March 2022 Basketball Wiretap

Zach LaVine Says 'I Plan To Enjoy Free Agency'

Apr 30, 2022 1:18 AM

Zach LaVine said that he plans to explore the market as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

"I plan to enjoy free agency," said LaVine on Friday. "We're going to have to experience A through Z without making any fast decisions."

LaVine added that he isn't necessarily leaning in the Bulls' direction.

"I have to do this as a business decision, as a man, to not just be viewed one way and be like I'm automatically coming back or I'm automatically leaving," said LaVine.

The Bulls can currently offer a max contract worth more than $210 million over five seasons. Executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas was focused on his relationship with LaVine, adding "the last two years have been the best two years of his career, so we'll see what happens."

LaVine is currently set to undergo knee surgery this offseason. 

ESPN

Tags: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor

Discuss
Zion Williamson Intends To Sign Max Extension With Pelicans If Offered

Apr 29, 2022 3:09 PM

Zion Williamson plans to sign an extension with the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason if he's offered it by the franchise.

"Of course," Williamson said. "I couldn't sign it fast enough."

Williamson is eligible to sign a five-year, $181 million max rookie extension this summer. The deal could be elevated should Williamson make an All-NBA team in 2023.

Williamson started playing 5-on-5 with teammates and coaches late in the season and into New Orleans' playoff run. Williamson was never cleared to play actual games as a decision was collectively made to prioritize his long-term health.

Andrew Lopez/ESPN

Tags: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Nikola Jokic Plans To Sign Supermax With Nuggets In Offseason

Apr 28, 2022 7:19 AM

Nikola Jokic plans to sign the supermax extension worth $254 million over five years if he's offered it this offseason by the Denver Nuggets.

"I would like it, of course," Jokic said when asked about a contract extension. "But it's not something that I'm deciding. I think if [the] offer is on the table, of course I'm going to accept it because I really like the organization, I really like the people who works here. I'm in [a] really good relationship with everybody from [the] owner to equipment manager."

Jokic and the Nuggets were eliminated from the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors in a close Game 5.

Jokic is widely expected to win MVP for the second straight season.

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Tags: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Pistons Hope To Sign Marvin Bagley To Three-Year Deal In Restricted Free Agency

Apr 27, 2022 3:30 PM

The Detroit Pistons traded for Marvin Bagley Jr. at the deadline and sources tell James L. Edwards III that they would like to re-sign him to a long-term contract this offseason in restricted free agency.

The Pistons would ideally like to sign Bagley to a three-year deal.

Bagley, however, could prefer a shorter term deal to get back on the market earlier if he finally fulfills the talent that saw him selected No. 2 in 2018.

The Pistons appeared to value Bagley more than any other team during the efforts of the Sacremanteo Kings to trade him.

James L. Edwards III/The Athletic

Tags: Marvin Bagley III, Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
CJ McCollum Plans To Retire With Pelicans, Eligible For Extension On Aug. 9

Apr 27, 2022 3:25 PM

CJ McCollum has been with the New Orleans Pelicans for less than three months, but he is already fully committed to the franchise.

“I’m not going nowhere. I’m here,” McCollum recently told Andscape. “Where am I going to go? Leave for what? I want to retire here. I’m 30 years old and I have a son who is 13 weeks old. I’m married. When you have something good, you hold on to it. This is something fun for both sides. We’re going to grow. I’m still learning the city. I’m going to find a house.”

McCollum and the Pelicans reached the playoffs out of the Play-In despite not having Zion Williamson in the lineup.

McCollum will be eligible for a three-year contract extension on August 9th.

"I can’t say anything about that," said McCollum. "We haven’t talked yet. I haven’t talked to upper management. But I told my wife before I left [Portland] that ‘Wherever I go, I want to finish my career. New Orleans is on the list of places I would like to finish my career.’ I told my agent that. I’m not about bouncing around. I don’t go through free agency. I’ve been in the league nine years. Have you ever seen me be a free agent?

"When I’m committed to something, I’m committed to it. New Orleans, in my mind, I’m finishing my career here. That is how I devote myself to a city, things and people."

Marc J. Spears/ESPN

Tags: C.J. McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Cavs Would Like To Re-Sign Ricky Rubio

Apr 27, 2022 9:21 AM

The Cleveland Cavaliers may have traded Ricky Rubio to the Indiana Pacers at the trade deadline, but they still want to see him Cleveland next year. The Cavs hope to sign Rubio in free agency this summer. One source even called Rubio returning to Cleveland "highly likely".

Because the Indiana Pacers did not waive Rubio after acquiring him at the deadline, he'll be eligible to re-sign with Cleveland. If a team trades for and then waives a player, that player can't re-sign with the original team for one year. In this case, Rubio's contract will expire, and he'll be a free agent eligible to sign with the Cavs.

Cleveland traded Rubio as an expiring contract to get Caris LeVert. The Cavaliers also sent the Pacers a lottery-protected first round pick in the trade.

Chris Fedor/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Tags: Ricky Rubio, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor

Discuss
Kyrie Irving Plans On Re-Signing With Nets, Managing Franchise With Durant, Tsai, Marks

Apr 26, 2022 10:45 AM

Kyrie Irving revealed he plans to re-sign with the Brooklyn Nets in free agency.

Irving and Kevin Durant signed with the Nets during the 2019 offseason. Brooklyn has since won one playoff series as they were eliminated in the first round on Monday by the Boston Celtics in a four-game sweep.

Irving also referenced Brooklyn owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks when asked about his future plans with the Nets.

"When I say I'm here with Kev, I think that really entails us managing this franchise together alongside Joe and Sean," said Irving.

"I've been recognized for my greatness, but at this point I really just want to be part of a great team." 

Irving's next contract is one of the more interesting questions heading into the offseason based on his varying availability over his career. 

"In terms of my extension, man, I don't really plan on going anywhere," said Irving. "So this is just added motivation for our franchise to be at the top of the league for the next few years."

Scott Cacciola/New York Times

Tags: Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Mavericks Tried To Trade Jalen Brunson, Multiple Picks To Move Up To Select Tyrese Haliburton In Draft

Apr 25, 2022 10:52 AM

The Dallas Mavericks tried to trade up in the 2020 NBA draft in order to select Tyrese Haliburton, sources tell Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

Dallas offered Jalen Brunson and the 18th and 31st picks, but couldn't find a taker before the Sacramento Kings sued the No. 12 selection on Haliburton.

Haliburton has become one of the NBA's better young guards and is now playing for former Dallas coach Rick Carlisle. 

The New York Knicks, who have been connected to Brunson, stayed put at No. 8 and selected Obi Toppin.

Tim MacMahon/ESPN

Tags: Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Rick Brunson: Ain't No Discount For Dallas To Keep Jalen Brunson

Apr 25, 2022 10:47 AM

Jalen Brunson is on an expiring $1.8 million deal and will be a free agent this offseason immediately after a breakthrough performance in the playoffs.

Brunson, however, insists he's not thinking about his next contract.

"Not at all. Not at all. I promise you," Brunson told Tim MacMahon of ESPN. "My dad, we'll joke about it, but [my family knows] that I don't want to talk about it until the season's over. That's really not going to help me right now. ... I know it's a weird situation. People don't believe that I don't talk about it, but it's not a topic of conversation until I guess we get there."

Brunson credits his father, Rick Brunson, for instill his work ethic. Rick Brunson was an NBA journeyman who insisted family vacations involve a high-rise so he could run stairs and a nearby gym where he could work out.

"The work ethic comes from him -- watching him, seeing that and then being able to work out with him summer after summer," Jalen Brunson said. "You get better and better and see results after results.

"Growing up, he always told me he had the answers to the tests. He was the study guide."

"We've got to figure out if Dallas wants him. Not words," Rick Brunson says. "Ain't no discount. So don't put it on us. Don't tell me you love me. Show me."

Sources tell ESPN that the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons are among the teams expected to pursue Brunson.

Dallas could have signed Brunson to a four-year extension for as much as $55.5 million before the season, but the Mavs didn't offer it then nor did they engage in negotiations with Brunson's representatives. 

NBA pro personnel scouts and executives polled by ESPN for this story anticipate that the floor for Brunson's next contract will be an average annual salary of $20 million.

The Mavericks could have signed Brunson to a four-year, $55 million extension before the season started, but they never offered it.

Tim MacMahon/ESPN

Tags: Jalen Brunson, Dallas Mavericks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Pacers May Target Jalen Brunson In Free Agency

Apr 19, 2022 8:13 AM

The Indiana Pacers may have interest in free agent point guard Jalen Brunson. Brunson played for current Pacers coach Rick Carlisle when he coached the Dallas Mavericks.

Brunson will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In a relatively shallow free agent class, Brunson is considered one of the best players available. He's expected to have a fairly wide range of suitors, because of his ability to play both on and off the ball.

Indiana is expected to be one of only a handful of teams to have cap space this summer. The Pacers are also rumored to be considering trading Malcolm Brogdon, which could clear further room under the cap.

Marc Stein/Substack

Tags: Jalen Brunson, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

Discuss
Miles Bridges Expected To Command Max Salary In Restricted Free Agency

Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

Derrick Favors Says He'll Pick Up $10M Player Option For Next Season

Rylan Stiles/Locked on Thunder

Nets Received Negative Intel On Kyrie Irving From Cavs, Celtics Before 2019 Signing

Kevin Arnovitz/ESPN

LeBron James Believed To Be Strongly Considering Playing Out Contract With Lakers

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Kendrick Nunn Confirms He'll Exercise $5.6M Option With Lakers

Harrison Faigen/LakersSBN

Suns Signing Ishmail Wainright To Standard Contract

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Jazz Converting Trent Forrest To Standard Contract

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Cavaliers Convert Moses Brown To Standard Contract

Keith Smith/Spotrac

Celtics Signing Juwan Morgan To Final Roster Spot

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Blazers Sign Reggie Perry For Remainder Of Season

RealGM Staff Report

Hawks Signing Chaundee Brown To Two-Way Contract

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Lakers To Sign Mac McClung To Two-Way Contract

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Lakers Convert Wenyen Gabriel To Standard NBA Contract

RealGM Staff Report

Bucks Signing Rayjon Tucker To Multi-Year Contract

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Suns Waive Frank Kaminsky

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Lakers Waive Trevor Ariza To Create Roster Spot For Young Player

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Lakers Haven't Ruled Out Stretching Russell Westbrook, Could Be Used To Keep Malik Monk

Marc Stein/Substack

Nets Waive James Johnson, Convert Kessler Edwards From Two-Way To Standard Contract

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Hawks Convert Skylar Mays From Two-Way To Standard Contract

RealGM Staff Report

Pacers Sign Nate Hinton, Gabe York To Two-Way Contracts

RealGM Staff Report