value Quickly as a piece to pair with Scottie Barnes.
The Mavericks traded Tim Hardaway Jr. and 3 second round picks for Quentin Grimes Jr. from the Pistons. The move frees up cap space for Mavs to sign Derrick Jones Jr. and Pistons get draft capital while taking on some contract dumps from other teams around the league. Mavs also acquired another shooter to put around Luka with Grimes.
The Raptors continued their busy week by picking up Bruce Brown's team option for 23 million dollars. Expect him to be used as a trade piece to gain some assets back.
Hornets Waive Seth Curry to free up a roster spot for a younger player.
Chris Paul and Landry Shamet had their dates moved to lock in their team options. Paul is considered a trade asset for the Warriors. Shamet and the Wizards can decide if he'll be on the roster next season or find a trading partner.
The Second big trade of the offseason happened when the Hawks traded Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans for Larry Nance Jr., EJ Liddell, Dyson Daniels 2025, 2027 first round picks. The trade had to happen because of the contract signing of Dejounte Murray kicks in July 1st. Hawks get back two young players in Liddell and Daniels that they look to build with. Pelicans get a guard to help run the offense and improve their perimeter defense as well. The trade will officially go through July 6th to help benefit the Pelicans with their team finances.
Saturday June 29th
DeAngelo Russell opts into his 18.7 million dollar player option with the Lakers. This puts the Lakers into the first apron without the ability to sign Max Christie.
Russell Westbrook opts into his 4 million dollar deal with Clippers. Keeps the point guard around and gives the Clippers a little bit more financial flexibility.
Lebron opts out of his player option. He will look to either sign a max contract with the Lakers or take a pay cut so the Lakers can use the full Mid-level exception to sign another important player. If the Lakers cannot then Lebron will sign a max deal.
Royce O’Neal signs a 4 year 44 million dollar deal with the Suns. Keeps the wing defender around and adds depth to the defense. The Suns are now operating in the second apron.
Kevin Love opts out of his option with the Heat. Both sides will look to negotiate a new deal.
Paul George opted out of his option in the late evening. He is arguably the best free agent available and many teams with cap space will be looking to sign him. He can either sign a 4 year 212 million dollar deal with another team or a 4 year 223 million dollar deal with a no trade clause if he stays with the Clippers. He’s open to listening with the Clippers, Magic, and 76ers. The 76ers have been a team linked with him for a while now as they’ve positioned themselves to have cap space for the upcoming free agency, they will be a team to keep an eye on.
Moe Wagner declines his option with the Magic. Both sides want to get a new deal done.
Bol Bol will return the Suns on a one year deal.
Luke Kennard declined his 14.8 million dollar player option. Both sides want to get a deal done and avoid the first apron.
Sunday June 30th (pre free agency start)
The final news before the start of free agency is the Pistons hired J.B Bickerstaff to be their head coach. They agreed on a 4 year deal. Bickerstaff will look to fit the timeline of the Pistons and help develop their young core players.
Indiana Pacers signed Obi Toppin to 4 year 60 million dollar deal to stay to the team. Toppin had a really good year with the Pacers. he improve his shooting and helped space the floor for the NBA's fastest paced offense. He was a valuable player for the Pacers throughout the playoffs.
A free agency guide will be released this upcoming week detailing all free agent signings.
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