The New York Knicks nearly sent out the contracts of Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel at the deadline to clear cap space to pursue Jalen Brunson in free agency.

League executives believe the Knicks would have to trade either the No. 11 pick or Immanuel Quickley in order to incentivize a team to take on log-term salary.

Brunson can sign a five-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks or a four-year deal with a rival team. The Knicks could offer Brunson a role as the starting point guard and lead ball-handler, which won't happen with the Mavericks.

Brunson also has a connection to Leon Rose as his father, Rick Brunson, was a longtime client.

The Portland Trail Blazers will likely guarantee the $12.9 million salary owed to Josh Hart for next season, which would eliminate them from a major potential free agency signing.

The Blazers have a deadline of June 25th to guarantee Hart's contract, which is several days before the start of free agency.

The Blazers have a $20.9 million trade exception from their trade of CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans.

With the Boston Celtics reaching the NBA Finals, Al Horford has his 22-23 salary guarantee jump from $14.5 million to $19.5 million.

Horford will get the full $26.5 million in his contract guaranteed if the Celtics win the NBA Finals.

But sources tell the Boston Herald that the Celtics are expected to bring back Horford and fully guarantee his $26.5 million deal regardless. 

Horford signed a four-year deal during the 2019 offseason with the Philadelphia 76ers that was partially guaranteed in Year 4 ($14.5 million of $26.5 million).

Zion Williamson has been fully cleared to play without any restrictions after missing the entire 21-22 season. Williamson will be eligible for a contract extension with the New Orleans Pelicans and their ownership appears to be unwilling to give him a fully guaranteed max contract.

"The big drama this summer is about Zion's contract," said Brian Windhorst on Get Up. "At the end of the season when he spoke to the media, he said he would happily sign an extension when it's put in front of him. But it's not that simple. Any player in his situation would sign a five-year guaranteed max contract.

"But from what I've been told, the Pelicans at this point are not willing to offer a full five-year guaranteed deal. And a lot of it is flowing down from ownership. Gayle Benson, the owner, is also the owner of the New Orleans Saints and I've been told they are going to take a football-style, Saints-style mentality with this contract negotiation. They will offer him a huge contract, but will not guarantee all of it.

"If Zion accepts those terms and still protects himself and maybe gets $100 million plus guaranteed, he signs it and everything is fine. If he doesn't sign it and wants the full [contract] guaranteed, we can have some drama into the fall."

The Dallas Mavericks would like to create a roster spot to re-sign Theo Pinson this offseason.

Pinson emerged as a key locker room presence for the Mavericks, particularly with his animated presence on the sidelines. 

Pinson appeared in 19 games with the Mavericks.

The Dallas Mavericks went further than anyone expected this season, but they aren't satisfied. In fact, Dallas could be set up to be a player in the free agent market by chasing Zach LaVine.

The Mavs do not have the cap space to sign LaVine outright, but could acquire LaVine via a sign and trade. LaVine was widely expected to re-sign with the Chicago Bulls, but he recently made it clear that he intends to explore his options as a free agent. There have also been reports that LaVine isn't thrilled with his role in Chicago.

The Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs have all been mentioned as LaVine suitors as well. Like the Mavericks, the Hawks would have to create a sign and trade, while the Blazers and Spurs could create the cap space to chase LaVine directly.

Members of the New York Knicks organization expect Mitchell Robinson to receive interest from multiple playoff teams, sources told Ian Begley of SNY.

Robinson is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Prior to the draft lottery, several people within the team were in favor of re-signing Robinson due to his pivotal role in Tom Thibodeau's defense. 

The Pistons and Thunder previously had interest in Robinson during this season's trade deadline. 

Begley adds that the Knicks have sent trainers to work with Robinson this offseason. 

Nikola Jokic has reiterated his long-term commitment to the Denver Nuggets this week following the departure of Tim Connelly to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Nuggets plan to offer Jokic the five-year, $260 million supermax extension in July and he plans to sign it.

Jokic’s brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja, met with Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth and assistant GM Tommy Balcetis in recent days to discuss the team’s future. 

All sides left the meeting aligned on the future.

After the Dallas Mavericks were eliminated from the playoffs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, Mark Cuban was asked about the free agency of Jalen Brunson. Brunson emerged as a proven playoff performer, particularly in the first round against the Utah Jazz when Luka Doncic was injured.

"We can pay him more than anybody," said Cuban. "I think he wants to stay and that's most important."

Brunson will be an unrestricted free agent after the Mavericks decided not to offer him a four-year, $55.5 million extension. Brunson will certainly receive a salary far higher than that total once he reaches the open market.

The Mavericks resisted trade offers for Brunson at the deadline in hopes of keeping him long-term.

The future of Kevin Durant with the Brooklyn Nets is largely tied to Kyrie Irving, who will be a free agent this offseason. According to a source, the Nets are "outright unwilling to give [Irving] a long-term extension."

Irving played in 29 games last season due to New York City's vaccine mandate and Brooklyn's initial unwillingness to allow him to play in road games.

Irving can sign up to a five-year deal with the Nets or for four years with a rival team. The San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers will have cap space this offseason.

Durant and the front office of the Nets have not spoken since their first round exit, according to sources. If Irving were to leave the Nets, Durant could become frustrated by the supporting cast around him.