NBA free agency doesn’t begin until June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, but the news is already rolling in from around the Association.
Much of the early buzz is coming out of New York, where Kyrie Irving‘s contract status has pundits and fans speculating about the future of the Brooklyn Nets‘ star point guard. (Irving has a $36.5 million player option for the 2022-23 season).
Elsewhere in the NBA, other superstars with player options for next season include James Harden ($47.4 million), Bradley Beal ($36.4 million) and Russell Westbrook ($47.1 million).
And which free agents will change teams this summer? Some of the biggest names include Zach LaVine, Jalen Brunson and Deandre Ayton, all of whom could provide a major boost to a new franchise if they choose a change of scenery.
A host of young stars are also eligible for rookie contract extensions. While the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant are all but certain to agree on a max deal, what does the future hold for the New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson, who has played in just 85 games throughout his first three seasons because of injury and missed all of 2021-22 with a broken foot?
Keep it here all offseason long for the latest buzz, news and reports surrounding NBA free agency.
MORE: 10 big questions | Offseason guides |
Key dates
June 21 updates
5:01 p.m. ET: The Houston Rockets‘ John Wall has exercised his $47.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Rockets will continue to seek out a trade for the 31-year-old guard, but the two sides are expected to work on a contract buyout if a trade can’t be found, sources told Wojnarowski. Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists in 40 games for the Rockets in 2020-21 before being shut down.
12:55 p.m. ET: LA Clippers forward Nicolas Batum will decline his $3.3 million player option and become a free agent, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. There is expected to be mutual interest in reaching a new deal in July, sources said. Batum started 54 of the 59 games he played, and averaged 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in his second season with the Clippers.
June 19 update
11:43 a.m. ET: Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green has exercised his $4.5 million player option for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. Green had until Monday to decide whether to opt into the deal, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Green, who will turn 36 in August, averaged 10.3 points in 75 games (63 starts) for Denver last season, his 11th team…
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