Jamir Watkins Signs Two-Way Deal With Wizards
Jamir Watkins has signed a two-way contract with the Wizards, per NBA.com’s transaction log.
Watkins was drafted 43rd overall by the Jazz last month as part of a deal that sent him to Washington along with Will Riley and two future second-round picks in exchange for the ability for the Jazz to draft Walter Clayton Jr.
Watkins played two years at VCU before transferring to Florida State for his final two seasons. In his time with the Seminoles, Watkins averaged 17.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals per game and shot 33% from three.
Between his defensive production in college and his size at 6’6″ with a 6’11” wingspan, Watkins has the chance to be an impactful defender with enough scoring and ball-handling to offer interesting upside on a two-way deal.
The Wizards had previously announced the signings of No. 6 overall pick Tre Johnson and No. 21 overall pick Riley. Now all three of the team’s draft-day selections are officially under contract for next season.
As for the team’s two-way slots, Watkins and Jaylen Martin occupy two of them, with a two-way qualifying offer still on the table for Tristan Vukcevic.
Suns Waive Daeqwon Plowden
The Suns have waived Daeqwon Plowden, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.
Plowden came to Phoenix in the record-setting seven-team deal headlined by Kevin Durant being sent to the Rockets. Prior to that, the 26-year-old shooting guard played six games for the Hawks last year, mostly in the final days of the 2024/25 season, averaging 7.2 points and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 52.9% from three.
The Hawks, who also sent Clint Capela to the Rockets in a sign-and-trade, received David Roddy, a second-round pick swap in 2031, and cash from the Rockets as part of the massive deal.
Plowden will hit unrestricted free agency upon clearing waivers on Tuesday, unless someone claims him.
The Suns now have a pair of open two-way slots next to undrafted rookie CJ Huntley.
Wizards’ Will Riley Signs Rookie Scale Contract
Will Riley has signed his rookie scale contract with the Wizards, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.
Riley was selected 21st in the 2025 draft by the Jazz as part of a deal that sent him to the Wizards along with the second-round pick that became Jamir Watkins and two future second-rounders.
A 6’8″ forward, Riley averaged 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while posting .432/.326/.724 shooting splits to claim the honor of Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year for Illinois.
After impressing out of the gate, Riley slowed down in the middle of the season before putting together a strong close to the year. He averaged 16.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in his final 13 games, including conference tournaments, before posting 22 points and four rebounds in Illinois’ March Madness opening win against Xavier, though he struggled in the Round of 32 loss to Kentucky.
Tre Johnson, the team’s No. 6 overall pick, also signed his rookie scale contract earlier this weekend, so this deal locks up both of the Wizards’ first-round picks ahead of Summer League.
As our breakdown of this year’s rookie scale shows, Riley is expected to earn $3.5MM in the first year of his deal and $17.2MM total over the course of his rookie deal.
Chris Paul Expects To Play Just One More Season
Appearing on Jemele Hill’s “Spolitics” podcast (YouTube video link), free agent point guard Chris Paul suggested that his 2025/26 season may be his last.
“At the most, a year,” Paul responded when asked how much longer he envisions himself playing. “I just finished my 20th season, which is a blessing in itself. I’ve been in the NBA for more than half of my life, which is a blessing, but… these years, you do not get back with your kids, with your family.”
Paul certainly doesn’t need the money at this point. He has already netted roughly $400MM in purely on-court earnings.
A 12-time All-Star, the six-footer has spent the past two seasons as a journeyman on lottery-bound Warriors and Spurs clubs.
Paul, now 40, is also an 11-time All-NBA and nine-time All-Defensive honoree, and is a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. Although he’s never won a title, the Wake Forest alum did help lead the 2020/21 Suns to the brink of a championship, when Phoenix built a 2-0 NBA Finals series lead over the Bucks, only to drop four straight games and fall in six.
While playing (and starting) all 82 games for San Antonio in 2024/25, Paul averaged a career-low 8.8 PPG, plus 7.4 APG, 3.6 RPG and 1.3 SPG. He also registered a .427/.377/.924 slash line.
Although he’s not the elite perimeter defender or athletic scorer he had been during his prime on the the-then New Orleans Hornets, Clippers, Rockets and Phoenix, Paul remains a good shooter and passer, and a respected locker room leader.
The Clippers, Suns, and Bucks are among the teams said to be in the mix for Paul, who would like to be a starter but would also prefer to be as close as possible to his family in Los Angeles.
Raptors Notes: Ujiri, Poeltl, Roster
Longtime Raptors team president Masai Ujiri, who was let go by the franchise the day after the draft, appeared on “Good Morning America” to promote his non-profit youth basketball organization Giants of Africa and addressed the end of his Toronto run this summer (YouTube video link).
The Raptors claimed their one and only franchise title with Ujiri running their front office in 2019, but have made just two playoff appearances in the six years since then.
“Twelve incredible years with the Toronto Raptors and I’m so grateful and thankful for the opportunity,” Ujiri said (hat tip to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca for the transcription via Twitter). “I love you, Toronto. A great part, great journey in my life. It’s time. Great things come to an end.”
The Raptors remain on the hunt for a long-term Ujiri replacement, even with the 2025 offseason well under way. Recently extended general manager Bobby Webster is among the candidates expected to interview for his former boss’ job.
There’s more out of Toronto:
- Raptors center Jakob Poeltl inked a massive four-year, $104MM contract extension to remain in Toronto through 2029/30. Lewenberg, who hears from a source that the final season is partially guaranteed, contends in a TSN.ca story that the 29-year-old big man has become one the league’s most underrated players. Lewenberg acknowledges that Poeltl is more of a traditional five, without a three-point shot. However, he adds that the big man has been a solid two-way contributor who has made the team better when he’s on the court and is clearly a building block Toronto hopes can steward the team into its next era of contention.
- The Poeltl extension points to the Raptors’ need to pay a bit of a premium for quality talent, notes The Athletic’s Eric Koreen. Koreen considers the Poeltl deal to be something of an overpay for a mid-career, non-All-Star center with Poeltl’s aforementioned offensive limitations, but acknowledges it may just be the price of doing business for a Toronto team hoping to claw its way back to respectability.
- Given that Poeltl, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett are all signed to significant eight-figure contracts, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca notes that Toronto is hopeful the more cost-effective young players on the roster will emerge as reliable depth pieces.
- In case you missed it, former Raptors assistant coach Sergio Scariolo will wrap up his tenure as Spain’s national team head coach after EuroBasket this summer and will reunite with Real Madrid as the Spanish club’s head coach for 2025/26.
Nuggets Will Complete Valanciunas Trade, Want To Keep Him On Roster
July 6: The Nuggets have informed Valanciunas’ representatives that they “fully intend” to have him honor his NBA contract and view him as a critical addition to their roster, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
July 5: The Nuggets will complete their trade with the Kings for Jonas Valanciunas when the NBA lifts its moratorium on Sunday, league sources tell Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
Valanciunas has received an offer to join Panathinaikos in Greece, but Stein hears that Denver remains determined to have him honor his NBA contract and serve as Nikola Jokic‘s backup next season.
Valanciunas has two years left on his current deal, with a $10.4MM guaranteed salary for 2025/26 and a $10MM non-guaranteed salary in 2026/27. Regardless of his mutual interest with Panathinaikos, he can’t get FIBA clearance to sign elsewhere unless the Nuggets release him from that contract.
A report on Friday stated that the 33-year-old center had arrived in Athens and was preparing to undergo a physical and finalize a three-year deal worth 12 million Euros with the Greek team. Valanciunas didn’t speak with reporters at the airport and hasn’t commented on the situation since the trade to Denver was announced.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently reported that the Nuggets have been trying to acquire Valanciunas for a couple of years to provide a sturdy veteran backup for Jokic. That was an area of need throughout last season and the playoffs, and they created room to take on Valanciunas’ salary by agreeing to send Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn in a deal for Cameron Johnson.
Sacramento will receive veteran big man Dario Saric in return for Valanciunas. Saric turned in a disappointing season after signing with Denver last summer, but he has been a productive reserve with several teams for the past few seasons.
Seven-Team Kevin Durant Trade Officially Finalized
The seven-team trade that sends star forward Kevin Durant and free agent big man Clint Capela (via sign-and-trade) to Houston is now official, according to press releases from several teams, including the Rockets.
“Having played against Kevin and coached him before, I know he’s the type of competitor who fits with what we’ve been building here in Houston,” head coach Ime Udoka said in a statement. “His skill level, love of basketball, and dedication to his craft have made him one of the most respected players of his generation, and my staff and I are excited to work with him.”
The move sets a new NBA record for most teams involved in a single trade. The terms of the deal are as follows:
- Rockets acquire:
- Kevin Durant (from Suns)
- Clint Capela (sign-and-trade; from Hawks)
- Suns acquire:
- Jalen Green (from Rockets)
- Dillon Brooks (from Rockets)
- Daeqwon Plowden (from Hawks)
- The draft rights to Khaman Maluach (No. 10 pick; from Rockets)
- The draft rights to Rasheer Fleming (No. 31 pick; from Timberwolves)
- The draft rights to Koby Brea (No. 41 pick; from Warriors)
- Either the Thunder’s, Mavericks’, or Sixers’ 2026 second-round pick (whichever is second-most favorable; from Rockets)
- Lakers acquire:
- The draft rights to Adou Thiero (No. 36 pick; from Nets)
- Warriors acquire:
- The draft rights to Alex Toohey (No. 52 pick; from Suns) and the draft rights to Jahmai Mashack (No. 59 pick; from Rockets)
- Note: Mashack’s rights will be sent to the Grizzlies in a subsequent trade.
- The draft rights to Alex Toohey (No. 52 pick; from Suns) and the draft rights to Jahmai Mashack (No. 59 pick; from Rockets)
- Timberwolves acquire:
- The draft rights to Rocco Zikarsky (No. 45 pick; from Lakers)
- Either the Warriors’ or Nuggets’ 2026 second-round pick (whichever is least favorable; from Suns)
- Either the Suns’ or Rockets’ 2032 second-round pick (whichever is most favorable; from Suns/Rockets)
- Note: The Suns, not the Rockets, retain the least favorable of the two picks.
- Cash (from Lakers).
- Note: $3.25MM, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link).
- Nets acquire:
- Either the Clippers’ 2026 second-round pick or the most favorable of the Celtics’, Pacers’, and Heat’s 2026 second-round picks (whichever is least favorable; from Rockets)
- The Celtics’ 2030 second-round pick (from Rockets)
- Hawks acquire:
- David Roddy (from Rockets)
- The right to swap their own 2031 second-round pick for the Rockets’ 2031 second-round pick (56-60 protected; from Rockets)
- Cash (from Rockets)
- Note: $85,300, per Marks (Twitter link).
Word first broke on Wednesday that the Durant trade was being expanded to be completed as a seven-team deal. For the most part, it was just a matter of folding separate draft-night trade agreements into a single transaction.
In addition to the original Durant blockbuster (story), this transaction incorporates trade agreements between the Suns and Nets (story), Suns and Warriors (story), Suns and Timberwolves (story), and Lakers and Timberwolves (story), as well as the sign-and-trade deal sending Capela from the Hawks to the Rockets (story).
The only two new additions to this deal are Plowden and Roddy, who are both entering the second year of two-way contracts. The addition of Plowden ensures that the Hawks are “touching” a second team besides Houston in the deal. He’s being waived by the Suns, reports Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic (Twitter link).
In exchange for sending out Plowden, the Hawks are filling that newly opened two-way slot with Roddy, a former first-round pick who spent more than half of the 2024/25 season in Atlanta on a standard contract.
Attaching the Capela sign-and-trade deal into this transaction has cap-related benefits for the Rockets, who would otherwise have had to send out a separate matching salary in order to sign Capela to his reported three-year, $21MM deal.
However, for the most part, amalgamating all those draft-night deals is just about streamlining the process for several teams, allowing them to take part in (or wait out) fewer trade calls and get their newly acquired rookies under contract sooner.
Wizards, Pelicans, Rockets Compete Three-Team Trade
As expected, the Wizards have rolled a pair of trade agreements with the Pelicans and Rockets into the same deal, officially completing the two deals as a single three-team transaction, per a press release from New Orleans.
The terms of the trade are as follows:
Wizards acquire CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, Cam Whitmore, and the Bulls’ 2027 second-round pick (from Pelicans).- Pelicans acquire Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the draft rights to Micah Peavy (No. 40 pick).
- Rockets acquire the draft rights to Mojave King, the Bulls’ 2026 second-round pick (from Wizards) and the Kings’ 2029 second-round pick (from Wizards).
The original trade agreement between Washington and New Orleans was reached on June 24, a day before the first round of the draft, with the Whitmore deal between Houston and Washington just agreed upon yesterday.
It was beneficial for the Wizards to combine the two deals into a single trade because they were sending out any matching salary to the Rockets for Whitmore. While they could have used one of several cap exceptions they had on hand to take on Whitmore’s $3.54MM salary for 2025/26, including him in this deal allows them to use their 125% allowance for Poole’s and Bey’s outgoing salary to acquire him, McCollum, and Olynyk.
The only new part of this deal is the Rockets acquiring the draft rights to King from New Orleans, which was necessary to ensure that Houston and New Orleans were “touching” as part of the three-team deal.
You can read our original story on the Wizards/Pelicans deal headlined by McCollum and Poole here, while our report on the Wizards’ deal for Whitmore is here.
Resolution On Bradley Beal Expected Soon
The Suns‘ Bradley Beal era may be nearing an end. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM in Phoenix (Twitter link) anticipates the two sides will come to a “decision and resolution” on Beal’s future within the next 24-48 hours.
Phoenix has been reportedly been discussing a buyout with the former three-time All-Star guard. The Heat and Bucks are rumored to have interest if the 6’4″ vet does indeed become a free agent.
Beal is still under contract for two more years at an exorbitant sticker price of $110.8MM and has a prohibitive no-trade clause in his deal, which has given him major leverage in dictating his fate. The Suns made him available prior to the trade deadline and did so again this offseason, but have had no luck finding a suitable deal.
Beal hasn’t appeared in more than 60 games across any of the past six seasons, missing an average of 26.5 contests a year in that span. When healthy, he’s a solid scorer, although he struggled to mesh with All-Stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker during his time in Phoenix.
As a member of the 36-46 Suns in 2024/25, Beal appeared in just 53 contests but averaged 17.0 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per contest, with a strong shooting line of .497/.386/.803. Former head coach Mike Budenholzer tinkered with Beal’s place in his rotation, moving him back and forth between the starting lineup and a reserve role.
Resolution on Beal’s situation doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be waived, though it seems like the most probable outcome. He must agree to give up at least $13.8MM in a buyout for the Suns to be permitted to stretch his remaining salary across five seasons, as we detailed earlier this week. That scenario would create huge cap flexibility and tax savings for Phoenix this season, allowing the club to move from above the second tax apron to below the luxury tax line.
The Suns could also waive Beal and carry his remaining salary on their books for the next two seasons, without stretching it. The other alternative would be to reach a decision to have him start the season on the roster.
If Beal reaches free agency, the Bucks may be more motivated than the Heat to make another splashy signing this summer, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald suggests (Twitter link).
Milwaukee has been extremely aggressive in its efforts to build a contender around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in the wake of a devastating Achilles tendon tear injury to his All-Star running mate Damian Lillard. The Bucks ultimately opted to stretch-and-waive Lillard’s contract in order to sign ex-Pacers center Myles Turner to a lucrative free agent deal, but the team still could use some veteran leadership in the backcourt.
Stein’s Latest: Valanciunas, Horford, Ham, Suns, Reid, More
After reporting on Saturday that the Nuggets plan to go through with their trade for Jonas Valanciunas despite the veteran center’s interest in signing with EuroLeague club Panathinaikos, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reiterates in his latest Substack post that Denver’s front office is “determined to enforce” Valanciunas’ contract and “optimistic” the Lithuanian big man will be a Nugget in 2025/26.
As Stein explains, even if Valanciunas agreed to give back his entire $10.4MM salary for next season in a buyout, which would give the Nuggets enough cap space below the luxury tax line to use the full mid-level exception, Denver still wouldn’t have an easy way to find another backup center, with most of the top free agents already off the board.
Having access to the full MLE would theoretically give the Nuggets the ability to offer a lucrative contract to Al Horford, who is still a free agent, but Stein continues to hear the 39-year-old big man is “destined” to sign with the Warriors, who can currently only offer him the taxpayer version of the MLE.
Valanciunas doesn’t have the ability to unilaterally terminate his contract, and the Nuggets don’t have to accept a buyout even if he did forfeit his entire salary, Stein notes. One source Stein spoke to said a resolution remains uncertain but acknowledged that Valanciunas might have to remain with Denver despite his apparent desire to return to Europe.
Here’s more from Stein:
- The Suns and Knicks are both looking for a top assistant coach and have expressed interest in trying to lure Darvin Ham away from the Bucks, per Stein. However, Milwaukee is “determined to keep” Ham unless he gets the chance to become a head coach again elsewhere. Stein points out that joining Phoenix or New York would be a lateral move for Ham, since he’s already the Bucks’ top assistant, and says Milwaukee “loves having Ham back” after his two-year stint as the Lakers’ top coach.
- The Grizzlies are another team in search of a No. 1 assistant under new head coach Tuomas Iisalo, Stein adds.
- Before trading for Mark Williams and drafting Khaman Maluach, the Suns tried to pursue a sign-and-trade with the Timberwolves for Naz Reid, according to Stein, who writes that Reid’s new five-year, $125MM contract with Minnesota is believed to have played a factor in Myles Turner‘s decision to leave the Pacers for the Bucks in free agency. Indiana reportedly never offered Turner a deal as lucrative as Reid received from the Wolves.