NBA free agency technically doesn’t open until Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET. But if you’ve been paying attention, the real action started days ago. Contracts are being declined, options are being picked up, and a handful of star players are floating through rumors like smoke before a fire.
Let’s start with the biggest story nobody can stop talking about: the Golden State Warriors and their pursuit of both LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Warriors Trying to Land LeBron and Davis in One Offseason
This isn’t just a wild fan theory anymore. Multiple reports, including from ClutchPoints and Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor, have confirmed that the Warriors are actively trying to add LeBron in free agency while simultaneously trading for Davis. The plan would reunite the former Lakers duo with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in what would be one of the most shocking roster constructions in NBA history.
The catch? It would require LeBron to take the full mid-level exception, which is a massive pay cut from his Lakers salary. It would also need the Washington Wizards to trade Davis, which they’ve publicly said they have no intention of doing. Wizards GM Will Dawkins has dismissed the rumors, insisting Davis is part of their future. But around the league, there are questions about whether Davis and his agent Rich Paul actually want to stay in Washington.
If the Warriors go all in on this, Jimmy Butler would almost certainly be shipped to the Wizards along with first-round picks. Butler is recovering from an ACL injury but has been telling reporters he’s making “some incredible progress” and is already doing light dribbling work. The Warriors have publicly supported him, even having him sit next to owner Joe Lacob at a recent partnership announcement. But in the NBA, loyalty only goes as far as the next trade call.
Golden State also locked up Kristaps Porzingis on a two-year, $40 million deal that includes a player option. That deal gives them some flexibility, especially since Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option and is expected to take a discount to come back. If the Warriors strike out on LeBron and Davis, they can just offer Green essentially the same one-year deal he just turned down.
And yes, Gary Payton II wants to stay on a minimum contract. That’s a minor detail in all this chaos, but it says something about the culture there.
Ja Morant Trade Shakes Up the Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers made the first big splash of the offseason by trading for Ja Morant. It came out of nowhere and honestly doesn’t make perfect sense on paper. Pairing Morant with Damian Lillard gives Portland a dynamic backcourt, but it also raises questions about Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday.
Holiday is almost certainly available now. Multiple teams are expected to call about the 36-year-old guard, who still brings elite defense and championship experience. He’s owed $34.8 million next season with a player option the year after. The Blazers could flip him for assets or try to build a contender around Morant and Lillard. Either way, this is a statement that Portland isn’t content to wait.
Could they go after Jaylen Brown next? ESPN’s Shams Charania says that scenario isn’t active right now, but a deal involving Holiday, Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe would make the math work. It’s worth watching.
Bradley Beal Declines His Option. Miami Calls Again.
Bradley Beal turned down his $5.6 million player option with the Clippers, which was a surprise given he only played six games last season before needing hip surgery. The reason? The Miami Heat are interested, and Beal is interested in them. Sources say the two sides have mutual interest, but the question is whether Beal would take a minimum deal to join Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The Heat could offer part of their mid-level exception, but they’re also looking at Anfernee Simons, Khris Middleton, and Tim Hardaway Jr.
Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins picked up his $30.2 million option and added two more years at roughly $34 million total. That leaves Miami with under $12 million in cap space under the first apron. They could still open up their full mid-level exception if they trade Wiggins or Nikola Jovic. Sources say they’ve been exploring scenarios with Jovic’s contract.
Quick Hits Around the League
James Harden declined his $42.3 million option but is expected to sign a new two-year deal with the Cavs that helps them escape the second apron. The Clippers kept Brook Lopez but let Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nic Batum walk, opening up cap flexibility. Walker Kessler will be a restricted free agent and multiple teams are circling, though most believe he ends up back with the Jazz. Dean Wade’s market is heating up, with the Pistons, Spurs, Lakers, Nets, and 76ers all showing interest. The Nets traded for Julius Randle and don’t plan to flip him — they want him as a veteran leader alongside rookie Mikel Brown Jr.
Free agency opens Tuesday. But the deals are already getting done in the shadows. The next few days will tell us which of these rumors are real and which were just smoke.
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