NBA Rumors - HoopsRumors.com

Pacers Picking Up Option On Tony Bradley’s Contract

June 29th, 2025 at 2:41pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Pacers are exercising their option on backup center Tony Bradley, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.

The option is worth $2.94MM. However, it doesn’t mean Bradley’s roster spot is necessarily safe. The option is non-guaranteed, so the team could decide at some point during the offseason to let Bradley go.

After not playing in an NBA game the previous season, Bradley saw action in 14 regular season contests for Indiana, averaging 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 8.1 minutes. He played on a pair of 10-day contracts before receiving a standard deal in late March.

Bradley actually played a bigger role in the postseason, seeing action in 11 games in which he averaged 1.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.1 minutes. He played in the last three games of the NBA Finals.

Bradley has had stints with Utah, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City and Chicago during his career.

Warriors Exercising 2025/26 Option On Quinten Post

June 29th, 2025 at 2:40pm CST by Rory Maher

The Warriors are picking their 2025/26 team option on big man Quinten Post, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (via Twitter). The move ensures that Post’s $1.96MM salary for next season will be fully guaranteed.

Post was the 52nd overall pick of last year’s draft out of Boston College. The 25-year-old spent most of his rookie season on a two-way deal with Golden State, but was promoted to a two-year standard contract in February.

In 42 regular season games last season, including 14 starts, the Dutch center averaged 8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per contest. Notably, he shot a team-best 40.8% from three-point range, providing a different look in the front court as a stretch five.

While Post’s roster spot seems secure after having the option exercised, the Warriors could still undergo a number of changes this offseason, with eight more players who could become free agents. The only other team option decision still pending is forward Gui Santos, whose $2.2MM salary for next season is non-guaranteed.

Pelicans To Decline Option On Guard Elfrid Payton

June 29th, 2025 at 2:25pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Pelicans are declining their $3.15MM team option on guard Elfrid Payton, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.

New Orleans signed Payton to a pair of 10-day contracts, then inked him to a two-year standard contract near the end of the season. However, the second year was non-guaranteed and the team’s new front office regime, headed by Joe Dumars, chose not to retain the veteran.

Payton did provide the injury-riddled Pelicans with some quality minutes in 18 appearances, including seven starts. Though he shot poorly from the field, he averaged 8.1 assists in 21.1 minutes per game. He also had a six-game stint with Charlotte on a pair of 10-day hardship contracts after languishing in the G League for two seasons.

Payton, 31, played for Orlando, Phoenix and New York earlier in his pro career, which began in 2014. He’ll now seek another opportunity as a backup point guard in unrestricted free agency.

While Dejounte Murray is working his way back from an Achilles tear, New Orleans drafted Jeremiah Fears in the lottery with the expectations he’ll be their long-term answer at the point.

Free Agent Notes: Rollins, CP3, Aldama, Grimes, Wolves, E. Miller

June 29th, 2025 at 1:57pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bucks have tendered a qualifying offer to guard Ryan Rollins, making him a restricted free agent, a league source tells Eric Nehm of The Athletic (Twitter link).

After starting the 2024/25 season on a two-way contract in Milwaukee, Rollins was promoted to a rest-of-season standard deal in March. He played a regular role in the backcourt, especially when Damian Lillard missed time for health reasons, and had a solid season, with averages of 6.2 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game, along with a shooting line of .487/.408/.800.

His qualifying offer is worth a projected $2.58MM and will give the Bucks the right of first refusal in the event that he signs an offer sheet with a rival team.

Here are a few more free agency notes and rumors from around the NBA:

Echoing other recent reporting, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (Twitter link) says the belief around the NBA is that veteran point guard Chris Paul will play at least one more season and wants to do so in Los Angeles to be close to his family. It’s unclear whether that means the Clippers and Lakers will be the only options he considers or whether other West Coast teams might be in play.
Zach Lowe of The Ringer (YouTube link; hat tip to RealGM) says he has heard that Grizzlies restricted free agent Santi Aldama will have “full mid-level deals waiting for him” when he hits the market. Memphis would have the ability to match any offer sheet Aldama signs or could simply directly negotiate a new deal with him.
Within a story that examines the challenges the Sixers will face as they try to retain both Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele in free agency, Tony Jones of The Athletic cites sources who say Grimes is hoping to sign a contract that averages $25MM annually. An earlier report indicated the restricted free agent guard is expected to land a starting salary worth at least $16MM.
The Timberwolves, who are expected to lose Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency, would like to add another ball-handler if they can, tweets Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Minnesota likely won’t be able to offer outside free agents more than the veteran’s minimum due to the team’s position relative to the second tax apron.
The Bulls have issued a two-way qualifying offer to forward Emanuel Miller, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). The move makes Miller a restricted free agent after he had a solid 2024/25 season in the G League with the Texas Legends and Windy City Bulls.

Heat’s Duncan Robinson Opting Out Of Contract

June 29th, 2025 at 1:07pm CST by Luke Adams

Heat forward Duncan Robinson is opting out of his contract for 2025/26 in order to become an unrestricted free agent, according to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link), who says the veteran sharpshooter will work with the team to either figure out a new deal or accommodate a move elsewhere.

Robinson held an early termination option ahead of the ’25/26 season rather than a traditional player option. They have similar functions, but in order to become a free agent, Robinson will technically exercise the option to terminate his contract early, rather than declining that option and playing out his contract. If it were a traditional player option, exercising it would mean opting in.

Had Robinson opted into the final year of his deal, his $19.9MM salary for ’25/26 would have become partially guaranteed for $9.9MM, which would have forced Miami to decide whether to guarantee his remaining $10MM or waive him in order to create $10MM in savings.

Now that Robinson has opted out, he’s not guaranteed any of that money. But he the Heat could potentially work out a multiyear deal that features a more team-friendly cap hit and ensures that the 31-year-old still earns that $9.9MM — and then some.

The possibility of a new three-year deal to keep Robinson in Miami is one idea that has been floated, tweets Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.

One of the NBA’s best three-point shooters, Robinson has fired up 7.2 attempts per game from beyond the arc in 423 regular season appearances and has knocked down 39.7% of them. In 2024/25, he averaged 11.0 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in 24.1 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .437/.393/.887, across 74 outings (37 starts).

As Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald tweets, Robinson’s decision takes the Heat from $8MM over the projected luxury tax line to $12MM below it. That gives the team enough breathing room below the tax to either bring back the forward on a new contract or perhaps add a replacement via trade/sign-and-trade or the mid-level exception.

Pistons Eyeing LeVert, Alexander-Walker Amid Beasley Gambling Allegations

June 29th, 2025 at 12:40pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Amid a probe by the U.S. District Attorney’s office into alleged gambling activities by Pistons free agent guard Malik Beasley, Detroit is mulling a different approach this offseason, Grant Afseth reports in an RG.org story.

Talks between the Pistons and Beasley have stalled, despite previous momentum on a multiyear deal, according to Afseth’s sources. Beasley, who was one of the league’s premier three-point shooters and reserves this past season, had been in “serious talks” on a three-year, $42MM contract to remain in Detroit, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Along with the gambling allegations, Beasley is also dealing with lawsuit by his former agent, Daniel Hazan, over a financial dispute tied to a marketing advance, according to Afseth.

The Pistons are gauging the trade market on Simone Fontecchio, who has an expiring $8.3MM contract, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. A Fontecchio trade could allow the Pistons to open up $24MM in cap space if they lose two of their other top free agents, Dennis Schröder and Tim Hardaway Jr.

Opening up that cap room would help the Pistons pursue two other free agents they like — the Timberwolves’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the Hawks’ Caris LeVert. However, the Hawks are also pursuing Alexander-Walker and exploring a possibility of retaining LeVert. Afseth hears that the Hawks are the favorite to land the Minnesota free agent, while the Pistons are trending toward being the favorite to land LeVert. Atlanta is also among the teams in the mix for Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard.

Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon has a history with LeVert, Afseth notes (Twitter link). Langdon served as assistant GM for the Nets in 2016 when they drafted LeVert.

Julius Randle To Sign Three-Year Contract With Timberwolves

June 29th, 2025 at 12:26pm CST by Luke Adams

The Timberwolves and forward Julius Randle have agreed to terms on a multiyear deal, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).

The new contract will replace Randle’s player option for 2025/26 and will be worth $100MM over three years, according to Charania, who reports that it will include a third-year player option for ’27/28.

After being sent from the Knicks to the Timberwolves in the Karl-Anthony Towns blockbuster right at the start of training camp last fall, Randle took some time to adjust to the change of scenery and didn’t score or shoot as much during his first year as a Timberwolf as he had gotten accustomed to during his years in New York.

However, the 30-year-old ultimately had another productive season as a scorer, rebounder, and play-maker in Minnesota, putting up averages of 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game in 69 outings, with a shooting line of .485/.344/.806. The Timberwolves were 44-25 during the regular season in games he played and 5-8 in the ones he missed.

Randle’s deal is the second major contract agreement the Timberwolves have reached with a member of their frontcourt between the end of the draft and the official start of free agency. Minnesota also struck a five-year, $125MM deal with Naz Reid.

The two contracts will push the Wolves’ team salary to the brink of the second tax apron for 2025/26, and I expect the club will be reluctant to surpass that threshold again after operating as a second-apron team in ’24/25. That means free agent guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker will end up elsewhere, as Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic confirms (via Twitter).

Depending on the exact terms of Randle’s new contract, it’s possible it could be completed as a veteran extension in June rather than as a free agent deal in July. If that’s the case, he would remain trade-eligible this offseason. If not, he’ll be ineligible to be dealt until December 15.

Northwest Notes: Yang, Randle, Presti, Bailey

June 29th, 2025 at 12:21pm CST by Arthur Hill

Hansen Yang had to watch the draft from the stands rather than the arena floor like other top prospects, but the Trail Blazers have no doubt that he’s worthy of being a first-round pick, writes Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian (subscriber link). American fans may not be familiar with Yang, but he’s a star in his native China, where he has drawn comparisons to Yao Ming and Nikola Jokic. Portland made him the focus of its draft plans and was able to land him while trading down five spots.

“I think that ‘Baby Joker’ or being compared to Yao, is a big honor,” Yang said. “I just try to learn from everyone, every good player and improve myself every day.”

Fentress points out that Yang has a valuable Blazers connection in teammate Duop Reath, who played for the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association in 2022/23, one year before Yang joined the team. Reath is one of several players Yang will compete with for minutes in Portland’s deep front court rotation, but coach Chauncey Billups expects him to be able to earn playing time.

“Learn our game, learn our system, offensively and defensively, learning the language,” Billups said. “There’s so much development that needs to happen. But I will feel very comfortable putting him in the game right now. He’s that good. To me, it’s not like a project-type situation. This guy’s ready to go. But he’s in a crowded room.”

There’s more from the Northwest Division:

The Timberwolves are trying to work out a long-term deal with Julius Randle as he nears today’s deadline to pick up his $30.9MM player option, according to Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. Hine notes that Randle flourished in his first season with Minnesota and there aren’t many teams that can generate enough cap space to make an aggressive offer.
Winning a title didn’t change Thunder general manager Sam Presti’s approach to the draft, per Rylan Stiles of Sports Illustrated. Presti continued to emphasize character as he took Georgetown center Thomas Sorber at No. 15 and Northwestern guard Brooks Barnhizer at No. 44. “The one thing we’ve never really strayed from, and I don’t think we will, is the focus on drafting people and not players,” Presti said. “I think the characteristics of winning players, they multiply at a greater level than just talented players. They scale up better.”
Any fears that Ace Bailey might be reluctant to report to Utah ended Saturday when he arrived in Salt Lake City wearing a Jazz t-shirt, according to Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Gordon Monson of The Salt Lake Tribune provides Bailey with a guide to the area and says he’ll be a favorite among Jazz fans if he lives up to his potential. The team scheduled a press conference on Sunday to formally introduce its rookies.

Suns To Guarantee Nick Richards’ $5MM Salary

June 29th, 2025 at 12:15pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Suns are expected to guarantee Nick Richards’ $5MM salary for next season, The Athletic’s Fred Katz tweets.

Phoenix had to decide by today whether to make that guarantee or waive him. Richards was acquired from Charlotte in mid-season and wound up making 34 starts in 36 appearances with the Suns, averaging 9.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 22 minutes per game.

Where Richards fits into the Suns’ plans remains to be seen. The Suns are acquiring Richards’ former Hornets teammate, Mark Williams, in a deal that is not yet official. Phoenix also used a lottery pick acquired from Houston in the Kevin Durant deal on Duke big man Khaman Maluach. Additionally, the Suns have another young big in Oso Ighodaro.

Richards’ salary could be useful as part of another trade down the road. In any case, he’ll get the final year of his three-year, $15MM contract he signed with Charlotte guaranteed.

Kelly Oubre Exercising Player Option

June 29th, 2025 at 11:57am CST by Arthur Hill

Sixers forward Kelly Oubre has decided to pick up his $8.4MM player option for next season, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).

The option was included in a two-year deal that Oubre signed last summer. He will become a free agent in 2026.

Oubre, 29, appeared in 60 games this season, averaging 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 34.6 minutes per night with .470/.293/.751 shooting numbers. It was his second season with Philadelphia after joining the team as a free agent in 2023.

He suffered a sprained right knee in March and didn’t play after March 12, as Philadelphia held out several veterans to improve its lottery odds.

A report last month stated that the Sixers were expecting Oubre, Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon to all exercise their player options. Drummond announced his decision on Friday, while Gordon faces a deadline this afternoon to decide on his $3.5MM option.

The option decisions will affect the Sixers’ finances as they hope to be able to re-sign free agents Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele without creating an exorbitant tax bill. So it’s possible that Oubre, Drummond and/or Gordon could be traded to unload some salary.