2025 NBA Offseason Buzz: Jayson Tatum Recruiting Damian Lillard to Boston

The NBA offseason has begun, and with that comes drama and buzz about the futures of the best free agents and potential trade targets. 

We’ve got you covered, tracking all the rumors from in and around the league:

July 13

Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum is taking part in recruiting efforts to get free agent Damian Lillard to Boston, according to a report from The Boston Globe. Lillard and Tatum are both expected to miss most or all of next season recovering from a torn Achilles injury. The pair previously played together on Team USA during the 2020 Summer Olympics. 

Last season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points in 58 games for the Milwaukee Bucks, who surprisingly released the nine-time All-Star and stretched the remaining $112.6 million owed to him over the next two seasons to clear cap room.

July 12

Four teams have contacted LeBron James‘ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, about the possibility of trading for him, according to a report from ESPN on Saturday. The 40-year-old Lakers star opted into his $52.6 million player option with the team in June and neither sides have discussed a contract extension, leading many to believe that James’ time in Los Angeles is nearing an end.

James averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds in 71 games for the Lakers last season. He’s currently set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

July 10

There’s still an air of uncertainty around Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks, but he made one thing certain: he won’t be taking his talents to the Big Apple. 

Antetokounmpo discussed the possibility of living and playing in New York during a stream with popular internet personality IShowSpeed. “A lot of people have tried to convince me to play [in New York], but nah,” Antetokounmpo said, further making it known that he wouldn’t play for the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets. Antetokounmpo was asked if that meant he’d be remaining with the Bucks. “We’ll see,” he replied. “Probably, I love Milwaukee.”

Though Antetokounmpo’s name has been involved in trade rumors since the Bucks’ first-round playoff exit, he has been relatively silent about his future in Milwaukee. He reportedly hasn’t requested a trade, but ESPN reported in May that Antetokounmpo was more open to the idea of possibly moving on from Milwaukee than he was in the past.

The Bucks were arguably among the more aggressive teams in the first week of free agency. They surprisingly signed former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner to a four-year deal. In another shocking move, they waived-and-stretched All-Star guard Lillard to make the deal happen, forcing them to take on the remaining $112 million on his contract. Antetokounmpo, 30, is under contract through the end of the 2027-28 season, but he can opt out of his deal following the 2026-27 season.

July 8

Nikola Jokić not signing contract extension

Jokić has reportedly informed the Denver Nuggets that he won’t sign a contract extension this offseason. Jokić, a three-time MVP, was eligible to add three years at $212 million to his pre-existing contract, which has two years left at $106 million. It’s likely that Jokić is choosing to put off signing an extension with the Nuggets until after this season, because if he waits until the 2026 offseason he can sign a deal in which he’d earn an additional $80 million. However, it’s alarming as there has been some rumbling about the Nuggets’ willingness to trade Jokić if it helped them avoid the second tax apron, and it’s important they lock up arguably the sport’s best player on a longer-term deal.

July 6

Paul said he’d play “at the most, a year” more in the NBA and cited wanting to spend more time with his family and kids as his reasoning for nearing retirement. Paul, who started all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs during his 20th season, is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has received interest from multiple NBA teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns. He could join one of those teams or go to another suitor in the near future and play out the final year of his career. It’s also possible he retires before the start of his 21st NBA season. 

The Suns are expected to buyout Beal’s contract in the coming days. The reported details of the buyout would cost Beal $13.9 million of his remaining $110.8 million deal. It would then clear the way for the Suns to waive Beal and stretch the remaining $96.9 million over the next five years and result in the team ducking both tax aprons. Once Beal clears waivers, potential suitors that could pick him up include the Clippers and the Miami Heat. 

July 2

Lillard was waived by the Bucks and already has teams lining up to acquire his services despite being set to miss the entirety of the 2025-26 NBA season with an Achilles injury. Contenders such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors are among the teams interested in bringing in the veteran point guard once he clears waivers. Lillard, who turns 35 on July 15, is a nine-time All-Star coming off his fourth straight All-Star season. During his two seasons in Milwaukee, whom he joined in a trade after 11 years in Portland, he averaged 24.6 points and seven assists per game. However, he wasn’t able to make much of an impact on each of their postseason runs, as he dealt with a strained Achilles during the 2024 playoffs and returned from deep vein thrombosis midway through the Bucks’ first-round series in the 2025 playoffs. He then sustained a torn Achilles in the elimination Game 5 against the Pacers this season.

June 30

Clarkson and the Utah Jazz are reportedly finalizing a contract buyout. Clarkson, who is heading into his 12th NBA season, was set to make $14.3 million. Now, he will head to the open market and be one of the top unrestricted free agents in a rather weak 2025 class. Clarkson, who won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2020-2021, averaged 16.2 points per game and 3.7 assists, while shooting a career-low 40.8% from the field. 

June 29

The former first overall pick is reportedly negotiating a contract buyout from the Trail Blazers. Ayton, 26, was under contract for $35.5 million this season. He’s now arguably the most coveted center on the market. Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game in 40 appearances for Portland last season.

The Houston Rockets have a big-money commitment to the former third overall pick. Smith, who turned 22 in May, plans to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension that’s fully guaranteed through the 2030-31 season. Smith started 39 games for Houston last season, averaging 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Like a couple of other stars ahead of free agency, Harden will also decline his player option for the 2025-26 season in order to sign an extension. The star guard intends to sign a two-year, $81.5 million extension with the Clippers after declining his player option for next season, ESPN reported. The deal will keep Harden in Los Angeles for at least a third season. As part of the new contract, Harden’s contract for the 2026-27 season is reportedly partially guaranteed. Harden was named an All-Star for the 11th time this past season, helping the Clippers earn the fifth seed in the Western Conference before losing to the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. 

Portis agreed to a three-year, $44 million deal with the Bucks ahead of his pending free agency, ESPN reported. Portis, 30, has arguably been one of the league’s better role players over the last few years, but he only played 49 games last season due to a 25-game suspension for using Tramadol, an opioid pain medication.

The three-time All-Star forward has declined his player option for next season but will sign a three-year, $100 million extension with the Timberwolves, ESPN reported. The deal reportedly includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. Randle, 30, was a key piece for the Timberwolves in their run to a second straight Western Conference finals appearance, averaging 21.7 points per game in the postseason in his first year with the team. The Timberwolves acquired him in a deal with the Knicks just days before the start of training camp this past season. 

The veteran wing will test the open market, declining his $15.4 million player option for next season, ESPN reported. Finney-Smith was a key part of the Lakers’ rotation after they acquired him in a midseason trade. The decision by Finney-Smith puts the Lakers roughly $9 million below the first luxury tax apron. 

OKC re-signs role players

A pair of end-of-the-rotation players will remain in Oklahoma City after winning the NBA title. Both Jaylin Williams and Ajay Mitchell have agreed to new deals ahead of hitting the open mark, ESPN reported. Williams’ deal is reportedly a three-year, $24 million pact with an option for the third year, while Mitchell’s deal is a three-year, $9 million pact.

The veteran wing, who’s known for his prowess as a 3-point shooter, will test free agency. He is declining his $20 million early termination option with the Heat, but is still looking to work out a deal with the team, according to ESPN. 

June 28

The Thunder are trading guard Jones and a second-round pick to the Wizards, according to ESPN. The Wizards are also sending guard Colby Jones to the Thunder, who will then release him.

Mitchell intends to sign a two-year, $24 million deal to return to Miami, according to ESPN. The 26-year-old guard was a bright spot for Miami after being traded from Toronto as part of the multi-team deal that sent Jimmy Butler to Golden State.

Batum is declining his $4.9 million player option for the 2025-26 season to become a free agent, according to ESPN, although there remains interest in a new deal between the veteran forward and the Clippers.

Merrill will sign a four-year, $38-million contract to stay in Cleveland, according to ESPN. The 28-year-old averaged 7.2 points per game on 40.6% shooting from the field, including 37.2% from distance, in 71 appearances last season.

Kuminga is expected to become a restricted free agent after the Warriors offered him a $7.9 million qualifying offer, according to ESPN. The Warriors have the right to match any offer and can explore sign-and-trade options as well. Kuminga fell in and out of the rotation for Steve Kerr last season after the trade for Butler, but the Warriors still consider him a priority signing this offseason. 

June 27

T-wolves intend to sign Naz Reid to new deal

All signs pointed towards Reid declining his $15 million player option after the 2025 season, but it was unclear if that would lead to a summer of free agency or a new deal with the Timberwolves. Now, it seems the latter is more likely. Reid intends to sign a five-year, $125 million deal that would keep him in Minnesota through the 2030 season. Reid, the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2024, posted career-bests in points (14.2) and rebounds per game (6.0) last season. 

Suns, Devin Booker “active in working out” record extension

The Suns remain steadfast in building around guard Booker. The 10-year veteran is coming off a 2024-25 season in which he averaged 25.6 points per game, his lowest mark since 2018, to go with a career-high 7.1 assists per game. Booker has three years remaining on a four-year, $220 million contract he signed prior to last season but is eligible for — and reportedly working toward — a record extension, which would tack on an additional two years at $150 million ($75 million AAV) and keep him under contract in Phoenix through the 2031 season. 

Instead of heading into the free-agent market, Drummond will make $5 million for the final year of a two-year contract he signed prior to the 2024-25 season with the 76ers. The two-time All-Star averaged 7.3 points and 7.8 rebounds during his 13th NBA season last year.

Raptors part ways with president Masai Ujiri

Ujiri became Toronto’s executive vice president and general manager in 2013 and was the architect of the team’s 2019 NBA Finals triumph, the team’s lone championship. The Raptors are coming off a 30-52 season and haven’t won a playoff series since the 2019-20 NBA season.

June 26

Reaves turned down a four-year, $89.2 million extension offer from the Lakers, according to The Athletic. This was the maximum offer that the Lakers could make to Reaves, who signed a four-year, $53.8 million contract with the Lakers in 2023; Reaves is entering the third season of that deal, which includes a $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Last season, Reaves averaged a career-high 20.2 points, 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 46.0/37.7/87.7. The Lakers went 50-32 and claimed the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference before losing to the Timberwolves in five games in the first round of the playoffs.

June 25

Knicks interviewing James Borrego

New York is interviewing Borrego, the former head coach of the Charlotte Hornets and a current assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, for its head-coaching vacancy, according to ESPN. Across Borrego’s four seasons as its head coach (2018-19 season to 2021-22 season), Charlotte went a combined 148-183. He has been part of head coach Willie Green’s coaching staff in New Orleans the past two seasons. Borrego is the fourth person who has interviewed with the Knicks, with former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown, former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins and Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori being the other three.

John Collins opts into player option with Jazz

Collins has opted into his player option for the 2025-26 season instead of testing free agency. The veteran forward averaged 19 points per game and 8.2 rebounds throughout his eighth season. He could have commanded a line of suitors on the open market, but it’s possible no team would have offered him more than the $26.58 million he’s set to make by remaining with the Jazz. 

Fred VanVleet, Rockets agree to new deal

Houston is signing VanVleet to a two-year, $50 million deal, according to ESPN. VanVleet had a $44.9 million team option in the final year of his three-year, $128.5 million deal for next season, which Houston was set to decline. The 31-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 37.8/34.5/81.0 last season. 

June 24

Pelicans, Wizards make four-player trade

New Orleans is trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, according to ESPN. McCollum is entering the final season of a two-year, $64 million deal, while Poole is entering the third season of a four-year, $128 million deal. The Wizards and Pelicans each missed the playoffs last season.

June 23

Daniel Gafford intends to sign extension with Mavericks

The center, who’s set to enter his seventh season, has one year remaining on a three-year, $40.1 million deal that he signed in 2023. Gafford’s next deal is expected to be another three-year extension, worth $60 million, that would run through the 2028-29 season. It would be a boost in pay for Gafford after a career-best season in which he averaged 12.3 points per game and 6.8 rebounds. 

Middleton has picked up his $33.3 million player option with the Wizards for the 2025-26 season, according to ESPN. The three-time NBA All-Star was traded to Washington ahead of the NBA trade deadline by the Bucks. The 33-year-old has been dealing with ankle injuries and only made 37 appearances last season for both teams. Middleton helped the Bucks win the 2019 NBA Finals. 

June 22

Durant will join the Rockets in a blockbuster trade that will see him leave the Suns, according to ESPN. In return, the Suns will reportedly receive veteran guards Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. They’ll also receive six draft picks, including the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The other five picks are second-round selections. Durant, who will be 37 at the start of next season, is entering the final season of a four-year, $194.2 million deal.

June 19

Rockets extend head coach Ime Udoka

Houston signed Udoka to a “long-term” extension that makes him one of the highest-paid head coaches in the NBA, according to ESPN. Earlier this month, the Rockets denied the Knicks permission to speak with Udoka about their head-coaching vacancy after they fired Tom Thibodeau. In Udoka’s second season as head coach, the Rockets went 52-30, claiming the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference before losing to the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. Houston is a combined 93-71 under Udoka, who was previously the head coach of the Celtics in the 2021-22 NBA season, with Boston reaching the NBA Finals.

June 15

The Magic have acquired Bane from the Grizzlies for guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, along with four unprotected first-round picks and a first-round pick swap, ESPN reported. The picks Memphis is receiving are the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Suns’ 2026 first-round pick in 2026, Orlando’s 2028 unprotected first-round pick and Orlando’s 2030 first-round pick. The pick swap is a lightly protected first-round pick in 2029, according to ESPN. Bane, who’ll turn 27 later in June, has been a big reason why the Grizzlies have made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. The 2020 first-round pick has averaged 20.2 points per game in that stretch, including 19.2 points per game this past season. He’s also been among the game’s top 3-point shooters over that time, making 40.7% of his attempts from deep since the start of the 2021-22 season.

June 14

Houston signed Adams to a three-year, $39 million extension, ESPN reported. Adams, who will be 32 at the start of next season, averaged 3.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this year in his first healthy season with the Rockets.

June 13

Russell Westbrook to decline option, become free agent

Westbrook will decline his $3.4 million player option with the Nuggets for the 2025-2026 season, per ESPN. Westbrook is recovering from hand surgery to repair multiple fractures sustained during the season, but in the past those types of injuries have cost him 14 and 12 games in a season, respectively, so the expectation is that he’d be ready to go well before training camp in the fall. The veteran guard averaged 13.3 points and 6.1 assists while shooting nearly 52% on 2-point attempts in 75 games for the Nuggets.

June 12

Spurs, 76ers discussing first-round pick swap

Per multiple reports, Philadelphia has discussed moving up in the draft from No. 3 to No. 2 with San Antonio. The Spurs already have a full backcourt — which is where the presumed second-overall selection, Rutgers‘ Dylan Harper, would end up — while the Sixers are looking to add to their own backcourt that already includes Tyrese Maxey. Whether the Spurs would actually look for a deal that would net them some additional draft assets to make up for the gap between the second and third picks is unknown, but the two teams have at least discussed the swap.

June 11

Heat and Tyler Herro working toward extension

The Heat and Herro seem to be on the same page as the two sides work toward an extension. Herro is entering the penultimate year of his prior deal, in which he’s set to be paid $31 million in 2025-26 and $33 million in 2026-27. The extension he and the Heat are eyeing is reportedly a three-year deal, worth $149.7 million ($49.9 million AAV). The potential raise is warranted for Herro, who’s coming off a 2024-25 season in which he posted career-bests in points (23.9 per game) and assists (5.5) and earned his first All-Star nod.

June 2

Raptors eyeing offseason shake-up — is Giannis Antetokounmpo on the table?

After three consecutive playoff-less seasons, Toronto is looking to make changes and will reportedly try to acquire a “big fish” this offseason. Getting Antetokounmpo would be like reeling in a great white shark. Toronto has accumulated players with the salaries needed to build a package for a move like this — trading for and extending Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Realistically, if Antetokounmpo is on the table, nobody should be off limits for Toronto, including young star Scottie Barnes. It would make sense for Antetokounmpo, too, because, while he hasn’t formally asked to be traded away from Milwaukee, he’s expressed a desire to stay in a much weaker Eastern Conference. According to an ESPN report from May, the two-time MVP said he’s “open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere.”

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