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Jusuf Nurkic Plans to Remain in Utah
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, free agent center Jusuf Nurkic intends to sign a two-year, $22 million contract to return to the Utah Jazz. Nurkic became a full-time starter last season after Walker Kessler (shoulder) underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn left labrum. The 31-year-old averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.4 minutes per contest in 41 regular-season appearances (36 starts). He missed the final two months of the season after undergoing nose surgery in mid-February, but he should be ready to go by training camp.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Kris Murray Traded to Memphis
Forward Kris Murray is being traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the Ja Morant deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Murray and Jerami Grant were the return for the former All-Pro guard. Murray, a first-round pick in 2023, failed to make much of an impact in his three seasons in Portland. He averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game last season. However, he's in the final year of his cheap rookie contract ($3.57 million per year) and can provide good wing bench depth for a young Memphis squad.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Jerami Grant Headed to Memphis
Veteran forward Jerami Grant is being traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the trade for guard Ja Morant, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Forward Kris Murray is also joining the Grizzlies. Grant has struggled with injuries the past few seasons, averaging 52 appearances over the last three seasons, but continued to bring scoring inside and out. The 32-year-old averaged 18.6 points on 38.9% shooting from deep for what was ultimately his final season with the Trail Blazers. His role in Memphis is unclear, to say the least. The Grizzlies drafted Cameron Boozer, traded for Isaiah Stewart, and have $17.5 million per year tied up in Santi Aldama.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Thunder Pick Up Team Option For Luguentz Dort
The Oklahoma City Thunder have picked up the $17.7 million team option for forward Luguentz Dort, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The transaction keeps Dort with the Thunder, the only team he's played for in his professional career. There was some uncertainty about Dort's future with the franchise due to salary cap concerns and a down statistical season. The 27-year-old shot 38.5% from the field and 34.4% from three last season, averaging just 8.3 points. However, the Thunder's front office traded away wings Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, further opening the door for another year with Dort.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Julian Champagnie Inks New Deal to Stay With San Antonio
The San Antonio Spurs have declined the $3 million team option for Julian Champagnie, only to re-sign the forward to a new three-year, $45 million contract, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The formerly undrafted 25-year-old permanently moved into San Antonio's starting lineup during the regular season and added important spacing around center Victor Wembanyama, knocking down 38.1% of his three-point attempts. That led to career-best marks in points (11.1) and rebounds (5.8). He's also durable, playing all 82 games in back-to-back seasons. Now locked in to a long-term deal, Champagnie figures to continue starting for San Antonio next season.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Landry Shamet Signs New Deal With New York
New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet is staying with the team after signing a new four-year, $24 million contract, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 29-year-old was a training camp invitee who earned a veteran-minimum deal before becoming a key part of the championship roster. Shamet averaged 9.3 points on 39.7% shooting from downtown in 23 minutes per game during the regular season last year. The new deal keeps most of the championship nucleus together, with Mitchell Robinson being the lone question mark on the eve of the free agency window opening.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Hawks Decline Team Option For Jonathan Kuminga
Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga is becoming an unrestricted free agent following the team's decision to decline his $24.3 million team option, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. That was a hefty price tag for a player who averaged 12.3 points in 22.1 minutes in 16 regular-season appearances with the Hawks, but it doesn't necessarily mean he won't stay with Atlanta. Kuminga is entering his sixth season in the NBA, but hasn't secured a consistent role thus far. Still, he's only 23 years old and proved that he can provide a scoring punch off the bench.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
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
