Hoops Wire

Tag: NBA Rumors

  • Lakers Looking For Player Who Can Improve Their Point Of Attack Defense

    Lakers Looking For Player Who Can Improve Their Point Of Attack Defense

    The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for a player who can improve their point of attack defense, according to Dan Woike and Joe Vardon of The Athletic. 

    The Lakers can create a roster spot by waiving guard Shake Milton.

    “The Lakers have additional roster work to do. The team can create a roster spot by waiving guard Shake Milton, and team sources have said that improving the team’s point of attack defense is a priority,” Woike and Vardon wrote. 

    The Lakers lost Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets and signed Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia.

    If no other moves are made this offseason, Los Angeles is expected to start Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Ayton next season. 

    The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games despite having Doncic, James and home-court advantage. 

  • Cavaliers Wouldn’t Be Able To Sign LeBron James If He Gets Bought Out By Lakers During Next Season

    Cavaliers Wouldn’t Be Able To Sign LeBron James If He Gets Bought Out By Lakers During Next Season

    Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
    Getty Images

    The Cleveland Cavaliers wouldn’t be able to sign LeBron James if he gets bought out by the Los Angeles Lakers during next season. 

    The Cavaliers can’t trade for James either since the NBA legend makes too much money ($52.6 million). 

    Cleveland can only reunite with James if the Akron native gets bought out by the Lakers this offseason. 

    “As an example, one of the teams regularly linked to James as a possible destination in a hypothetical departure from Los Angeles is his former franchise in Cleveland. Except, because the Cavs have one of the highest payrolls in the league and are over the dreaded second apron, they are barred from trading for James right now because they do not have any players making $52.6 million. Teams over the second apron may not aggregate salaries in trades,” Joe Vardon and Dan Woike of The Athletic wrote. 

    “If James had wanted to rejoin Cleveland, which posted the best record in the Eastern Conference last season and has a deep roster, the easiest way would have been to decline his player option and sign with the Cavs for a fraction of what he makes now. And if the Cavaliers wanted to deal for James, they would first need to get under the second apron by sacrificing players and assets and then would need to sacrifice key pieces in their rotation to match James’ salary.

    “If the Lakers were to buy him out of his contract before the start of training camp, he would be free to sign with the Cavs. But if the Lakers were to buy him out during the regular season, he would be barred from signing with Cleveland because of restrictions on teams above the second apron.”

    James is expected to remain with the Lakers, as the two sides haven’t talked about a trade or buyout. 

    The 40-year-old James will become an unrestricted free agent after next season for the first time since 2018. 

    The leading scorer of all time, James made the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting last season. He remains an elite player despite being the oldest active player in the NBA. 

    The Cavaliers lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. They haven’t advanced past the conference semifinals since 2018.

    James, the best player in Cavaliers franchise history, guided Cleveland to the NBA Finals in 2018. The Cavs’ only championship came in 2016 against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were the leaders of that squad. 

  • Mavericks Not Interested In Gutting Roster To Trade For Lakers’ LeBron James

    Mavericks Not Interested In Gutting Roster To Trade For Lakers’ LeBron James

    The Dallas Mavericks are not interested in gutting their roster to trade for Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, according to Joe Vardon and Dan Woike of The Athletic. 

    James will make $52.6 million next season.

    “One team linked to James — the Dallas Mavericks — does not have interest in gutting its roster to match James’ salary in a trade, a team source told The Athletic,” Vardon and Woike wrote. 

    James has been heavily linked to the Mavericks since the organization has Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Jason Kidd, D’Angelo Russell, Phil Handy and Nico Harrison.

    However, James is expected to begin next season on the Lakers. 

    “In the sections filled with employees from other teams, scouts and executives around the NBA buzzed with speculation about where else James might play, tossing around trade and buyout scenarios that, league and team sources told The Athletic, have never been discussed between James and the Lakers,” Vardon and Woike wrote. 

    “Amid the constant speculation recently about his future, both the Lakers and people close to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer expect that he will be with the organization for training camp once the season begins this fall, league sources told The Athletic.

    “Those same sources said the Lakers have received no indication from James or his representatives that he would request a trade or ask to be bought out of the final year of his contract, which will be his eighth season with the Lakers, the longest consecutive stretch spent with one organization in his career.”

    James finished sixth in MVP voting and made the All-NBA Second Team last season. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 70 games. 

    The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs despite having James and Luka Doncic. 

    Meanwhile, the Mavericks missed the playoffs last season after making the NBA Finals in 2024.

    Dallas, though, has a bright future after drafting Cooper Flagg. 

  • LeBron James Hasn’t Had Buyout Or Trade Discussions With Lakers

    LeBron James Hasn’t Had Buyout Or Trade Discussions With Lakers

    LeBron James hasn’t had buyout or trade discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Joe Vardon and Dan Woike of The Athletic. 

    James is expected to remain with the Lakers. 

    “In the sections filled with employees from other teams, scouts and executives around the NBA buzzed with speculation about where else James might play, tossing around trade and buyout scenarios that, league and team sources told The Athletic, have never been discussed between James and the Lakers,” Vardon and Woike wrote. 

    “Amid the constant speculation recently about his future, both the Lakers and people close to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer expect that he will be with the organization for training camp once the season begins this fall, league sources told The Athletic.

    “Those same sources said the Lakers have received no indication from James or his representatives that he would request a trade or ask to be bought out of the final year of his contract, which will be his eighth season with the Lakers, the longest consecutive stretch spent with one organization in his career.”

    James has been with the Lakers since 2018. He guided the franchise to the 2020 title against the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble. 

    Los Angeles acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks last season. The Lakers traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie to get Doncic, who is only 26 years old. 

    Despite having James and Doncic, Los Angeles lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. 

    James, 40, will make $52.6 million next season in the final year of his contract. He made the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting last season. 

    A future Hall of Famer, James has a no-trade clause in his contract. The Akron native became the leading scorer of all time during the 2022-23 season. 

  • Mavericks Not Pursuing Trade For Lakers’ LeBron James

    Mavericks Not Pursuing Trade For Lakers’ LeBron James

    The Dallas Mavericks are not pursuing a trade for Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, according to Kevin Gray Jr. of DLLS Sports. 

    James has been heavily linked to the Mavericks since he has played with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell before. 

    After James, 40, picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers, his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, issued the following statement to Shams Charania of ESPN:

    “LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.

    “We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

    Ever since Paul released that statement, many people have speculated that James could request a trade from the Lakers this offseason. 

    However, it’s nearly impossible for a contender to trade for James, who will make $52.6 million next season. 

    The leading scorer of all time, James has a no-trade clause in his contract. If he really wants to play for the Mavericks, he can request a trade there and the Lakers would have to send him to Dallas. 

    However, it takes two teams to complete a trade. The Mavericks would have to want to trade for James and it doesn’t appear they are interested in trading for The King. 

    Don’t be surprised if James remains with the Lakers. He’s probably just putting pressure on Rob Pelinka to make the roster around him and Luka Doncic better. 

  • Warriors Expected To Sign Al Horford And De’Anthony Melton

    Warriors Expected To Sign Al Horford And De’Anthony Melton

    The Golden State Warriors are expected to sign Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line. 

    Horford and Melton are still on the open market, but they could sign with the Warriors soon. 

    Horford played for the Boston Celtics last season, while Melton appeared in six games with the Warriors before tearing his left ACL. 

    Golden State traded Melton to the Brooklyn Nets after the ACL injury. 

    Horford played in 60 games for the Celtics last season. The five-time All-Star and 2024 NBA champion averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 42.3% overall, 36.3% from beyond the arc and 89.5% from the foul line. 

    Meanwhile, Melton averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season with Golden State while shooting 40.7% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 62.5% from the free-throw line. 

    The Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in five games after beating the Houston Rockets in the first round in seven games. 

  • Bulls Restricted Free Agent Josh Giddey Looking To Make $30 Million Annually

    Bulls Restricted Free Agent Josh Giddey Looking To Make $30 Million Annually

    Chicago Bulls restricted free agent Josh Giddey is looking to make $30 million annually on his next contract, according to NBA insider Jamal Collier of ESPN. 

    Giddey and the Bulls have had some positive discussions lately. 

    “The stalemate between Giddey and the Bulls continues into another week as the market for restricted free agents remains cold,” Collier wrote. “Giddey was present in Las Vegas and had lunch with Bulls coach Billy Donovan, sources told ESPN, and Bulls executives were scheduled to meet with Giddey’s agent during the week.

    “Multiple sources told ESPN they expect Giddey and the Bulls to eventually come to a contract agreement, and the two sides have had some positive discussions. Yet, Giddey has been seeking a contract for approximately $30 million annually. With little cap space available this summer, Giddey’s options for alternatives outside of Chicago dried up quickly, giving the Bulls leverage to hold off for a more team-friendly deal.”

    The Bulls acquired Giddey from the Oklahoma City Thunder before the start of last season. Chicago traded Alex Caruso, who helped the Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals.

    Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks in his first season with Chicago while shooting 46.5% from the field, 37.8% from beyond the arc and 78.1% from the free-throw line. 

    The Bulls missed the playoffs again last season. They haven’t made the postseason since 2022. 

    Giddey turns 23 in October. He has career averages of 14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Thunder and Bulls. 

    “I think he fits really well here,” Bulls executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas said about Giddey at his end-of-the-season press conference. “And I hope to see him here for the next years to come. I feel really good about Josh and his future here.”

    The Bulls traded Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro. 

  • Read Michael Jordan’s Speech To Jordan Brand Athletes At Board Of Greatness Event In Greece

    Read Michael Jordan’s Speech To Jordan Brand Athletes At Board Of Greatness Event In Greece

    NBA legend Michael Jordan hosted a bunch of Jordan brand athletes at the Board of Greatness Event this past weekend in Greece. 

    Jordan’s speech during the event was transcribed by GreekCityTimes.com.

    “Greece is the homeland of the ancient gods, where legendary heroes were born and the concept of greatness first began,” Jordan said. “At a pivotal moment, when the future of Jordan Brand is being shaped, we took inspiration from this unique country. Just as when you plan the path to greatness, countless hours of perfection are required, this collection was made in Italy, by craftsmen who accept nothing less than perfection as the final result of their work.”

    Jordan won six NBA championships, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, 10 scoring titles, three steals titles and one Defensive Player of the Year Award with the Chicago Bulls. 

    Some notable basketball players in attendance were Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura, Zion Williamson, Carmelo Anthony, Richard Hamilton, Bruce Brown, Bam Adebayo and Paolo Banchero.

    “I am thrilled that the Jordan family is here for this special gathering,” Jordan said. “It is fitting that we are in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and modern sports. We began this event believing it was important for us to come together and set the tone for where Jordan Brand is headed, while upholding our commitment to the Brand’s legacy of excellence. I have always felt that spending time together, face-to-face, helps to strengthen who we are and what Jordan Brand stands for. We are here to celebrate our successes, learn from our failures, and plan for our opportunities.

    “As we close out our 40th anniversary, we look forward to the future. We have reached a significant moment for Jordan Brand, and you, the athletes, play a pivotal role. Your commitment to this Brand, our values, and how we present ourselves matters. You are key to where we go from here, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together. I look forward to a great weekend with all of you.”

    Jordan is first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and playoffs. He averaged 30.1 points in the regular season and 33.4 points in the postseason. 

  • Mavericks New Betting Favorite To Trade For Lakers’ LeBron James

    Mavericks New Betting Favorite To Trade For Lakers’ LeBron James

    There’s a new betting favorite to trade for NBA legend LeBron James. 

    The Dallas Mavericks are favored to land the Los Angeles Lakers superstar. 

    James has connections with the Mavericks. He played with Kyrie Irving on the Cleveland Cavaliers and Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell on the Lakers. 

    Dallas head coach Jason Kidd was an assistant coach on the 2019-20 Los Angeles team. James, Davis and Kidd won the 2020 title against the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble. 

    The Lakers and Mavericks made a blockbuster trade last season, as Dallas traded Luka Doncic to Los Angeles for Davis and Max Christie. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison used to be an exec at Nike, so he and James have a rapport as well. 

    After James, 40, picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers, his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, issued the following statement to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN:

    “LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.

    “We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

    The Lakers are building for the future with Doncic, who is only 26 years old. James, the oldest active player in the NBA, wants to compete for a championship next season. 

    For James to end up in Dallas, he has to request a trade from Los Angeles and tell the Lakers to trade him to the Mavericks.

    LeBron can control his future since he has a no-trade clause in his contract. 

  • Zion Williamson Will Make $39.4 Million Next Season Since Pelicans Didn’t Waive Him Today

    Zion Williamson Will Make $39.4 Million Next Season Since Pelicans Didn’t Waive Him Today

    Zion Williamson, the first pick from the 2019 NBA Draft, will make $39.4 million next season since the New Orleans Pelicans didn’t waive him today (July 15). 

    The Pelicans signed Williamson to a five-year, $197 million extension in 2022. 

    “Based on language in Williamson’s contract, if the Pelicans did not request waivers on or by July 15, 2025, 100% of the Base Compensation would be protected,” Shamit Dua of In The N.O. wrote. “League sources indicate Williamson’s salary will become fully guaranteed for the 2025-26 Season.”

    Williamson appeared in 30 games for the Pelicans last season. He averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 56.7% from the field and 65.6% from the free-throw line. 

    A two-time All-Star, Williamson has career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 214 NBA games. 

    Williamson has played in just 45% of his possible games with the Pelicans since being the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. The lefty has never played in a playoff game. 

    New Pelicans exec Joe Dumars told Rod Walker of Nola.com that he’s not trading Williamson. 

    “I’ve had really good conversations with Zion,” Dumars said. “We’ve had lunch. Dinner. Watched playoff games together. We’ve done it all. I’ve had some real honest conversations with him. Some real direct and honest conversations. We’re going to go forward with Zion. He’s going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.

    “I sent him to the lottery for a reason. I want him to start focusing on the responsibilities of being the best player here and the focal point. There are some responsibilities that come with that. Go represent your organization.”

    The Pelicans won only 21 games last season. They drafted Jeremiah Fears with the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft. 

    New Orleans also traded CJ McCollum to the Washington Wizards for Jordan Poole and signed Kevon Looney. 

  • Lakers ‘Not Interested’ In Trading For Heat’s Andrew Wiggins

    Lakers ‘Not Interested’ In Trading For Heat’s Andrew Wiggins

    The Los Angeles Lakers are “not interested” in trading for Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, according to NBA reporter Dan Woike of The Athletic. 

    There were rumors that the Lakers and Heat discussed a Wiggins trade earlier this offseason, but it looks like those rumors were false. 

    “They’re not interested in Andrew Wiggins,” Woike said on Zach Lowe’s podcast. “I think I can put that to bed. I’m pretty confident in that.”

    Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra pretty much confirmed that Wiggins will be on the team to begin next season while speaking to Miami reporters in Las Vegas at Summer League. 

    The Heat acquired Wiggins from the Golden State Warriors in the Jimmy Butler trade last season. 

    “I think there’s still real opportunity for growth with him as he gets comfortable with us,” Spoelstra said about Wiggins. “He’s already down in Miami right now and will be bringing his family in. He’s going to be here most of August and September, I think just to get more acclimated. And I think that’s really important for him.”

    The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games, while the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Heat in the first round. 

    Wiggins will make $28.2 million next season. He has a player option worth $30.2 million for the 2026-27 season. 

    The first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Wiggins put up 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game with the Warriors and Heat last season while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.4% from beyond the arc and 76.3% from the free-throw line. 

    The 30-year-old Wiggins has played for the Timberwolves, Warriors and Heat. He has career averages of 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. 

    A Kansas product, Wiggins won the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year Award with the Timberwolves and the 2022 championship with the Warriors. He made his lone All-Star team in 2022 with Golden State. 

    The Heat acquired Norman Powell from the Los Angeles Clippers, parting ways with Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson. Miami also lost Duncan Robinson to the Detroit Pistons. 

    Meanwhile, the Lakers lost Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets and signed Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia.

  • Cavaliers Urged To Target Malcolm Brogdon, Doug McDermott, Thomas Bryant

    Cavaliers Urged To Target Malcolm Brogdon, Doug McDermott, Thomas Bryant

    One NBA analyst has urged the Cleveland Cavaliers to target Malcolm Brogdon, Doug McDermott and Thomas Bryant.

    Andy Quach of SI thinks the Cavaliers should target Brogdon, McDermott and Bryant on veteran minimum deals.

    Brogdon played for the Washington Wizards last season. He averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 43.3% from the field, 28.6% from beyond the arc and 88.0% from the free-throw line. 

    Darius Garland is expected to miss the beginning of next season after undergoing toe surgery, so Brogdon could be a good fit for the Cavaliers, who acquired another guard, Lonzo Ball, from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Isaac Okoro.

    McDermott, one of the top shooters in the NBA, played for the Sacramento Kings last season. He averaged only 3.5 points while shooting 43.6% from 3. 

    Finally, Bryant played for the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers last season. The big man averaged 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds with Miami and Indiana while shooting 50.8% from the field and 32.4% from beyond the arc. 

    Bryant helped the Pacers make the 2025 NBA Finals, where Indiana lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. 

    The Cavaliers were the first seed in the East last season. They lost to Bryant and the Pacers in the conference semifinals in five games. 

    Cleveland hasn’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2018. 

  • Jayson Tatum Recruiting Damian Lillard To Celtics

    Jayson Tatum Recruiting Damian Lillard To Celtics

    Jayson Tatum is recruiting Damian Lillard to the Boston Celtics, according to NBA reporter Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. 

    Lillard is an unrestricted free agent after getting waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks. 

    Tatum and Lillard are rehabbing Achilles tears. It’s unknown if either All-Star will play next season. 

    “I just was told that they’re communicating and Tatum is recruiting,” Washburn said on The Garden Report. “I mean, Tatum is the face of the franchise. So yeah, you’re told he’s recruiting. I don’t know if they’re like FaceTiming every day or they’re on Snapchat and sharing videos and you know look at my uh rehab video, I’m swimming. Yeah, I’m swimming. What about you? What are you up to Dame? Like, I don’t know if it’s that deep, but they are communicating.”

    Lillard tore his left Achilles on April 27, while Tatum tore his right Achilles on May 12.

    The Celtics lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in six games. Jrue Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks to save money. 

    Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists for the Bucks last season while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. He’s one of the best point guards in NBA history. 

    A top 75 player of all time, Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Trail Blazers. 

    Lillard has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists with the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He’s fourth in NBA history in 3-point field goals. 

    Tatum appeared in 72 games for the Celtics last season. The small forward averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 45.2% overall, 34.3% from 3 and 81.4% from the foul line.

    A six-time All-Star, Tatum has spent his entire career with the Celtics. He has career averages of 23.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists. The Duke product has made five All-NBA teams. He helped Boston win the 2024 title against the Dallas Mavericks. 

  • Jazz Don’t Intend To Trade Lauri Markkanen

    Jazz Don’t Intend To Trade Lauri Markkanen

    The Utah Jazz don’t intend to trade Lauri Markkanen, according to NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN. 

    The Jazz have been busy this offseason. They traded John Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers and Collin Sexton to the Charlotte Hornets and waived Jordan Clarkson, who signed with the New York Knicks. 

    Utah still views Markkanen as a key player in its future core.

    “The Jazz have parted ways with veterans Jordan Clarkson, John Collins and Collin Sexton this summer, clearing the way for Utah’s collection of young picks to develop and be evaluated during another season that is likely to end with the best possible lottery odds,” MacMahon wrote. “This has prompted a lot of scouts and executives to wonder whether the Jazz would trade 28-year-old Markkanen next, as new president of basketball operations Austin Ainge takes over as the primary decision-maker in the franchise’s rebuild.

    “That is not Utah’s intention, sources told ESPN. It would be too much to describe Markkanen as untouchable, but the Jazz still project the All-Star forward as a key player in their future core.”

    Markkanen played in 47 games for the Jazz last season. He averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks while shooting 42.3% from the field, 34.6% from beyond the arc and 87.6% from the free-throw line. 

    A one-time NBA All-Star, Markkanen will make $46.4 million next season. He has played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz, compiling career averages of 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks. 

    The 28-year-old Markkanen won the 2023 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with the Jazz, who had the worst record in the West last season.

    Utah drafted Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. 

    “Utah listened to offers for Markkanen last summer, but none of the talks with other teams ever came close to tempting CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik to make a trade,” MacMahon wrote. “The Jazz ultimately awarded Markkanen a five-year, $238 million maximum renegotiation and extension, allowing him to sign the deal last Aug. 7 and making him ineligible to be traded before last season’s deadline.”