According to ESPN, more than three weeks after the NBA draft, several headline moves have already occurred, including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson going at the top of the draft and the trades of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown and LaMelo Ball. Despite the activity, multiple major offseason items remain unsettled.
According to ESPN, LeBron James’ decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers has created a holding pattern around the league. Cleveland, Denver, Golden State, Miami, Minnesota and Philadelphia each still have at least two roster spots open, and the Nuggets and Warriors together have eight openings. The wait has also delayed the signings of Draymond Green and James Harden; both are expected to return to Golden State and Cleveland, respectively, but James’ choice could affect their first-year salaries. Not counting new contracts for Green and Harden, both teams sit nearly $39 million below the second apron.
According to ESPN, the Nuggets, 76ers and Timberwolves each have the $3.9 million veterans minimum exception available, while Miami could offer $6 million through its non-tax midlevel exception. Barring a trade, Golden State and Cleveland would need the players to accept below-market first-year pay for those teams to offer more than the veterans minimum.
According to ESPN, Rich Paul, James’ longtime agent, said on his “Game Over” podcast that happiness, not money, will be James’ driving motive. “If it’s about happiness, because if it’s the most money, then it’s not necessarily the most happiness,” Paul said. He added there is no timeline for James’ decision and warned, “Everything looks great in July. Everything looks great on paper. But you got to be very careful with that.”
According to ESPN, the top unrestricted free agent after James is DeMar DeRozan, who was a financial casualty in Sacramento despite averaging 18.4 points and shooting nearly 50 percent from the field last season. DeRozan turns 37 in August and has played at least 74 games in each of the past five seasons. Other notable unrestricted free agents include Bradley Beal, Bruce Brown, Russell Westbrook, Jonathan Kuminga, Matisse Thybulle, Kelly Olynyk, Nick Richards and Drew Eubanks. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick met virtually with Kuminga to pitch a role next to Luka Doncic. The Lakers used all of their cap space and have only the $2.8 million veterans minimum exception; because Atlanta did not waive Kuminga, a sign-and-trade could be pursued but would depend on whether the Hawks would take back contracts such as Jarred Vanderbilt’s two years and $27 million remaining. The Lakers have no tradeable first-round picks except a 2032 swap and hold three second-rounders.
