The NBA’s free agency period has opened and a number of contenders have reportedly already made major changes.
James Harden returns to the Clippers, while Los Angeles also strengthened its roster with the addition of Mavericks wing Derrick Jones Jr.
Dallas, meanwhile, picked up Naji Marshall, while the Spurs added veteran point guard Chris Paul.
The Magic also made a big move, landing championship-winning guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
But the biggest story broke in the early morning hours (US time), after Paul George’s move to Philadelphia was announced.
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Elsewhere, Klay Thompson is also on the verge of leaving Golden State and has no shortage of suitors, with the Sixers, Lakers, Nuggets, Magic and Clippers all showing interest.
However, the Mavericks are said to be the top contender and it could mean Australian Josh Green is on the verge of being traded to the Warriors.
Follow our live blog below for the latest updates when the free agency window opens!
There’s also a full list at the bottom of each deal when it happens.
Lakers select… Bronny! Joins Dad in LA | 01:48
KLAY THOMPSON
It seems like the end of an era for Thompson.
The Shams Charania of athletics reported on Sunday that there have been virtually no talks between Thompson and the Warriors in recent weeks and that the sharpshooter is “determined to find a new home.”
Charania wrote that according to team and league scores, “Thompson and the Warriors have had virtually no communication since the negotiating period began nearly two weeks ago for incumbent free agents and no offer has been made.”
“Warriors, after other matters, wanted to go back and negotiate with Thompson. But he is not expected to wait there as a willing secondary priority in their summer plan as his side feel the Warriors’ interest in a reunion has been unfair,” he added.
With that in mind, who are the likely candidates to land Thompson?
Well, the Magic and Nuggets were linked to him, but it looks like the Mavericks and Lakers are at the top of the list.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski also reported that Thompson plans to hold talks with the Clippers and 76ers.
Stein reported that “barring a resuscitation of Thompson’s relationship with the Warriors,” Dallas and LA “are expected to be the two teams at the forefront of Thompson’s thinking.”
Stein wrote that LeBron James could be willing to take a pay cut if what Chris Haynes described as one of the “right targets” would happily accept the Lakers’ mid-level exception of $13 million.
Despite this, league sources told Stein that “there will be strong mutual interest between Thompson and the Mavericks,” with Dallas expected to free up enough money to make a competitive offer after signing Tim Hardaway Jr. traded to Detroit.
The Mavericks may have to release Australian Josh Green for salary adjustment purposes in the event of a sign-and-trade with Golden State.
That would elevate Quentin Grimes to a more prominent role after the Mavericks traded for him as part of the Hardaway Jr. deal.
If Green was dealt, he would become the third Australian to be traded this summer, after Dyson Daniels moved to Atlanta and Josh Giddey was sent to Chicago.
The Mavericks had hoped to get Derrick Jones Jr. also to retain, but according to Shams Charania, he plans to sign a three-year, $30 million deal with the Clippers.
THUNDER MAKES MOVES
The Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the biggest risers last season, finishing the regular season as the top seed in the West before falling short in the conference semifinals.
Only a few weeks have passed since the end of the season and Thunder general manager Sam Presti has already made it clear that the team is not playing.
Instead, Oklahoma City has taken aggressive steps to put itself in an even stronger position to compete in what will once again be an extremely competitive Western Conference.
First, the Thunder traded Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso and then added free agent big man Isaiah Hartenstein on a three-year, $87 million deal in free agency, according to multiple reports.
OKC didn’t stop there, however, re-signing key players Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to shrewd deals to complete what looks like one of the deepest rosters in the NBA next season.
Joe extended a four-year, $48 million contract, while Wiggins returns on a five-year, $47 million contract.
RUSSEL WESTBROOK
While Westbrook picked up his $4 million player option with the Clippers, it appears he’s ready for a sign-and-trade rather than staying in Los Angeles.
And the Nuggets seem like the likely landing spot for him.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that Westbrook was a potential target for the taxpayer’s $5.2 million mid-level exception and that the Nuggets are reportedly looking to part ways with Zeke Nnaji to get under the second tax apron and their MLE to open.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Denver has “expressed some level of interest” in Westbrook, whom the Clippers are reportedly “actively working on trades to relocate.”
OTHER SITUATIONS TO WATCH
* Chicago took a big step toward a rebuild, or at least some sort of retooling, by trading Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey. What does that mean for DeMar DeRozan, the team’s leading scorer and free agent, who turns 35 in August?
*Lebron James has opted out of his deal with the Lakers and declined a $51.4 million player option, but is expected to agree to a new contract that could create financial flexibility to help the team bring more players to LA
* Tyrese Maxey is tipped to sign a five-year extension worth well over $200 million as Philadelphia looks to go all-in this summer.
* The Orlando Magic are declining Joe Ingles’ $11 million team option according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, but both sides are expected to continue dialogue in free agency next week, opening the door for the Australian to possible to return.
EVERY DEAL REPORTED SO FAR
* Paul George has agreed to a four-year, $212 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
* Chris Paul has agreed to a one-year deal worth more than $11 million with the San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
*Derrick Jones Jr. plans to sign a three-year, $30 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Shams Charania
* Isaiah Hartenstein plans to sign a three-year deal worth $87 million with the Thunder, according to Shams Charania
* Jonas Valanciunas has agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Washington Wizards, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
* Naji Marshall has agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
* Isaiah Joe has extended a four-year, $48 million deal with the Thunder, according to Shams Charania
* Aaron Wiggins has agreed to a five-year, $47 million contract with Oklahoma City, according to Shams Charania
* Tobias Harris has signed with the Detroit Pistons on a two-year deal worth $52 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
*Kelly Oubre Jr. has agreed to a two-year, $16.3 million deal to remain with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
* Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is close to signing a three-year, $66 million deal with the Magic, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
* Andre Drummond returns to Sixers on a two-year deal worth approximately $10 million, according to Shams Charania
* James Harden re-signs with Clippers on two-year deal worth $70 million, according to Shams Charania
*Kevin Porter Jr. has signed a two-year minimum contract with the Clippers, according to Law Murray
*Obi Toppin extends with Pacers to four-year, $60 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
*Kevin Love will remain with the Heat on a two-year deal worth more than $8 million, according to Shams Charania
* Luke Kornet returns to Boston on a one-year deal, according to Jared Weiss
* OG Anunoby will remain in New York on a five-year contract worth $212.5 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
* Neemias Queta remains in Boston on a multi-year deal, according to Shams Charania
* Eric Gordon has agreed to a deal with the 76ers, according to Shams Charania
* Mason Plumlee has agreed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
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