NBA free agency officially opened June 30, and teams can start (legally) negotiating with players. Contracts can't officially be signed until the league's moratorium is lifted July 6, but most business will be taken care of by then.
Follow along for live analysis of every major deal beginning Monday evening. You can also find a full list of offseason transactions here.
Hornets re-sign Mann
Hornets, Tre Mann agree to 3-year, $24M deal
It appeared Mann would be headed elsewhere when the Hornets declined his qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent rather than restricted. However, the reserve guard is staying in Charlotte. Mann's first four seasons as a pro have been up and down, with the 24-year-old missing most of 2024-25 after surgery to repair a disc in his back. When healthy, he's shown some off-the-dribble creation and shooting pop. In an extremely small sample (13 games) this season, Mann averaged roughly 14 points in only 25 minutes while shooting 40% from deep.
Pistons land Robinson in sign-and-trade
Heat sign-and-trade Duncan Robinson (3 yrs, $48M) to Pistons for Simone Fontecchio
Additional spacing helped unlock franchise star Cade Cunningham this season, but the Pistons suddenly found themselves with a ton of 3-pointers to replace with Malik Beasley under federal investigation and Tim Hardaway Jr. in Denver. Robinson is a great way to fill that need, as the longtime Heat swingman is one of the league's best movement shooters and overall marksmen. Robinson's defensive limitations can suppress his playing time in the postseason, but shooters like him will always find their way into a rotation. His superb 39.3% mark from deep this season was actually slightly worse than his career average (39.7%) and only seven players have made more threes over the last six years. There's also very little long-term risk here for Detroit, as only the first year of Robinson's new three-year contract is fully guaranteed. So far this summer, the Pistons have replaced Beasley, Hardaway, Fontecchio, and Dennis Schroder with Robinson and Caris LeVert.
As for the Heat, it's got to sting to lose one of the best development stories in recent memory as part of what's thus far been an ineffective offseason, but Fontecchio is a sharp and underrated reserve.
Cavs bring Nance back to town
Cavaliers, Larry Nance Jr. agree to 1-year, $3.6M deal
This one's going to fly under the radar, but it's is a sneaky good pickup for the East-favorite Cavs. Hand and knee injuries limited Nance to 24 games in his lone season with the Hawks, but he was still a productive reserve on both ends when healthy. He returns to the Cavs a different player than the one they traded four years ago. Nance still brings plenty of defensive energy, but the 32-year-old has become somewhat of a 3-and-D center after first experimenting with his range in Cleveland. Nearly half of Nance's 2024-25 field-goal attempts came from 3-point territory, with the big man converting at a stunning 44.7% clip. It wasn't a huge sample, but it's still a really exciting thought when slotting Nance in behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Nuggets bring in THJ
Nuggets, Tim Hardaway Jr. agree to 1-year, $3.6M deal
The Nuggets' tremendous offseason continues. Having already turned Michael Porter Jr. and Dario Saric into Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas, Denver followed with minimum deals for Bruce Brown and now Hardaway. The veteran swingman further addresses the team's need for depth and shooting, as Hardaway has made at least 100 3-pointers in 11 of his 12 seasons. The 33-year-old shot roughly 37% from deep on six attempts per game in 2024-25. The sight of Hardaway open will be a godsend for Nikola Jokic and terrifying for opponents.
Raptors extend Poeltl, add Mamukelashvili
Raptors, Jakob Poeltl agree to 4-year, $104M extension
Raptors, Sandro Mamukelashvili agree to 2-year, $5.5M deal
Toronto's relationship with Poeltl has been a complicated one. The Raptors drafted the Austrian center ninth overall in 2016 and traded him to San Antonio as part of the Kawhi Leonard blockbuster that delivered the Raptors a championship. Then Toronto reacquired him in 2023. On one hand, Raptors fans were happy to have the steady big man back. On the other, Toronto traded a future first-round pick for Poeltl in order to chase a postseason berth rather than maximizing its lottery odds in Victor Wembanyama's draft year (when the team already owned a losing record).
Poeltl's new contract likely won't make things any simpler emotionally. The 29-year-old is an excellent player. Though he's not a modern floor-spacing big man, Poeltl is one of the league's best screeners and offensive rebounders, and his playmaking from the elbows is vital to head coach Darko Rajakovic's movement-heavy system. He's also incredibly efficient inside. On the defensive end, he's a solid, positionally sound anchor, even if his raw rim-protection numbers leave something to be desired.
It's no wonder Poeltl has posted a positive on-off differential in eight straight seasons - he's a valuable starting center who knows and embraces his two-way role. But the price tag will raise eyebrows, especially since the added years of team control cover Poeltl's age 32-34 seasons, during which his average salary will be $28.2 million. Did a team flirting with the luxury tax despite not fielding a contender really need to do this? Were they bidding against themselves? The Raptors would likely argue that they've retained an asset rather than risking Poeltl leaving for pennies on the dollar next season or for nothing in 2026 free agency, and they'd add that his new salaries will only account for about 15% of future salary caps.
Mamukelashvili is a depth big who acts as a floor-spacer in the little time he's out there. More than half his shot attempts came from deep in 2024-25, and he converted at a 37% clip.
Bucks, Hornets swing minor trade
Bucks trade Pat Connaughton, two 2nd-round picks to Hornets for Vasilije Micic
This is a cost-cutting move for Milwaukee, which dumps Connaughton's $9.4-million salary in exchange for Micic's $7.7-million deal. Connaughton fell out of Milwaukee's rotation over time, while Micic, who was only acquired by Charlotte days ago, could serve as depth in the Bucks' thin backcourt (if he's not waived and stretched like Damian Lillard was). Neither player figures to be a key piece in 2025-26, but kudos to the Hornets for squeezing a couple picks out of this transaction.
Kings add Schroder to crowded backcourt
Kings, Dennis Schroder agree to 3-year, $45M deal
Schroder proved to be a solid veteran addition for the young Pistons earlier this year, but his new deal feels like an unnecessary overpay for the directionless Kings. He's still an NBA-caliber guard with playmaking know-how, but he's a streaky shooter at best, and his defensive value doesn't always measure up to his frenetic energy on that end. Sacramento is reportedly expected to explore the trade market and could clear its backcourt logjam soon enough, but right now, a team featuring Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and Devin Carter just gave Schroder mid-level exception-type money to join the fray.
Knicks sign Yabusele
Knicks, Guerschon Yabusele agree to 2-year, $12M deal
After landing Jordan Clarkson, the Knicks continue to address their depth with the acquisition of Yabusele. A French big man who played his way back to the NBA thanks to a magnificent performance in the 2024 Olympics, Yabusele finished third in total minutes on the division-rival Sixers this season. At 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds, Yabusele has the strength to bang inside, as evidenced by the fact he converted at a 74% clip within 3 feet of the rim. However, nearly half his field-goal attempts came from deep, where the big man made an impressive 38% of them. That kind of offensive dynamism will be a welcome addition to the Knicks' bench, even if Yabusele isn't much of a rim-protector or defender.
Nuggets land JV to back up Jokic
Kings trade Jonas Valanciunas to Nuggets for Dario Saric
Valanciunas isn't quite the player he once was, but he's still a bruising low-post center who can score inside and clean the glass. No one can live up to Nikola Jokic's standard and the three-time MVP will always own crooked on-off numbers, but Valanciunas gives Denver the best backup five the team has employed during The Joker's tenure, especially on the offensive end. Saric's time in the Mile High City didn't go as planned, with the big man quickly falling out of the Nuggets' rotation and appearing in only 16 games last season. He'll play out the year on a $5.4-million expiring contract, while Valanciunas has two years remaining on his deal at roughly $10 million per season (Denver used a trade exception to make up the difference).
Bucks swoop in for Turner, waive Dame
Bucks, Myles Turner agree to 4-year, $107M deal
Bucks waive and stretch Damian Lillard
As the Bucks retained most of their own free agents on below-market deals (especially in the case of Gary Trent Jr.), one question lingered: Which center or remaining free agent could Milwaukee lure with its mid-level exception, and would that acquisition be enough to appease Giannis Antetokounmpo? As has become the norm whenever the Bucks have faced a Giannis-centric crisis over the years, general manager Jon Horst was thinking much bigger, and he's pulled yet another rabbit out of his hat.
Forget the mid-level exception; the Bucks poached arguably the top free agent on the market from the reigning East champions and will pay him nearly $27 million per year after waiving and stretching Damian Lillard. It's a worthwhile investment. Turner's elite combination of rim-protection and floor-spacing is highly sought-after in the modern game and allows Milwaukee to once again maximize the Greek Freak's two-way talents. The Bucks will still need better guard play to compete for a title, but they went from dead in the water - and potentially facing years in the wilderness without Antetokounmpo - to one of the biggest splashes of the summer. They can like their chances in a weakened East.
However, Lillard will carry a dead-cap hit of $22.5 million in each of the next five years. This was worth it in the moment, but that's significant going forward, and it will surely hamper what's already an asset-starved team. Then again, who can doubt Horst at this point?
As for the Pacers, what a gut punch. Indiana made an inspiring run to the NBA Finals (and two straight conference finals) to reignite its basketball-mad fan base. The Pacers have since lost franchise star Tyrese Haliburton to a devastating Achilles injury and now Turner, the team's starting center and longest-tenured player, to a bitter rival. Indiana still has Pascal Siakam and a collection of scrappy two-way players, but the Pacers are about to take a giant step backward. Team owner Herb Simon was reportedly prepared to venture into luxury tax territory before Haliburton went down. It appears that injury gave Simon another excuse to cheap out.
Thunder lock up MVP
Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander agree to 4-year, $285M extension
The heart of the Thunder's championship core has been secured for the foreseeable future, while the crown jewel of 2027 free agency is already off the market. In a cap world that restricts how much any single player can earn, the game's greatest superstars provide surplus value even on massive contracts. That will be the case for Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City even as he collects an NBA-record average annual salary of $71.3 million (and a 2031-32 salary just under $79 million).
The Canadian guard is virtually flawless. He's a relentless driver who puts constant pressure on the defense, using his mastery of footwork and angles to knock his defender and the entire opposing team off balance. He's coming off one of the greatest mid-range shooting seasons of all time. He's developed into a solid enough 3-point shooter, draws fouls at elite rates, still shares the ball with teammates, and almost never turns it over. Add it all up and SGA is coming off a three-year run where he's averaged 31.4 points, six assists, five rebounds, and 2.8 steals and blocks on 63% true shooting. Oh, and he's an above-average perimeter defender on one of the greatest defensive teams of the modern era.
Gilgeous-Alexander will be just 27 years old when next season tips off. The Thunder secured his services for the remainder of his prime, a massive win for the defending champions and a crushing blow for the rest of the league. For what it's worth, by signing this extension now rather than waiting until 2026, SGA sacrificed tens of millions over the next six years.
June 30
Bucks bring back Trent, Prince, KPJ
Bucks re-sign Kevin Porter Jr. (2 yrs, $11M), Gary Trent Jr. (2 yrs, $7.5M), Taurean Prince (2 yrs, $7.1M)
Without the cap flexibility or asset capital to truly retool around Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks appear to be running it back, retaining Porter, Trent, and Prince on decent value deals after re-signing Bobby Portis Jr. the day earlier. Trent's new deal, in particular, is a steal. The catch is that they've already lost their most important free agent - see Brook Lopez to the Clippers below. That means what was already only a first-round playoff team has lost its starting point guard (Damian Lillard) to injury and starting center (Lopez) to free agency.
Even in a weak East, is there enough here to appease the Greek Freak and dissuade the two-time MVP from asking out? Does whoever the Bucks might sign with their mid-level exception change the answer to that question? Trent, Prince, and Porter each played key roles for Milwaukee at various points this season, but that says more about the Bucks than it does about the trio they've retained.
Knicks get Clarkson for the minimum
Knicks, Jordan Clarkson agree to 1-year, $3.6M deal after buyout from Jazz
It's hard to argue with the value here for New York. Sure, Clarkson's on the downswing of his career - even at his best, he's a streaky scorer and one-way player - but on a minimum deal, there's just no downside to this move. Best case: The Eastern Conference finalists just added one of the most prolific reserve scorers of his generation, someone capable of taking at least a fraction of the ball-handling and scoring responsibilities off Jalen Brunson's shoulders for a few minutes at a time. Worst case: The Knicks have to bury a microwave scorer deep on their bench and Clarkson still manages to change a game or two next season.
Splash Mountain goes Hollywood
Clippers, Brook Lopez agree to 2-year, $18M contract
Lopez isn't the rim-protector he was at the peak of his powers, and he certainly isn't the prolific scorer he was when he broke into the Association, but he's more than qualified to provide two-way value off the bench. That's exactly what will be asked of him in Los Angeles, where he'll back up All-Defensive center (and borderline All-Star) Ivica Zubac for the Clippers. Reports of Lopez's shooting decline are greatly exaggerated: The 7-footer posted the second-best 3-point percentage of his career in 2024-25 (37.3% on 4.7 attempts per game). Splash Mountain lives.
Hawks win NAW sweepstakes, add Kennard
Hawks acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker (4-year, $62M) in sign-and-trade; Timberwolves receive 2027 2nd-round pick
Hawks, Luke Kennard agree to 1-year, $11M deal
A two-way guard coming off back-to-back conference finals appearances in Minnesota, Alexander-Walker was one of the most sought-after players in this year's diminished free-agent market. This is a big win for Atlanta, which has done well to surround Trae Young with more defensive stability over the last couple years.
Alexander-Walker can take assignments against bigger players if he has to, but his primary role will be making life difficult for opposing guards while spacing the floor on the other end. The 26-year-old Canadian has battled through ugly shooting slumps in his career, including in each of his last two playoff trips, but he's shot at least 38% from deep in each of the last three seasons. The sign-and-trade nature of the deal means Minnesota can salvage something from the transaction.
As for Kennard, the veteran swingman has been one of the league's deadliest and most consistent shooters this decade. He's led the league in 3-point percentage twice, he shot 43.3% from deep last season, he shot 41% or better from deep in six of his eight seasons, and he's never been worse than 39.4% from long range. Sure, he's a defensive liability, but again, the Hawks have enough problem-solvers on that end now. You can never have enough shooting.
Looney leaves The Bay for the Bayou
Pelicans, Kevon Looney agree to 2-year, $16M deal
After 10 seasons and three championships as a member of the Warriors, Looney will bring his screening, rebounding, and veteran know-how to the Pelicans' frontcourt, where he can mentor young centers Derik Queen and Yves Missi. That frontcourt and this roster is painfully low on shooting, though.
Orlando adds Tyus Jones
Magic, Tyus Jones agree to 1-year, $7M deal
Jones didn't impact the Suns the way most had hoped, but he's still a quality point guard who can help a more stable organization. Enter the Magic; they could use a pure point guard behind Jalen Suggs who can also share the court with either Suggs or Desmond Bane. Jones' size limits him defensively, but he's joining an elite defensive team that can surely use his combination of shooting and caretaking. Remember, Orlando hasn't finished higher than 22nd in offensive efficiency since 2012 and just finished last in 3-point shooting. Meanwhile, Jones has shot 41.4% from deep in each of the last two seasons and owns a remarkable 5.4-to-1 career assist-to-turnover ratio.
Pistons land LeVert, Reed
Pistons, Caris LeVert agree to 2-year, $29M deal
Pistons re-sign Paul Reed to 2-year, $11M deal
LeVert's deal might be an overpay, but it's a better use of this money than Dennis Schroder would've been, with the latter expected to land in Sacramento after a solid end to the season in Detroit. LeVert is a decent bench scorer and a more positionally versatile defender. As for Reed, he's a depth big whose per-minute defensive plays are off the charts.
Spurs add Kornet
Spurs, Luke Kornet agree to 4-year, $41M deal
It's not the superstar addition Spurs fans were hoping for, but San Antonio just added one of the league's most underrated players to a Victor Wembanyama-led frontcourt. Kornet is simply a solid all-around big man - an analytics darling who can score inside, rebound, screen, and defend. At just over $10 million per year, this could prove to be one of the low-key bargains of free agency.
Nuggets swap MPJ for Johnson
Brooklyn trades Cam Johnson to Denver for Michael Porter Jr., 2032 1st-round pick
This stunning trade is good business for both teams. The Nuggets were able to trade Porter for a much cheaper player without their title hopes taking a hit, while the rebuilding Nets used their ample cap space to turn a veteran into a valuable future first-rounder.
Johnson may not be as pure a shooter as Porter, but he's arguably a better overall offensive player and is something closer to average defensively (whereas Porter's lack of mobility negated any defensive value that came with his sheer size). A career 39% 3-point shooter coming off a career year scoring the ball (18.8 points per game), Johnson is about to discover the wonderful world of Nikola Jokic, where the jumpers are open and every cut to the basket is rewarded. His commitment to letting it fly will also be welcome in Denver, where the Nuggets posted the league's worst 3-point attempt rate. Only 35.6% of Denver's shot attempts came from deep, while 60% of Johnson's career shots have come from long range. Porter's career 3-point attempt rate is 48.8%. However, one thing to keep an eye on is Johnson's availability. For all of Porter's injury issues over the years, he only missed six games over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Johnson has averaged just 58.9 appearances per 82 games over his six-year career.
While the Nuggets are now comfortably under the first apron and have access to most of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, the Nets maximized their cap space the way a rebuilding team is supposed to. This trade wasn't about Porter, who's still owed $79.1 million over the next two years. It's about that unprotected 2032 first-rounder, a juicy asset given how all-in Denver is right now and the fact Jokic will either be long gone or well past his prime by then. Brooklyn continues to stack the type of assets needed to eventually trade for a disgruntled superstar.
Nuggets reunite with Brown
Nuggets, Bruce Brown agree to 1-year, $2.3M deal
Denver's offseason remake continues with the addition of Brown, whose best season came with the Nuggets during the team's championship season (2022-23). Brown's off-ball movement, cutting, and secondary playmaking is perfect for a Nikola Jokic-centric system. The veteran should bounce back, proving surplus value on a minimum contract and a desperately needed boost to Denver's depth.
Grizzlies secure JJJ, Aldama, add Jerome
Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. agree to 5-year, $240M extension
Grizzlies re-sign Santi Aldama to 3-year, $52.5M deal
Grizzlies, Ty Jerome agree to 3-year, $28M deal
Some saw Memphis trading Desmond Bane as a sign the Grizzlies were about to embark on a rebuild. But that win-win deal was actually about putting the Grizzlies in a better position to retool around Ja Morant and Jackson, creating the financial flexibility to pay the latter what he's worth.
Still just 25 years old, Jackson has already racked up a Defensive Player of the Year award, two All-Star selections, and three All-Defensive team honors. His offensive game has grown by leaps and bounds, averaging 22-plus points in each of the last two seasons. He also shot 37.5% from deep on 5.3 attempts per game this season. After some injury concerns at the start of his career, Jackson has averaged 70 games per season over the last four years.
All told, Jackson is an elite two-way big man just entering his prime. Even if things continue to go sour for Morant, the Grizzlies can rest assured they have one dependable building block.
As for Aldama, the 24-year-old has quietly emerged as one of the league's best reserve bigs over the last couple years. He's an efficient offensive player whose combination of 3-point volume and success rate make him a respectable floor-spacer. While an average salary of $17.5 million might seem excessive, it works out to just over 11% of the new salary cap. With Jackson and Aldama locked up and Zach Edey only entering Year 2 of his rookie-scale contract, it feels like Brandon Clarke ($12.5 million per year over the next two years) is an expendable depth piece in Memphis' frontcourt.
Finally, the Grizzlies acquired Jerome - one of the 2024-25 season's breakout players - for what appears to be a bargain at just over $9 million per year. Jerome was a flamethrower off the Cavs' bench this season, averaging 12.5 points in less than 20 minutes per game while shooting 57% inside the arc and 43.9% from deep. However, the reserve guard's defensive limitations bit him and his team in the playoffs, with Jerome's minutes - and new contract - dwindling as a result.
Rockets poach DFS from Lakers
Rockets, Dorian Finney-Smith agree to 4-year, $53M deal
Rockets, Clint Capela agree to 3-year, $21.5M deal
The league's most improved team continues to do good work, with the Rockets landing the most coveted 3-and-D player in this underwhelming free-agent class.
Finney-Smith was a plus-minus star in 2024-25, and it's not hard to see why. He's a solid defender who does all the little things right and shot 41% from deep on five attempts per game. Even if his shooting regresses to career levels (36%), he'll still be a solid connective piece on both ends for a Rockets team that already solved its biggest issue (halfcourt offense) by trading for Kevin Durant.
As if that wasn't enough, the Rockets reunited with Clint Capela, who spent the first six years of his career in Houston. The veteran center isn't the force he once was and his defensive impact doesn't measure up to his block totals, but Capela's still an elite rebounder, especially on the offensive end. Not to mention, with All-Star Alperen Sengun and the bruising Steven Adams already on the roster, the Rockets shouldn't need much from Capela (though it's worth wondering if they really needed to spend on another center at all). Finally, Houston also re-signed veterans Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday, and Jae'Sean Tate.
Finney-Smith's move will have ripple effects in Los Angeles, where the Lakers traded three second-round picks for him just six months ago. On one hand, this could free up L.A. to spend more on the center it desperately needs. On the other hand, a loss like this could help push LeBron James out the door as he continues to evaluate the Lakers' roster.
Mavs tab D'Lo as Kyrie placeholder
Mavericks, D'Angelo Russell agree to 2-year, $12M deal
The Mavericks were in search of a capable guard and lead ball-handler to hold the fort while Kyrie Irving continues to recover from a torn ACL. Russell can serve as that stopgap.
Though his 3-point shooting and overall production tanked in Los Angeles and Brooklyn this past season, the 29-year-old journeyman can still be an impactful offensive player. He's roughly a 37% career shooter from deep on seven long-range attempts per game, he's a solid enough playmaker who takes care of the ball fairly well, and he has familiarity playing with Anthony Davis, who still figures to be the hub of Dallas' offense. Russell's presence also means No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg doesn't have to shoulder more offensive creation responsibilities than he's ready for.
Russell's a porous defender at the point of attack, but the Mavs have a solid defensive infrastructure. As a temporary starter and eventual backup to Irving, this is a fine deal at what's essentially the taxpayer mid-level exception.
Lakers land LaRavia as DFS replacement
Lakers, Jake LaRavia agree to 2-year, $12M deal
LaRavia may not be as defensively versatile as Finney-Smith, but he's a 6-foot-8, 235-pound power forward who puts forth an honest effort on that end of the court and just shot 42.3% from deep in 2024-25. The catch is that he averaged 0.9 made 3-pointers per game, but he's generally been a solid shooter on about one made three per game over his three-year career. If the Lakers can land that elusive center with their Finney-Smith savings while signing LaRavia for less than half the annual price of DFS, this could be a big-picture win for them.
Bulls keep Tre Jones
Bulls re-sign Tre Jones to 3-year, $24M deal
There's a lot to nitpick with the Bulls, who continue to mismanage assets, but this is actually a fine piece of business. Jones is a solid young backup point guard, even if he's not a proven shooter yet. An $8 million per year price is tag is fair.
LeBron staying put ... for now
Lakers F LeBron James picks up $52.6M player option
As mentioned above, James is still evaluating what another season in purple and gold would look like after picking up his 2025-26 player option. Had he declined that option to test free agency, he'd be entering a market where only the lowly Nets have meaningful cap space and the league's all-time leading scorer would have to settle for a massive pay cut to join a contender.
By opting in, James retains his no-trade clause and can potentially maneuver his way to a team of his choice.
Joseph Casciaro is theScore's lead NBA and Raptors reporter.