The initial dust-up of NBA free agency has died down, but there's still a lot of uncertainty hanging over the league. With Team USA preparing for the Paris Olympics and Summer League getting underway, front offices are working overtime to bolster rosters, juggle finances and, ideally, beat the competition.
There are several talented free agents who have yet to sign, and we can expect one or two more big trades to happen before it's all over.
We bring you the latest NBA rumors to pique your interest.
The Sacramento Kings were able to acquire DeMar DeRozan on a three-year, $74 million contract in a sign-and-trade. It's hard to complain about the move, even if there were challenges in DeRozan fitting into a team with limited defense and an inside-focused big man in Domantas Sabonis. The Kings are looking to keep up in the Western Conference arms race, and DeRozan will certainly help them do that.
But that's not the end of the Kings' search. The new CBA will make it harder to have multiple All-Stars on the same roster, but according to ESPN 1320's James Ham, Sacramento could err on the side of caution and add a fourth player.
Both Lauri Markkanen and Kyle Kuzma remain targets for the Kings, and Sacramento didn't sacrifice a ton of draft capital to acquire DeRozan, so in theory they still have enough ammunition to pull off a blockbuster trade.
The Kings acquired DeMar DeRozan, but they're not necessarily done acquiring talent. James Ham We talked about some names earlier ⬇️translation: Monday to Friday 12:00 to 4:00 Watch: https://t.co/wpb7Do17ff
Podcast: https://t.co/woLTAhgpTr pic.twitter.com/a2m7q1XTlt— ESPN 1320 Sacramento (@ESPN1320) July 9, 2024
This should come as a relief to Sacramento fans. In the days leading up to the DeRozan deal, the Kings were said to be “close” to trading Markkanen, but the Utah Jazz's drawn-out decision-making process pushed the Kings in a different direction. Now, with DeRozan secured, Sacramento can be a little more patient — at least in theory.
Of the two rumored targets, Kuzma is the most likely to make Sacramento's roster due to his low price and impact. The Washington Wizards have asked for two first-round picks for Kuzma since last season. If the Kings want to add wing depth again, Kuzma is a solid two-way player who deserves a better platform to showcase his talents.
Is there a chance Sacramento will acquire Markkanen or Kuzma at this point? No, probably not, but we can at least keep an eye out for another big move from the Kings, who could make a big deal for Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray and future draft picks if they so choose.
The Philadelphia 76ers are the favorites to sign Kyle Lowry this offseason. The Villanova graduate is a local legend who won a championship in Toronto under coach Nick Nurse. He loves the city, the coach and the team, so it's only natural that he'd come back to Philadelphia… right?
Well, maybe not. According to Gerard Burgett of PHNX Sports, the 76ers have competition for Lowry. The Phoenix Suns are “making a move” for the 38-year-old point guard despite the recent addition of Monte Morris. But few things are certain.
Some updates on free agency:
The Suns are working on re-signing Josh Okogie. Several teams want him, but PHX is confident they can keep him. Kyle Lowry is still in negotiations, and while the two sides are still in talks, he may end up returning to Philadelphia.
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) July 9, 2024
I feel like Lowry will end up going back to the Sixers. The Suns can't offer him more than the veteran minimum, but that's the same contract Lowry will receive in Philadelphia. Phoenix also has an inferior roster. The trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey is much better than Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal at this point. With fewer backcourt minutes in Philadelphia, Lowry will definitely take over as the backup point guard. He could even become a starter, depending on Nick Nurse's lineup preferences. The Suns will likely alternate between Beal and Booker at point guard, but Morris should be given ample opportunities.
But Lowry would be a great addition to the Suns. It's never wise to expect too much from an aging 6-foot guard, but Lowry's exceptional strength and sharp wit make him useful on the court. He fights and scratches at the point of attack on defense, never gets out of position, and is a great vocal leader on the court. Even when he's not scoring, Lowry finds ways to impact a win as a connector, spot-up shooter, and general hard worker. Everyone hates playing against Lowry, but it shows he still has it.
If the Sans could convince him to leave his home and move to the desert, it would be a major win.
The Los Angeles Lakers offseason has been mostly quiet, aside from the annoying Bronny James story fabrication, LeBron's inevitable contract extension, and, um, the bold decision to hire first-time head coach JJ Redick. Rob Pelinka appears to be dedicating significant resources to developing young talent, which is a reasonable move, even if it's a bit at odds with the overall trend of LeBron trying to win in his 22nd year in the NBA.
Still, Los Angeles has time to mount a serious campaign on the free-agent front, with Jovan Buha naming two names recently. Athletic Spencer Dinwiddie and Gary Trent Jr. It would be foolish to pay Dinwiddie more than the veteran minimum, but Trent would command at least the taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.2 million. The Lakers could get there with LeBron's generous $3 million pay cut, but it would require some pay cuts.
Coincidentally, Buha also mentioned candidates who might take a pay cut in a recent episode of his YouTube show. Buha on the Block.
“As I've said here before, I'm hearing that Christian Wood and Cam Reddish are the two guys most likely to take a pay cut. Now, even if a team makes a move for Jaxson Hayes, and the Lakers end up deciding there's not much difference between Hayes and Wood, my understanding is that the Lakers would prioritize keeping Hayes over Hayes and Reddish.” (h/t Silver Screen and Roll)
The Lakers are sending off Christian Wood and Cam Reddish in salary-dump trades; the Detroit Pistons are known to be willing to accept lower salaries in exchange for draft compensation; and Denver recently gave up three second-round picks to pay for Reggie Jackson's expiring $5.3 million contract. The new CBA has increased the price of salary dumps, but Los Angeles could spare some bit-part picks if it can free up space for an impact free agent.
It's past time for the Lakers to actually make a move. something While LeBron has been begging for action since last season on the free agent and trade circuits, Pelinka has been sitting in his office, doing little to improve the Lakers' immediate prospects. Maybe Redick is a coaching genius who can gloss over all of the shortcomings, but assuming he isn't, Los Angeles can't afford to go too long without making serious moves.
