The 2020 NBA free-agent class won’t have the star power of last year’s — when nearly half the league became available — but plenty of big names are set to hit the market. Even more could be offered in trade talks.
Will back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sign a five-year extension with the Milwaukee Bucks? What is the market for Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet? Is Anthony Davis a lock to return to the champion Los Angeles Lakers?
Keep it here for the latest news, buzz and analysis throughout the free agency and trade season.
MORE: Trade Machine | Full FA list | More on free agency/trades
11:43 a.m. ET: Houston Rockets All-Stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook have expressed concern about the direction of the franchise in the wake of the departures of head coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon. Neither former MVP has requested a trade from Houston at this point.
8:30 p.m. ET: The Phoenix Suns have had discussions about acquiring Chris Paul from the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources told ESPN. Talks have been ongoing and continued to gather traction but there is no deal imminent. The Thunder have given star players like Paul George and Russell Westbrook input on trade destinations in the past and have shown an openness to work with Paul on a trade now, sources said.
1:27 p.m. ET: Former Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is finalizing a deal to become the Philadelphia 76ers‘ new president of basketball operations, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. A formal announcement is expected as soon as this week.
6:55 p.m. ET: Miami Heat president Pat Riley said Friday that the team’s goal this offseason is to “take care of the players that we have.” That list includes free agents Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder, Meyers Leonard and Derrick Jones Jr. Miami also wants to remain flexible ahead of a 2021 free-agent class that could include superstars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
All-Star Bam Adebayo is also extension-eligible as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.
“Once we get all the numbers and we get everything down, we get the schedule, we know when the dates are, and what the rules are in everything, once we get all of that, we’re going to remain fluid,” Riley said. “And whatever presents itself to us, we’ll look at it.”
3 p.m. ET: During the introduction of new Indiana Pacers coach Nate Bjorkgren, team president Kevin Pritchard discussed the biggest offseason question remaining for the franchise: the future of two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo, who can become an unrestricted free agent after next season.
“[Oladipo] feels good about the team. He’s talked to me about how he thinks this team can be very good,” Pritchard said. “We hear a lot of things, but until it comes to me, I don’t really worry about that.”
Oladipo is entering the final year of four-year, $85 million deal.
11:34 a.m. ET: The Minnesota Timberwolves, who don’t yet see a clear choice for their No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, are closely evaluating all situations, including trade scenarios, before coming up with a set plan on draft night, ESPN’s Eric Woodyard reports.
“For us, we typically study the draft from 1 to whatever number we feel like is a draftable player,” Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas said. “And we’ll evaluate those guys for trade scenarios, trade back, trade out, for undrafted free-agent opportunities, for minor league opportunities, so we really beat up the draft board as much as can all the way up until the draft.”
Minnesota also holds the 17th and 33rd picks in the Nov. 18 draft.
MORE: Everything to know for the 2020 draft
2:18 a.m. ET: Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ title-clinching win over the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Anthony Davis addressed his impending free agency.
“I had a great time in L.A. this first year. This has been nothing but joy, nothing but amazement. Over the next couple of months, we’ll figure it out. I mean, I’m not 100 percent sure, but that’s why my agent [Rich Paul] is who he is, and we’ll discuss it and figure it out,” Davis said.
Davis is expected to opt out of his $28.8 million contract for 2020-21 and could receive $32.7 million next season if the salary cap stays at $109.1 million, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Who are the top players available this offseason? Kevin Pelton ranks the best by statistical projections.
With the trade market to reopen soon, NBA Insider Kevin Pelton examines what’s next for Brooklyn, Golden State, Oklahoma City and Philadelphia.
NBA Front Office Insider Bobby Marks runs though all 30 teams with breakdowns on big-picture priorities, draft assets, potential moves, cap-space possibilities and team needs.
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