Hello all, welcome back to the blog. Today, we’re keeping track of NBA Free Agency, all the players moving, and staying all across the league. Hundreds of players are moving soon, and we’ll see where they all end up. Free Agency starts soon at 6pm EST, so let’s begin!
5:20 pm EST: List of the biggest names to find a team this summer
Here is the preliminary list of the biggest name free agents who haven’t signed or agreed a contract yet:
Paul George (LAC)
DeMar DeRozan (CHI)
Miles Bridges (CHA)
Klay Thompson (GSW)
James Harden (LAC)
Tobias Harris (PHI)
Kelly Oubre (PHI)
Gary Trent Jr. (TOR)
Jonas Valanciunas (NOP)
Saddiq Bey (ATL)
Buddy Hield (PHI)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (DEN)
5:44 pm: Warriors waive Paul, goes into UFA
According to Chris B. Haynes, the Golden State Warriors have waived 12x All-Star Chris Paul, who will now enter free agency. It’s a sad decline for Paul after being used as the main trade piece in a trade for Bradley Beal. It remains to be seen who will pick up the 18-year veteran.
UPDATE: Paul had a $30m guarantee today.
5:53 pm: BREAKING: Harden extends with Clippers for 2 years, 70m
James Harden plans to sign a $70 million extension with the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency, according to Shams Charania. The 2018 MVP joined the Clippers back in October in a trade from Philadelphia, and averaged 16.6 ppg last season.
UPDATE: The contact will also include a player option for year two.
5:56 pm: Lakers, Spurs among a plethora of NBA teams with an interest in Chris Paul
Sources have said that the Lakers have taken an interest in signing recently-waived Golden State guard Chris Paul, but only on a veteran’s minimum. There will be no end of suitors for the 39-year old after his waiver.
6:00 pm: Free Agency Begins!
Free Agency has officially kicked off now, and any players whose contracts have run out are now free to open discussions with other franchises.
6:01 pm: Warriors looking at sign-and-trade options for Thompson
After 13 seasons and 4 championships, the Golden State Warriors are planning to lose Klay Thompson in this free agency, and want to find a sign-and-trade for the 34-year old instead of losing him for nothing.
6:03 pm: Kornet returns to Boston on 1-year deal
Accoring to Adrian Wojnarowski, Boston center Luke Kornet has agreed a deal to return to the team on a one-year deal. Financial details aren’t known yet.
6:04 pm: Love to re-sign with Heat on a 2-year deal
Veteran Miami forward Kevin Love has agreed a 2-year, $8 million contract to return to the franchise until 2026.
6:07 pm: Thompson to hold talks with 4 teams at start of free agency
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Klay Thompson plans to hold talks with the Lakers, Clippers, Mavericks, and 76ers at the start of free agency as he looks for his next team after leaving the Warriors
6:12 pm: Bulls offered Lavine to Warriors in a package including Wiggins & Paul, Warriors declined
According to Sam Esfandiari, the Chicago Bulls offered the Warriors Zach Lavine in a package that included Andrew Wiggins and Chris Paul, the Warriors said no and waived Paul. Very interesting decision from the franchise.
6:14 pm: BREAKING: Kings and Pelicans in talks for Ingram
The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans are currently in discussions for a trade that centers around trading Pelicans star Brandon Ingram to Sacramento. Trade discussions are currently not advanced.
6:20 pm: Jazz to waive Yurtseven
Backup Utah Jazz center Omar Yurtseven is being waived by the team and will enter the free agency market. Another center enters the market.
6:24 pm: Batum to leave Sixers in free agency
According to Athletic reporter Kelly Iko, Nic Batum doesn’t plan on returning to Philadelphia this summer. the veteran forward will leave the Sixers in free agency.
6:30 pm: Thunder favorites to land Hartenstein
Per Shams Charania, the OKC Thunder are favorites to land Isaiah Hartenstein of the New York Knicks. Other suitors, such as New York, Utah, and Orlando have other priorities. Also, the Thunder are the only team to set up a meeting with the forward so far.
6:50 pm: Clippers looking to trade Westbrook, Nuggets interested
The Clippers now want to trade Russell Westbrook after a disappointing spell in Los Angeles. The Nuggets are a team that has shown preliminary interest.
UPDATE: PJ Tucker is also a name the Clippers are looking to trade.
7:00 pm: What’s the holdup?
An hour into free agency, nobody is yet to switch teams. This isn’t a year of deals being complete at 6:01 pm, and will take more time. This is mainly due to NBA tampering rules, which have taken away second round picks for pre-6pm negotiations. It’s a waiting game.
7:24 pm: Drummond to become Sixers’ first signing of free agency
The Philadelphia 76ers have signed Andre Drummond on a 2-year, $10m contract from Chicago. The Sixers have made their first signing of what’s expected to be a prolific free agency.
7:33 pm: Porter Jr. signs for Clippers
Kevin Porter Jr, after a stint in Europe, has re-entered the league with the Los Angeles Clippers on a three-year deal.
7:35 pm: BREAKING: Caldwell-Pope signs for Orlando on 22m/year deal
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has left the Denver Nuggets, and will join Orlando in a 3 year, $66m contract. The Magic pick up a good starting player and Denver lose one.
8:13 pm: BREAKING George “unlikely” to re-sign with Clippers after talks between Clippers and Agent
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that after discussions between the LA Clippers and Paul George’s agent, an extension for the 9x All-Star is unlikely. With the 76ers in pole position among many teams targeting George, the saga has opened up.
8:23 pm: BREAKING: Cunningham signs max extension with Pistons
Pistons star Cade Cunningham has signed a 5-year, $226 million rookie extension with the team, which will make him the highest paid player in franchise history. Wow.
8:30 pm: BREAKING: Paul George leaves Clippers
In a statement from his representation, Paul George has announced that he is leaving the Los Angeles Clippers this summer in free agency. This ends a 5-year spell at the organization after being traded to the Clippers in exchange for a package starring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Galinari, and 6 first round picks.
8:32 pm: Gordon becomes Sixers’ 2nd signing of Free Agency
Eric Gordon has now left the Suns and has joined the Philadelphia 76ers to become the team’s second signing so far in this free agency. All eyes are now on Paul George.
8:33 pm: BREAKING: Paul joins San Antonio
After being waived from the Golden State Warriors, Chris Paul has joined the San Antonio Spurs on a minimum deal, joining with Victor Wembanyama and co. Massive move for the franchise.
8:42 pm: Valanciunas lands in Washington on 3-year deal
One of the high-profile players on the market this summer, Jonas Valanciunas has signed a contract that sees him go to the Wizards on a 3-year, $30 million contract. Very interesting acquisition from Washington.
10:12 pm: Marshall signs for Dallas
Pelicans forward Naji Marshall has left New Orleans to sign for the Dallas Mavericks on a 3-year, $27 million deal.
11:59 pm: Jones Jr. signs for Clippers
Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. has signed for the LA Clippers on a 3-year, $30 million contract. Paul George replacement?
6:40 am: Oubre extends with 76ers
The 76ers have completed another massive piece of business, extending veteran forward Kelly Oubre Jr. for 2 years.
6:41 am: BREAKING: George joins 76ers on max deal
Paul George, per sources, has left the LA Clippers to join the Philadelphia 76ers on a four year, $212 million deal. The deal will see George get paid well over $60 million in the season that he turns 39 years old. THE major move of this free agency done.