Believe it or not, 2024 NBA free agency is already here.
Free agency always seems to sneak up on the heels of the NBA Finals and NBA Draft. The chaos will officially begin on Sunday, June 30, but the rumor mill is already spinning.
This year’s free agency class isn’t expected to be loaded with star power. LeBron James and Paul George are the two headliners with player options for the Lakers and Clippers, respectively. Beyond those two, unrestricted free agents like James Harden, DeMar DeRozan and Klay Thomspon are among the top names to watch.
Where will each of these players end up when free agency tips off? The Sporting News is tracking the latest news below.
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NBA free agency rumors 2024: Tracking the latest leaks, news, and trades
Raptors pick up Bruce Brown’s team option
Date: June 28
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
The Raptors have elected to pick up Brown’s $23 million team option for the 2024-25 season. That allows Toronto to keep a valuable trade chip who is on an expiring contract going into this offseason and beyond.
Warriors, Chris Paul agree to push back contract guarantee date
Date: June 28
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
Golden State and Paul intend to move back the date to Sunday to guarantee the $30 million on his 2024-25 contract. That allows the Warriors to continue to explore potential trade destinations for the veteran floor general.
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Mavericks interested in Klay Thompson
Date: June 28
Source: Marc Stein, NBA insider
With Thompson’s situation with the Warriors in the balance, Dallas is a team that could swoop in and sign the veteran sharpshooter.
“With [the Mavericks’] newfound financial flexibility after securing the Tim Hardaway Jr.-to-Detroit trade, they are another team intent on exploring the feasibility of signing Thompson once he makes it to free agency,” Stein wrote in his Substack.
Warriors eying Paul George
Date: June 28
Source: Sam Amick and Anthony Slater, The Athletic
The Warriors reportedly have “legitimate interest” in making George a part of their new core with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
That makes Golden State’s Klay Thompson situation even more difficult, as there “remains no official contract offer and little contact between Thomspon and the Warriors,” per the Athletic.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Mavericks have ‘mutual interest’
Date: June 28
Source: Marc Stein, NBA insider
Two-time NBA champion Caldwell-Pope and the Mavericks have “mutual interest” if he does not get a deal done with the Nuggets. It’s worth noting that Denver reportedly does not “want to participate in a sign-and-trade with an in-conference rival.”