James Nnaji Leaving Europe, Joining Knicks For Summer League
Draft-and-stash center James Nnaji has informed Spanish club Barcelona that he is leaving Europe as he focuses on trying to sign his first NBA contract with the Knicks, confirms Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. Nnaji’s decision was first reported by Marc del Rio of Sport.es.
The Knicks acquired the rights to Nnaji, the 31st pick of the 2023 draft, in the blockbuster trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York. The Nigerian center has spent the past four seasons in Europe, playing a fairly limited role for Barça from 2021-24 before spending the 2024/25 campaign on loan with Merkezefendi (Turkey) and Girona (Spain).
Nnaji, who turns 21 years old in August, is already in New York and has been working out for the Knicks, his agent Gerard Raventos told The Post. Nnaji is hoping to impress during Summer League action next month with an eye on making the 2025/26 roster.
“Hopefully after [the Summer League], we can reach an agreement,” Raventos said. “That’s the plan, from both sides. It’s 50-50, it depends how he does. He’s coming in great shape. … Everything will be based on his performances in the Summer League.”
Nnaji has a highly impressive physical profile, Schwartz notes, measuring 7’0″ with a 7’7″ wingspan and weighing 251 lbs. a couple of years ago at the combine. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14 appearances while on loan to Girona this season (16.2 minutes per contest).
With Precious Achiuwa possibly heading elsewhere in free agency, Nnaji could be an inexpensive addition to New York’s frontcourt. As Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron tweets, signing Nnaji to a minimum-salary contract would give the Knicks more financial wiggle room to use the taxpayer mid-level exception in ’25/26. He would also be eligible for a two-way deal.
Hoops Rumors Chat Transcript: 6/19/2025
Ahead of what might be the final game of the 2025 NBA postseason, Hoops Rumors hosted a live chat today at 1:30 pm Central time (2:30 pm Eastern).
Five More Prospects Receive Green Room Invitations
Prior to Thursday, a total of 19 prospects had received green room invitations from the NBA to attend the first round of the 2025 draft.
Today, reports from Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link) and Jonathan Givony of ESPN indicated that five more players have been invited, bringing the tally up to 24 — that’s expected to be the final number.
Here are the five prospects, sorted by their current rank on ESPN’s big board:
- Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija (No. 15)
- Danny Wolf, F/C, Michigan (No. 19)
- Nique Clifford, G/F, Colorado State (No. 22)
- Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida (No. 27)
- Cedric Coward, G/F, Washington State (No. 29)
According to Fischer, Wolf is a potential late lottery pick, having impressed teams in that range with his shooting during workouts.
The players invited to the green room can usually feel pretty confident about their chances to be first-round picks, since the league only decides who to invite after asking teams to vote on the 25 prospects they expect to come off the board first.
Still, there are occasionally instances in which players in the green room slip further than expected. In 2024, Kyle Filipowski and Johnny Furphy received green room invites but weren’t selected until the second round, which was held a day later for the first time.
Rockets To Sign Coach Ime Udoka To Contract Extension
Head coach Ime Udoka has agreed to a long-term extension with the Rockets, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN.
According to Charania, Udoka’s new extension will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA. Kelly Iko of The Athletic confirms (via Twitter) that Udoka has agreed to a multiyear deal.
A former NBA wing, Udoka has led Houston to a dramatic turnaround over the past two seasons. The team won just 17, 20 and 22 games in the three years prior to Udoka’s arrival in 2023, but in 2023/24 — his first season at the helm — he guided the club to a .500 record (41-41).
That upward trajectory continued this season, as the Rockets went 52-30 and earned the No. 2 seed in a highly competitive Western Conference. The young team was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round, losing to Golden State in seven games.
After retiring as a player, Udoka spent seven years an assistant with San Antonio before one-year stints in Philadelphia and Brooklyn. He was hired as Boston’s head coach in 2021 and had an impressive first season in ’21/22, with the Celtics going 51-31 and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010, eventually losing to the Warriors in six games.
While he was technically still under contract with the Celtics in ’22/23, Udoka didn’t coach at all, having been suspended for the entire season for violating team policies — he reportedly had an affair with a member of the team’s staff.
The 47-year-old’s time with the Celtics ended in February 2023, when the team promoted Joe Mazzulla to be the permanent head coach. Udoka was hired by the Rockets a couple months later, signing a four-year contract at that time.
The Knicks reportedly asked the Rockets for permission to interview Udoka for their head coaching vacancy last week, but that request was was denied. Now, Udoka has agreed to a long-term extension to remain with Houston.
Knicks Notes: Achiuwa, Tucker, Payne, Shamet, Free Agents, Brown
Coming off a frustrating season in terms of playing time, Knicks big man Precious Achiuwa “started to see the game a lot differently” in January, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link).
Bondy notes that Achiuwa was never able to win the full trust of former head coach Tom Thibodeau, dating back to his arrival in a trade with Toronto last season. Thibodeau inserted former Knick Jericho Sims into the starting lineup instead of Achiuwa when Karl-Anthony Towns was injured, and Achiuwa saw his minutes drop even more when Mitchell Robinson returned in March.
Bondy points out that Achiuwa got off to a strong start during the preseason, but wasn’t able to claim a regular role after missing the first 21 games of the regular season with a hamstring strain.
“You don’t want to start off the season hurt,” Achiuwa said. “And I was kind of having a really good preseason. So getting hurt right there kind of throws you off your rhythm. You get back, you’re trying to get back your rhythm. And then you’re battling getting your rhythm with inconsistencies in terms of playing time, playing style. It took a while for me. But it was tough.”
Achiuwa is exploring his options as he prepares for free agency at the end of the month. Bondy believes the chances of him staying in New York may have improved slightly due to the coaching change, but the team’s salary cap situation makes a return uncertain.
“Going to take a little bit of time from my end to think about that stuff,” Achiuwa said regarding free agency. “But that’s something that’s important. So when that time comes, I have people who I pay money to handle that type of stuff, who have those type of conversations. So we’ll see how that goes.”
There’s more from New York:
- The Knicks are almost certain to decline their $3.5MM option on P.J. Tucker for next season, Bondy adds in the same piece, but that doesn’t mean he won’t re-sign. Although Tucker barely played after joining the team in March, he established himself as a strong locker room leader. Bondy notes that free agent guards Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet are both close friends of Mikal Bridges, increasing the chances that they’ll return. Bondy identifies Al Horford, Nicolas Batum and Chris Paul as potential low-cost additions in free agency.
- In a mailbag column, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic points to Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard as another possible free agent target. Edwards acknowledges that Kennard is likely to receive better offers than the $5.7MM he could get from New York, but adds that his status as a CAA client could give the Knicks an advantage. Edwards also names Horford as an MLE target, along with Spencer Dinwiddie and Trey Lyles.
- Former Sacramento head coach Mike Brown conducted his interview with the Knicks on Wednesday, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
NBA Finals Notes: Game 6, Daigneault, SGA, Haliburton
With a chance to capture their first title since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City, Thunder players are focused on the process of winning Game 6 rather than its historical implications, writes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. Heavy favorites when the series began, OKC has a chance to celebrate tonight on the Pacers‘ home court.
“We want to win the game tomorrow, but the most important thing we need to do to win the game tomorrow is prepare today and prepare tomorrow and play the first possession really well, then the next possession, then the next possession,” coach Mark Daigneault told reporters on Wednesday. “That’s how we try to approach a game, how we try to approach the playoff series, how we try to approach every single day and let that win the day.”
The Thunder have largely controlled the series after letting Game 1 slip away due to a miraculous Indiana comeback. They won handily in Game 2, staged a rally of their own in Game 4, then took their first lead of the series in Game 5. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is encouraging his teammates to take their normal approach to tonight’s game and not get distracted by thoughts of a victory celebration.
“The cusp of winning is not winning,” he said. “The way I see it, winning is all that matters. It hasn’t been fulfilled. We haven’t done anything.”
There’s more on the Finals:
- Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton is considered to be a game-time decision, but ESPN’s Brian Windhorst expects him to play. Appearing this morning on Get Up (YouTube link), Windhorst noted that Indiana’s medical staff already had the results of Haliburton’s MRI from Tuesday when the team listed him as questionable. He believes the Pacers are “setting the stage” for Haliburton to be active, but it’s uncertain if the right calf strain is too severe for him to be effective.
- An ESPN panel doesn’t give the Pacers much chance of extending the series if Haliburton can’t live up to his normal standards. While most of the group expects the Finals to end tonight, Jamal Collier observes that Indiana’s role players have performed better at home, while Zach Kram points to Andrew Nembhard as someone who could swing the series if he can find a way to score like he did earlier in the playoffs.
- With the Finals nearing their conclusion, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic examines why the games often seem less important than they used to. He cites a number of factors, including a “humdrum” presentation and the league-wide focus on the transactions cycle, and suggests that things may change when NBC resumes its coverage of the NBA this fall.
Lakers Sale Notes: Walter, Buss, LeBron, Doncic
The sale of the Lakers to Los Angeles sports mogul Mark Walter should signal a change in the way the franchise operates, writes Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. The record-setting deal, which includes an approximate $10 billion valuation for the franchise, will end more than four decades of control for the Buss family.
Despite their position as one of the NBA’s glamour teams, Vorkunov points out that the Lakers haven’t always been run that way. He states that many of the owners who’ve entered the league in the past few years are more aggressive about investing in high-priced front office and coaching hires and that L.A.’s basketball operations department isn’t as large or free spending as some of the small-market teams.
Vorkunov expects Walter to adopt a different approach based on his stewardship of the Dodgers, who have used an enormous payroll to become an MLB powerhouse. They’re projected to spend $476MM this season in payroll and luxury tax, and they invest heavily to bring in top-notch talent throughout the organization.
“A key difference between baseball and basketball is that you can’t simply outspend everyone on payroll the way the Dodgers do,” an NBA executive told Vorkunov. “But what most people overlook is how much the Dodgers invest beyond just players. They spend at an elite level on infrastructure: front office talent, analytics and player development. Each area is essentially run by a GM-level executive, enabling them to retain top-tier personnel across the board.”
There’s more on the sale of the Lakers:
- The purchase agreement ensures that Jeanie Buss will retain her role as governor and will keep running the team for “at least a number of years,” sources tell Ramona Shelburne of ESPN (Twitter link). Her sources add that Walter gave his full endorsement to the arrangement, noting that he and Buss have built a strong relationship, especially since he became a minority owner in 2021. Shelburne adds that it’s a different situation that Mark Cuban faced in Dallas, where he didn’t get to keep the operational control he expected after his sale of the team was finalized (Twitter link).
- The Buss family intends to hang onto a minority stake in the franchise worth just over 15%, per Shams Charania of ESPN. NBA bylaws require a stake of at least 15% in order for Jeanie to continue serving as governor, as Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line note (Substack link).
- LeBron James is “comfortable” with the impending sale, Vorkunov and other Athletic reporters add in a separate story. Luka Doncic, who is eligible for a $229MM extension, shared his excitement about the deal on social media. “The Lakers are an amazing organization,” he tweeted. “I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to LA, and I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved. I look forward to working with both of them to win championships!”
- Mark Medina of RG notes that Buss talked 10 years ago about having the family control the team “forever.” He looks at what has happened over the past decade to make them change their minds.
Stein/Fischer’s Latest: Durant, DeRozan, Kuminga, Sixers, Yabusele, Flagg
Potential moves around the NBA are on hold as the league waits for the Suns to finalize a Kevin Durant trade, according to Mark Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
They mention Kings forward DeMar DeRozan as a player who could be a “fallback trade target” for unsuccessful Durant suitors and cite a report from James Ham of The Kings Beat, who said on his podcast this week that the Heat may be among the teams that pursue DeRozan.
Sources tell Stein and Fischer that Miami has previously expressed interest in forward Jonathan Kuminga, who’s about to become a restricted free agent, and could become a sign-and-trade partner for the Warriors, echoing a report earlier this week from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
After weeks of speculation, there still doesn’t appear to be a clear favorite to land Durant, who’s widely expected to be dealt before the first night of the NBA draft on Wednesday. Stein and Fischer state that the Spurs and Rockets haven’t seen a need to increase their offers, being reluctant to add an older player to their young cores and knowing that Phoenix wants to resolve the situation quickly. The Timberwolves are still interested, but are hesitant to go all in with their offer without some indication that Durant would consider an extension.
Stein and Fischer share more inside information from around the league:
- A source tells the authors that the Sixers are currently expected to hold onto their No. 3 pick in the draft. They add that Philadelphia is still interested in trading up with San Antonio to grab Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, but the Spurs appear set on keeping the No. 2 selection. The report on the Sixers’ plans came before news broke late Wednesday that Ace Bailey has called off his scheduled workout with the team.
- Stein and Fischer point out that the guaranteed contract for the No. 3 choice will add an $11.1MM salary to the Sixers‘ books next season. Sources tell them that Philadelphia plans to operate either near or above the second apron as they hope for improved health from Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey. Stein and Fischer expect Kelly Oubre, Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon to all pick up their player options, and sources tell them that re-signing Quentin Grimes remains an offseason priority. They add that it will become “increasingly challenging” to retain big man Guerschon Yabusele, who’s expected to draw strong interest on the free agent market.
- Stein and Fischer hear that Cooper Flagg was “impressive” this week as he traveled to Dallas to meet with general manager Nico Harrison, coach Jason Kidd and other Mavericks officials. Flagg also worked out for about an hour, displaying the skills that have made him a lock to be the No. 1 pick.
Ace Bailey Cancels Pre-Draft Workout With Sixers
Former Rutgers star Ace Bailey has opted to cancel his lone scheduled pre-draft workout, with the Sixers, sources inform Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Bailey, projected as a top prospect in this month’s draft, had rejected workout invitations from lottery teams prior to this slated Philadelphia audition. The Sixers possess the No. 3 overall pick.
A 6’10” wing, Bailey averaged an impressive 17.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 1.3 APG across 30 healthy contests for Rutgers this past season. He earned 2025 All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman honors for his play.
The young star is considered a high-upside scorer and shot creator, but his strategy to avoid team workouts has puzzled clubs and could compel a draft slide. This Philadelphia situation certainly won’t help that. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports tweets that flights, hotel accommodations, and dinner plans had all been scheduled for Bailey’s visit.
Still, the 76ers haven’t ruled out the possibility of drafting Bailey, having scouted him “extensively” during the season, according to Givony, who points out that the team previously selected Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain without having brought them in for private workouts.
Duke forward Cooper Flagg and Bailey’s former Scarlet Knights teammate Dylan Harper are widely anticipated to be the top two selections this year, with Bailey, Baylor forward V.J. Edgecombe, Texas guard Tre Johnson, Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Frears, Duke center Khaman Maluach, and Duke wing Kon Knueppel among the next tier of young NBA hopefuls.
The Blue Devils and Rutgers could have a virtual stranglehold on the 2025 draft’s top eight spots, with five players anticipated to be selected between the two programs. Unlike Rutgers, however, Duke actually made the NCAA Tournament this past March.
Givony previously reported that Bailey’s camp views him as a top-three prospect in this year’s draft class, but wants him in a situation where there’s a path to stardom, including regular minutes and usage as a rookie.
And-Ones: Top Free Agents, Star Deals, Guards, Belinelli
Ahead of what could be a finite market for free agents this summer, Bobby Marks of ESPN explores the sort of contracts he expects 10 of this year’s most notable FAs to sign.
Only one team, Brooklyn, has space for a maximum-salary contract, although several clubs will have their full mid-level exceptions available to use. Still, top free agents could attempt to work out sign-and-trade deals to get them to a preferred destination for more than the mid-level.
Marks projects a two-year, $79MM contract for Clippers guard James Harden, a three-year, $113MM deal for Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, and four years and $121MM for Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, among others.
There’s more from around the basketball world:
- John Hollinger of The Athletic ranks his top 25 free agents — including potential free agents who hold options, like Harden and Randle — heading into the 2025 offseason. Hollinger places Lakers forward LeBron James, even at age 40, as his No. 1 “realistic” free agent, ahead of Harden. The 21-time All-Star holds a $52.6MM option for 2025/26.
- In two additional pieces for The Athletic, Hollinger looks specifically at the best free agent point guard and shooting guard options on the market. Harden, Irving and Fred VanVleet are Hollinger’s preferred point guard options, while he thinks the best swingman players available are not quite at the top point guards’ level.
- After helping his Virtus Bologna club claim a title this week, former longtime NBA sharpshooter Marco Belinelli plans to retire from basketball, per Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops. Belinelli, 39, has been playing in his native Italy for the past five seasons, following a 13-year NBA career that included a run to the 2014 championship with San Antonio.