With the 2024 NBA Finals set, most NBA decision makers have their eyes on the draft and free agency.
The free agency window will open on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, but teams and players are already hinting at what could be a shocking summer of moves and contract extensions.
The free agent pool this summer could be filled with big names like LeBron James and Paul George, who could opt out of the final year of their respective deals and test the waters. Other stars like Klay Thompson and James Harden will enter the summer as unrestricted free agents.
Our NBA experts will be keeping tabs on the latest signings, rumors, news and reports all summer and into free agency, so stay tuned as we report on the biggest moves that will shape the league.
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June 4
3:20 pm Eastern Time: With two picks in the top 10 of the draft, what can the San Antonio Spurs do heading into year two of the Victor Wembanyama era?
Speaking with ESPN expert Zach Lowe on the Lowe Post, ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony said the Spurs are looking to accelerate their schedule in hopes of making the playoffs next year.
– Latest NBA Mock Draft: Projecting all 58 picks
With the fourth and eighth picks in the draft, the Spurs have several options as they bolster their point guard depth. Depending on where they go in the draft, top 10 prospects the Spurs would consider include Reed Shepphard, Nikola Topic or Stephon Castle.
The Spurs could package one or both picks to bring in a proven playmaker on the defensive end like Cleveland Cavaliers star Darius Garland. The 24-year-old point guard has been linked to a move, especially if Donovan Mitchell decides to sign an extension with Cleveland.
3 of June
10:00 am Eastern Time: The Phoenix Suns will re-sign forward Royce O'Neale according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, while discussing the future of the Suns and their new head coach Mike Budenholzer on the Hoop Collective.
The Suns acquired O'Neale from the Brooklyn Nets and David Roddy from the Memphis Grizzlies for a trio of second-round picks at the February trade deadline.
In 30 regular season games with the Suns, O'Neale averaged 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
15 th of May
10:43 a.m. Eastern Time: NBA insider Brian Windhorst explained why the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets could be the top teams in pursuing the Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell in the offseason if the All-Star guard doesn't sign an extension in Cleveland.
On “Get Up,” Windhorst said, “The Lakers know they need to upgrade their roster. They're going to look for a star.”
Another team in search of a star? The heat. “They've been looking for stars for a year,” Windhorst said.
Windhorst added that the Nets could also be an attractive option, given that Mitchell is from the New York area, Brooklyn controls the Phoenix Suns' draft assets after the Kevin Durant trade and the Nets have promising young players to make the exchange works. .
may 14
9:07 a.m. Eastern Time: On ESPN's “Get Up,” NBA insider Brian Windhorst outlined the possible reasons LeBron James attended Game 4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers' second-round series against the Boston Celtics.
“I've been told that the reason LeBron was in Cleveland was because he and [his wife] Savannah was there for Mother's Day,” Windhorst said. “And Rich Paul, who was also at the game and represents several Cavaliers, called the Lakers and said, 'Just so you know, LeBron is coming to the game tonight.' . so they were not surprised.
“That said, obviously since the end of the season, LeBron has sent several interesting messages: the lack of comments about the Lakers' future, the comments on podcasts and social media about how he doesn't know what to do, and Now he comes to this game , who knows he'll be on this show. No matter what he says, he knows he'll be on 'First Take.'
James was unhappy with the Lakers' quiet trade deadline, Windhorst noted, adding that the Lakers could trade three first-round picks on draft night.
“So this little maneuver, to cast a little doubt, I think is mainly a thing for the Lakers, to remind them, 'By the way, I'm still here.'”
May 6th
4 pm Eastern Time: Miami Heat president Pat Riley stated Monday that All-Star forward Jimmy Butler's contract will depend on his availability. This came at a press conference in which Riley also criticized Butler's comments after the Heat were defeated by the Boston Celtics.
“If you're not on the court playing against Boston or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut about criticism of those teams,” Riley said.
Butler had previously said, “If I were playing, Boston would be home, and New York would surely…be home.”
The six-time All-Star has a possible two-year extension this summer.
3:30 pm Eastern Time: The LA Clippers hope to re-sign Paul George and James Harden as the team moves into its new $2 billion stadium.
Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said the Clippers hope to retain both stars to continue playing alongside Kawhi Leonard at the Intuit Dome.
George has a player option on the $48.8 million owed next season and can become a free agent if he and the Clippers cannot agree on an extension by June 30. Harden will be an unrestricted free agent.
April 29
11:45 pm Eastern Time: LeBron James said he is undecided about his future in the NBA after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Denver Nuggets.
James, 39, said his immediate focus will be on his family and then his sights will shift to USA Basketball training camp ahead of the Paris Olympics this summer.
1:28
Teams Windhorst Could See in Trade for Donovan Mitchell
Brian Windhorst breaks down three teams, including the Lakers, that could pursue Donovan Mitchell if he doesn't sign an extension with the Cavaliers.
When asked how he would approach his decision about year 22, James responded: “I don't have an answer… to be honest. I haven't given it much thought.”
James has until June 29 to opt out of the final year of his $51.4 million contract with the Lakers or become an unrestricted free agent.
