With the NBA set to begin its new season in October, what will the landscape look like for players entering free agency in 2021? Will LeBron James be traded or retire? What about Kawhi Leonard?
The nba trades 2021 is a blog post that discusses the upcoming NBA free agency and trades.
The NBA’s offseason has officially started.
The 2021 NBA free-agent class was seen as possibly historic before to previous summer. It was anticipated that LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paul George, Rudy Gobert, and Jrue Holiday would be available. Instead, they all extended their contracts with their current clubs, significantly lowering the star power in this class.
While the NBA waits to hear if Chris Paul’s $44 million player option for next season will be exercised, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, and DeMar DeRozan are the top free agents available.
This summer, just five clubs are expected to have substantial cap room, with the New York Knicks leading the way with up to $50 million in salary space. We may witness another hectic offseason of transactions, with the free-agent market dramatically changed from what was anticipated.
Whatever happens, we’ll keep you up to date with all the latest news, rumors, buzz, and analysis right here.
MORE: Free-agent lists for 2021 and 2022
Aug. 1
5:48 p.m. ET: Chris Paul has until midnight ET to decide on his $44 million player option, but sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that if he declines, he and the Suns will be able to work out a new contract when free agency begins on Monday night.
5:45 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Kawhi Leonard has rejected his $36 million player option for next season and will become a free agency. Leonard is expected to renegotiate a new contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The top 20 free agents in 2021 are ranked.
5:16 p.m. ET: The Charlotte Hornets have announced that Malik Monk will be allowed to become an unrestricted free agency, and that they have issued a qualifying offer to Devonte’ Graham, making him a restricted free agent.
5:01 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Portland Trail Blazers will not renew Zach Collins’ $7 million qualifying offer, thus making him a free agency.
2:45 p.m. ET: Is the Miami Heat preparing to make a move for free agency point guard Kyle Lowry? After learning that the Heat had declined Andre Iguodala’s contract for next season, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Miami had picked up the $19.4 million option on Goran Dragic’s contract as a possible precursor to using his contract as part of a potential sign-and-trade with the Toronto Raptors.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Miami Heat have declined the $15 million club option on Andre Iguodala’s contract, making him a free agent next season.
July 30
8:36 p.m. ET: The Boston Celtics have acquired Josh Richardson from the Dallas Mavericks, using the remaining trade exception from the sign-and-trade transaction that sent Gordon Hayward to the Charlotte Hornets last November. Richardson averaged 12.1 points in 59 games with the Mavs last season, his fourth club in four years.
Who will win the Celtics-Mavericks trade?
5:40 p.m. ET: The Celtics have acquired guard Kris Dunn, forward Bruno Fernando, and a 2023 second-round selection in a three-team trade. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Kings got center Tristan Thompson in return, while the Hawks received guard Delon Wright.
8:05 a.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Jazz have agreed to trade center Derrick Favors and a future first-round selection to the Thunder in exchange for a future second-round choice. Utah gains some financial freedom as a result of the trade, while Oklahoma City gains an extra first-round pick.
July 29
11:48 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Trail Blazers have acquired the Pelicans’ No. 43 selection in tonight’s draft. According to ESPN’s Andrew Lopez, New Orleans will get a future second-round selection from Portland.
11:25 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Magic are sending the No. 33 selection to the Clippers in exchange for a future second-round pick and cash.
11:21 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Thunder have received the No. 32 selection from the Knicks in exchange for the Nos. 34 and 36.
11:16 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Grizzlies have acquired the No. 30 selection in tonight’s lottery from the Jazz in exchange for the No. 40 pick and two future second-round picks.
10:21 p.m. ET: According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks are selling the No. 21 selection to the Clippers in exchange for tonight’s No. 25 pick and a future second-round pick.
9:58 p.m. ET: According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks are selling their No. 19 selection in tonight’s draft to the Hornets in exchange for a future first-round pick.
9:41 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Thunder have agreed to trade the No. 16 selection in tonight’s draft to the Rockets in exchange for two future first-round picks.
8:23 p.m. ET: According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pacers have acquired the Bucks’ 31st selection in tonight’s draft.
8:16 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers have received Russell Westbrook, a 2024 second-round selection, and a 2028 second-round pick from the Wizards in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and tonight’s No. 22 pick. (The Wizards dealt No. 22 to the Pacers for point guard Aaron Holiday, according to The Athletic.)
7:16 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Detroit is completing a deal that would send center Mason Plumlee and tonight’s No. 37 selection to Charlotte in exchange for the No. 57 pick.
5:49 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers are getting Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio in exchange for forward Taurean Prince. Minnesota will also get a second-round selection in 2022 as well as future monetary considerations.
5:25 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are nearing a deal to acquire Wizards guard Russell Westbrook in return for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and a 2021 first-round choice. There is still work to be done on the Westbrook deal, and discussions with the Kings on a Hield deal are still continuing. Washington wants to make this deal with Bradley Beal in mind, according to sources, in order to free up salary cap space in the future to add talent around Beal. Westbrook has shown interest in returning to his hometown of Los Angeles.
5:09 p.m. Eastern Time: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets have dealt guard Landry Shamet to the Suns in exchange for Jevon Carter and the No. 29 selection in tonight’s draft. Since coaching him in Philadelphia during the 2018-19 season, Suns coach Monty Williams has been a big booster of Shamet.
5:00 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Lakers center Montrezl Harrell has decided to exercise his $9.7 million player option for the 2021-22 season. The Lakers will be able to go ahead with a trade to acquire Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield in exchange for Harrell and forward Kyle Kuzma.
Sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that with Cade Cunningham committed to the Pistons at No. 1, the Rockets and Cavaliers are leaning toward Jalen Green and Evan Mobley with the second and third selections, respectively.
Trades are still being offered at 1:45 p.m. ET, including for the No. 1 overall selection. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, unless the Detroit Pistons are blown away, they will retain the #1 pick and have chosen Cade Cunningham.
July 28
4:45 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Philadelphia 76ers are still scouring the league for Ben Simmons deals, but they have a high asking price. Simmons and his agency, Klutch CEO Rich Paul, are planning a relocation to a new location.
12:07 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni is stepping down from his full-time coaching position. After being a finalist for the Portland Trail Blazers’ vacancy this summer, the long-time NBA coach is likely to pursue head coaching possibilities.
12:06 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Brooklyn Nets have extended a qualifying offer to reserve guard Bruce Brown, making him a restricted free agency. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the qualifying offer is for $4,736,102. Last season, Brown played a vital role for the Nets, averaging 8.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 rebounds in 22.3 minutes per game.
July 27
7:07 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sacramento Kings have extended a qualifying offer to guard Terence Davis, making him a restricted free agency. After being acquired from the Toronto Raptors in March, Davis averaged 11.1 points in 27 games with the Kings.
1:14 p.m. Eastern Time: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Milwaukee Bucks guard Bryn Forbes has declined his player option for the 2021-22 season and will become an unrestricted free agency. Last season, Forbes, 28, finished fourth in the NBA in 3-point shooting (45.2 percent).
July 26
4:45 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Memphis Grizzlies are trading Jonas Valanciunas and this year’s Nos. 17 and 51 picks to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, this year’s Nos. 10 and 40, and a protected 2022 first-round pick (via the Los Angeles Lakers). New Orleans frees up salary cap money, allowing them to either match an offer sheet for Lonzo Ball or chase a major free agency point guard.
Who will emerge victorious in the Grizzlies-Pelicans trade?
July 25
3:10 p.m. ET: Do the Golden State Warriors have the strongest offer for Bradley Beal in a trade? What other teams do you think might be a good fit? Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe dissect the Washington Wizards All-Star market.
3:17 p.m. ET: When will the 76ers be able to let Ben Simmons go? Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe explore the Simmons market and why the 76ers are unlikely to make a trade before the NBA draft.
3:33 p.m. Eastern Time: What are the possibilities? Is it possible that Kawhi Leonard, who underwent surgery earlier this month to repair a partial ACL rupture in his right knee, could depart the Los Angeles Clippers this summer? Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe take a look at the wounded superstar’s prospects.
Watch the Woj & Lowe NBA free agency special for more information.
July 23
7:54 p.m. ET: Center Jarrett Allen has been offered a qualifying offer by the Cleveland Cavaliers, making him a restricted free agent. Allen, a 23-year-old acquired from Brooklyn in a trade last season and regarded as one of Cleveland’s key components, had until Aug. 1 to accept the offer. The Cavs may now match any offer made to Allen by other clubs, owing to his size and agility on both sides of the court.
July 22
Talen Horton-Tucker has been given a qualifying offer by the Los Angeles Lakers, making him a restricted free agent. Horton-qualifying Tucker’s offer is $1,897,476. The Lakers have early bird rights and may sign him to a deal for $10.4 million per year. The deal must last at least two seasons.
July 17
winger winger winger winger winger winger winger winger winger winger winger winger winger wing According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Will Barton has rejected his $14.7 million player option for the 2021-2022 season and will become a free agent. Barton, who has spent seven seasons with the Nuggets and is the team’s longest-serving player, is a key priority for Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly.
The Nuggets have made some offseason changes.
July 16
5:51 p.m. ET: Damian Lillard disputed a story that he was about to ask for a trade away from the Portland Trail Blazers, but he said he’s torn on the subject and hopes major improvements would sway him. Lillard is expected to request a trade in the near future, according to basketball website TrueHoop. Lillard has been speaking with club governor Jody Allen and general manager Neil Olshey about the Blazers’ summer plans.
July 8
7:22 p.m. Eastern Time: With a new wave of trade rumors swirling in the aftermath of a coaching change, Damian Lillard indicated on Thursday that he’ll keep his views on the team’s future to himself and the Portland Trail Blazers’ front office. After the third day of Team USA training camp in Las Vegas, Lillard stated, “Anything I have to say, I’m going to say straight to [Blazers general manager] Neil [Olshey] and I’m going to handle it directly with my team.” “I don’t think there’s anything more I can say about it.”
Lillard has a limit to how patient he can be.
Multiple sources informed ESPN at 6:03 p.m. ET that Matthew Dellavedova has agreed to join with Melbourne United in Australia’s NBL. After his second tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dellavedova, an eight-year NBA veteran, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agency this summer.
The best way for the Cavaliers to handle the offseason
June 29
5:15 p.m. ET: Portland Trail Blazers center Zach Collins had a second surgery on his left ankle to treat a stress fracture, the club said Tuesday. Collins is scheduled to become a free agent this summer after not playing since August 13, 2020. By offering a qualifying offer by Aug. 1, Portland may make him a restricted free agent.
The best way for the Blazers to handle the offseason
12:22 p.m. Eastern Time: Kevon Looney’s $5.1 million option to return to the Golden State Warriors next season has been exercised, according to his agent Todd Ramasar, who spoke to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Looney, 25, started 34 of the team’s 61 games this season, splitting time in the starting lineup with youngster James Wiseman.
How should the Warriors handle the offseason?
June 25
Sources informed ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on Friday that the Dallas Mavericks had agreed to terms with Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd to be their head coach and veteran Nike executive Nico Harrison to be their general manager and oversee the franchise’s basketball operations. Luka Doncic and Harrison have a close connection, with Harrison playing a key part in the Mavericks star switching from Nike to Jordan Brand in the autumn of 2019.
What’s next for Jason Kidd, Luka Doncic, and the Dallas Mavericks?
June 24
11:29 a.m. ET: Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Game discussion Sources informed ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that a meeting between Simmons’ agency, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, and Sixers management took place in Chicago this week. Paul approached the Sixers about working together to find a trade before the start of next season, but no request was made, and the parties are likely to continue talking ahead of the NBA draft on July 29 and free agency in August, according to sources. According to insiders, the 76ers are determined to retaining Simmons as a key member of their team.
How should the 76ers handle the offseason?
11:10 a.m. ET: Rick Carlisle has agreed to a four-year contract to return to Indiana as the Pacers’ head coach, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. Carlisle previously coached the Pacers from 2003-04 to 2006-07, amassing a 181-147 record and three playoff appearances, including a trip in the Eastern Conference finals in 2003-04.
The best way for the Pacers to approach the summer
June 23
2:45 p.m. ET: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Boston Celtics are nearing a deal to hire Brooklyn Nets assistant Ime Udoka as the team’s next coach. Udoka takes over a team that is already above the salary cap as the summer approaches.
The difficulties that the Celtics’ new head coach will face
June 20
11:02 a.m. Eastern Time: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie intends to reject the $12.3 million player option on his 2021-22 deal and become an unrestricted free agency before the Monday deadline. Dinwiddie, 28, was out for the most of the 2020-21 season due to an ACL tear in his right knee.
The best way for the Nets to approach the offseason
June 18
9:15 a.m. ET: The Boston Celtics have agreed to trade All-Star point guard Kemba Walker, the 16th overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, and a 2025 second-round choice to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Al Horford, Moses Brown, and a 2023 second-round pick. As new president of basketball operations Brad Stevens attempts to retool the Celtics’ roster around young talents Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the team gains considerable financial freedom. Over the next two years, Walker is due approximately $73 million, while Horford is owed $53 million, with $41 million guaranteed.
Trade ratings between the Celtics and the Thunder
The nba trade rumors are all over the place, with some big names like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
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