As of midnight on July 1, NBA free agency is officially open. Keep up on all the latest news and reports from Day 1 of free agency below:
* George verbally commits to Thunder
* Reports: James, Cavs spoke at 12:01 a.m. ET
* Jordan, Mavs reportedly agree to deal
* Reports: Durant to re-sign with Warriors
* Reports: Paul, Rockets reach four-year deal
More Free Agent roundup: July 1
* * *
Report: Rockets to meet with Capela in Los Angeles
After reportedly coming to terms with Chris Paul and losing Trevor Ariza to the Phoenix Suns, Houston will try to keep another key piece of its Western Conference Finals team later on Sunday. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter), the Rockets will meet with restricted free agent Clint Capela:
Rockets front office will meet with restricted free agent center Clint Capela and his Wasserman Media Group agents on Sunday in Los Angeles, sources tell ESPN.
Capela was a vital part of Houston’s record-breaking offense in 2017-18, serving as the ultimate roll man after setting screens for James Harden and Chris Paul. The former 25th overall pick averaged 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per contest in his fourth season in the league.
Still just 24 years old, Capela could very well improve over the length of his next NBA contract. With that in mind, the Rockets appear intent on keeping him in Houston for the foreseeable future.
— 3:22 a.m.
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Reports: James spoke to Cavs at 12:01 a.m.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMemanim, LeBron James and his agent spoke with the Cavaliers right as the free agency period opened. However, it appears unclear if LeBron and the Cavs’ brass will meet face-to-face during the free agency period:
Where LeBron James lands in free agency remains up in the air. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers have apparently made it known early on they want their superstar forward to stay with them going forward.
According to The Associated Press’ Tom Withers and ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Cavaliers spoke with James when NBA free agency opened at 12:01 ET Sunday. According to the reports, Cavs general manager Koby Altman spoke on the phone to both James and his agent Rich Paul.
James is an unrestricted free agent and the Cavs are hoping to re-sign the three-time champion, who is weighing whether to change teams for the third time in eight years. James is also being pursued by the Los Angeles Lakers, who have enough salary-cap space to sign him and another star player.
James declined his player option for the 2018-19 season on Friday. The three-time champion is now the most coveted prize in an NBA free-agent class.
The decision to decline the option for 2018-19 was expected by James because it gives him more options, which includes him re-signing with the Cavs, who can offer him a five-year, $209 million contract. James can also sign a short-term deal with Cleveland, something he has done each year since returning in 2014.
In 2010, he bolted for Miami and spent four seasons with the Heat, winning two titles, before returning home to Northeast Ohio
— 2:25 a.m.
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Report: Cousins to meet with Pelicans, Lakers
At the start of free agency, there are reportedly at least two teams heavily interested in DeMarcus Cousins. Marc J. Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated reports that Cousins took phone calls from his current team — the New Orleans Pelicans — and the Los Angeles Lakers. Says Spears:
New Orleans Pelicans All-Star free agent center DeMarcus Cousins received calls from the Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers tonight once free agency began and is expected to have meetings scheduled with both teams soon, a source told ESPN’s The Undefeated.
With Paul George reportedly ready to re-sign with Oklahoma City, the Lakers appear to be shifting their offseason focus to other free agent talent. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported on Saturday that DeMarcus Cousins could be one such option for the Lakers. The four-time All-Star is coming off a torn Achilles, but at just 27 years old could be entering his prime if he returns healthy. Says O’Connor on Twitter:
DeMarcus Cousins sounds like an increasingly likely target for the Lakers on a short-term max contract now that it appears Los Angeles will lose out on Paul George, per league sources. In January 2017, LeBron James called Cousins “the best big man in our game.”
The Lakers have been connected with the biggest available names leading up to the start of free agency on Sunday, including George and LeBron James. They have also reportedly been in talks with San Antonio to acquire two-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard. Los Angeles is hoping to inject several All-NBA talents with the hope of lifting the franchise from a five-year postseason absence, the longest in team history.
New Orleans, meanwhile, appears intent on testing the feasibility of keeping Cousins paired with All-NBA big man Anthony Davis. The duo appeared to be verging on consistent chemistry when Cousins went down with a torn Achilles in a January game against Houston. The 6-foot-11 center was averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per contest through 48 games in his first full season with the Pelicans.
— 2:11 p.m.
Report: Wolves hope to sign Butler to extension
After snapping a 13-year playoff drought, Minnesota is all too eager to keep its core intact. According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, the Timberwolves hope to ink Jimmy Butler to a maximum four-year contract this offseason. Stein tweeted:
The Timberwolves began free agency by informing star guard Jimmy Butler that they intend to offer him a maximum contract extension valued in the four-year, $110 million range as soon as he’s eligible to sign the deal on July 9, league sources say
Butler is coming off his fourth consecutive All-Star season and his first with the Timberwolves. Minnesota acquired the 6-foot-8 swingman last summer in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and First Team All-Rookie forward Lauri Markkanen.
Butler immediately sparked the young Timberwolves to a 47-win season while averaging 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.0 steals per contest. Along with Karl-Anthony Towns, Butler was also Minnesota’s first All-Star since Kevin Love in 2014.
— 1:55 a.m.
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Report: Barton, Nuggets agree to deal
The Denver Nuggets have designs on making the playoffs in 2018-19 and want to make that run with the core group of players they had last season. Per ESPN’s Chris Haynes, the Nuggets and guard Will Barton have agreed to a four-year, $54 million deal. This deal comes shortly after reports that the Nuggets and big man Nikola Jokic are closing in on a max extension.
Here’s more from Haynes on Barton’s deal:
Free agent guard Will Barton has chosen to re-sign with the Denver Nuggets, league sources told ESPN.
The 27-year-old agreed to a four-year, approximately $54 million deal that includes a player option on the fourth year, sources say.
Used as mostly a scoring punch off the bench the past three seasons in Denver, Barton is set to be the starting small forward going into next season, sources says.
Last October, Barton turned down a four-year, $42 million extension to bet on himself at the advice of his agent, Aaron Goodwin.
In 2017-18, Barton averaged career highs in scoring (15.7 points per game), assists (4.1 assists per game), field goal percentage (45.2 percent) and 3-point percentage (37 percent)..
— 1:39 a.m.
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Kings, Hawks interested in LaVine?
After showing he still has plenty of bounce in his step following ACL surgery, Zach LaVine reportedly has multiple suitors for his services. Vincent Goodwill of NBC Sports Chicago reports the Atlanta Hawks could be in play for the 6-foot-5 guard:
The Atlanta Hawks are one of the team’s showing interest in RFA Zach LaVine, according to sources
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer adds that the Sacramento Kings “are also showing interest in Zach LaVine, per sources.”
LaVine is a restricted free agent, which allows Chicago to match any offer he receives from another team. That may not stop such offers from coming for the 23-year-old, who averaged 16.7 points per contest last season.
— 1:22 a.m.
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Reports: Green will return to Rockets
After reportedly losing Trevor Ariza to Phoenix, the Rockets will hang on to another sharp-shooting swingman in Gerald Green. Multiple reports have the veteran guard returning to Houston on a one-year deal. Michael Stotto of The Athletic tweeted:
Houston Rockets and Gerald Green have agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million deal, league sources told The Athletic.
Green averaged 12.1 points in just 22.7 minutes per contest for the Rockets, his highest output since the 2013-14 campaign.
— 1:11 a.m.
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Report: Casspi comes to terms with Grizzlies
Eager to add shooting around their new big man duo of Marc Gasol and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies have reportedly agreed to contract terms with veteran swingman Omri Casspi. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
Free agent forward Omri Casspi has agreed to a one-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources tell ESPN.
The 6-foot-8 forward shot 45.5 percent from 3-point range in 53 games with Golden State last season. Memphis would mark the sixth different Western Conference team for which has played.
— 1:04 a.m.
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Reports: Timberwolves to re-sign Rose
Derrick Rose and Tom Thibodeau will remain together with the Timberwolves. Multiple reports surfaced early Sunday saying the former Kia MVP has agreed to re-sign with Minnesota on a one-year deal. Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted:
Free agent Derrick Rose is finalizing a one-year deal to return to Minnesota, league sources tell ESPN.
Rose averaged a career-low 8.4 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting last season, his 10th in the league.
— 12:56 a.m.
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Reports: Belinelli to reunite with Spurs
After spending three years apart, Marco Belinelli and San Antonio could finalize an NBA reunion. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the two sides have come to terms on a two-year deal that would add extra perimeter shooting to the Spurs’ roster. According to Wojnarowski:
Free agent guard Marco Belinelli has agreed to a two-year, $12M deal with the Spurs, league source tells ESPN.
Belinelli was a key member of the Spurs’ 2014 NBA championship team and is a career 37.7-percent shooter from 3-point range. He played a vital role in Philadelphia’s playoff run to the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, averaging a career-best 12.1 points per contest.
— 12:50 a.m.
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Reports: Suns to snag Ariza on one-year deal
After adding two top-10 picks via the draft, Phoenix decided some veteran experience was in order. According to multiple reports, Rockets free agent forward Trevor Ariza has agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with the Suns. Per Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports:
Houston free agent Trevor Ariza has agreed to a one-year, $15M deal with the Phoenix Suns, league sources tell Yahoo.
The move would deplete a significant member of the core that took Houston to Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. Phoenix, meanwhile, now adds Ariza to a stable of forwards that includes Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges and TJ Warren.
— 12:45 a.m.
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Reports: Baynes returning to Celtics on two-year deal
While the Celtics are certainly looking forward to Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning from injury, they were just as eager to bring one of their free agents back. According to Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania — and seemingly confirmed by Baynes himself — the six-year big man will come back to Boston on a two-year, $11 million deal, the second of which will be a player option. Baynes expressed his excitement on Twitter over the deal:
Staying where I wanted to be!! Last year added fuel to the bleed green banner 18 ☘️☘️☘️
— Aron Baynes (@aronbaynes) July 1, 2018
Baynes averaged 6.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per contest for a Celtics squad that advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.
— 12:43 a.m.
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Report: Davis set to join Nets
Seeking to fortify its frontcourt, Brooklyn has reportedly come to terms with veteran big man Ed Davis. The former lottery pick will join the Nets on a two-year deal per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
Free agent forward Ed Davis has agreed to a one-year, $4.4M deal with the Brooklyn Nets, league sources tell ESPN.
Davis averaged 5.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in just 18.9 minutes per contest for Portland last season.
— 12:40 a.m.
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Reports: Grant to re-sign with Thunder
Minutes after word surfaced that Paul George would return to the Thunder, Jerami Grant is reportedly following suit. The four-year forward, according to multiple reports, will re-sign with Oklahoma City on a new three-year deal. TNT’s David Aldridge detailed Grant’s new deal as follows:
Jerami Grant deal with OKC (three years, $27M, @wojespn first) includes player option for third year, per source.
— 12:36 a.m.
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Reports: Durant to re-sign with Warriors
It appears likely that Kevin Durant will extend his stay in the bay — for one more year, anyway.
According to multiple reports, the recent NBA Finals MVP plans to sign a two-year deal with Golden State shortly after negotiations open at 12:01 a.m. The deal will include a player option for the 2019-20 season. Here’s more:
Kevin Durant has decided to sign a two-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the deal cannot become official until the league’s offseason moratorium ends on Friday. The deal comes with a player option for 2019-20, so Durant can — and likely will — become a free agent again next summer.
It’s a win on multiple levels for the two-time defending NBA champion Warriors. Not only do they get to keep the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals MVP, but they also get some financial flexibility in the deal.
Durant will be paid about $30.5 million this coming season, about $5 million less than he could have commanded if the deal was structured differently. That savings will give Golden State options for other moves this summer, as the Warriors look to bolster their bench for a run at what could be a fourth title in a five-year span.
The New York Times first reported Durant’s intention to sign the deal.
Chris Haynes of ESPN and Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports later confirmed Stein’s report. Charania detailed the following:
Kevin Durant has committed to a two-year, $61.5M deal to return to the Golden State Warriors, league sources tell Yahoo.
— 12:23 a.m.
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Reports: Paul to re-sign with Rockets through 2022
After making the plunge to acquire Chris Paul a year ago, the Houston Rockets weren’t about to let him go.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and the Houston Chronicle‘s Jonathan Feigen report that Houston and Paul have agreed to a four-year deal worth $160 million that will keep him with the team that came within one game of the 2018 NBA Finals. Here’s more from Feigen on the deal:
The Rockets reached the sure-thing agreement with star guard Chris Paul as soon at Saturday’s 11 p.m. official opening of negotiations hit, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
Paul will sign a four-year, $160 million deal when the NBA moratorium ends on July 6, reaching agreement on four more seasons rather than the full five the Rockets could have given him.
Paul tweeted a message “UNFINISHED BUSINESS RUN IT BACK” nearly as soon as the agreement could be reached, indicating not only his plans, but the Rockets’ free agency goals with meetings set up with their own free agents, Trevor Ariza, Clint Capela, Gerald Green and Luc Mbah a Moute, in the opening weekend of negotiations.
Paul averaged 18.6 points, 7.9 assists and 1.7 steals per contest while teaming up with recently crowned Kia MVP James Harden to lead Houston to its most successful regular season in franchise history and deepest playoff run since 1995.
— 12:19 a.m.
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George says he’s re-signing with Thunder
Paul George was considered one of the most talented and unpredictable free agents of 2018. Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first-round exit in the playoffs, however, the five-time All-Star has committed to returning to OKC long-term.
George will re-sign with the team that gambled on him last summer despite the lone year remaining on his contract. The Thunder, it appears, will be rewarded for the risk with a longer commitment from the 6-foot-9 swingman. Here’s more:
Paul George was considered one of the most talented and unpredictable free agents of 2018. Despite Oklahoma City’s first-round exit in the playoffs, however, the five-time All-Star has committed to returning to the Thunder.
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, George will re-sign with the team on a four-year, $137 million deal.
The Thunder’s odds of keeping George appeared strengthened on Saturday when ESPN.com’s Royce Young reported superstar guard Russell Westbrook would host a “summer hype house party” in Oklahoma City on Saturday night with George having just arrived in town. While attending that party, George was reported to have announced his commitment to re-sign to those in attendnace. Film later surfaced on Twitter of him doing so:
You heard it here first. pic.twitter.com/jN6gBn6j1Z
— Gabe Ikard (@GabeIkard) July 1, 2018
As for George’s other options, the call of home ultimately was not strong to the California native. The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the teams most often linked to George, especially in conjunction with fellow free agents LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard.
— 12:05 a.m.
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Reports: Jordan agrees to one-year deal with Mavericks
After adding playmaking guards via the draft the last two summers, Dallas could be closing in on an elite big man to join them.
Clippers free agent center DeAndre Jordan has verbally agreed to sign a one-year contract with the Mavericks, per Marc Stein of The New York Times and Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. Jordan nearly signed with Dallas in 2015 before ultimately changing his mind and returning to Los Angeles. The Clippers, however, are shifting from the “Lob City” era after having dealt Chris Paul and Blake Griffin over the previous 12 months.
After declining his 2018-19 player option, it appears Jordan is the next and final member of that core to leave. Here’s more from Sefko on the deal:
The Mavericks moved swiftly Saturday night, coming to a verbal agreement in principle on a one-year contract with free-agent center DeAndre Jordan just minutes after free agency opened, NBA sources said.
The deal will be worth somewhere between $20-million and $25-million, based on the NBA’s new salary cap of $101.869-million, which was announced earlier Saturday.
— 12:10 a.m.
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Reports: McDermott, Pacers reach deal
Coming off a surprise season that nearly saw them beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, the Indiana Pacers are reportedly adding a dash of shooting to their overall mix.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and the Indianapolis Star‘s J. Michael, Indiana has come to terms with Mavericks free agent Doug McDermott. The former lottery pick boasts a career mark of 40.3 percent from 3-point range, including a scorching 49.4 percent during his 26 games with Dallas last season. Wojnarowski said of the agreement:
Doug McDermott has agreed to a three-year, $22M deal with Indiana, league source tells ESPN.
— 12:08 a.m.
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Reports: Ilyasova to return to Bucks
After spending his first seven NBA seasons with the Bucks, Ersan Ilyasova will return to Milwaukee according to multiple reports. The Turkish forward would add a flare of outside shooting next to Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and point guard Eric Bledsoe. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Ersan Ilyasova has agreed to a 3 year, $21M deal with Milwaukee, league source tells ESPN.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe adds that the third year of Ilyasova’s contract will not be guaranteed. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 10.8 points per game with the Hawks and 76ers last season.
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Reports: Gay to re-sign with Spurs
While the fate of one forward is still up in the air, San Antonio decided to keep another around for at least one more year.
Multiple reports have Rudy Gay returning to the Spurs on a one-year, $10 million deal. The veteran forward averaged 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in his first year with San Antonio last season. Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania was the first to report the deal:
Free agent forward Rudy Gay has committed on a one-year, $10 million deal to re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs, league sources tell Yahoo.
— 12:07 a.m.
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Reports: Joe Harris agrees to deal with Nets
The Brooklyn Nets will reportedly re-sign swingman Joe Harris. According to multiple reports, Brooklyn has come to terms with the 6-foot-6 swingman on a two-year deal. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports:
Joe Harris has agreed to a two-year, $16M deal with Nets, league sources tell ESPN.
Harris averaged a career-high 10.8 points on 49.1 percent shooting last year for the Nets, his fourth season in the league.
— 12:04 a.m.
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Report: Jokic ready to sign five-year max deal with Nuggets
The Nuggets have long considered Nikola Jokic a franchise-level talent. Now the franchise is ready to pay him like one.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the 22-year-old will sign a five-year maximum contract to remain with Denver. The Nuggets declined his team option for 2018-19 to make him a restricted free agent rather than allow him to enter unrestricted free agency next summer.
It looks like the move will pay off for both Denver and Jokic. Wojnarowski tweets:
Gifted young center Nikola Jokic is poised to accept a five-year, $148M maximum contract to stay with the Denver Nuggets shortly after midnight, league sources tell ESPN.
— 12:01 a.m.
Reports: Barton, Nuggets will come to terms on four-year deal
The Denver Nuggets could have the inside track on retaining one of the best scoring sixth men in the league.
According to Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports, Will Barton and the Nuggets will come to terms on a four-year deal shortly after free agency negotiations open at 12:01 a.m. TNT’s David Aldridge later confirmed the report.
The six-year guard is coming off a season in which he averaged career highs in points (15.7), rebounds (5.0), assists (4.1) and steals (1.0) per contest, as well as shooting percentage (45.2) and 3-point shooting percentage (37.0). Mannix detailed the deal as follows:
Will Barton, Denver will come to terms on a four-year deal just north of $50 million when free agency opens, sources tell @YahooSportsNBA.
ESPN’s Chris Haynes later added that the contract would be for four years and $54 million, with a player option on the fourth year.
Earlier on Saturday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that “strong momentum” had developed between the two parties in an effort to reach a new contract. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor added that an agreement between Denver and Barton would impact the free agency plans of Indiana, who are reportedly interested in the 6-foot-6 guard’s services. Should Barton no longer be available, Wojnarowski tweets that the Pacers could shift their attention to Doug McDermott or Joe Harris.
— 11:03 p.m.
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Report: Suns ‘biggest threat’ to sign VanVleet
Fred VanVleet put himself on the NBA map as a young, dependable sixth man for the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference. The problem for Toronto now is that the 23-year-old restricted free agent is now firmly on other teams’ radars.
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly one of the teams interested in VanVleet’s services, and for good reason. Phoenix is well-stocked at every position except point guard, where they currently have Brandon Knight (recovering from ACL surgery) and second-round draft pick Elie Okobo. According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN, the Suns could be the “biggest threat” to sign VanVleet to a contract that cap-strapped Toronto might not want to match. Lewenberg says via Twitter:
With ample cap space and a need at point guard, several league sources believe the Phoenix Suns are the biggest threat to poach RFA Fred VanVleet from the Raptors, as I (and others) have reported previously.
— 7:43 p.m.
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Report: Jazz to meet with Favors on Sunday in Atlanta
After an inspiring run to the Western Conference semifinals, the Utah Jazz will reportedly attempt to keep the band together as soon as possible. According to Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune, the franchise will meet with free agent big man Derrick Favors on Sunday. The eight-year veteran played an instrumental role in Utah’s midseason turnaround, averaging 12.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest. Jones reports via Twitter:
The Utah Jazz will travel to Atlanta to meet with unrestricted free agent power forward Derrick Favors on Sunday afternoon, League Sources tell The Salt Lake Tribune.
— 7:27 p.m.
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Report: Nuggets make Chandler, Arthur, Faried available for trade
In an effort to further define their roster around its young talent, Denver is reportedly making veterans Wilson Chandler, Darrell Arthur and Kenneth Faried available to trade. The report comes form Marc Stein of the New York Times:
The Nuggets continue to make Wilson Chandler, Darrell Arthur and Kenneth Faried all available via trade to deal with their looming luxury-tax crunch, but one source close to the situation said Denver might have to expand its trading-block list to include Mason Plumlee
— 7:08 p.m.
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Report: Warriors looking at Ariza, Bradley, Howard?
A lack of cap space may not prohibit Golden State from being a factor in free agency. According to USA TODAY’S Sam Amick, the Warriors will see if their limited funds and championship pedigree is enough to add difference-making rotation players to their star-studded roster.
According to Amick, Dwight Howard has “serious interest in joining the Warriors.” The eight-time All-Star and three-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year is reportedly set to be traded from Charlotte to Brooklyn, then bought out of his contract, which would make him an unrestricted free agent.
Amick also mentions Rockets swingman Trevor Ariza and Clippers guard Avery Bradley as potential targets for the two-time defending champions.
If Houston small forward Trevor Ariza can’t find a big-time payday with the Rockets or anyone else, the prospect of joining the Warriors on a one-year deal is known to be of interest. Golden State has also discussed Avery Bradley as an option, which comes as no surprise to anyone who has seen the eight-year veteran hound the Warriors’ scorers these past few years. Bradley’s season was cut short by abdominal surgery in March, and he played just 46 games for Detroit and the Los Angeles Clippers.
— 6:50 p.m.
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Lakers release Thomas Bryant
The Los Angeles Lakers have requested waivers on center Thomas Bryant, it was announced today. Bryant appeared in 15 games for the Lakers, averaging 1.5 points and 1.1 rebounds in 4.6 minutes per game. The move reportedly helps clear space for the team in its pursuit of free agents this summer, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Los Angeles is right at $47.3M in room after the Thomas Bryant waiver. The cap space for the Lakers take into account the $12.4M Julius Randle free agent hold. Los Angeles had until July 5 to waive the former second-round pick.
— 4:12 p.m.
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Suns release Ulis
The Phoenix Suns released point guard Tyler Ulis, who just completed his second year with the team, in a salary cap move, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The former Kentucky guard will be a free agent once he clears waivers.
— 4:08 p.m.
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Aldrich waived by Wolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves opted to waive center Cole Aldrich instead of guaranteeing his $6.9 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Aldrich, who has played nine seasons in the league, will become a free agent.
— 4:00 p.m.
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Report: LeBron, Cavs won’t meet in person
When the free agency period begins on Sunday morning, LeBron James or any of his representatives will have an in-person meeting with Cleveland Cavaliers officials, according to a report by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
James’ camp and the Cavs front office has been in regular dialogue since the season ended, sources said, and James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, informed the Cavs on Friday morning that the four-time MVP would not be opting in to the final year of his contract with Cleveland worth $35.6 million.
According to the report, it is unclear that the two sides have set up a meeting. It was reported earlier in the week that James does not want any extravagant pitches made for his services.
— 2:33 p.m.
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Report: Warriors to explore Jordan
They’ve won back-to-back titles, but the Golden State Warriors are still looking for ways to get better for the upcoming season. Though odds are slim, they are exploring the idea of adding free agent center DeAndre Jordan.
The New York Times‘ Marc Stein reports via Twitter that Golden State will at least explore the possibility of adding the All-Star center:
The Warriors know this has a marginal chance of success, but league sources say they intend to at least explore their free-agent chances with DeAndre Jordan, who is not only close pals with Kevin Durant but also one of GM Bob Myers’ former clients
Stein also adds that such a move would require Jordan to take a substantial pay cut:
Such a move would require Jordan to take a deal starting at the taxpayer midlevel exception of $5.3 mil — which would cost the Warriors more like $27 mil next season. But it has been whispered around the Warriors for months that they will at least explore making a run at Jordan
With that said, the Mavericks, with roughly $28 million in cap space, remain the big favorites to add Jordan in free agency.
— 10:38 a.m.
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