re: NBA Offseason Trades, Signings, and FA

Keith Smith
@KeithSmithNBA

By moving Isaiah Joe without taking salary back, the Oklahoma City Thunder now projects to be $14.8M under the luxury tax, $22.8M under the first apron and $35.8M under the second apron.

This is without anything on the books for Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein or Kenrich Williams. But OKC is creating their wiggle room under the second apron here.


Yossi Gozlan
@YossiGozlan

The Thunder reduce their luxury tax penalty by $76 million by trading Isaiah Joe.

They've reduced it by $140 million so far between this and trading Aaron Wiggins.

They're sitting at $390 million in total roster expenses and $18.8 million above the second apron.

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ShamsCharania
Hartenstein and his reps, Andrew Morrison and Aaron Mintz of CAA Sports, worked with the Thunder on an agreement that brings $75 million in new money over the next three years -- plus a maximum 15% trade kicker and a unique mutual option that allows both parties to rework the agreement again in 2028 prior to the final season.

quote:

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OKC vs SA is going to be a bloodbath this year. Both teams have a much bigger frontcourt and they both can still get better during free agency.

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I don’t even like the NBA much but I’m interested to see how the kid they drafted out of Michigan is able to defend Webenyama.

He was incredibly disruptive with his length defensively in college.

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania

Boston Celtics G/F Ron Harper Jr. intends to sign a new three-year, $9 million deal to return to the franchise, sources tell ESPN. The Celtics are declining Harper's $2.6M team option, clearing the way for the sides to commit on a longer deal.


Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania

Harper has gone from a training camp deal last offseason to making the Celtics roster on a two-way contract to a deal conversion at the end of the season, and now a multiyear guarantee. The Celtics and Harper's agent, Drew Gross of WME Basketball, worked through the deal Saturday.

Interesting

Marc Stein
@TheSteinLine

Holding off on a contract extension this summer is under consideration for the Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, league sources tell @JakeLFischer and me.

The Orlando Magic have waived Jonathan Isaac, according to league sources.


Jake Fischer
@JakeLFischer

Isaac had $8 million of his $14.5 million salary guaranteed for 2026-27. It would have become fully guaranteed tomorrow.

Jose Alvarado signs 3/14 with the Knicks…

Knicks also resigned Mo Diawara who might be their secret weapon for them next year.

James Dolan said they didn’t want to get into the second apron but their front office is pushing for it to bring back Landry Shamet and Mitchell Robinson.

Mitch has been linked to offers by the Lakers and Nets… if Knicks don’t go into the second apron their offer won’t compete with other teams who will offer the full MLE

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania

BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.


Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania

The Suns acquire a starting PF at 28 years old in Bridges -- whom they've targeted in recent years -- plus a 2029 less favorable first-rounder and a 2027 less favorable second rounder while getting $20 million in tax savings while opening up a roster spot ahead of free agency.

Charlotte picks up two playoff-tested role players and receives a valuable further out, unprotected Suns first-round pick.

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Hornets must be going to make a big trade/FA splash once 1 July gets here right?

Hoopology
@hoopologyxx

Hornets now have 8 high volume 3pt shooters (50%+ 3pr). And 4 of them in the 85+ percentile.

Grayson had a down year efficiency wise but if he can get back to near 40% it could make a big difference.



It still feels like a deal with Boston is coming. Get Brown and give him his own team?

Thats why I suspect a trade coming 1 July