2025 NBA Offseason Buzz: Giannis Antetokounmpo To Begin Season With Bucks

The NBA offseason nonetheless has a handful of unresolved conditions and, with that, comes drama and buzz in regards to the futures of the perfect free brokers and potential commerce targets. 

We have got you lined, monitoring all of the rumors from in and across the league.

Aug. 31

It seems that Antetokounmpo will keep in Milwaukee to start out the 2025-26 season, per ESPN. The information comes after the Bucks signed his brother, Thanasis, to a one-year deal. Antetokounmpo reportedly explored a possible transfer this offseason after 12 seasons with Milwaukee after the workforce misplaced within the first spherical of the playoffs for the third straight season. His present contract is about to take him by means of the 2027 season with a $62.7 million participant possibility for 2028.

Aug. 9

May the No. 6 and No. 7 picks within the 2021 NBA Draft be traded for one another? Such a situation exists, because the Warriors have curiosity in a commerce centered round sending Kuminga to the Chicago Bulls for Giddey, in accordance with Bleacher Report. Each gamers are restricted free brokers. 

Final season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 factors in 24.3 minutes per sport in 47 regular-season contests whereas taking pictures 45.4/30.5/66.8. In the meantime, Giddey averaged 14.6 factors, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.2 steals per sport whereas taking pictures 46.5/37.8/78.1. Moreover, after Chicago traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings, Giddey averaged 20.2 factors, 9.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.4 steals per sport, whereas taking pictures 49.5/45.7/80.3 throughout his final 24 video games. Giddey spent the primary three seasons of his NBA profession with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder earlier than being acquired by Chicago within the 2023-24 NBA offseason.

July 30

Kuminga continues to reject a two-year, $45 million supply from the Warriors, per ESPN. Kuminga reportedly would not desire a workforce possibility within the contract, whereas the Kings and Phoenix Suns have proven continued curiosity in buying Kuminga through a sign-and-trade and are keen to supply him a contract within the ballpark of a four-year, $90 million deal.

July 28

Practically a month after he accepted his participant possibility for the 2025-26 season, questions nonetheless linger round James’ future with the Lakers. With nothing being reported as settled between the NBA’s all-time scoring chief and the Lakers, James is believed to have a curiosity about probably becoming a member of the Mavericks. Nevertheless, Dallas is just all for including James if he had been to be purchased out of his contract. Becoming a member of the Mavericks would permit James to reunite with two of his high teammates ever: Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. He may additionally be part of Cooper Flagg, the highly-touted first general decide within the 2025 NBA Draft, as Dallas seeks to contend following a disappointing 2024-25 season that was outlined by its surprising resolution to commerce Luka Dončić.

July 26

The Warriors are being cautious about whether or not they wish to decide to signing Kuminga to a long-term deal within the occasion that Antetokounmpo turns into accessible on the commerce market, per The San Francisco Normal. 

July 19

The Clippers, who nonetheless have two open spots on their projected 15-man roster, are “strongly contemplating” signing the veteran free agent level guard, in accordance with ClutchPoints. Paul, who began all 82 video games for the San Antonio Spurs throughout his twentieth season, is hoping to be a starter once more for the 2025-26 season, per The Related Press.

July 18

Amid hypothesis over his NBA future, Valanciunas is anticipated to be with the workforce when the season begins. Nuggets normal supervisor Ben Tenzer mentioned the workforce has “no considerations” about the opportunity of the newly added heart not displaying up for coaching camp this fall, in accordance with HoopsHype. The 33-year-old was reportedly near accepting a three-year contract supply from the EuroLeague, however the Nuggets had been by no means motivated to let him out of his contract.

July 13

The Celtics famous person is participating in recruiting efforts to get free agent Lillard to Boston, in accordance with a report from The Boston Globe. Lillard and Tatum are each anticipated to overlook most or all of subsequent season recovering from a torn Achilles harm. The pair beforehand performed collectively on Workforce USA through the 2020 Summer time Olympics. 

Final season, Lillard averaged 24.9 factors in 58 video games for the Bucks, who surprisingly launched the nine-time All-Star and stretched the remaining $112.6 million owed to him over the following two seasons to clear cap room.

July 12

A number of groups actively speaking about buying and selling for LeBron James

4 groups have contacted James’ agent about the opportunity of buying and selling for him, in accordance with a report from ESPN on Saturday. The 40-year-old Lakers star opted into his $52.6 million participant possibility with the workforce in June and neither facet has mentioned a contract extension, main many to imagine that James’ time in Los Angeles is nearing an finish. James averaged 25.7 factors, 8.3 assists, and seven.3 rebounds in 71 video games for the Lakers final season. He is at present set to change into an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer season.

July 10

There’s nonetheless an air of uncertainty round Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks, however he made one factor sure: he will not be taking his skills to the Large Apple. 

Antetokounmpo mentioned the opportunity of residing and taking part in in New York throughout a stream with well-liked web persona IShowSpeed. “Lots of people have tried to persuade me to play [in New York], however nah,” Antetokounmpo mentioned, additional making it recognized that he would not play for the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets. Antetokounmpo was requested if that meant he’d be remaining with the Bucks. “We’ll see,” he replied. “In all probability, I really like Milwaukee.”

Although Antetokounmpo’s title has been concerned in commerce rumors because the Bucks’ first-round playoff exit, he has been comparatively silent about his future in Milwaukee. He reportedly hasn’t requested a commerce, however ESPN reported in Might that Antetokounmpo was extra open to the thought of probably shifting on from Milwaukee than he was previously.

The Bucks had been arguably among the many extra aggressive groups within the first week of free company. They surprisingly signed former Indiana Pacers heart Myles Turner to a four-year deal. In one other surprising transfer, they waived-and-stretched All-Star guard Lillard to make the deal occur, forcing them to tackle the remaining $112 million on his contract. Antetokounmpo, 30, is beneath contract by means of the tip of the 2027-28 season, however he can decide out of his deal following the 2026-27 season.

July 8

Nikola Jokić not signing contract extension

Jokić has reportedly knowledgeable the Nuggets that he will not signal a contract extension this offseason. Jokić, a three-time MVP, was eligible so as to add three years at $212 million to his pre-existing contract, which has two years left at $106 million. It is doubtless that Jokić is selecting to place off signing an extension with the Nuggets till after this season, as a result of if he waits till the 2026 offseason he can signal a deal through which he’d earn a further $80 million. Nevertheless, it is alarming as there was some rumbling in regards to the Nuggets’ willingness to commerce Jokić if it helped them keep away from the second tax apron, and it is vital they lock up arguably the game’s greatest participant on a longer-term deal.

July 6

The Suns are anticipated to buyout Beal’s contract within the coming days. The reported particulars of the buyout would value Beal $13.9 million of his remaining $110.8 million deal. It could then clear the way in which for the Suns to waive Beal and stretch the remaining $96.9 million over the following 5 years and consequence within the workforce ducking each tax aprons. As soon as Beal clears waivers, potential suitors that might decide him up embody the Clippers and the Miami Warmth. 

July 2

Lillard was waived by the Bucks and already has groups lining as much as purchase his companies regardless of being set to overlook the whole lot of the 2025-26 NBA season with an Achilles harm. Contenders such because the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Warriors are among the many groups all for bringing within the veteran level guard as soon as he clears waivers. Lillard, who turns 35 on July 15, is a nine-time All-Star coming off his fourth straight All-Star season. 

Throughout his two seasons in Milwaukee, whom he joined in a commerce after 11 years in Portland, he averaged 24.6 factors and 7 assists per sport. Nevertheless, he wasn’t capable of make a lot of an affect on every of their postseason runs, as he handled a strained Achilles through the 2024 playoffs and returned from deep vein thrombosis halfway by means of the Bucks’ first-round sequence within the 2025 playoffs. He then sustained a torn Achilles within the elimination Recreation 5 in opposition to the Pacers this season.

June 30

Clarkson and the Utah Jazz are reportedly finalizing a contract buyout. Clarkson, who’s heading into his twelfth NBA season, was set to make $14.3 million. Now, he’ll head to the open market and be one of many high unrestricted free brokers in a slightly weak 2025 class. Clarkson, who received the NBA Sixth Man of the Yr award in 2020-2021, averaged 16.2 factors per sport and three.7 assists, whereas taking pictures a career-low 40.8% from the sector. 

June 29

The previous first general decide is reportedly negotiating a contract buyout from the Path Blazers. Ayton, 26, was beneath contract for $35.5 million this season. He is now arguably probably the most coveted heart available on the market. Ayton averaged 14.4 factors, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per sport in 40 appearances for Portland final season.

The Houston Rockets have a big-money dedication to the previous third general decide. Smith, who turned 22 in Might, plans to signal a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension that is absolutely assured by means of the 2030-31 season. Smith began 39 video games for Houston final season, averaging 12.2 factors, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per sport.

Like a few different stars forward of free company, Harden can even decline his participant possibility for the 2025-26 season to be able to signal an extension. The star guard intends to signal a two-year, $81.5 million extension with the Clippers after declining his participant possibility for subsequent season, ESPN reported. The deal will hold Harden in Los Angeles for no less than a 3rd season. As a part of the brand new contract, Harden’s contract for the 2026-27 season is reportedly partially assured. Harden was named an All-Star for the eleventh time this previous season, serving to the Clippers earn the fifth seed within the Western Convention earlier than shedding to the Nuggets within the first spherical of the playoffs. 

Portis agreed to a three-year, $44 million cope with the Bucks forward of his pending free company, ESPN reported. Portis, 30, has arguably been one of many league’s higher position gamers over the previous couple of years, however he solely performed 49 video games final season attributable to a 25-game suspension for utilizing Tramadol, an opioid ache remedy.

The three-time All-Star ahead has declined his participant possibility for subsequent season however will signal a three-year, $100 million extension with the Timberwolves, ESPN reported. The deal reportedly features a participant possibility for the 2027-28 season. Randle, 30, was a key piece for the Timberwolves of their run to a second straight Western Convention finals look, averaging 21.7 factors per sport within the postseason in his first yr with the workforce. The Timberwolves acquired him in a cope with the Knicks simply days earlier than the beginning of coaching camp this previous season. 

The veteran wing will check the open market, declining his $15.4 million participant possibility for subsequent season, ESPN reported. Finney-Smith was a key a part of the Lakers’ rotation after they acquired him in a midseason commerce. The choice by Finney-Smith places the Lakers roughly $9 million beneath the primary luxurious tax apron. 

OKC re-signs position gamers

A pair of end-of-the-rotation gamers will stay in Oklahoma Metropolis after profitable the NBA title. Each Jaylin Williams and Ajay Mitchell have agreed to new offers forward of hitting the open mark, ESPN reported. Williams’ deal is reportedly a three-year, $24 million pact with an possibility for the third yr, whereas Mitchell’s deal is a three-year, $9 million pact.

The veteran wing, who’s recognized for his prowess as a 3-point shooter, will check free company. He’s declining his $20 million early termination possibility with the Warmth, however remains to be seeking to work out a cope with the workforce, in accordance with ESPN. 

June 28

The Thunder are buying and selling guard Jones and a second-round decide to the Wizards, in accordance with ESPN. The Wizards are additionally sending guard Colby Jones to the Thunder, who will then launch him.

Mitchell intends to signal a two-year, $24 million deal to return to Miami, in accordance with ESPN. The 26-year-old guard was a vibrant spot for Miami after being traded from Toronto as a part of the multi-team deal that despatched Jimmy Butler to Golden State.

Batum is declining his $4.9 million participant possibility for the 2025-26 season to change into a free agent, in accordance with ESPN, though there stays curiosity in a brand new deal between the veteran ahead and the Clippers.

Merrill will signal a four-year, $38-million contract to remain in Cleveland, in accordance with ESPN. The 28-year-old averaged 7.2 factors per sport on 40.6% taking pictures from the sector, together with 37.2% from distance, in 71 appearances final season.

Kuminga is anticipated to change into a restricted free agent after the Warriors supplied him a $7.9 million qualifying supply, in accordance with ESPN. The Warriors have the suitable to match any supply and may discover sign-and-trade choices as properly. Kuminga fell out and in of the rotation for Steve Kerr final season after the commerce for Butler, however the Warriors nonetheless contemplate him a precedence signing this offseason. 

June 27

T-wolves intend to signal Naz Reid to new deal

All indicators pointed in direction of Reid declining his $15 million participant possibility after the 2025 season, however it was unclear if that will result in a summer season of free company or a brand new cope with the Timberwolves. Now, it appears the latter is extra doubtless. Reid intends to signal a five-year, $125 million deal that will hold him in Minnesota by means of the 2030 season. Reid, the NBA Sixth Man of the Yr in 2024, posted career-bests in factors (14.2) and rebounds per sport (6.0) final season. 

Suns, Devin Booker “energetic in understanding” report extension

The Suns stay steadfast in constructing round guard Booker. The ten-year veteran is coming off a 2024-25 season through which he averaged 25.6 factors per sport, his lowest mark since 2018, to go along with a career-high 7.1 assists per sport. Booker has three years remaining on a four-year, $220 million contract he signed previous to final season however is eligible for — and reportedly working towards — a report extension, which might tack on a further two years at $150 million ($75 million AAV) and hold him beneath contract in Phoenix by means of the 2031 season. 

As a substitute of heading into the free-agent market, Drummond will make $5 million for the ultimate yr of a two-year contract he signed previous to the 2024-25 season with the 76ers. The 2-time All-Star averaged 7.3 factors and seven.8 rebounds throughout his thirteenth NBA season final yr.

Raptors half methods with president Masai Ujiri

Ujiri turned Toronto’s government vice chairman and normal supervisor in 2013 and was the architect of the workforce’s 2019 NBA Finals triumph, the workforce’s lone championship. The Raptors are coming off a 30-52 season and have not received a playoff sequence because the 2019-20 NBA season.

June 26

Reaves turned down a four-year, $89.2 million extension supply from the Lakers, in accordance with The Athletic. This was the utmost supply that the Lakers may make to Reaves, who signed a four-year, $53.8 million contract with the Lakers in 2023; Reaves is getting into the third season of that deal, which features a $14.9 million participant possibility for the 2026-27 season. Final season, Reaves averaged a career-high 20.2 factors, 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals per sport, whereas taking pictures 46.0/37.7/87.7. The Lakers went 50-32 and claimed the No. 3 seed within the Western Convention earlier than shedding to the Timberwolves in 5 video games within the first spherical of the playoffs.

June 25

Knicks interviewing James Borrego

New York is interviewing Borrego, the previous head coach of the Charlotte Hornets and a present assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, for its head-coaching emptiness, in accordance with ESPN. Throughout Borrego’s 4 seasons as its head coach (2018-19 season to 2021-22 season), Charlotte went a mixed 148-183. He has been a part of head coach Willie Inexperienced’s teaching employees in New Orleans the previous two seasons. Borrego is the fourth one who has interviewed with the Knicks, with former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown, former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins and Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori being the opposite three.

John Collins opts into participant possibility with Jazz

Collins has opted into his participant possibility for the 2025-26 season as a substitute of testing free company. The veteran ahead averaged 19 factors per sport and eight.2 rebounds all through his eighth season. He may have commanded a line of suitors on the open market, however it’s attainable no workforce would have supplied him greater than the $26.58 million he is set to make by remaining with the Jazz. 

Fred VanVleet, Rockets conform to new deal

Houston is signing VanVleet to a two-year, $50 million deal, in accordance with ESPN. VanVleet had a $44.9 million workforce possibility within the last yr of his three-year, $128.5 million deal for subsequent season, which Houston was set to say no. The 31-year-old averaged 14.1 factors, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per sport, whereas taking pictures 37.8/34.5/81.0 final season. 

June 24

Pelicans, Wizards make four-player commerce

New Orleans is buying and selling CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round decide to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft, in accordance with ESPN. McCollum is getting into the ultimate season of a two-year, $64 million deal, whereas Poole is getting into the third season of a four-year, $128 million deal. The Wizards and Pelicans every missed the playoffs final season.

June 23

Daniel Gafford intends to signal extension with Mavericks

The middle, who’s set to enter his seventh season, has one yr remaining on a three-year, $40.1 million deal that he signed in 2023. Gafford’s subsequent deal is anticipated to be one other three-year extension, value $60 million, that will run by means of the 2028-29 season. It could be a lift in pay for Gafford after a career-best season through which he averaged 12.3 factors per sport and 6.8 rebounds. 

Middleton has picked up his $33.3 million participant possibility with the Wizards for the 2025-26 season, in accordance with ESPN. The three-time NBA All-Star was traded to Washington forward of the NBA commerce deadline by the Bucks. The 33-year-old has been coping with ankle accidents and solely made 37 appearances final season for each groups. Middleton helped the Bucks win the 2019 NBA Finals. 

June 22

Durant will be part of the Rockets in a blockbuster commerce that may see him go away the Suns, in accordance with ESPN. In return, the Suns will reportedly obtain veteran guards Jalen Inexperienced and Dillon Brooks. They will additionally obtain six draft picks, together with the No. 10 general decide within the 2025 NBA Draft. The opposite 5 picks are second-round choices. Durant, who will likely be 37 firstly of subsequent season, is getting into the ultimate season of a four-year, $194.2 million deal.

June 19

Rockets prolong head coach Ime Udoka

Houston signed Udoka to a “long-term” extension that makes him one of many highest-paid head coaches within the NBA, in accordance with ESPN. Earlier this month, the Rockets denied the Knicks permission to talk with Udoka about their head-coaching emptiness after they fired Tom Thibodeau. In Udoka’s second season as head coach, the Rockets went 52-30, claiming the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention earlier than shedding to the Warriors within the first spherical of the playoffs. Houston is a mixed 93-71 beneath Udoka, who was beforehand the top coach of the Celtics within the 2021-22 NBA season, with Boston reaching the NBA Finals.

June 15

The Magic have acquired Bane from the Grizzlies for guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, together with 4 unprotected first-round picks and a first-round decide swap, ESPN reported. The picks Memphis is receiving are the No. 16 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft, the Suns’ 2026 first-round decide in 2026, Orlando’s 2028 unprotected first-round decide and Orlando’s 2030 first-round decide. The decide swap is a frivolously protected first-round decide in 2029, in accordance with ESPN. Bane, who’ll flip 27 later in June, has been an enormous cause why the Grizzlies have made the playoffs in three of the final 4 seasons. The 2020 first-round decide has averaged 20.2 factors per sport in that stretch, together with 19.2 factors per sport this previous season. He is additionally been among the many sport’s high 3-point shooters over that point, making 40.7% of his makes an attempt from deep because the begin of the 2021-22 season.

June 14

Houston signed Adams to a three-year, $39 million extension, ESPN reported. Adams, who will likely be 32 firstly of subsequent season, averaged 3.9 factors and 5.6 rebounds per sport this yr in his first wholesome season with the Rockets.

June 13

Russell Westbrook to say no possibility, change into free agent

Westbrook will decline his $3.4 million participant possibility with the Nuggets for the 2025-2026 season, per ESPN. Westbrook is recovering from hand surgical procedure to restore a number of fractures sustained through the season, however previously these kinds of accidents have value him 14 and 12 video games in a season, respectively, so the expectation is that he’d be able to go properly earlier than coaching camp within the fall. The veteran guard averaged 13.3 factors and 6.1 assists whereas taking pictures almost 52% on 2-point makes an attempt in 75 video games for the Nuggets.

June 12

Spurs, 76ers discussing first-round decide swap

Per a number of stories, Philadelphia has mentioned shifting up within the draft from No. 3 to No. 2 with San Antonio. The Spurs have already got a full backcourt — which is the place the presumed second-overall choice, Rutgers’ Dylan Harper, would find yourself — whereas the Sixers want to add to their very own backcourt that already contains Tyrese Maxey. Whether or not the Spurs would really search for a deal that will web them some further draft belongings to make up for the hole between the second and third picks is unknown, however the two groups have no less than mentioned the swap.

June 11

Warmth and Tyler Herro working towards extension

The Warmth and Herro appear to be on the identical web page as the 2 sides work towards an extension. Herro is getting into the penultimate yr of his prior deal, through which he is set to be paid $31 million in 2025-26 and $33 million in 2026-27. The extension he and the Warmth are eyeing is reportedly a three-year deal, value $149.7 million ($49.9 million AAV). The potential increase is warranted for Herro, who’s coming off a 2024-25 season through which he posted career-bests in factors (23.9 per sport) and assists (5.5) and earned his first All-Star nod.

June 2

Raptors eyeing offseason shake-up — is Giannis Antetokounmpo on the desk?

After three consecutive playoff-less seasons, Toronto is seeking to make modifications and can reportedly attempt to purchase a “huge fish” this offseason. Getting Antetokounmpo could be like reeling in an awesome white shark. Toronto has collected gamers with the salaries wanted to construct a package deal for a transfer like this — buying and selling for and lengthening Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Realistically, if Antetokounmpo is on the desk, no one ought to be off limits for Toronto, together with younger star Scottie Barnes. It could make sense for Antetokounmpo, too, as a result of, whereas he hasn’t formally requested to be traded away from Milwaukee, he is expressed a need to remain in a a lot weaker Jap Convention. Based on an ESPN report from Might, the two-time MVP mentioned he is “open-minded about exploring whether or not his greatest long-term match is remaining in Milwaukee or taking part in elsewhere.”

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