Ron Baker has exercised his $4.5 million player option for the 18-19 season with the New York Knicks.
Baker signed a two-year, $8.9 million deal with the Knicks last offseason.
Ron Baker has exercised his $4.5 million player option for the 18-19 season with the New York Knicks.
Baker signed a two-year, $8.9 million deal with the Knicks last offseason.
The Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns have interest in signing Michael Beasley.
The New York Knicks also remain interested in signing Beasley, who played for David Fizdale with the Heat.
“He likes him a lot,’’ said a source close to Beasley.
Beasley already owns a home in Atlanta.
Beasley played for the veteran's minimum of $2.3 million last season.
“He definitely wants to come back to New York and play for Fizdale,’’ the source close to Beasley said. “Fizdale is another plus. But it’s still a business.’’
Tillman Fertitta is expecting the Houston Rockets' roster to look similar next season.
Chris Paul and Clint Capela are the Rockets' top free agents. Capela will be a restricted free agent.
“Gotta sign Chris [Paul], want to keep Clint [Capela],” he said, according to Lainie Fritz of KPRC Channel 2.
“You don’t mess with success,” said Fertitta.
After the Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to their fourth Finals in four seasons, Dan Gilbert said he's not letting the pending free agency of LeBron James this summer swallow up the moment.
"Like him, I think he's said this, we're just focused -- and it's the truth, it's not avoiding the question -- we're literally focused on (the now)," Gilbert told ESPN. "It's just so intense in the playoffs and getting to the Finals and now the Finals, I don't think -- and I know he doesn't -- I don't think even our guys are talking (about anything other than) what's in front of them.
"So, everybody knows, obviously what we want to happen and we'll take the Finals first and take it from there."
Gilbert has had few words to say about James' situation on the record this season.
The San Antonio Spurs were eliminated from the playoffs on April 24th in Game 1 of the first round, but they have still yet to meet with Kawhi Leonard.
The Spurs hope to meet with Leonard and his representatives to mend the relationship and come to terms on a five-year, $219 million supermax contract. Leonard can sign the extension with the Spurs starting July 1st.
If the Spurs are unable to to come to terms with Leonard, they are expected to explore their options on the trade market.
Leonard spent most of the 17-18 season away from the Spurs rehabbing a quad issue.
The Dallas Mavericks are expected to pursue DeAndre Jordan, DeMarcus Cousins and Julius Randle in free agency.
Jordan and Randle are natives of Texas.
Jordan agreed to sign with the Mavericks in 2015 before ultimately changing his mind to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Cousins was widely expected to re-sign with the New Orleans Pelicans until he ruptured his Achilles and the team continued to play well without him. The Mavericks have an extensive history of working with Cousins' agent Jarinn Akana.
Jerami Grant enters free agency after becoming a key part of the Oklahoma City Thunder rotation in his second season with the club.
The Thunder exercised their 17-18 team option on Grant last offseason, which prevented him from becoming a restricted free agent but makes him an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
"I definitely think it's a possibility," Grant said. "I know it's a lot of moving pieces but I definitely think it's a great possibility me being there. There's a lot of things they have to figure out but I think it’s a good chance."
Julius Randle will be a restricted free agent this offseason and his future is almost certainly tied to how the Los Angeles Lakers fare in pursuing max free agents.
The teams with the most cap space this offseason figure to be those that are likely a few years away from contending.
“I just want to be in a great situation where I can continue to grow as a basketball player,” Randle said at the NBA Draft Combine on Thursday. “Going into my fifth year I really want to compete. I see the playoffs and the intensity and that’s something I really want to be a part of and experience ... That’s really all I’m looking for, just to have fun and compete in playing basketball and continue to grow as a player.”
The New Orleans Pelicans and DeMarcus Cousins will have a compelling decision to make this offseason with his free agency.
Cousins was asked how he evaluates the Pelicans' level of interest.
"I know for a fact my teammates want me back there, but you know it’s a business," said Cousins. "The people in the front office are going to make the best decision for the team or whatever they feel is the best decision. You know, we’ll see what happens. I honestly can’t answer that question, I haven’t spoken to the front office in a while, so we’ll see what happens."
Cousins was asked if he's open to re-signing with the Pelicans.
"Oh yeah, for sure. This is my first time in free agency, but I’ve been around this business long enough. I know how things work. I’m not out here trying to hold a grudge or anything like that. I’m going to make the best decision for me, and I believe teams are going to do the same thing."
In discussing the Los Angeles Lakers' draft evaluation of Kyle Kuzma last year, Rob Pelinka talked about the type of players he and Magic Johnson are attempting to assemble.
"Magic and I are trying to build a team of interchangeable, versatile, positionless players," said Pelinka. "Kyle fits that for sure."
The Lakers could have two max contract slots this summer.
Pelinka was also asked about the role young players could play in trying to sign free agents.
"I think it's essential. The playoffs, this year, I think have revealed young players can be difference makers. In fact, as the game gets faster and more athletic, you need that to compete in today's NBA. So, we feel like our young core is incredibly attractive. The other thing we've restored is just sort of the ethos of the Lakers. It had become a little bit stagnant. Free agents weren't looking at the Lakers as a destination. To use a metaphor, it became a little bit like Blackberry versus Apple."