NBA free agency brings the chaos every year — and Kevin Durant was the agent who made sure there is an epic level of chaos this year.
What follows is a tracker of the latest news, rumors and deals all in one place. This is a short synopsis, just follow the links to our longer stories out of NBA free agency.
DEAL: Karl-Anthony Towns agrees to four-year, $224 million max extension with Timberwolves.
Analysis: Karl-Anthony Towns has wanted to stick around and win in Minnesota, and with the help of Anthony Edwards he may do just that. For his loyalty — and All-NBA play this past season — Towns got rewarded with an four-year, $224 million max contract extension. Those are four years added on to the end of his existing two-year contract, meaning the Timberwolves have their star center locked up for six years at $294 million.
Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns has agreed on a four-year, $224M super max extension, his agent Jessica Holtz of @CAA_Basketball tells ESPN. Deal begins with the 2024-25 season and delivers Towns’ total contract value to six years and $295M.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022
DEAL: Ja Morant agrees to $193 million max contract extension (that could go much higher).
Analysis: Among the easiest decisions the Grizzlies front office ever had to make was whether to put a max contract extension offer on the table in front of Ja Morant. They did the first second they could (midnight, July 1). He agreed. This is a $193 million max right now, but under the Rose rule if Morant makes All-NBA next season or is named MVP (or wins DPOY, but that seems a stretch), that jumps to $231 million. Morant himself confirmed the deal in the best way possible.
damn pic.twitter.com/nU7WexVjN8
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 1, 2022
DEAL: Booker, Jokic supermax contracts become official.
Analysis: This is just things we told you about becoming official. Devin Booker and his $214 supermax extension, and Nikola Jokic and his record-setting $264 million deal had to wait for the calendar to flip to July 1 to become official. When they did, the deals were announced, but no shock there.
DEAL: Miami Heat agree to terms to bring back Victor Oladipo, Dewayne Dedmon.
Analysis: He only played in eight regular-season games, but Victor Olidipo impressed a few people in Miami — enough that his salary is jumping from $2.7 million last season to $11 million this season on a one-year deal with the team. The former All-NBA wing showed enough flashes of his old self — 12.4 points a game, plus some moments in the playoffs — that the Heat paid up to see what happens another year removed from the injuries that saw him play 28 games over the past two seasons. The Heat are also bringing back reserve center Dewayne Dedmon on a two-year, $9 million contract. He will again be the backup behind Bam Adebayo.
Free agent Victor Oladipo has agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal to return to the Miami Heat, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
DEAL: Andre Drummond near deal with Chicago Bulls.
Analysis: Andre Drummond, who was the Brooklyn Nets starting center at the end of last season, will be coming off the bench at the five for the Chicago Bulls, the two sides are near a deal (almost certainly for the veteran minimum). There had been rumors of the Bulls trading for Rudy Gobert of the Jazz, but if they were going to do so they likey would not have signed another traditional-style center in Drummond.
Free agent center Andre Drummond is finalizing a deal with the Chicago Bulls, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022
DEALS: Patty Mills, Nic Claxton agree to new contracts to return to Brooklyn Nets.
Analysis: Not everyone is trying to get out of Brooklyn. After opting out of his $6.2 million player option for next season, Patty Mills has re-signed for two years, $14.5 million with the Nets. Claxton, the athletic center that would have played a key defensive role on a contender in Brooklyn, will be back for two-years, $20 million. Both of them could be traded this season, everything is on the block now in Brooklyn.
DEAL: Delon Wright agrees to two-year, $16 million deal to join Washington Wizards.
Analysis: The Wizards locked-up Bradley Beal first, but now they are surrounding him with other solid role players in the back court. The latest of those is Delon Wright, who came off the bench last season in Atlanta and is a quality 3-point shooter. He will split time in the backcourt with Monte Morris and Will Barton.
Free agent guard Delon Wright has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal to sign with the Washington Wizards, his agent Greg Lawrence of @wassbasketball tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022
DEAL: Knicks agree to a two-year deal with center Isiah Hartenstein.
Analysis: Knicks fans are going to love him — Isiah Hartenstein is one of the best under-the-radar players in the NBA. He had a strong season for the star-less Clippers, 8.3 points a game on 64% shooting, and that earned him a two-year, $16 million contract with the Knicks. He likely will back up Mitchell Robinson, who the Knicks still need to re-sign. Quality signing by New York.
Free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein has agreed to a two-year, $16 million-plus deal with the New York Knicks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Fully guaranteed deal for Hartenstein.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
DEAL: Kyle Anderson agrees to two-year deal to join Timberwolves.
Analysis: Slo-Mo is coming to Minnesota. Kyle Anderson, who played a key role for the Grizzlies off the bench last season, will try to do the same for the Timberwolves after agreeing to a two-year, $18 million deal. The Timberwolves have D’Angelo Russell starting at the point but have looked to find a new home for him as he is in the last year of his contract, Anderson can play as his backup (along with Patrick Beverley) or start as needed. Slo-Mo Anderson next to high-speed everything Anthony Edwards should be a fun show.
Kyle Anderson has agreed to a two-year, $18M deal to join the Timberwolves, his agents Thad Foucher and Joe Smith of @wassbasketball tell ESPN. https://t.co/fWzhFhVfkx
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022
DEAL: Mavericks reach terms with JaVale McGee on three-year, $21 million contract.
Analysis: Dallas used its taxpayer mid-level exception to bring in an athletic but more traditional center in JaVale McGee to pair with the floor spacing Maxi Kleber and the solid Dwight Powell at center. According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, McGee expects to start with Kleber coming off the bench. Maybe. But with floor spacing needed around Luka Doncic expect Kleber to close games.
RUMOR: Kyrie Irving wants to find way to Lakers.
Analysis: As things went sideways with Kyrie Irving trying to get a long-term contract out of Brooklyn, sources told NBC Sports he had decided he wanted to play with LeBron James again, this time on the Lakers. There was just no way to make the trade work. However, with Kevin Durant asking out of Brooklyn, Irving to the Lakers is live again. Both Stephen A. Smith and Dave McMenamin of ESPN talked about it on the network’s NBA free agency show.
The reason the trade didn’t work the first time: No team that wants to win was going to trade Irving for Russell Westbrook at this point in their careers. It was a non-starter for the Nets. However, if the Nets are blowing everything up and not necessarily trying to win, Westbrook is just a massive expiring contract. Things look different.
I know some on ESPN have talked Durant and Irving to the Lakers. My question: How? Durant will be traded for an Anthony Davis-level haul of picks and young players, and the Lakers don’t have anywhere near the assets to get that done even before they trade for Irving. That is a pipe dream.
DEAL: Lakers sign Lonnie Walker IV to mid-level exception; add Damian Jones, Troy Brown on minimums.
Analysis: The Lakers have limited ways to improve their roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis (let’s put the back-in-play Kyrie Irving talk to the side for now), and the big tool was the $6.4 million taxpayer midlevel exception. That goes to Lonnie Walker IV. Walker passes the eye test of an NBA wing and has the athleticism, but his skill set has never caught up with his potential. He still feels raw and makes some poor decisions. He averaged 12.1 points a game shooting 31.4% from 3 last season.
Lonnie Walker IV is signing a one-year, $6.5M deal with the Lakers, sources said. https://t.co/7xBnStLWfo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
The Lakers made a few solid pickups at the minimum: Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and Troy Brown.
Not for nothing, Walker and Toscano-Anderson are Klutch Sports clients (the agents for LeBron and Anthony Davis).
Report: James Harden, 76ers to discuss his new contract over the weekend.
Analysis: James Harden opted out of the $47.4 million final year of his contract because he and the 76ers were going to work out a new deal that was less money per year — letting Philly round out what they hope is a championship roster — but guaranteeing him more money over three years. Unlike a lot of deals around free agency, that one didn’t happen instantly — Harden and the 76ers are going to discuss it over the weekend.
James Harden and the 76ers are meeting on the weekend to negotiate his new deal, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
In theory this deal could fall apart and Harden, as a free agent, could test the market. In reality, there are not contenders with cap space to bring him in and the 76ers are not going to play along with a sign-and-trade. Harden and the 76ers will work out a new contract in the coming days, it’s what is best for both sides.
DEAL: Milwaukee Bucks re-sign Bobby Portis; plus role players Wesley Matthews, Jevon Carter, and Joe Ingles.
Analysis: Bobby Portis opted out of his $4.6 million player option but the fan-favorite never planned to leave the Bucks. As expected, agreed to a new four-year $49 million to be a backup five for the Bucks.
Free agent F Bobby Portis is returning to the Milwaukee Bucks on a 4-year, $49M contract, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
The Bucks picked up solid veterans on minimum deals: Wesley Matthews, Jevon Carter, and Joe Ingles. While Woj and Shams have broken most of the free agency stories, Ingles’ wife broke the news about his plans.
DEAL:Luguentz Dort returning to Thunder on five-year, $87.5 million contract
Analysis: It will be interesting to see the guaranteed money numbers on this one, because the idea of paying Luguentz Dort five-years, $87.5 million seems excessive. But, the Thunder wanted to keep their home-gown defensive specialist — at least until they trade him — and the two sides agreed to this new deal.
Free agent G Lu Dort has agreed to a five-year, $87.5M deal to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, his agent Thad Foucher of Wasserman tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
DEAL: Anfernee Simons agrees to four-year, $100 million contract to stay with Trail Blazers
Analysis: After his breakout season — averaging 17.3 points a game and shooting 40% from 3 — the Trail Blazers saw Anfernee Simons as one of the players they wanted to build around, next to Damian Lillard. So, the Trail Blazers locked him up on a four-year, $100 million deal.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons has agreed on a four-year, $100 million contract extension, his agent Bill Duffy of @BDA_Sports + WME Sports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022
DEAL: Nikola Jokic agrees to five-year, $264 million supermax contract with Nuggets.
Analysis: This is the biggest contract in NBA history, and there was never any question about it. The two-time MVP got a five-year supermax extension from the Nuggets. They are trying to build a contender around him in Denver, and with a healthy Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. there is a chance, if they spend wisely on role players around them (and catch some breaks).
Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has agreed to a five-year, $264 million supermax contract extension with the Denver Nuggets, the richest deal in NBA history, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Fifth season (2027-28) will be a player option at $60M.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
DEAL: Devin Booker agrees to four-year supermax extension to stay with Suns.
Analysis: This was an easy call for Phoenix — if you have a player as good as Devin Booker, you lock him up. The Suns and Booker agreed to a four-year contract supermax contract extension worth $214 million. Booker, an All-NBA player, averaged 26.8 points per game last season for the 64-win Suns.
DEAL: Bradley Beal agrees to five-year max contract to return to the Washington Wizards.
Analysis: No surprise here, while Beal liked to be flirted with in free agency he was always going to take the Wizards’ money — five years, about $250 million. That’s a quarter of a billion dollars. In case you wonder why he didn’t jump teams.
.@RealDealBeal23 is returning to the @WashWizards on a five-year, max contract! 🐼 pic.twitter.com/3DRm4nGT5K
— Priority Sports (@PrioritySports) June 30, 2022
DEAL: Malik Monk agrees to two-year, $19 million contract with Sacramento Kings.
Analysis: The Lakers wanted to keep him — and he wanted to stay — but Los Angeles could only offer Malik Monk a little more than the veteran minimum and it’s all about the money. The Sacramento Kings could offer more than $9 million a year over two years and this is a business after all.
DEAL: P.J. Tucker agrees to three-year, $33.2 million deal with 76ers.
Analysis: The Heat tried to keep him and other suitors lined up, but as expected P.J. Tucker has agreed to a three-year deal to play next to Joel Embiid on the Philadelphia 76ers. Those are three fully guaranteed years for a 37 year old, a great deal for Tucker.
Free agent PJ Tucker is finalizing a three-year, $33.2 million fully guaranteed deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, his agent Andre Buck (@andrebuck14) told @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
REPORT: Jalen Brunson to sign with Knicks for more than $100 million; will not meet with Mavericks.
Analysis: No surprise here, the writing has been on the wall about this one for days. More than the money, the Knicks offer Brunson the chance to be the lead guard and run the show in New York, getting him out of Luka Doncic’s shadow (although the Knicks are not nearly as well built for Brunson’s game as the Mavericks).
REPORT: Kevin Durant requests trade out of Brooklyn.
Analysis: This was the shocker of the day, Kevin Durant told the Nets he wants to be traded. That blows up NBA free agency and has teams scrambling to see if they can put together an Anthony Davis-level trade for Durant, or a smaller one for Kyrie Irving (who certainly will be on the move now as well, as will Joe Harris, Seth Curry, and maybe even Ben Simmons). Durant’s power play caught a lot of NBA players by surprise.