NBA free agency is in full swing, and there are still plenty of moves to be made.
It’s not only the big-name transactions — like Paul George heading to the 76ers on a max deal on Monday, or his former teammate James Harden staying with the Clippers — that can help a team become more competitive.
Under-the-radar moves make a difference, too.
Take the young Spurs, who needed veteran leadership and a point guard; their adding Chris Paul was all about helping young phenom Victor Wembanyama. The Sixers solidified their backcourt with veteran Eric Gordon, while replacing Tobias Harris, who signed with the Pistons. The Clippers, suddenly faced with a void, plucked key role player Derrick Jones Jr. from the Western Conference champion Mavericks.
And, players like Trail Blazers wing Jerami Grant could become available in trades.
Follow the USA TODAY Sports NBA free agency live tracker below for the very latest:
Jayson Tatum will sign a five-year, $313.9 million extension with the Boston Celtics, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official. This was an expected move as the Celtics had no intention of letting Tatum get to free agency. It is the largest contract in NBA history, and Tatum is expected to make $71 million in 2029-30, which will make him the first $70 million player in league history. The Celtics were focused on keeping the core of Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White together for the shot a more championships. The Celtics will pay for it, too. They have $600 million plus committed in salary to Tatum and Brown, have paid more than $110 in luxury taxes the past two seasons and will pay at least $50 million in 2024-25. The amount will be even larger when Tatum’s deal kicks in in 2025-26.
Free agent guard Klay Thompson, who had spent his entire career with the Golden State Warriors, plans to become a member of the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official. Thompson, a five-time All-Star with four championships with Golden State, averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists and shot 38.7% on 3-pointers for the Warriors last season.
The defending champion Boston Celtics are trying to keep their core together, and reached an extension with key guard Derrick White on a four-year, $125.9 million deal, ESPN reported. White was an All-Defense selection and averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals in 2023-24. The Celtics will spend significant money on this roster and still need to pay Jayson Tatum for a max extension.
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Former Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris is finalizing a two-year, $52 million free-agent deal with the Detroit Pistons, a person with direct knowledge of the agreement confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the contract is signed. . Harris, 31, averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game during the 2023-24 regular season.
Philadelphia 76ers restricted free agent Tyrese Maxey plans to sign a five-year, $204 million extension with the Sixers, a person with direct knowledge of the agreement confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the contract is signed. The Sixers just reached a deal with Paul George and now secured their 23-year-old All-Star point guard who averaged 25.9 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds and shot 45% from the field and 37.3% on 3-pointers in 2023-24.
Center Isaiah Hartenstein will join the Oklahoma City Thunder on a three-year, $87 million contract, ESPN reported. The New York Knicks were not in position to retain Hartenstein, who averaged 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds and shot 64.4% from the field. The Thunder have bolstered a roster that won 57 games last season, adding Hartenstein via free agency and Alex Caruso via trade.
Forward Kelly Oubre and the Philadelphia 76ers came to an agreement on a two-year, $16 million deal that will keep the wing on the 76ers, a person with direct knowledge of the agreement confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the contract is signed. Oubre averaged 15.4 points last season.
Free-agent forward Paul George, who had a stellar season for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, has agreed to sign a four-year, $212 million maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, USA TODAY Sports has confirmed.
The 76ers were one of the few high-level playoff-caliber teams with salary cap space to pursue a player like George, who was an All-Star for the ninth time last season.
Derrick Jones Jr., a key member of the Dallas Mavericks Finals team, reached a three-year, $30 million deal to play for the Los Angeles Clippers, a person a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official. The high-flying Jones averaged 8.6 points and shot 48.3% from the field in his one season with Dallas.
All-Star forward Paul George will not return to the Los Angeles Clippers, the team said in a lengthy news release. "Paul has informed us that he is signing his next contract with another team," the Clippers said. "Paul is a tremendous talent and an elite two-way player. ... We negotiated for months with Paul and his representative on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart. The gap was significant. We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract.”
Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is leaving the Denver Nuggets for the Orlando Magic on a three-year, $66 million deal, two people with direct knowledge of the agreement told USA TODAY Sports. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until the contract is signed. It's been an amazing turnaround for Caldwell-Pope. The Pistons renounced his rights in 2017, and since then, he won a title as a key player with Denver in 2023 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, and Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and Caldwell-Pope have negotiated $150 million in deals in seven years.
Free-agent center Jonas Valanciunas intends to sign a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards, a person familiar with the agreement told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official.
This was a surprising decision considering Valanciunas was expected to have multiple playoff-caliber suitors, and the Wizards are amid an extensive rebuild. Valanciunas averaged 12.2 points and shot 55.9% from the field for New Orleans in 2023-24.
Hours after Golden State waived Chris Paul, the veteran guard reached a one-year, $11 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, ESPN reported.
Forward Kevin Love reached a two-year, $8 million deal to stay with the Miami Heat, The Athletic reported. Love averaged 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Heat last season.
Guard James Harden agreed to a two-year, $70 million deal that will keep him with the Los Angeles Clippers, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official.
The Golden State Warriors waived Chris Paul after just one season, ESPN reported. The Warriors confirmed the news in a press release. Paul averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 2023-24 and the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer, who had one season and $30.8 million left on his contract, becomes a free agent.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie, entering his third season, agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal to continue his career with the Lakers, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the contract is official. Christie's brother, Max, was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round of Thursday's draft.
As expected, LeBron James will opt out of his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season and become a free agent. James, 39, is expected to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for a fifth season, after the team selected his son, Bronny, in the second round of the NBA Draft. James is eligible to sign a three-year, $162 million deal when free agency starts.
Los Angels Clippers forward Paul George plans to opt out and become a free agent while Clippers guard Russell Westbrook will exercise his player option with the team at $4 million for the 2024-25 season, a person with knowledge of their plans confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about contract situations.
The Toronto Raptors exercised the team option on the final season of guard Bruce Brown’s contract, which will pay him $23 million in 2024-25, a person familiar with the team’s decision told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the team makes an official announcement. The Raptors acquired Brown from Indiana in a trade last season, and Toronto may look to trade Brown.
Guard Immanuel Quickley plans to stay with the Toronto Raptors on a five-year, $175 million deal, his agent Raymond Brothers said. The Raptors acquired Quickley from the New York Knicks last season.
Los Angeles Lakers point D’Angelo Russell exercised the player option on the final season of his contract and will remain with team, Russell told ESPN. Russell is due $18.6 million for the 2024-25 season, and he may be part of trade talks as the Lakers explore roster opportunities.
The New York Knicks plan to sign OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212 million contract, a person familiar with the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official. The Knicks, who won 50 games last season, are keeping their core together with Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo while adding Mikal Bridges in a trade with Brooklyn.
Anunoby earlier this week declined his player option, which allowed him to become a free agent, and the Knicks and Anunoby took advantage of a new rule that allows teams to negotiate with their own free agents after the Finals and before free agency begins on June 30.
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam reached a deal to stay with Pacers on a four-year, $189.5 million contract, a person familiar with the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official. This was expected – even as far back as January when the Pacers acquired Siakam from Toronto.
Shooting guard Malik Monk, one of the league’s top reserves, will remain with the Sacramento Kings, agreeing to a four-year, $78 million deal. Monk was expected to receive strong interest from other team in free agency, but the Kings made sure that didn’t happen.
Center Nic Claxton intends to sign a four-year, $100 million contract and remain with the Brooklyn Nets, a person familiar with the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until the deal is official.
James, who has $51.4 million for 2024-25 left on his contract, indicated at the All-Star Game he wants to remain with the Lakers. But he could opt out and re-sign for more years and more money.
Turning 35 in August, DeRozan was fantastic last season, averaging 24.0 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds and shooting 48% from the field and 85.3%on free throws.
Jones had the best assist-turnover ratio in the league (7.3:1.0), shot 48.9% from the field and 41.4% on 3-pointers. He wants to start, and Washington may be the best place for him to do that and get the contract he wants.
Trent averaged 13.7 points and 1.1 steals and shot 39.3% on 3s last season and can be a sly acquisition for a contender in need of bench scoring.
Okoro had his best all-around season, including a career-best 39.1% on 3s, with the Cavs whose offseason roster decisions will be interesting to follow.
The Sixers acquired Hield at the trade deadline. He alternated between starting and coming off the bench, averaging 12.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists and shooting 28.9% on 3s. Another shooter who will get attention from teams in need of that specialty.
The Heat develop players – sometimes they retain them and sometimes they end up elsewhere.
The Timberwolves had Anderson on a deal that was friendly for the team. Will the Timberwolves, who are facing financial decisions in coming seasons, be able to retain Anderson on a deal that both sides like?
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
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