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WithNBA Free Agencybeginning at 9PM PST on Saturday, teams and players are starting to make decisions on pre-deadline options. Offers and opt-outs dominated Friday’sNBA news.
Aswe covered earlier,LeBron Jameshas has opted out of his contract with theCleveland Cavaliersand is now an unrestricted free agent.
LeBron could sign a new contract with Cleveland of course, but that doesn’t seem too likely. Dan Feldmanquotes Stephen A. Smithof ESPN:
According to a couple of owners I’ve spoken to and a few executives I’ve spoken to, Dan Gilbert is known for not being particularly fond ofLeBron James. He doesn’t mind the thought of LeBron James leaving at all. As a matter of fact, I had one executive tell me, “Excuse me, I can’t wait until he leaves, because I’ll get my team back.” This is something Dan Gilbert has actually echoed.
We also covered the newsthatDeAndre Jordanopted out of his contract with theLos Angeles Clippersand will become a free agent.
InPortland Trail Blazersnews,Shabazz Napierwill not be extended a qualifying offerand will become a free agent on July 1.
Aaron Jackson’s team option was picked up by theHouston Rocketsaccording to Shams Charania:
Sources: The Houston Rockets have exercised team option on guard Aaron Jackson’s contract for next season. Houston would need to guarantee Jackson’s $1.4M salary in order to involve him in a potential trade.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)June 29, 2018
To the “delight” ofNew York Knicksfans,Enes Kanter选择他,而大型accordi球员选项ng to Shams Charania:
纽约尼克斯队中心在坎特exerci的计划se his $18.6M player option today to return to the team next season, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)June 29, 2018
Marc J. Spears is reporting thatGarrett Templehas exercised his player option and will stay with theSacramento Kings:
Kings guard Garrett Temple tells@TheUndefeatedhe will be opting in to his $8 million player option for next season.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN)June 29, 2018
İsmail Şenol of Turkey followed up (in Turkish) on Arian Wojnarowski’s report thatJoffrey Lauvergnehad declined his player option with news thatLauvergnewould be playing for Fenerbahce in Europe next year:
As the great@ismailsenolis reporting, Lauvergne will sign with@EuroLeaguepower Fenerbahce, sources tell ESPN.https://t.co/KWDzn9arQD
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)June 29, 2018
Woj also has the scoop onJoe Youngwho will be a free agent after Indiana declines their team option on him:
Indiana has declined the option on guard Joe Young, league source tells ESPN. He'll become a free agent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)June 29, 2018
The Houston Rockets are showing interest inGerald Green, but they aren’t alone says Chris Haynes:
Free agent Gerald Green plans to meet with Houston in Los Angeles on July 1, league sources tell ESPN. The athletic, 3-point specialist has multiple suitors.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes)June 29, 2018
Bojan Bogdanovicwill be with theIndiana Pacersfor another year as the team are fully guaranteeing his full salary according to Shams Charania:
The Indiana Pacers are guaranteeing forward Bojan Bogdanovic’s $10.5M deal for the 2018-19 season, league sources tell Yahoo. Bogdanovic played critical role for the Pacers last season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)June 29, 2018
TheBoston Celticshad a nice playoff run in spite of some crucial injuries. What are theoddsthey make a major move to try to get over the top? Not so hot according to Danny Ainge as quoted by Gary Washburn:
Danny Ainge on this summer: “We don’t really have a need. We have really good players. We need to surround them with role players with the rest of our roster that have a chance to win.”#Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe)June 29, 2018
Think Paul George is going anywhere other than to theLos Angeles Lakers? It sure doesn’t sound like it, as quoted by Alex Kennedy:
Paul George: "I love LA. This is home. I grew up watching Kobe. When I first fell in love with the game, when I'm outside playing, I wasn't picturing myself in an IND jersey or OKC jersey; I pictured myself in a Lakers jersey. Everyone in the league will say they wanna go home."
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA)June 29, 2018
Speaking of the Lakers, if they can land their big targets they should have any problems filling out their roster according to Alex Kennedy:
Several veterans have told me they'd settle for a minimum deal with the Lakers if they land LeBron James. All eyes will be on L.A. and very few teams have cap room this summer, so they'd have no trouble adding complementary pieces to fill out the roster:https://t.co/T7krjvPCDw
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA)June 29, 2018
Finally, we’ll end with another good quote collected by Alex Kennedy about the overall free agency outlook this year:
Very few teams have cap room, so NBA agents believe quality players will have to settle for mid-level exception/bi-annual exception. One agent said, "Many agents will be fired this summer. It's the worst free-agent market in terms of money that I’ve seen."https://t.co/d0s9BuAgwi
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA)June 29, 2018
Adding some late-breaking Friday night news: Lonzo Ball suffers a knee injury according to Shams Charania:
Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball has a torn meniscus in his left knee, league sources tell Yahoo. Ball is expected to be ready for training camp next season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)June 29, 2018