Free Agent Notes: DeRozan, Harden, Warriors, Value Deals
Veteran forward DeMar DeRozan is on track to clear waivers and become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, but his next destination remains an open question.
A Los Angeles native, DeRozan has long been linked to the NBA’s two L.A. teams, but according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link), the Lakers aren’t viewed as potential landing spot at this point. Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link) has suggested he doesn’t believe the Clippers will be a suitor for DeRozan either.
As of mid-Monday afternoon, the Heat hadn’t been in touch with DeRozan, though Miami would be among the teams of interest to the 36-year-old, a source tells Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. The Heat and other teams still in in the mix for LeBron James may turn to DeRozan as a Plan B, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, who said during an appearance on SportsCenter (Twitter video link) that the Warriors are expected to “look into” the 17-year veteran, especially if they miss out on James.
Here are a few more notes and rumors related to free agency:
- Within a story about LeBron’s potential landing spots, Joe Vardon of The Athletic suggests that the Cavaliers and James Harden have essentially already agreed to a framework and dollar amount for a new contract and are waiting to see what happens with LeBron before determining whether Harden’s salary will be spread across two years or three.
- Although the Warriors were among the teams to express interest in free agents Rui Hachimura and Anfernee Simons, they weren’t prepared to meet the price point for either player, Slater writes for ESPN. Hachimura signed a two-year, $28MM deal with the Clippers, while Simons received a two-year, $12.3MM deal from the Sixers. The Warriors likely could’ve matched that Simons contract if they chose not to bring back De’Anthony Melton, Slater notes, but sources tell ESPN the front office preferred Melton due to a belief that he’s a better backcourt fit when the roster is fully healthy, based on his versatility and his perimeter defense.
- Fred Katz of The Athletic identifies some of the best value signings teams have made in free agency so far, singling out the Rockets with Tari Eason, the Knicks with Landry Shamet, and the Heat with Tim Hardaway Jr.
Warriors To Re-Sign De’Anthony Melton
The Warriors are re-signing De’Anthony Melton, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link), who hears from sources that the free agent guard has agreed to a two-year, $11MM contract that will feature a second-year player option.
Melton winds up with a modest raise for the 2026/27 season after declining his $3,451,779 player option on Monday. A report last week indicated that he was likely to leave the Warriors in free agency, with Phoenix being considered as a potential destination. Instead, he’ll return as a valuable component for a team that hopes to get back into title contention.
Melton was still recovering from ACL surgery when the season began, which limited his effectiveness during the first couple of months. He wound up averaging a career-high 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 23 minutes per game across 49 appearances, including 24 starts.
While Melton shot a career-best 50.5% on two-pointers last season and a solid 82.6% on free throws, he struggled from beyond the arc, converting just 29.4% of his three-point tries. He had made 38.3% of his threes in the five seasons leading up to ’25/26.
Melton is expected to be absorbed into the team’s bi-annual exception, according to Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Twitter link). He’ll be able to decline the player option a year from now and increase the value of his next deal by building up Early Bird rights.
Using the bi-annual exception will hard cap the Warriors at the first apron, Gozlan adds (Twitter link). They have about $26.6MM left to spend and five open roster spots.
Gozlan also points out that Golden State was able to retain Melton without dipping into its non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is being saved in hopes of signing LeBron James.
De’Anthony Melton Declines Player Option, Becomes Free Agent
Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton is now an unrestricted free agent after declining his $3,451,779 player option for 2026/27, a source tells Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link).
The move was expected, as multiple reports indicated that the 28-year-old was likely to test free agency. His option was for the veteran’s minimum and he would project to make a little more than that next season even if he only signs another minimum-salary deal.
Melton got off to a slow start for the Warriors in 2025/26, which is understandable, given that he had just spent a year recovering from ACL surgery. But by the time the calendar turned to 2026, Melton was looking a little more like his old self.
The former second-round pick played a larger offensive role than anticipated in ’25/26 due to injuries. Melton averaged a career-high 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 23.0 minutes per game across 49 appearances, including 24 starts.
While Melton shot a career-best 50.5% on two-pointers last season and a solid 82.6% on free throws, he struggled from beyond the arc, converting just 29.4% of his three-point tries. He had made 38.3% of his threes in the five seasons leading up to ’25/26.
A report from ClutchPoints said Melton was expected to join a new team this summer. He was recently linked to the Suns by plugged-in local reporter John Gambadoro.
Free Agent Rumors: Kessler, Powell, Blazers, Simmons, Suns, Payton
Center Walker Kessler will meet with multiple teams when free agency opens on Tuesday evening, reports Tony Jones of The Athletic (via Twitter). According to Jones, the meetings will be held at CAA headquarters in Los Angeles.
Jones reported earlier on Monday that the Jazz formally issued Kessler a qualifying offer, making the 7’2″ big man a restricted free agent. Utah now has the right of first refusal on Kessler, giving the team the ability to match any offer sheet he might receive from a rival team.
Kessler and the Jazz have engaged in contract negotiations during Utah’s exclusive negotiating period. The team reportedly put a five-year offer worth approximately $140MM on the table, but the center and his camp were said to be unhappy about the way those talks were going.
Although “several” teams are expected to express interest in Kessler, the belief around the NBA is that he’ll eventually return to the Jazz, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Siegel also hears Utah is in the market for a veteran guard to add to their young backcourt.
Here are some more rumors on ahead of tomorrow’s free agency, with several players already agreeing to return to their respective teams:
- Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on Sunday that the Bulls are among the possible suitors for Norman Powell, and Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal has heard the same. Powell isn’t expected to explore sign-and-trade scenarios from the Heat, a source tells Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (Twitter link). The 33-year-old wing made his first All-Star team in 2025/26, having averaged 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals on .470/.380/.827 shooting in 58 games (29.6 minutes per game).
- In a story that was published shortly before the Trail Blazers agreed to trade for two-time All-Star point guard Ja Morant, Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reported that Portland was interested in re-signing free agents Robert Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley “if the deal makes sense.” There’s mutual interest in a reunion with Williams, according to Freeman. This is just my speculation, but pending additional roster moves, Wesley seems less likely to return after adding Morant to a crowded backcourt.
- Speaking to Clay Skipper of Men’s Health, former NBA star Ben Simmons says he’s considering making a comeback attempt after he was out of the league this past season, as Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com relays. “I plan on getting as strong as I can physically, getting my ass on the court, and then the team realizing that my abilities will be needed,” Simmons said. “I don’t have a plan on where.”
- The Suns are looking for a guard with the taxpayer mid-level exception, per John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link). Of the six players Gambadoro listed, two — Kevin Huerter (Pistons) and Landry Shamet (Knicks) have reportedly agreed to re-sign with their respective teams. The other four guards are Luke Kennard, Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and De’Anthony Melton.
- According to Siegel, Warriors guard Gary Payton II is interested in re-signing with Golden State on a minimum-salary contract.
Warriors Rumors: Melton, Porzingis, Burries, Horford, Olbrich
Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton is expected to join a new team this summer, sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
Melton spent last season on a minimum-salary contract and holds a $3.45MM player option for next season. Anthony Slater of ESPN previously reported that Melton was expected to decline that option to test the open market, but that wouldn’t preclude a return to Golden State.
Melton, 28, played a larger offensive role than anticipated in 2025/26 due to injuries. The veteran combo guard averaged a career-high 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 23.0 minutes per game across 49 appearances, including 24 starts.
While Melton shot a career-best 50.5% on two-pointers last season and a solid 82.6% on free throws, he struggled from beyond the arc, converting just 29.4% of his three-point tries. He had made 38.3% of his threes in the five seasons leading up to ’25/26.
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- Both Golden State and Kristaps Porzingis are interested in coming to terms on a new contract, according to Siegel. Sources tell ClutchPoints the two sides have been “actively engaged” in contract discussions. Slater previously reported there was “growing momentum” between the Warriors and Porzingis on a short-term deal.
- The Warriors are believed to be seeking backcourt reinforcements, per Siegel, particularly a secondary play-maker at guard. On a related note, sources tell Siegel the Warriors had been targeting former Arizona guard Brayden Burries with the 11th overall pick and believed he might fall to that spot after Atlanta and Dallas chose other prospects at Nos. 8 and 9, respectively. However, as Siegel writes, Burries was selected by the Bucks at No. 10, which led the Warriors to draft Yaxel Lendeborg, another player the team was high on.
- Al Horford‘s new contract with Golden State is expected to feature a 15% trade kicker, sources tell ClutchPoints. Slater and Shams Charania of ESPN reported Thursday that Horford would be re-signing with the Warriors on a two-year, $14MM deal after declining his $6MM player option. ESPN’s duo also said the 40-year-old big man’s contract would contain a trade kicker, though the report didn’t specify the percentage.
- Former Bulls center/forward Lachlan Olbrich will play for the Warriors in summer league action, per Olgun Uluc of ESPN (Twitter link). Olbrich spent last season on a two-way contract with the Bulls, appearing in 37 games and averaging 2.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per contest. The 22-year-old Australian was selected 55th overall in last year’s draft. Chicago could have made him a two-way restricted free agent by issuing him a qualifying offer, but it sounds like that won’t happen.
Warriors Rumors: Kawhi, Murphy, No. 11, Green, Porzingis, More
Even though Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are in their late-30s, the Warriors aren’t necessarily eager to make win-now moves that “mortgage the future for the present,” according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, who points out that Golden State hasn’t been very involved in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes this spring after pursuing the Bucks star at the trade deadline.
Still, that doesn’t mean that the Warriors aren’t remaining on the lookout for impact players who could be attainable on the trade market. The team would have interest in forward Kawhi Leonard, for instance, depending on the price tag, Slater writes, though Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has remained steadfastly against the idea of trading the two-time Finals MVP.
Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III is another player who has long been on Golden State’s radar, and he might be more attainable this offseason than in past transaction cycles, sources tell ESPN. Unlike Giannis and Kawhi, who are in their 30s, Murphy is entering his age-26 season, so acquiring him would help the Warriors accomplish their goal of getting younger.
New Orleans has set a high asking price for Murphy in past discussions, but there have been rumblings about the Pelicans looking to trade into this year’s lottery, and Golden State controls the No. 11 overall pick, Slater observes.
Here’s more from Slater on the Warriors:
- Assuming Golden State hangs onto the No. 11 pick, Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg, Arizona guard Brayden Burries, Michigan center Aday Mara, Louisville guard Mikel Brown, and Houston guard Kingston Flemings are among the names to watch, according to Slater, though a few of those players figure to be off the board by the time the Warriors are on the clock. One team source told ESPN that Lendeborg’s fit is “so obvious” and that his age (24 in September) won’t disqualify him, while Slater adds that Mara, Brown, and Flemings all have “fans” within the organization.
- As for Burries, he has declined workouts with some teams drafting in the top 10, including the Kings (No. 7). But the Mavericks (No. 9) are viewed as one of his preferred landing spots and he’s also scheduled to work out for Golden State on Thursday, Slater reports. Team sources tell ESPN that Burries will be one of several notable prospects visiting the Bay Area on Thursday, along with Alabama guard Labaron Philon and Washington big man Hannes Steinbach.
- If having Green decline his $27.6MM player option and signing a new multiyear contract that lowers his 2026/27 cap hit gives the Warriors a direct path to a roster upgrade elsewhere, that remains the team’s preferred route, says Slater, but the current expectation is that Green will simply pick up his option. That wouldn’t bother the Warriors, who like the idea of keeping their books relatively clean beyond next season, Slater continues. That scenario would put Green on an expiring contract, making him a potential trade candidate, but team sources tell ESPN there’s still mutual interest in having him finish his career in Golden State.
- There’s “growing momentum” toward the Warriors bringing back Kristaps Porzingis on a short-term deal that reduces his salary after he earned more than $30MM in 2025/26, Slater writes. Slater adds that Al Horford‘s decision on a $5.9MM player option remains unclear, but De’Anthony Melton is considered likely to turn down his $3.4MM option to test the free agent market. That wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Melton re-signing with Golden State, Slater clarifies.
- Extension discussions for players who are under contract for 2026/27 figure to happen later in the summer. That might include a rookie scale extension for guard Brandin Podziemski, with Slater reporting that there’s “optimism” about the two sides reaching a deal closer to the October deadline.
- In case you missed it, Slater also stated that the Warriors view LeBron James as likely to re-sign with the Lakers.
Warriors Notes: Porzingis, Green, Podziemski, Free Agent Targets
The most important decision of the Warriors’ offseason could be whether to re-sign free agent big man Kristaps Porzingis or to free up enough money to use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, writes Keith Smith of Spotrac. Porzingis was productive when he played this season, but he was only available for 15 games after being acquired from Atlanta at the trade deadline. Smith suggests a short-term deal if Golden State decides to keep him, something in the neighborhood of $50MM over two years.
However, parting with some salary could enable the Warriors to use the NTMLE, which is projected to be worth a little over $15MM next season. Smith theorizes that could be enough to lure LeBron James if he decides to leave the Lakers this summer and doesn’t want to settle for a salary that’s at or near the veteran’s minimum. Smith mentions a few other free agents who might be available in that price range, including John Collins, Rui Hachimura, CJ McCollum, Anfernee Simons and Khris Middleton.
Smith expects Draymond Green to turn down his $27.7MM player option for a longer deal, but not at a huge discount. Smith proposes around $75MM over three seasons, with either a partial guarantee or a team option on the final year. Al Horford ($5.9MM) and De’Anthony Melton ($3.5MM) also have player options that Smith believes they’ll exercise because neither is likely to earn more in free agency.
There’s more on the Warriors:
- A potential rookie scale extension for Brandin Podziemski is another order of business for the summer, Smith adds. Podziemski hasn’t become a star during his three years with the team, but he’s steadily improved and has value as a passer and rebounder as well as a scorer. Smith advises the Warriors to make the deal if they can lock up Podziemski for around $64MM over four seasons. Otherwise, they should wait and negotiate with him as a restricted free agent next summer.
- Michigan State center Carson Cooper, who worked out for the Warriors this week, patterns parts of his game after Green and believes he would be a good fit in Golden State, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle relays in a subscriber-only story. “How he played, the way he can impact the game is kind of how I feel I can impact the game a little bit,” Cooper said. “I play hard-nosed defense, get shooters open, give them the ball, work on the (dribble handoffs), facilitate, find cutters and passing and just be a solid player.”
- Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required) points to Simons, Ayo Dosunmu, Jaxson Hayes, Josh Okogie, and Coby White as free agents who could add some youth and athleticism to the Warriors’ roster.
Warriors Rumors: Kerr, Melton, Stars, Post, Horford
The “general belief” both within the organization and around the NBA is that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is more likely to step down from his current position than to sign a new contract to remain in Golden State, according to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. Poole reports that Kerr will meet with team owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. to discuss his future and that the expectation is his decision will come in a matter of days, rather than weeks.
While it sounds like Kerr is leaning toward ending his run with the Warriors, he has left the door open to returning. For that to happen, Poole suggests the veteran coach would need to have “renewed faith in his role as the franchise shifts toward the future.” Kerr’s decision won’t be based on money, Poole adds.
“They could offer Steve $25 million a year and I doubt that alone would make a difference,” one league source told NBC Sports Bay Area.
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- According to Nick Friedell and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic, Golden State was operating for most of the season as if it would be tough to bring back De’Anthony Melton, since he seemed likely to decline his $3.5MM player option in favor of a much more lucrative offer that the Warriors wouldn’t be able to match using the guard’s Non-Bird rights. However, an up-and-down finish to the season may hurt Melton’s market and make a return to Golden State more viable. For his part, the 27-year-old said on Monday that he’d “most definitely” like to stay with the Warriors but that he’ll “leave that type of stuff up to my agent and upstairs,” per Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area.
- Although the Warriors reportedly offered several future first-round picks for Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo prior to February’s trade deadline, one team source who spoke to Friedell and Thompson said the front office isn’t planning on giving up several future assets to load up on veterans for 2026/27. Noting that Golden State was the most aggressive suitor for Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard prior to the deadline, Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link) posits that the team may be less inclined to pursue a veteran star like Giannis or Kawhi this offseason if Kerr doesn’t return.
- A restricted free agent this summer, Quinten Post said on Monday that he hopes to remain with the Warriors, per Friedell (Twitter link). Post, who is recovering from a foot injury, added that he thinks he’s about two weeks away from resuming on-court work and hopes to play for the Dutch national team this summer.
- Warriors big man Al Horford explained in greater detail on Monday why he left Boston last summer to sign with Golden State. Brian Robb of MassLive has the story and the quotes from Horford, who holds a $6MM player option for ’26/27.
Injury Notes: Giannis, Wagner, Smart, Melton
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said on Sunday that there’s still a chance star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee hyperextension; bone bruise) will be cleared to return before the end of the regular season on April 12, tweets Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
However, teammate Bobby Portis is skeptical that will happen. The veteran Bucks forward/center stated during a recent appearance on FanDuel TV (Facebook video link) that he doesn’t think it makes sense for the two-time MVP to come back at this point, with the team having been eliminated from postseason contention.
“I don’t think he’ll play another game this year, for sure,” Portis said (hat tip to Nehm). “Obviously, he’ll stay in the gym and keep his body tight and keep his game tight. But playing a game on court, I don’t think that’s in the picture at all.”
Reports earlier this month indicated that the Bucks wanted to shut Antetokounmpo down for the season and that he was resisting that plan and pushing to return to action. However, Portis made it clear that he understands why the club would be motivated to keep his superstar teammate off the floor during the final couple weeks of 2025/26, even if he recovers from his knee injury.
“If y’all talking about trading him, you don’t want any injury to knock value off or whatever,” Portis said. “That’s just business-wise, and then player-wise, obviously, you gotta look at just the total picture of what’s going on. We’re (9.5) games behind for the 10th seed and (with eight) games left, we can’t even make up ground.”
We have more injury-related notes from around the NBA:
- Magic forward Franz Wagner is “progressing well” as he looks to make it back from a high ankle sprain for the final stretch of the season, head coach Jamahl Mosley said on Tuesday (Twitter link via Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel). Wagner has done some 5-on-5 work, according to Mosley, who said the team will see how the 24-year-old responds to today’s treatment before determining next steps. It sounds like Wagner’s return may not be far off. He has played just four times since December 7, having experienced multiple setbacks related to his ankle.
- Lakers guard Marcus Smart missed a fourth consecutive game on Monday due to a right ankle contusion, but there’s no expectation the injury should result in a long-term absence. Head coach JJ Redick said Smart remains “day-to-day” in his recovery process and potential return, per NBA reporter Mark Medina (Twitter link).
- Although De’Anthony Melton has appeared in – and started – seven of the Warriors‘ past eight games, the veteran guard isn’t at 100%, as head coach Steve Kerr explained to reporters after Melton went scoreless in 25 minutes of action in a loss to Denver on Sunday. “He’s banged up,” Kerr said, per Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. “His thumb is really bothering him, and I think he’s pressing a little bit. … De’Anthony will bounce back. He’s had a great season. His last couple games have been tough, but he’s banged up. We’ll help him get right. I have total faith in his ability to bounce back.”
Warriors Notes: Porzingis, Melton, Santos, More
Veteran center Kristaps Porzingis will be an unrestricted free agent this summer if he doesn’t sign an extension before then. As Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area writes, the Warriors have been using the past several weeks to evaluate the Latvian big man, while Porzingis has been considering whether he’d like to remain with the team beyond this season.
According to Poole, early indications suggest Porzingis has enjoyed his time with the organization — he has particularly singled out Rick Celebrini, Golden State’s director of sports medicine and performance. That’s noteworthy, given all of Porzingis health issues the past couple years and throughout his career.
“Rick’s amazing,” Porzingis said Thursday after practice. “Rick is the GOAT, man. Really. I’m very happy with these guys, and I’m sure they will keep me on the same path.”
Porzingis has appeared in seven of the Warriors’ last nine games and thinks he’s trending toward being able to play in back-to-backs, Poole notes. The team has two back-to-backs (April 1-2 and April 9-10) remaining this season.
“I think it’s a conversation,” Porzingis said. “I don’t know yet if I will get the chance, but maybe. Maybe. Doing pretty good and recovering well. I’m still not playing super-high minutes, obviously, but the better I feel, the better I start to look. I’ll probably earn more minutes and then probably after that, the next step is to get a chance on a back-to-back. That’s what I’m working towards.”
Porzingis has also spoken glowingly about the chance to play with Stephen Curry, Poole adds, but that has yet to come to fruition due to the 12-time All-Star guard’s ongoing knee injury, which has kept him sidelined since late January.
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- De’Anthony Melton is another potential free agent — he holds a $3.5MM player option for next season. The 27-year-old combo guard suggested on Thursday that he’s likely to turn down that option, as Nick Avila of NBC Sports Bay Area relays. “I’ve been in this league a decent amount of time,” Melton said on 95.7 The Game’s Steiny and Guru show. “So, eight years is a lot of time. I’ve put in a lot of time and effort and work into this. I think that should be rewarded and I think, for anybody, you put in that much time, effort, work and you’ve seen the results and you’ve seen how impactful you are and what you have done, like I said, you want to be rewarded for that. So, whatever comes with it, comes with it, but end of the day you want to get rewarded for your services.” The Warriors will only have Melton’s Non-Bird rights, which could make it difficult for the team to re-sign him.
- Gui Santos‘ importance to the Warriors increased when Jimmy Butler suffered a torn ACL in January. The Brazilian forward has become even more vital in the wake of Moses Moody‘s torn patellar tendon, as Santos is the only real wing left on Golden State’s roster, observes Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard. The 23-year-old, who scored a career-high 31 points in Wednesday’s win over Brooklyn, is looking like a bargain on the three-year, $15MM extension he signed at the end of February, says Emerman.
- Getting to the free throw line more often will be important down the stretch with the Warriors shorthanded, and Porzingis can help in that area with his ability to post up smaller defenders, per Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. “It does slow the game down. But sometimes that’s what we need, especially with me on the floor,” Porzingis said. “I feel like that’s an advantage we can get, we can generate.”