The rumor mill never stops churning in the NBA, but it’s especially busy this time of the year.
Following the NBA Draft comes free agency, which opens at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, June 30, when teams can begin negotiating with free agents. While players can agree to new deals, most contracts can’t be officially signed until 12:01 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 6.
Expect to see a lot of rumors between now and then. The Sporting News is tracking the biggest ones below.
NBA FREE AGENCY BIG BOARD: Ranking the top 50 players
NBA free agency rumors 2023: Tracking the latest leaks, news and trades
Bulls, Nikola Vucevic working on extension
Date: June 28
Source: Shams Charania, The Athletic
Nikola Vucevic and the Bulls are nearing a three-year, $60 million extension.
The Sporting News’ Steph Noh ranked Vucevic as the 10th-best player in this year’s free agent class. He’s averaged 18.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game with the Bulls.
Kyrie Irving likely to return to Mavericks
Date: June 28
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN
Outside of Dallas, the market for Kyrie Irving is “extremely limited.” The expectation is he returns to the Mavericks.
“The question will be what kind of a deal does he go back on — how many years on a contract,” Wojnarowski said. “I don’t think the money will be as much of an issue as how many fully guaranteed years are there for Kyrie Irving. I think that’s where the negotiation is going to be between he and the Mavericks.”
“The market for Kyrie Irving — legitimate places that he would leave Dallas for that make sense, that are available to him — it’s extremely limited, perhaps almost nil. I think the full expectation is that he returns [to the Mavs].”
— @wojespn pic.twitter.com/RuH8DFWmQu
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 28, 2023
The Mavericks almost acquired Deandre Ayton in draft-day deal
Date: June 27
Source: Marc Stein, Substack
The Suns engaged in “advanced discussions” with the Mavericks on a Deandre Ayton trade during the 2023 NBA Draft. The trade fell through, but a “resumption of the Ayton talks could not be ruled out.”
The proposed deal would have been Ayton for Tim Hardaway Jr., Richaun Holmes and JaVale McGee. The Suns “balked” at the inclusion of McGee.
Rockets linked to numerous free agents
Date: June 27
Source: Jake Fischer, Yahoo Sports
The Rockets are considering “short-term, high-salary contracts” in an effort to land some of the top names in free agency. Players they have been linked to include Austin Reaves, Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Brook Lopez.
The Rockets are said to be prepared to offer VanVleet a “very competitive deal” to lure the one-time All-Star away from the Raptors. Brooks is the top wing on Houston’s radar, while Lopez is its top center.
Pistons offer sheet for Cameron Johnson gaining steam
Date: June 27
Source: Jake Fischer, Yahoo Sports
The possibility of the Pistons offering restricted free agent Cameron Johnson a “massive offer sheet” has gained steam around the league. The Nets are expected to match “any practical offer” for Johnson.
When the Suns traded Johnson, head coach Monty Williams said he and Mikal Bridges “are like my family.” Substack’s Marc Stein wrote that Johnson has “a huge new fan” in Detroit after the Pistons hired Williams.