The 2024 NBA Free AgencyMost Notable Players That May Change Teams In Free Agency opens at 6 p.m. tonight, and there promises to be a lot of movement, including some stars. Here is the latest news on LeBron James, Klay Thompson, Paul George, and Obi Toppin.
NBA Rumors: LeBron James, Klay Thompson, Paul George, And Obi Toppin Plus More
LeBron James Willing To Take Less Money To Return To Lakers
James is a free agent after opting out of his $51.4 million deal. This was expected, and James is slated to return to the Lakers. Also, unsurprisingly, James’ agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Saturday that the 40-year-old is open to taking less than max money in certain situations.
“He is prioritizing a roster improvement. He’s been adamant about exuding all efforts to improve the roster.”
James is eligible for a max deal of $162 million over three years. Paul said that James would be open to taking a deal allowing the Lakers to use the non-taxpayer exemption if they are willing to sign an impact player. That would mean that with the Lakers having $127.3 million in salaries allocated, James would only be able to make around $30 million this season.
The Athletic’s Jovan Buha reports that if James does take a pay cut, the most likely scenario would see him accept a two-year deal with a 2025/26 player option so that he’d have the ability to renegotiate next offseason.
Who Are the Lakers Looking Targeting?
James Harden, Klay Thompson, and Jonas Valanciunas are among the players who reportedly fit James’ criteria.
If none of those three players are willing to sign for the mid-level exception, a sign-and-trade could also be a possibility to land that sort of player. Acquiring a player via sign-and-trade would hard-cap the Lakers at the first tax apron for 2024/25, but so would using more than the taxpayer portion ($5.2MM) of the mid-level exception.
Los Angeles has 11 players under contract, but that number will go up to 14 with the re-signing of James and the inking of Bronny James and Dalton Knecht. So, if the Lakers can use the mid-level exception to sign someone who fits the description as an “impact player,” their roster would be set. Unless the Lakers made a trade.
Brian Lewis of the New York Post has said that the Lakers are among the teams that have expressed interest in Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson.
If the Lakers can’t land an “impact player,” James is expected to seek a max deal.
Klay Thompson Free Agency
Speaking of Thompson, The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater said that Golden State is preparing to lose the 34-year-old sharpshooter.
Thompson and the Warriors have had close to no communication since the negotiating period opened for incumbent free agents nearly two weeks ago and no offer has been made, team and league sources said. The Warriors, after other business, have wanted to circle back and negotiate with Thompson. But he isn’t expected to be there waiting as a willing secondary priority in their summer plan, with his side feeling that the Warriors’ interest in a reunion has been disingenuous. The five-time All-Star guard is determined to find a new home elsewhere for his 14th NBA season and beyond, with both sides believing their 13-year run together is over, league sources said.
Besides the Lakers, Dallas, LA Clippers, Philadelphia, and Orlando are expected to be in the mix for Thompson.
While the Lakers probably have the upper hand in Thompson’s recruitment due to his ties to the organization, the Mavericks and Magic are probably a close second. The biggest question for Thompson going to the Lakers would be his willingness to take the mid-level exception.
I would give the Mavericks an edge because they are likely perceived to be closer to a championship than the Magic, as they were just in the NBA Finals.
Additionally, NBA Insider Mark Stein tweeted on Friday that Thompson and the Mavs have a mutual interest. Thompson plans on talking to the Lakers and Mavericks, per Los Angeles Times Brad Turner.
Paul George Free Agency
With George declining his $48.7 million player option, he is considered one of the most sought-after free agents. George is expected to meet with the Clippers, Magic, and 76ers later tonight and into Monday. All three teams have the cap space to fit George, although the Clippers own George’s Bird Rights, so as long as Steve Balmer doesn’t mind paying the luxury tax — they can offer him the most.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Stein said earlier today that the 76ers and Magic are significant threats to sign George.
Appearing on SportsCenter, Wojnarowski called the Sixers “a significant threat to lure” George away from the L.A. Clippers in free agency.
“He and the Clippers have been negotiating for a year, they haven’t gotten there on a deal. The Clippers want to do the same kind of deal with Paul George [as the Clips did with Kawhi Leonard]. They do not want to do a fourth year on a Paul George deal.”
Meanwhile, Woj added the Sixers and Magic have a “willingness to go to a fourth year,” making those options “very attractive destinations to him.”
Sacramento King Re-Sign Alex Len
The Sacramento Kings and reserve center Alex Len have agreed to a one-year, veteran minimum contract that projects around $3.3 million, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. However, only $2.1 million will reportedly count against the Kings for cap and tax purposes.
The agreement means that Len will be in Sacramento for a fourth straight year. The 31-year-old has played sparingly for the Kings, appearing in 49 games last year and seeing less than 10 minutes a game. With Len’s signing, the Kings have 12 players on standard contracts and are $12.6 million under the first apron.
Other Rumors:
The Miami Heat are not expected to re-sign free agent Caleb Martin, per the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang. Chiang said that Martin, who declined his $7.1 million player option, may get the full $12.9 million taxpayer exception from a team, and that would send the Heat into second-apron status.
Chiang added that if that is the case, the Heat may prioritize Haywood Highsmith, who is coming off a career season. Additionally, Chiang revealed that second-round pick Pelle Larsson is expected to sign a standard contract for next season worth $1-2 million, with a caveat that a two-way deal remains an option depending on how the rest of the roster comes together.
Obi Toppin will remain with the Indiana Pacers on a four-year, $60 million contract, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Toppin became a reliable bench player, producing a career season with 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. He also made 1.2 triples a contest and compiled a shooting slash line of 57.3/40.3/77.0. Toppin’s signing means that the Pacers have 12 players in tow and are well above the salary cap.
