We’re into Day 2 of NBA free agency and plenty of big names have changed teams
• 1 min read
NBA free agency has arrived, and major dominoes are falling around the league. Paul George is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers after the two sides agreed to a $212 million contract in the wee hours of Monday morning (the news broke on the East Coast around 3:30 a.m. George heads to Philly to team up with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey after five seasons with the Clippers. Klay Thompson is also set to change teams. Thompson intends to ink a $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, but the Warriors have yet to finalize a sign-and-trade as they say farewell to a franchise legend.
With the George and Thompson sweepstakes seemingly wrapped up, eyes turn elsewhere on the market. LeBron James remains a free agent, but all signs point to him rejoining the Lakers. It’s just a matter of if LeBron will take a discount on his new deal so the Lakers can spend more money elsewhere. DeMar DeRozan remains in free agency as well and could become a Lakers target.
While there was not the usual frenzy as free agency opened at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, there were still plenty of deals. James Harden, Chris Paul, Isaiah Hartenstein and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope all reportedly agreed to new contracts. Harden is staying with the Clippers, while Paul was waived by the Warriors before landing with the Spurs. Hartenstein is leaving the Knicks after two strong seasons to join the Thunder on an $87 million deal. KCP, meanwhile, is joining the Orlando Magic on a $66M contract. Here’s a look at the notable free agency moves to date:
NBA free agency moves
- Paul George lands with the 76ers on a four-year, $212M contract
- Klay Thompson intends to join Mavs on $50 million contract
- James Harden agrees to two-year, $70 million deal with Clippers
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope agrees to three-year, $66 million deal with the Magic
- The Thunder agree to a three-year deal with Isaiah Hartenstein
- Warriors waive Chris Paul, who is signing with the Spurs
- Tobias Harris is heading back to the Pistons on a $52M deal
- Jonas Valanciunas lands a three-year deal with the Wizards
- Derrick Jones Jr. gets a three-year deal from the Clippers
- Kevin Love stays with Heat on two-year deal
- 76ers sign veterans Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon and bring back Kelly Oubre Jr.
CBS Sports will be keeping track of the biggest moves, rumors, signings and trades as free agency gets started. Follow along below.
Paul George is a 76er
Good morning, basketball fans. Paul George is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers. After the Clippers bowed out of the George sweepstakes nearly immediately, the All-Star forward did not waste much time in finding a new team. George and the 76ers agreed to a four-year, $212 million deal in the wee hours of Monday morning, per reports.
The Sixers were the front-runners to land George’s services once the Clippers stayed steadfast in their refusal to offer a fourth year on his contract. George, 34, is heading to his fourth team after spending five years with the Clippers. He’ll try to win his first ring alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
The Sixers are now one of the top title favorites behind the Boston Celtics in the NBA. Here’s more on the biggest news of NBA free agency so far:
76ers land Paul George: All-Star forward agrees to four-year, $212M deal in NBA free agency
Sam Quinn
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Gary Harris staying in Orlando
Harris has agreed to a two-year, $14 million deal to stay with the Magic, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Klay Thompson sign-and-trade is complete
Dallas will send two second-round picks over to Golden State in order to complete the sign-and-trade of Klay Thompson, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Of those picks, one will be Dallas’ own 2031 pick, per Wojnarowski.
Magic make another move
The Magic, who landed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with a $66M deal on Sunday night, have made another move. Orlando has agreed to sign center Goga Bitadze to a three-year deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski.
Tatum agrees to biggest contract in NBA history
This was an expected move, but Jayson Tatum is the owner of the largest contract in NBA history. Tatum takes that title from his teammate, Jaylen Brown, thanks to a five-year, $314 million supermax extension he agreed to with the champion Celtics.
Warriors trade rumors
With Klay Thompson on his way out (and likely heading to Dallas), how will the Warriors reload alongside Stephen Curry? They are rumored to have their eye on Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, a 7-foot All-Star who has been in a handful of rumors so far this summer. Here’s more:
NBA trade rumors: Warriors among teams trying to land Lauri Markkanen after Klay Thompson’s departure
James Herbert
Latest on Klay Thompson-to-Dallas deal
Sign-and-trade is still being worked through. Thompson intends to join the Mavs as long as Warriors finalize the deal:
And the deal now appears to not have a player option for the third year:
Happy Holiday
Aaron Holiday is staying in Houston on a two-year, $10 million contract, per Shams Charania. Holiday, brother of Celtics guard Jrue and Nuggets guard Justin, was part of the Rockets rotation last year. Houston is hoping to take a step toward playoff contention next season.
Melton heads to Warriors
The Warriors are moving on from Klay Thompson (who is likely going to the Mavs), and they’ve found a way to replace some depth at shooting guard. The Dubs are in agreement with De’Anthony Melton on a $12.8 million deal for the 2024-25 season, per Shams Charania.
Clippers get Batum back
Veteran forward Nico Batum is heading back to the Clippers. Batum spent almost all of last season with the 76ers after he was traded to Philly by.. the Clippers. Well, Paul George is now in Philly. James Harden is staying in L.A., and Batum is heading back to the team that traded him eight months ago.
He’s getting a two-year deal worth $9.6M, per Adrian Wojnarowski.
Potential snag in Klay deal
So Klay Thompson intends to sign a three-year, $50 million deal that would land in him Dallas. However, it would need to be part of a sign-and-trade. Reports indicate the Charlotte Hornets would join a potential deal with the Mavs and Warriors, but Golden State has yet to finalize the deal. We’ll keep an eye on this.
Klay Thompson to join Mavericks on three-year, $50 million deal after Warriors complete trade, per report
Sam Quinn
Klay heads to Dallas
Warriors legend Klay Thompson is heading to the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks. The Splash Brother will leave Step Curry and Golden State behind after 13 years and four titles. He’s getting a three-year, $50M deal. It’s part of a sign-and-trade that also includes the Charlotte Hornets. More details:
In non-free agency news…
The Boston Celtics are about to be sold. Owner Wyc Grousbeck announced his intentions to sell his majority stake in the team less than one month after winning the 2024 NBA title. A sale is expected to be completed in the coming months, but Grousbeck intends to remain the team’s owner until the sale is completely finalized in 2028. Here’s more:
Celtics sale: Owner Wyc Grousbeck planning to sell after 2024 NBA title, team valued at nearly $5 billion
Sam Quinn
Champs extend White
The Boston Celtics are keeping their core intact. They agreed to a four-year extension with Derrick White for four years and $125.9M. White was a key part of the Celtics’ championship run. He scored 15.2 points and had 5.2 assists per game. He’s been a huge part of the Celtics rotation since Boston acquired him at the 2022 trade deadline.
Bucks make the Wright move
The Milwaukee Bucks have made their first move of free agency. They are signing veteran guard Delon Wright to a $3.3 million deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski. Wright spent last season with the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards, averaging 4.5 points per game.
Would you like some Western Conference center news?
I sure hope so. Because Drew Eubanks is heading from the Suns to the Jazz on a two-year, $10 million deal.
Elsewhere, the Wolves are bringing back Luka Garza on a two-year deal.
Tobias Harris returns to Detroit
Free agent forward Tobias Harris is heading back to the Pistons. Detroit has agreed to a two-year, $52 million contract with Harris, per Adrian Wojnarowski.
Harris is coming off a much-maligned $180 million deal with the 76ers. Harris was perfectly OK with the Sixers, averaging 17.6 points per game in his time there, but never came close to living up to the price tag. He ended his Sixers run with a scoreless performance in a Game 6 loss to the Knicks.
Harris is returning to Detroit, where he played three seasons between 2015 and 2018. Philly, meanwhile, is replacing him with Paul George.
Hartenstein leaving NYC for OKC
The Thunder just made another big addition. OKC is signing center Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $87M deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski. Hartenstein is coming off a successful two-year stint with the Knicks, who will lose depth in their front court.
Here’s more about the deal for a Thunder team that also added Alex Caruso via trade last week:
NBA free agency: Isaiah Hartenstein leaves Knicks for three-year, $87 million deal with Thunder, per report
Sam Quinn
Bulls make a move
The Bulls, who kicked off the offseason by trading Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, will need to answer questions about the futures of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan this summer. They remain question marks for now, but Chicago did agree to a three-year deal with Jalen Smith, per ESPN.
Thunder strike twice
Oklahoma City took care of some business on Monday morning. The Thunder — who were the West’s No. 1 seed last season — reached agreements to bring back two players, per Shams Charania. OKC is keeping guard Aaron Wiggins for the long haul, as the team is set to sign him to a five-year, $47M deal. Isaiah Joe, meanwhile, will get a new four-year deal from the Thunder worth $48M.
Wiggins averaged 6.9 points per game last season and knocked down 49.2% of his 3-pointers. Joe scored 8.2 points per game and hit 3s at a 41.6% clip on 4.5 attempts per game.
Tyrese gets Max(ey) extension
Finally, some big-money 76ers news. Hours after agreeing to a $212M deal with Paul George, the 76ers have agreed to a max extension with All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey. The extension is not a surprise by any means, and Philly waited to agree to the deal with Maxey so it could have more cap room flexibility this offseason.
Maxey, who had a breakout season in 2023-24 after the team traded James Harden, won Most Improved Player honors and made his first All-Star team. He then shined in the playoffs, averaging nearly 30 points per game in the Sixers’ first-round loss to the Knicks. Here’s more on his new deal:
Tyrese Maxey contract: 76ers to sign All-Star guard to $204M extension after securing Paul George, per report
Sam Quinn
The other overnight Sixers deal
Daryl Morey and the 76ers were busy late last night. In addition to signing Paul George, the Sixers also agreed to a new contract with Kelly Oubre Jr. The wing agreed to a two-year deal to return to Philly after a solid season in 2023-24, per Adrian Wojnarowski.
Winners and losers of NBA offseason (so far)
NBA free agency is six hours old. The offseason has been going on for about two weeks. And while there is still plenty of player movement left, the summer is starting to take shape.
So who has stood out so far? CBS Sports’ Brad Botkin took a look a the winners (including the Knicks, James Harden and the Thunder) and the losers (including the Warriors, Clippers and Nuggets) of the offseason to date.
NBA offseason winners and losers: Paul George heads to 76ers, while Warriors and Clippers strike out early
Brad Botkin
DJJ ends up in L.A.
Derrick Jones Jr. is heading to the Clippers, per Shams Charania. Jones Jr. is coming off a breakout season with the Mavs, who initially were expected to re-sign him this summer. Dallas, however, pivoted and signed Naji Marshall hours ago, opening the door for DJJ to head elsewhere. It’s a three-year, $30M deal for Jones Jr. as the Clippers make a move after deciding they’re moving on from Paul George.
Plumlee to Phoenix
The Suns have added veteran big man Mason Plumlee on a one-year deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski. The Suns will be the seventh NBA team for Plumlee, who averaged 5.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Clippers last season.
Klay taking his time?
Klay Thompson appears to be most likely heading to either the Lakers or the Mavericks, but a decision might not be coming tonight. Adrian Wojnarowski says a Klay call is not expected in the next few hours. He also notes that LeBron James wasted no time courting Thompson, calling him right as free agency got underway.
Mavs land Naji Marshall
The Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks have made their first free agency move, signing former Pelican Naji Marshall to a three-year deal.
The move means the Mavs — who are still pursuing Klay Thompson — will likely not bring back Derrick Jones Jr.
76ers land Gordon
Veteran guard Eric Gordon is heading to Philly. Gordon has agreed to a minimum deal with the 76ers, per Kyle Neubeck.
Valanciunas to the Wiz
Jonas Valanciunas is heading to Washington on a three-year contract. The free agent center was considered a target for the Lakers, but instead he’ll get $10M a year in D.C.
Chris Paul to the Spurs
CP3 is heading back to the Lone Star State. Chris Paul will be joining Victor Wembanyama and Gregg Popovich in San Antonio on a one-year, $11M deal. He was waived by the Warriors earlier in the evening.
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