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Ja Morant Dealt to Portland, Ending Lengthy Trade Speculation
Point guard Ja Morant's time in Memphis has come to an end, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The guard has been traded to Portland for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. It's a small return for the 26-year-old former All-NBA selection, but it ends months of trade speculation, including ESPN's Brian Windhorst calling him "flagrantly available" in trade discussions. Morant fell out of favor in Memphis after multiple off-the-court concerns and availability issues. He has suited up for 79 games total over the last three seasons. Still, there is plenty of upside, as the former second-overall pick averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists on 28.5 minutes per game during his limited appearances last season. Morant joins a crowded Portland backcourt, which could signal that one of the holdovers from last season (Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe) could soon be on the move.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Devin Carter Dealt to Atlanta
Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter is being traded to Atlanta, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Hawks are also picking up a second-round pick, although it's unclear if there are any other pieces to the deal. Carter, entering his third season in the NBA, joins a lengthy list of lottery selections by the Kings that didn't pan out. The 24-year-old averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes per game last season. Atlanta drafted guard Kingston Flemings with the eighth overall pick in this year's draft and retained CJ McCollum, so there doesn't seem to be a spot in the rotation for Carter next season.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Bradley Beal Joins the Free Agency Player Pool
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal declined his $5.6 million player option for the upcoming season, making the veteran a free agent. According to Law Murray of The Athletic, there is mutual interest between Beal and the Clippers for a new contract. Beal has played six total games for the franchise, averaging 8.2 points and 1.7 assists in 20.2 minutes per game before a season-ending injury. The injuries have been a concern, dating back to his Washington days. He last played more than 60 games in the 2018-2019 season.
Source: Law Murray - The Athletic
Source: Law Murray - The Athletic
Marcus Smart Chooses to Become a Free Agent
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart is hitting the open market after declining his $5.4 million player option, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The veteran guard averaged 9.3 points, three assists, and 1.4 steals per game in his lone season with the Lakers. Although he remains a below-average three-point shooter (33% last season), he maintains his reputation as an outstanding perimeter defender. There are rumors of the Houston Rockets being interested in adding Smart, who played under head coach Ime Udoka in Boston.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Deandre Ayton Opts Into Another Season With the Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton opted into his $8.1 million player option with the franchise, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The market for Ayton's services seemingly dried up, making it an easy choice for the former first-overall pick to stay in Los Angeles. While the seven-footer shot a career-best 67.1% last season, he also averaged a career low in points (12.5), rebounds (8), and minutes (27.2). Playing alongside Luka Doncic did raise his efficiency, but his inconsistent defense and effort led to shorter stints on the floor. The Lakers have plenty of roster question marks as free agency begins, and could utilize Ayton's expiring contract in a trade before he becomes a free agent next offseason.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Andrew Wiggins Staying in South Beach
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins has agreed to a new three-year, $64 million contract with the team, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Wiggins had a $30 million player option for the upcoming season that he has opted into, meaning the extension is worth $34 million in new money. The Heat are in the middle of a roster upheaval, trading for former NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. As it stands now, Wiggins is the third scoring option behind Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The 31-year-old averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 stocks per game in his first full season in Miami.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Day'Ron Sharpe Inks New Deal With Brooklyn
Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe is staying with the franchise, agreeing to a new two-year, $20 million contract, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Nets front office previously declined Sharpe's $6.25 million team option to secure the longer, more lucrative deal. The 24-year-old set career-best marks in points (8.7), rebounds (6.7), assists (2.3), and steals (1.1), while shooting 60.1% from the field. Sharpe is also in line for a bigger role, with center Nic Claxton heading to Chicago in a previously agreed-upon trade that won't officially be finalized until July 6th.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Sandro Mamukelashvili in Line For Bigger Contract
Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili is declining his $2.8 million player option for next season to become a free agent, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 27-year-old is fresh off the best campaign of his professional career, averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.9 minutes per game. He finished 10th in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Mamukelashvili is rumored to be a hot commodity in this free-agent class as a stretch four with back-to-back seasons converting over half of his field goal attempts.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Draymond Green Declines Player Option, Joins Free Agency Pool
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has declined his $27.7 million player option and will become a free agent, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Green is expected to be back with the Warriors, the only team he's played for in his NBA career. However, with his contract now off the books, Golden State can better add high-profile names to the roster. The Warriors are rumored to be targeting Anthony Davis in a trade with the Wizards and free agent LeBron James. If those transactions come to fruition, then the Warriors could bring Green back, albeit likely on a pay cut. The 36-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Zach LaVine Opts For Pay Day, Remains With Sacramento
Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine has opted into his $49 million player option for the upcoming season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The decision was a no-brainer for the 31-year-old, who wouldn't command anything financially close to that number on the open market. LaVine scored 19.2 points per game last season, his lowest average since the 2017-2018 season. He also only appeared in 39 games, undergoing surgery on his shooting hand before the All-Star break. LaVine, alongside veterans DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, should be openly available for trade as the Kings attempt a franchise reset. Still, the market for LaVine doesn't appear to be there.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
James Harden Declines Player Option, Aims to Stay in Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has declined his $42.3 million player option for the upcoming season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The decline sets up Harden and the Cavs to agree to a new, longer contract. Cleveland went all-in on the 36-year-old last season, acquiring Harden in a mid-season deal that included Darius Garland. The 11-time All-Star averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists for Cleveland during the regular season, and helped the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference Finals, despite inconsistent play in the postseason. Cleveland appears poised to run it back for a first full season with the Harden-Donovan Mitchell backcourt.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Nikola Jokic Considers Delaying Nuggets Extension
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is considering holding off on a contract extension this summer, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer. The decision would not signal an immediate fantasy concern, as Jokic remains under contract for $59.0 million in 2026-27 with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. A delay could allow him to add another guaranteed year later, but Denver still has every reason to keep its offense built around him. The 31-year-old averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists while shooting 56.9 percent from the field, keeping him locked in as fantasy's safest elite center.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Fred VanVleet Opts Into $25 Million Option to Stay with Rockets
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet is opting into his $25 million player option for 2026-27, Rich Paul tells ESPN's Shams Charania. VanVleet missed all of last season after tearing his right ACL, and he returns to a backcourt that changed without him. Reed Sheppard broke out as the lead guard, posting 13.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 39.0 percent from deep, so VanVleet reclaiming point guard reps caps Sheppard's third-year leap. At 32 and a year removed from a major injury, VanVleet is a wait-and-see fantasy pick behind Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Kawhi Leonard Could Return to Toronto in Clippers Trade Talks
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is at the center of real trade talks that would send him back to the Toronto Raptors, Jake Fischer reports, though one source called the discussions preliminary. Leonard, 35, averaged a career-high 27.9 points last season, but his durability keeps him a boom-or-bust fantasy pick. The bigger ripple is in Toronto: Fischer says the Raptors prefer dealing Brandon Ingram over RJ Barrett to match salary. Ingram's exit would hand more usage to Scottie Barnes and Barrett, while Kawhi's arrival would cap that ceiling if the deal lands.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Dru Smith Locks in Roster Spot as Heat Guarantee Salary
Miami Heat guard Dru Smith had his $2.6 million salary for 2026-27 fully guaranteed Sunday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports, securing his rotation spot after Miami passed on waiving him. Smith set career highs last season with 5.6 points, 2.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 16.3 minutes across 70 games. The 41.5 percent shooting limits his scoring, but he ranked first in steals per 36 minutes among players with 50-plus games. With Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. dealt to Milwaukee, the backcourt thinned behind Davion Mitchell, clearing steadier minutes. He's a deep-league steals source.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
