2019 Free Agency

NBA Offseason 2019: June 29 roundup

From NBA Twitter and media reports

With free agency set to open at 6 p.m. ET on June 30, teams and players are already beginning to arrange meetings. Keep up on all the latest news, talks and more as the offseason takes flight:

* Reports: Jazz ‘significant threat’ to sign Bogdanovic

* Rockets reportedly plan to meet with McGee

* Bucks reportedly extend qualifying offer to Brogdon

* Vucevic set to commit to Magic, per reports

* Clippers reportedly gauging possible Leonard-Butler pairing

* Report: Rockets arrange meeting with Looney

* Lakers reportedly reach out to Beverley’s reps

* Rose, Pistons may be eyeing two-year deal

* Butler to reportedly meet with Heat, Rockets

* Report: Nets, Irving ‘motivated’ to come to terms

* Report: Walker plans to commit to Celtics

* Mirotic to play overseas, per report

* Report: Wolves plan to meet with Russell

* Report: Nuggets picking up Millsap’s option

* Report: Durant, Leonard to join forces?

* Report: Thompson, Warriors plan to reach agreement

* June 28 roundup | June 27 roundup | June 26 roundup | June 25 roundup

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East Player Movement | West Player Movement | Free Agent Tracker | Offseason Trades | 2019 Draft

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Reports: Jazz ‘significant threat’ to sign Bogdanovic

After agreeing to trade for Mike Conley, the Utah Jazz are reportedly preparing to add another starting-caliber talent.

Tony Jones and Shams Charania of The Athletic report that Utah is a “significant threat” to sign Pacers forward Bojan Bogdanovic, an unrestricted free agent coming off a career season.

Reporting with @ShamsCharania: The Utah Jazz are emerging as a significant threat to sign Bojan Bogdanovic away from the Indiana Pacers, League Sources tell The Athletic….The Jazz could have a competitive offer on the table as soon as tomorrow, according to sources

Bogdanovic could complete a lineup that already includes two-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert as well as Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles and (assuming the trade with Memphis is completed) Conley. Big man Derrick Favors is also still under contract, though it is not fully guaranteed for next season.

— 12:58 a.m.

Rockets reportedly plan to meet with McGee

The Houston Rockets are always active in the offseason and this summer is no different. They are already linked in some reports to having interest in one of free agency’s biggest names — Jimmy Butler — and are being linked to another name many fans may know.

Per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Rockets plan to meet with former Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee on Sunday. The center is coming off one of his best seasons ever, averaging 12 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. He appeared in 75 games for the Lakers (62 starts) and averaged 22.3 minutes per game.

Houston has targeted big men this summer, as reports of it scheduling a meeting with Golden State Warriors big man Kevon Looney also circulated Saturday. There has been talk in free agency of the Rockets potentially looking to deal starting center Clint Capela and others to clear up cap space for a potential Butler deal.

— 12:50 a.m.

Report: Bucks extend qualifying offer to Brogdon

The Milwaukee Bucks have taken its first step in keeping the core of a team that advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.

Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports that the Bucks have extended the qualifying offer to Malcolm Brogdon, making the 26-year-old a restricted free agent and enabling the team to match any offer he accepts.

The Milwaukee Bucks extended a qualifying offer to Malcolm Brogdon, officially making him a restricted free agent, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.

Brogdon has shattered any expectations set for him as a former second-round pick, winning 2016-17 Kia Rookie of the Year honors while becoming an essential part of Milwaukee’s backcourt rotation. Brogdon averaged 13.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists during the 2019 NBA playoffs as the Bucks reached the Eastern Conference finals..

The combo guard is expected to garner significant interest from teams who believe Milwaukee may balk at overspending to keep him. The Bucks are also under pressure to retain unrestricted free-agent All-Star guard Khris Middleton and starting center Brook Lopez. Reserve forward Nikola Mirotic is reportedly set to leave the NBA for Europe.

— 12:40 a.m.

Report: Vucevic set to return to Magic

A deep free agent center class could lose one of its upper tier members. Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Nikola Vucevic plans to accept a four-year contract worth $100 million from the Orlando Magic.

Orlando free agent All-Star Nikola Vucevic plans to commit to a four-year, $100 million deal to return to the Magic, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

Vucevic helped lead the Magic to the postseason last season, an All-Star campaign in which he averaged 20.8 points and 12 rebounds per game. He’s been a core part of Orlando’s franchise over the past seven years, and now Magic retain him.

Vucevic has played his last seven seasons in Orlando since being part of a four-team trade that shipped Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers, Andre Iguodala to the Denver Nuggets and Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers. The former 16th overall pick is coming off his first All-Star season, one in which he averaged 20.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. The 28-year-old big man also shot a career-best 36.4% on 3-pointers while leading Orlando to its first postseason appearance since 2012.

— 12:02 a.m.

Report: Clippers gauging potential Leonard-Butler tandem

If the Clippers are fortunate enough to land reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, they may already have an idea as to whom his running mate should be.

Marc Stein of The New York Times reports that LA is exploring the feasibility of signing Jimmy Butler and Leonard, a pairing that would feature two of the best perimeter defenders in the league.

“Leonard wants to be joined by a top-flight free agent if he decides to leave Toronto for the Clippers,” Stein tweeted, “and Butler’s rugged two-way game makes for an intriguing pairing. Clippers adviser Jerry West is also a known admirer of Butler.”

–11:45 p.m.

Report: Rockets arrange meeting with Warriors’ Looney

In a move that could portend more to come, the Houston Rockets have set up a meeting with Warriors restricted free agent center Kevon Looney according to Marc Stein of The New York Times. The 23-year-old big man is coming off a career year in which he averaged 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds on 62.5 percent shooting.

The news comes hours after word of Houston’s intended meeting with Philadelphia guard Jimmy Butler. To acquire either player, the Rockets would likely need to complete sign-and-trade deals or dump salary via separate trades.

— 7:39 p.m.

Report: Lakers reach out to Beverley’s reps

With Kemba Walker and Kyrie Irving reportedly set to negotiate deals with other teams, the Lakers reportedly have turned their attention to D’Angelo Russell and now Patrick Beverley. Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Lakers have contacted Beverley’s representatives in hopes of negotiating a deal with the free agent point guard.

A respected defensive specialist with 3-point range, the 30-year-old Beverley averaged 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists with the Clippers last season. The veteran guard created a stir with his visibly physical defense of Kevin Durant during the opening round of the 2019 Playoffs, a six-game series that saw him log three double-digit rebounding games.

— 7:34 p.m.

Report: Rose eyeing two-year deal with Pistons

After a resurgent season in Minnesota, Derrick Rose is hoping to continue his mid-career rebirth in Michigan. The former Kia MVP and three-time All-Star is expected to meet with the Pistons on Sunday, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, in hopes of coming to terms on a two-year contract.

Rose averaged 18.0 points on 48.2 percent shooting, including a career-best 37.0 percent from 3 last season. The former No. 1 overall pick has not played 70 games or more in a regular season since 2010-11, but showed enough staying power with the Timberwolves to garner interest this offseason.

— 7:08 p.m.

Report: Butler to meet with Heat, Rockets

Seven months after being traded for Minnesota to Philadelphia, Jimmy Butler appears intent on seeing if another change of address is warranted. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the four-time All-Star is set to meet with the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets after free agency negotiations open on Sunday evening.

Butler’s choice of teams are interesting due to the fact that they currently do not possess the means to sign him directly. Miami and Houston would need to execute sign-and-trade deals that send out current players in order to open up the sufficient cap space.

The Rockets are currently coming off their fourth postseason defeat to the Warriors in the last five years. Miami, meanwhile have missed the playoffs in three of the past five seasons with only one postseason series victory since LeBron James left for Cleveland in 2014.

— 6:51 p.m.

Report: Nets, Irving ‘motivated’ to come to terms

After trading for D’Angelo Russell and seeing him become a 2019 All-Star, Brooklyn is reportedly ready to move on to a new point guard in Kyrie Irving.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Irving and the Nets are “motivated” to come to terms on a deal once negotiations can begin Sunday evening. Irving, who recently switched to Jay-Z-founded RocNation for representation, averaged 23.8 points, 6.9 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals for Boston last season.

Irving’s arrival would appear to close the door on the Russell era in Brooklyn, where the former No. 2 overall pick blossomed after being traded from the Lakers in 2017. The 23-year-old guard averaged 21.1 points, 7.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals en route to the Nets’ first postseason appearance since 2015.

Russell’s suitors include the Timberwolves, who were reported to have set up a Sunday meeting with the free agent point guard. Wojnarowski adds that the Lakers have already contacted Russell’s representatives to set up a meeting. Indiana and Phoenix are also known to be seeking upgrades at point guard.

— 6:21 p.m.

Report: Walker plans to commit to Celtics

It appears as though the Boston Celtics may have found their new point guard. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Kemba Walker intends to agree to a deal with the Celtics after free agency opens Sunday.

Before free agency began, Walker said he was open to taking less than the supermax from Charlotte. He qualified for the supermax extension from the Hornets after making the third-team All-NBA this season, the first time Walker has made an All-NBA team in his career.

Walker averaged a career-high 25.6 points and 5.9 assists for the Hornets this season while earning his third straight All-Star selection. Last season, he passed Dell Curry to become the Charlotte Hornets’ all-time leading scorer and ranks in the franchise’s top five in assists (No. 2), games played (No. 3), defensive rebounds (No. 4) and steals (No. 3). Aside from holding the Hornets’ top scoring mark, he’s also No. 1 in free throws made and attempted, field goals made and attempted and 3-pointers made and attempted.

Due to the need for max cap space to sign Walker, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports that Celtics are expected to renounce their rights to 25-year-old point guard Terry Rozier, would would make him an unrestricted free agent.

— 4:42 p.m.

Report: Mirotic to play overseas

One free-agent domino appears to be off the board, as Nikola Mirotic has decided to play overseas for the upcoming season, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

NBA free agent Nikola Mirotic has decided to sign with Euroleague club Barcelona, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Mirotic was in the market for $45-50M total in contract in the NBA.

The 28-year-old, who averaged 15.2 points and 7.4 rebounds last season, played a key role in the Bucks’ postseason run. In his five NBA seasons, Mirotic averaged 12.3 points while hitting 35.9 percent of his 3-pointers.

— 2:38 p.m.

Report: Wolves plan to meet with Russell

The Timberwolves plan to meet with restricted free agent point guard D’Angelo Russell, bringing in Karl-Anthony Towns as part of the contingent, reports Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes.

Yahoo Sources: Minnesota Timberwolves to meet with Brooklyn Nets restricted free agent D’Angelo Russell with a contingent expected to include franchise player Karl-Anthony Towns.

The 23-year-old Russell has been a hot name this offseason after coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 21.1 points and 7.0 assists, helping the Nets reach the postseason.

— 1:54 p.m.

Report: Nuggets picking up Millsap’s option

The Nuggets are reportedly keeping a key piece around for at least another season. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Denver is picking up the option on Paul Millsap’s $30 million contract.

The 34-year-old forward, who helped Denver reach the semifinals in the playoffs, averaged 12.6 points and 7.2 rebounds last season.

— 1:01 p.m.

Report: Durant, Leonard looking at teaming up?

Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard together on the same team? It sounds like that’s a possibility as the two have discussed scenarios in which that happens, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne.

Free agent stars Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard have been discussing scenarios that could include a future with them playing together, league sources told ESPN.

For now, there are two clear possibilities for the two All-NBA forwards to sign into the same franchise — the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks.

Durant has reportedly said he’ll consider four teams: Knicks, Clippers, Warriors and Nets. Leonard, meanwhile, has reportedly asked to talk with Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson in a meeting with the Lakers, and has reportedly stated that the Raptors would get the last pitch for his services.

Durant, the former two-time Finals MVP and Kia MVP winner entered the offseason as perhaps the biggest name on the market alongside Kyrie Irving, Leonard and Durant’s Warriors teammate, Klay Thompson. He was long been expected to draw interest on the open market from a number of teams with salary cap room.

Leonard turned down his player option for 2019-20, thus becoming an unrestricted free agent, which set off a frenzy of teams officially interested in his services.

— 11:55 a.m.

Report: Warriors, Thompson plan to reach agreement

Not many thought Klay Thompson would leave the Warriors, and that appears to be the case. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Thompson and the Warriors will be agreeing on a five-year, $190 million max contract when the sides meet in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Thompson has had seven straight seasons with at least 200 3-pointers, tied with Stephen Curry for the most in NBA history. He has eight straight seasons of shooting at least 40 percent from beyond the arc, which is the league’s second-longest active streak in the NBA behind Curry. His 1,798 career 3s are 16th all time. Thompson, the 11th overall pick in the 2011 Draft, is a five-time All-Star and two-time third-team All-NBA player averaging 19.5 points and 42 percent 3-point shooting in his career.

— 12:41 p.m.

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East Player Movement | West Player Movement | Free Agent Tracker | Offseason Trades | 2019 Draft

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