With only eight teams left in the playoffs, most NBA decision makers are focused on the draft and free agency.
The free agency period opens on June 30th at 6pm ET, but teams and players are already hinting at what could be an influential summer of transfers and contract extensions.
This summer's free agent candidates could include big names such as LeBron James and Paul George, both of whom could opt out of the final year of their contracts to give them a shot. Other star players like Klay Thompson and James Harden will also enter the summer as unrestricted free agents.
Our NBA Insiders will be tracking all of the latest signings, stories, news and reports from summer through free agency, so stay tuned as we report on the biggest moves shaping the league.
May 15th
10:43 a.m. ET: NBA insider Brian Windhorst says the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets could be the top teams to pursue Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell in the offseason if the All-Star guard doesn't sign a contract extension in Cleveland. He talked about why he has sex.
“The Lakers know they need to improve their roster. They're going to look for stars,” Windhorst said on “Get Up.” Is there another team eyeing the star? The Heat. “They've been looking for a star for a year now,” Windhorst said, noting that Mitchell is from the New York area and that Brooklyn controls the Phoenix Suns' draft assets after the Kevin Durant trade. He added that the Nets could also be an attractive option. Make successful trades for promising young players.
May 14th
9:07 a.m. ET: On ESPN's “The Get Up,” NBA insider Brian Windhorst outlined possible reasons why LeBron James sat out Game 4 of the second round between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics.
“The reason LeBron was in Cleveland is with him. [his wife] “Savannah was here 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 weren't surprised.
“That being said, obviously LeBron has sent some interesting messages since the end of the season — no comment about the future of the Lakers, comments on podcasts and social media about not knowing what to do, and now… He's coming to this match and he knows it's going to be on this show. No matter what he says, he knows it's going to be on “First Take.” he knows. “
Windhorst noted that James is not happy with the Lakers' quiet trade deadline, adding that the Lakers could potentially trade three first-round picks on draft night.
“So I think this little maneuver, if you look at it a little bit, is just a little bit of a reminder for the Lakers to say, 'By the way, I'm still here.'
May 6th
4pm ET: Miami Heat President Pat Riley said Monday that signing All-Star forward Jimmy Butler is contingent on his availability. This was in a press conference after the Heat's loss to the Boston Celtics, and Riley also criticized Butler's comments.
“If you're not on the court against Boston or against the New York Knicks, you should shut up about criticizing those teams,” Riley said.
Butler previously said, “If I was playing, Boston would be at home, and New York would definitely be at home…as well.”
The six-time All-Star could sign a two-year extension this summer.
3:30 PM ET: The LA Clippers hope to re-sign Paul George and James Harden as the team moves into a new $2 billion arena.
President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank said the Clippers want to keep both stars to continue playing alongside Kawhi Leonard at the Intuit Dome.
George has a $48.8 million player option due next season and can become a free agent if he does not reach an extension with the Clippers by June 30th. Harden will become an unrestricted free agent.
April 29th
11:45 PM ET: LeBron James said he is undecided about his future in the NBA after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
James, 39, said his immediate focus is on his family, then turning his sights to USA Basketball's training camp for this summer's Olympics in Paris.
1:08
'I'm not going to answer that': LeBron dodges questions about Lakers' future
LeBron James brushed off questions about his future with the Lakers and reflected on his season.
Asked how he would approach his decision in his 22nd year, James said: “Honestly, I don't have an answer. I haven't really thought about it.”
James has until June 29 to choose the final year of his contract with the Lakers for $51.4 million or become an unrestricted free agent.
