2025 NBA Offseason Buzz: Giannis Antetokounmpo To Begin Season With Bucks

The NBA offseason still has a handful of unresolved situations and, with that, comes drama and buzz about the futures of the best free agents and potential trade targets. 

We’ve got you covered, tracking all the rumors from in and around the league.

Aug. 31

It appears that Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee to start the 2025-26 season, per ESPN. The news comes after the Bucks signed his brother, Thanasis, to a one-year deal. Antetokounmpo reportedly explored a potential move this offseason after 12 seasons with Milwaukee after the team lost in the first round of the playoffs for the third straight season. His current contract is set to take him through the 2027 season with a $62.7 million player option for 2028.

Aug. 9

Could the No. 6 and No. 7 picks in the 2021 NBA Draft be traded for each other? Such a scenario exists, as the Warriors have interest in a trade centered around sending Kuminga to the Chicago Bulls for Giddey, according to Bleacher Report. Both players are restricted free agents. 

Last season, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points in 24.3 minutes per game in 47 regular-season contests while shooting 45.4/30.5/66.8. Meanwhile, Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 46.5/37.8/78.1. Furthermore, after Chicago traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings, Giddey averaged 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 49.5/45.7/80.3 across his last 24 games. Giddey spent the first three seasons of his NBA career with the Oklahoma City Thunder before being acquired by Chicago in the 2023-24 NBA offseason.

July 30

Kuminga continues to reject a two-year, $45 million offer from the Warriors, per ESPN. Kuminga reportedly doesn’t want a team option in the contract, while the Kings and Phoenix Suns have shown continued interest in acquiring Kuminga via a sign-and-trade and are willing to offer him a contract in the ballpark of a four-year, $90 million deal.

July 28

Nearly a month after he accepted his player option for the 2025-26 season, questions still linger around James’ future with the Lakers. With nothing being reported as settled between the NBA’s all-time scoring leader and the Lakers, James is believed to have a curiosity about potentially joining the Mavericks. However, Dallas is only interested in adding James if he were to be bought out of his contract. Joining the Mavericks would allow James to reunite with two of his top teammates ever: Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. He could also join Cooper Flagg, the highly-touted first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, as Dallas seeks to contend following a disappointing 2024-25 season that was defined by its shocking decision to trade Luka Dončić.

July 26

The Warriors are being cautious about whether they want to commit to signing Kuminga to a long-term deal in the event that Antetokounmpo becomes available on the trade market, per The San Francisco Standard. 

July 19

The Clippers, who still have two open spots on their projected 15-man roster, are “strongly considering” signing the veteran free agent point guard, according to ClutchPoints. Paul, who started all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs during his 20th season, is hoping to be a starter again for the 2025-26 season, per The Associated Press.

July 18

Amid speculation over his NBA future, Valanciunas is expected to be with the team when the season starts. Nuggets general manager Ben Tenzer said the team has “no concerns” about the possibility of the newly added center not showing up for training camp this fall, according to HoopsHype. The 33-year-old was reportedly close to accepting a three-year contract offer from the EuroLeague, but the Nuggets were never motivated to let him out of his contract.

July 13

The Celtics superstar is taking part in recruiting efforts to get free agent Lillard to Boston, according to a report from The Boston Globe. Lillard and Tatum are both expected to miss most or all of next season recovering from a torn Achilles injury. The pair previously played together on Team USA during the 2020 Summer Olympics. 

Last season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points in 58 games for the Bucks, who surprisingly released the nine-time All-Star and stretched the remaining $112.6 million owed to him over the next two seasons to clear cap room.

July 12

Multiple teams actively talking about trading for LeBron James

Four teams have contacted James’ agent about the possibility of trading for him, according to a report from ESPN on Saturday. The 40-year-old Lakers star opted into his $52.6 million player option with the team in June and neither side has discussed a contract extension, leading many to believe that James’ time in Los Angeles is nearing an end. James averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds in 71 games for the Lakers last season. He’s currently set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

July 10

There’s still an air of uncertainty around Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks, but he made one thing certain: he won’t be taking his talents to the Big Apple. 

Antetokounmpo discussed the possibility of living and playing in New York during a stream with popular internet personality IShowSpeed. “A lot of people have tried to convince me to play [in New York], however nah,” Antetokounmpo stated, additional making it identified that he would not play for the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets. Antetokounmpo was requested if that meant he’d be remaining with the Bucks. “We’ll see,” he replied. “In all probability, I really like Milwaukee.”

Although Antetokounmpo’s title has been concerned in commerce rumors because the Bucks’ first-round playoff exit, he has been comparatively silent about his future in Milwaukee. He reportedly hasn’t requested a commerce, however ESPN reported in Could that Antetokounmpo was extra open to the thought of probably transferring on from Milwaukee than he was prior to now.

The Bucks have been arguably among the many extra aggressive groups within the first week of free company. They surprisingly signed former Indiana Pacers heart Myles Turner to a four-year deal. In one other surprising transfer, they waived-and-stretched All-Star guard Lillard to make the deal occur, forcing them to tackle the remaining $112 million on his contract. Antetokounmpo, 30, is underneath contract by the tip of the 2027-28 season, however he can choose out of his deal following the 2026-27 season.

July 8

Nikola Jokić not signing contract extension

Jokić has reportedly knowledgeable the Nuggets that he will not signal a contract extension this offseason. Jokić, a three-time MVP, was eligible so as to add three years at $212 million to his pre-existing contract, which has two years left at $106 million. It is possible that Jokić is selecting to place off signing an extension with the Nuggets till after this season, as a result of if he waits till the 2026 offseason he can signal a deal during which he’d earn a further $80 million. Nevertheless, it is alarming as there was some rumbling concerning the Nuggets’ willingness to commerce Jokić if it helped them keep away from the second tax apron, and it is vital they lock up arguably the game’s finest participant on a longer-term deal.

July 6

The Suns are anticipated to buyout Beal’s contract within the coming days. The reported particulars of the buyout would value Beal $13.9 million of his remaining $110.8 million deal. It will then clear the best way for the Suns to waive Beal and stretch the remaining $96.9 million over the following 5 years and outcome within the crew ducking each tax aprons. As soon as Beal clears waivers, potential suitors that would decide him up embody the Clippers and the Miami Warmth. 

July 2

Lillard was waived by the Bucks and already has groups lining as much as purchase his providers regardless of being set to overlook the whole lot of the 2025-26 NBA season with an Achilles damage. Contenders such because the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Warriors are among the many groups serious about bringing within the veteran level guard as soon as he clears waivers. Lillard, who turns 35 on July 15, is a nine-time All-Star coming off his fourth straight All-Star season. 

Throughout his two seasons in Milwaukee, whom he joined in a commerce after 11 years in Portland, he averaged 24.6 factors and 7 assists per sport. Nevertheless, he wasn’t capable of make a lot of an impression on every of their postseason runs, as he handled a strained Achilles in the course of the 2024 playoffs and returned from deep vein thrombosis halfway by the Bucks’ first-round collection within the 2025 playoffs. He then sustained a torn Achilles within the elimination Recreation 5 towards the Pacers this season.

June 30

Clarkson and the Utah Jazz are reportedly finalizing a contract buyout. Clarkson, who’s heading into his twelfth NBA season, was set to make $14.3 million. Now, he’ll head to the open market and be one of many high unrestricted free brokers in a moderately weak 2025 class. Clarkson, who received the NBA Sixth Man of the Yr award in 2020-2021, averaged 16.2 factors per sport and three.7 assists, whereas capturing a career-low 40.8% from the sector. 

June 29

The previous first general decide is reportedly negotiating a contract buyout from the Path Blazers. Ayton, 26, was underneath contract for $35.5 million this season. He is now arguably essentially the most coveted heart in the marketplace. Ayton averaged 14.4 factors, 10.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per sport in 40 appearances for Portland final season.

The Houston Rockets have a big-money dedication to the previous third general decide. Smith, who turned 22 in Could, plans to signal a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension that is totally assured by the 2030-31 season. Smith began 39 video games for Houston final season, averaging 12.2 factors, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per sport.

Like a few different stars forward of free company, Harden may also decline his participant choice for the 2025-26 season with a view to signal an extension. The star guard intends to signal a two-year, $81.5 million extension with the Clippers after declining his participant choice for subsequent season, ESPN reported. The deal will maintain Harden in Los Angeles for at the very least a 3rd season. As a part of the brand new contract, Harden’s contract for the 2026-27 season is reportedly partially assured. Harden was named an All-Star for the eleventh time this previous season, serving to the Clippers earn the fifth seed within the Western Convention earlier than dropping to the Nuggets within the first spherical of the playoffs. 

Portis agreed to a three-year, $44 million cope with the Bucks forward of his pending free company, ESPN reported. Portis, 30, has arguably been one of many league’s higher position gamers over the previous few years, however he solely performed 49 video games final season because of a 25-game suspension for utilizing Tramadol, an opioid ache treatment.

The three-time All-Star ahead has declined his participant choice for subsequent season however will signal a three-year, $100 million extension with the Timberwolves, ESPN reported. The deal reportedly features a participant choice for the 2027-28 season. Randle, 30, was a key piece for the Timberwolves of their run to a second straight Western Convention finals look, averaging 21.7 factors per sport within the postseason in his first 12 months with the crew. The Timberwolves acquired him in a cope with the Knicks simply days earlier than the beginning of coaching camp this previous season. 

The veteran wing will take a look at the open market, declining his $15.4 million participant choice for subsequent season, ESPN reported. Finney-Smith was a key a part of the Lakers’ rotation after they acquired him in a midseason commerce. The choice by Finney-Smith places the Lakers roughly $9 million beneath the primary luxurious tax apron. 

OKC re-signs position gamers

A pair of end-of-the-rotation gamers will stay in Oklahoma Metropolis after profitable the NBA title. Each Jaylin Williams and Ajay Mitchell have agreed to new offers forward of hitting the open mark, ESPN reported. Williams’ deal is reportedly a three-year, $24 million pact with an choice for the third 12 months, whereas Mitchell’s deal is a three-year, $9 million pact.

The veteran wing, who’s identified for his prowess as a 3-point shooter, will take a look at free company. He’s declining his $20 million early termination choice with the Warmth, however continues to be seeking to work out a cope with the crew, in response to ESPN. 

June 28

The Thunder are buying and selling guard Jones and a second-round decide to the Wizards, in response to ESPN. The Wizards are additionally sending guard Colby Jones to the Thunder, who will then launch him.

Mitchell intends to signal a two-year, $24 million deal to return to Miami, in response to ESPN. The 26-year-old guard was a vivid spot for Miami after being traded from Toronto as a part of the multi-team deal that despatched Jimmy Butler to Golden State.

Batum is declining his $4.9 million participant choice for the 2025-26 season to turn out to be a free agent, in response to ESPN, though there stays curiosity in a brand new deal between the veteran ahead and the Clippers.

Merrill will signal a four-year, $38-million contract to remain in Cleveland, in response to ESPN. The 28-year-old averaged 7.2 factors per sport on 40.6% capturing from the sector, together with 37.2% from distance, in 71 appearances final season.

Kuminga is anticipated to turn out to be a restricted free agent after the Warriors provided him a $7.9 million qualifying provide, in response to ESPN. The Warriors have the suitable to match any provide and might discover sign-and-trade choices as effectively. Kuminga fell out and in of the rotation for Steve Kerr final season after the commerce for Butler, however the Warriors nonetheless think about him a precedence signing this offseason. 

June 27

T-wolves intend to signal Naz Reid to new deal

All indicators pointed in direction of Reid declining his $15 million participant choice after the 2025 season, however it was unclear if that might result in a summer time of free company or a brand new cope with the Timberwolves. Now, it appears the latter is extra possible. Reid intends to signal a five-year, $125 million deal that might maintain him in Minnesota by the 2030 season. Reid, the NBA Sixth Man of the Yr in 2024, posted career-bests in factors (14.2) and rebounds per sport (6.0) final season. 

Suns, Devin Booker “lively in understanding” report extension

The Suns stay steadfast in constructing round guard Booker. The ten-year veteran is coming off a 2024-25 season during which he averaged 25.6 factors per sport, his lowest mark since 2018, to go together with a career-high 7.1 assists per sport. Booker has three years remaining on a four-year, $220 million contract he signed previous to final season however is eligible for — and reportedly working towards — a report extension, which might tack on a further two years at $150 million ($75 million AAV) and maintain him underneath contract in Phoenix by the 2031 season. 

As a substitute of heading into the free-agent market, Drummond will make $5 million for the ultimate 12 months of a two-year contract he signed previous to the 2024-25 season with the 76ers. The 2-time All-Star averaged 7.3 factors and seven.8 rebounds throughout his thirteenth NBA season final 12 months.

Raptors half methods with president Masai Ujiri

Ujiri grew to become Toronto’s government vp and basic supervisor in 2013 and was the architect of the crew’s 2019 NBA Finals triumph, the crew’s lone championship. The Raptors are coming off a 30-52 season and have not received a playoff collection because the 2019-20 NBA season.

June 26

Reaves turned down a four-year, $89.2 million extension provide from the Lakers, in response to The Athletic. This was the utmost provide that the Lakers might make to Reaves, who signed a four-year, $53.8 million contract with the Lakers in 2023; Reaves is getting into the third season of that deal, which features a $14.9 million participant choice for the 2026-27 season. Final season, Reaves averaged a career-high 20.2 factors, 5.8 assists and 1.1 steals per sport, whereas capturing 46.0/37.7/87.7. The Lakers went 50-32 and claimed the No. 3 seed within the Western Convention earlier than dropping to the Timberwolves in 5 video games within the first spherical of the playoffs.

June 25

Knicks interviewing James Borrego

New York is interviewing Borrego, the previous head coach of the Charlotte Hornets and a present assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, for its head-coaching emptiness, in response to ESPN. Throughout Borrego’s 4 seasons as its head coach (2018-19 season to 2021-22 season), Charlotte went a mixed 148-183. He has been a part of head coach Willie Inexperienced’s teaching workers in New Orleans the previous two seasons. Borrego is the fourth one that has interviewed with the Knicks, with former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown, former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins and Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori being the opposite three.

John Collins opts into participant choice with Jazz

Collins has opted into his participant choice for the 2025-26 season as an alternative of testing free company. The veteran ahead averaged 19 factors per sport and eight.2 rebounds all through his eighth season. He might have commanded a line of suitors on the open market, however it’s attainable no crew would have provided him greater than the $26.58 million he is set to make by remaining with the Jazz. 

Fred VanVleet, Rockets comply with new deal

Houston is signing VanVleet to a two-year, $50 million deal, in response to ESPN. VanVleet had a $44.9 million crew choice within the remaining 12 months of his three-year, $128.5 million deal for subsequent season, which Houston was set to say no. The 31-year-old averaged 14.1 factors, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per sport, whereas capturing 37.8/34.5/81.0 final season. 

June 24

Pelicans, Wizards make four-player commerce

New Orleans is buying and selling CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round decide to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft, in response to ESPN. McCollum is getting into the ultimate season of a two-year, $64 million deal, whereas Poole is getting into the third season of a four-year, $128 million deal. The Wizards and Pelicans every missed the playoffs final season.

June 23

Daniel Gafford intends to signal extension with Mavericks

The middle, who’s set to enter his seventh season, has one 12 months remaining on a three-year, $40.1 million deal that he signed in 2023. Gafford’s subsequent deal is anticipated to be one other three-year extension, price $60 million, that might run by the 2028-29 season. It will be a lift in pay for Gafford after a career-best season during which he averaged 12.3 factors per sport and 6.8 rebounds. 

Middleton has picked up his $33.3 million participant choice with the Wizards for the 2025-26 season, in response to ESPN. The three-time NBA All-Star was traded to Washington forward of the NBA commerce deadline by the Bucks. The 33-year-old has been coping with ankle accidents and solely made 37 appearances final season for each groups. Middleton helped the Bucks win the 2019 NBA Finals. 

June 22

Durant will be part of the Rockets in a blockbuster commerce that can see him go away the Suns, in response to ESPN. In return, the Suns will reportedly obtain veteran guards Jalen Inexperienced and Dillon Brooks. They will additionally obtain six draft picks, together with the No. 10 general decide within the 2025 NBA Draft. The opposite 5 picks are second-round choices. Durant, who will probably be 37 firstly of subsequent season, is getting into the ultimate season of a four-year, $194.2 million deal.

June 19

Rockets lengthen head coach Ime Udoka

Houston signed Udoka to a “long-term” extension that makes him one of many highest-paid head coaches within the NBA, in response to ESPN. Earlier this month, the Rockets denied the Knicks permission to talk with Udoka about their head-coaching emptiness after they fired Tom Thibodeau. In Udoka’s second season as head coach, the Rockets went 52-30, claiming the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention earlier than dropping to the Warriors within the first spherical of the playoffs. Houston is a mixed 93-71 underneath Udoka, who was beforehand the top coach of the Celtics within the 2021-22 NBA season, with Boston reaching the NBA Finals.

June 15

The Magic have acquired Bane from the Grizzlies for guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, together with 4 unprotected first-round picks and a first-round decide swap, ESPN reported. The picks Memphis is receiving are the No. 16 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft, the Suns’ 2026 first-round decide in 2026, Orlando’s 2028 unprotected first-round decide and Orlando’s 2030 first-round decide. The decide swap is a evenly protected first-round decide in 2029, in response to ESPN. Bane, who’ll flip 27 later in June, has been an enormous motive why the Grizzlies have made the playoffs in three of the final 4 seasons. The 2020 first-round decide has averaged 20.2 factors per sport in that stretch, together with 19.2 factors per sport this previous season. He is additionally been among the many sport’s high 3-point shooters over that point, making 40.7% of his makes an attempt from deep because the begin of the 2021-22 season.

June 14

Houston signed Adams to a three-year, $39 million extension, ESPN reported. Adams, who will probably be 32 firstly of subsequent season, averaged 3.9 factors and 5.6 rebounds per sport this 12 months in his first wholesome season with the Rockets.

June 13

Russell Westbrook to say no choice, turn out to be free agent

Westbrook will decline his $3.4 million participant choice with the Nuggets for the 2025-2026 season, per ESPN. Westbrook is recovering from hand surgical procedure to restore a number of fractures sustained in the course of the season, however prior to now these kinds of accidents have value him 14 and 12 video games in a season, respectively, so the expectation is that he’d be able to go effectively earlier than coaching camp within the fall. The veteran guard averaged 13.3 factors and 6.1 assists whereas capturing almost 52% on 2-point makes an attempt in 75 video games for the Nuggets.

June 12

Spurs, 76ers discussing first-round decide swap

Per a number of studies, Philadelphia has mentioned transferring up within the draft from No. 3 to No. 2 with San Antonio. The Spurs have already got a full backcourt — which is the place the presumed second-overall choice, Rutgers’ Dylan Harper, would find yourself — whereas the Sixers wish to add to their very own backcourt that already contains Tyrese Maxey. Whether or not the Spurs would really search for a deal that might internet them some further draft belongings to make up for the hole between the second and third picks is unknown, however the two groups have at the very least mentioned the swap.

June 11

Warmth and Tyler Herro working towards extension

The Warmth and Herro appear to be on the identical web page as the 2 sides work towards an extension. Herro is getting into the penultimate 12 months of his prior deal, during which he is set to be paid $31 million in 2025-26 and $33 million in 2026-27. The extension he and the Warmth are eyeing is reportedly a three-year deal, price $149.7 million ($49.9 million AAV). The potential increase is warranted for Herro, who’s coming off a 2024-25 season during which he posted career-bests in factors (23.9 per sport) and assists (5.5) and earned his first All-Star nod.

June 2

Raptors eyeing offseason shake-up — is Giannis Antetokounmpo on the desk?

After three consecutive playoff-less seasons, Toronto is seeking to make adjustments and will reportedly attempt to purchase a “huge fish” this offseason. Getting Antetokounmpo can be like reeling in an ideal white shark. Toronto has gathered gamers with the salaries wanted to construct a package deal for a transfer like this — buying and selling for and lengthening Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Realistically, if Antetokounmpo is on the desk, no one needs to be off limits for Toronto, together with younger star Scottie Barnes. It will make sense for Antetokounmpo, too, as a result of, whereas he hasn’t formally requested to be traded away from Milwaukee, he is expressed a need to remain in a a lot weaker Japanese Convention. In accordance with an ESPN report from Could, the two-time MVP stated he is “open-minded about exploring whether or not his finest long-term match is remaining in Milwaukee or taking part in elsewhere.”

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