Sixers To Decline Option On Lonnie Walker’s Contract
The Sixers are declining their $2.9MM option on Lonnie Walker IV’s contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweets.
Walker was productive for the injury-riddled Sixers during the second half of the season. He appeared in 20 games and averaged 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists. However, Philadelphia has major salary cap concerns heading into free agency, which undoubtedly factored into the front office’s decision.
After being waived by Boston just before the start of the season, Walker spent time with Zalgiris Kaunas in the EuroLeague while awaiting his next NBA opportunity. He signed a two-year contract with Philadelphia in late February.
Prior to his stint with the Sixers, Walker appeared in 322 regular season games with the Spurs, Lakers, and Nets from 2018-24. He’ll now be seeking another opportunity as an unrestricted free agent.
Point Guard Rumors: Paul, Suns, Clippers, Hornets, Ty. Jones, Magic
A return to the Suns is a possible outcome for Chris Paul in free agency, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
As Stein and Fischer explain, the Suns are likely to be in the market for point guard help if Tyus Jones exits in free agency. Paul, meanwhile, is known to prefer to play closer to his family in Los Angeles. While an earlier report suggested the veteran point guard would like to play in L.A., it sounds like he’ll consider other options out west as well.
That doesn’t mean that playing with a Los Angeles team is off the table for Paul, however. According to Stein and Fischer, the Clippers are “weighing” a reunion with Paul, who played for the organization for six seasons from 2011-17. Even with James Harden expected to return, the Clips are known to be in the market for another guard, having been linked to Nickeil Alexander-Walker, among others.
While the Mavericks‘ interest in Paul has been reported for weeks, it doesn’t sound like CP3 is enthusiastic about spending another year in Texas, away his family, after playing in San Antonio in 2024/25. As Stein and Fischer note, there’s also a sense that the Mavs might be headed for a deal with D’Angelo Russell to address the point guard hole created by Kyrie Irving‘s ACL tear.
The Hornets had been mulling a run at Paul, a North Carolina native, but recognized that he was unlikely to have interest in playing for a rebuilding team so far away from his home, per Stein and Fischer. Charlotte pivoted to another veteran guard, having made a deal with Utah this afternoon to acquire Collin Sexton.
Meanwhile, with Jones seemingly headed for a split with the Suns, one of the teams with interest in him is the Magic, according to The Stein Line’s duo. While Jones wasn’t an ideal fit in Phoenix, the 29-year-old still put up solid offensive numbers, including 10.2 points and 5.3 assists per game with a 41.4% mark on three-point attempts.
Pacers Picking Up Option On Tony Bradley’s Contract
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Northwest Notes: Yang, Randle, Presti, Bailey
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
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.