Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The hottest topic out of New York Knicks training camp does not have to do with rings. It’s not about a starting five transforming from clunky to harmonic, emerging stardom or the wreckage the defending champs left behind them during one of the most dominant playoff runs in NBA history. Instead, it’s about contracts. Four Knicks — Towns, Miles McBride, Hart and Kolek — are eligible for extensions. Hart said Monday he does not expect one to get done. McBride is not close to receiving one, league sources told The Athletic. Kolek is lower on the list of priorities. And then there’s Towns, the six-time All-Star who threw the team over his back and hauled them to the finish line throughout parts of the 2026 postseason.

New York Times

[HoosierDaddyKid]

According to league sources, who were granted anonymity to speak candidly about the negotiations, the Pistons owner spent Duren’s decision day sending a meaningful message that played a pivotal part in his decision. After all the acrimony of the past four-plus months — from the Detroit offers that Duren deemed well below his market value to the short-lived weight clause that only made matters worse to the puzzling lack of communication with president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon along the way — Gores made a promise to Duren and his family that he would help provide a more positive Pistons experience.

New York Times

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Not a good sign for Dalton Knecht, whom multiple rival executives expect to be the odd man out as the Lakers look to trim their roster from 16 players on standard NBA deals to the league maximum of 15. “First of all, he’s been a pro,” Redick said of Knecht on Thursday. “He’s been in the gym. As he has since Day 1, he has worked his butt off all offseasons. And he’s had a good three days of practice. So, I don’t think his approach changes. I know he’s hungry to play and hungry to earn a spot in the rotation.”

New York Post

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: "There was clearly a rift that formed between the player and the team in this situation. That is what we saw in free agency; the business can bring out the best in these two sides. Now you move forward, and you try to mend the relationship; you rehab where you are at. And that process started today when Jalen Duren reported to the Pistons facility for his medical exam and started the process of reintegrating himself within the team. Over the weekend, Jalen Duren actually showed up to one of the only unofficial Pistons events that have occurred that he showed up to this offseason, that was Cade Cunningham's birthday party in Los Angeles. And he also met face-to-face with owner Tom Gores on Sunday, discussing his restricted free agency, how he felt about it, and how he wants to move forward." JB Bickerstaff on Jalen Duren: “It is negotiation, it is business, but there has never been any bitterness between the group and how we feel about him, and I know how he feels about us." The Detroit Pistons signed Jalen Duren to a 5-year, $200 million deal, which declines for the 2027-28 season and then rises every season afterwards. 2026-27: $40.16 million; 2027-28: $36.95 million; 2028-29: $38.96 million; 2029-30: $40.96 million; 2030-31: $42.97 million

[HoosierDaddyKid]

For the first four games — including Monday against the 76ers in Philadelphia — that probably means a heavier dose of the reserves. It’s also the best opportunity to evaluate the final roster spot. Per sources, the Knicks are prioritizing a center. That was reiterated when the Knicks brought in Tony Bradley, a 6-foot-11 veteran, to battle James Wiseman and Drew Eubanks.

New York Post

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: The Memphis Grizzlies and guard Jordan Hawkins have mutually agreed to part ways, allowing the 2023 lottery pick to find a new home in free agency once he clears waivers, sources tell ESPN.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

It seems unlikely at this point that the Knicks will agree to extensions with Towns, Josh Hart, or Miles McBride before the regular season. There is clearly a gap between what the Knicks are offering Towns and what he’s looking for. "Once the season starts (and if no extension is reached), I’ll probably have that mentality of 'I don’t really wanna deal with this, I want to try and focus on playing the season.' (But) I’m sure there will probably be a little extra weight to the jersey," Hart said this week. "You don’t know the certainty of your situation, and obviously it affects home life. There are certain things that you might want to do, but you’re like, ‘I can’t, because I have no idea what the situation will be in two months, three months, four months, in a year, if I’m going to be here or not.’ You don’t know. But hopefully, as I said, I’m a Knick, I’d love to be a Knick, and I love the city."

SportsNet New York

[MavsDay1Fan]

If you believe in De Larrea, the guard lineup is a bit more appetizing than what first looks may show. 

Sasser is also a wildcard. He was/is a bench player, but theoretically could be due for a breakout if given the chance. That's the best case scenario though.

I'm very much still interested in finding a long term solution at guard, but with Kyrie's size, its hard to find that. I think Garland from LAC is interesting, but I highly doubt the Clippers want to sell off their players after their latest debacle.

Would you be interested in a Irving, Sasser, and Biberovic for Suggs and Black trade? I am not in a hurry to move Kyrie but getting Black would help long term and Suggs has a contract that is more than he should be getting he is still a good two way player that could be here for the future. Orlando seems to be in a contract situation and in need of a change. Not sure the trade is even in anyone's eyes but i think it would give the Mavs a back court group for the future IMO

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: Philadelphia 76ers 7-footer Ariel Hukporti has sustained a season-ending ruptured right Achilles tendon; sources tell ESPN. Hukporti will undergo surgery later today, per sources.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Chicago Bulls: OFFICIAL: We have signed G Jordan Hawkins to a Two-Way contract. 2-way contract Jordan Hawkins will wear No. 15 for the #Bulls. Number last worn by Julian Phillips in 2026. #NBA Chicago was one of 8 teams with an open Two-Way spot. Hawkins reduced his salary with Memphis from $7M to $6.3M. The $678,882 in salary was recouped in the Two-Way with Chicago.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: LA Clippers guard Max Strus suffered a partial tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot during Sunday's preseason game and will be reevaluated in four weeks, sources tell ESPN.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: "This is a growing cloud around the New York Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns has made it clear to the Knicks that he is willing to take a considerable discount on his contract extension coming up, just like his teammates have, such as Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, as well as Jalen Brunson. But right now, the Knicks want him to take a substantial pay cut, what he believes to be an extreme discount on his deal. Sources tell me the Knicks are offering Towns a four-year, approximately $200 million contract extension. That is $76 million less than his max."

YouTube

[michaeltex]

Shams Charania: "This is a growing cloud around the New York Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns has made it clear to the Knicks that he is willing to take a considerable discount on his contract extension coming up, just like his teammates have, such as Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, as well as Jalen Brunson. But right now, the Knicks want him to take a substantial pay cut, what he believes to be an extreme discount on his deal. Sources tell me the Knicks are offering Towns a four-year, approximately $200 million contract extension. That is $76 million less than his max."

YouTube

$50M/year would still make him the highest paid Knick, as of today. But he's scheduled to make $57M this season and $61M next season (on a PO). That's a pretty big haircut (to me anyway) for a guy that will be only 32 and is a key factor in the team's success.

But you can see the issues building because both OG and Jalen are up for extensions next season. You have to wonder how many "team friendly" contracts are these star players willing to take.

Maybe they should take the Cuban approach of selling off most of their championship team for dry powder...

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Milwaukee Bucks: Welcome, Johni Broome!

x.com

[DallasMaverick]

What’s to keep New York from paying Jalen Brunson $30m/year, and his Dad the same?

[michaeltex]

What’s to keep New York from paying Jalen Brunson $30m/year, and his Dad the same?

A. I think that will set off massive alarm bells at NBA HQ. That salary is waaay out of line for even a head coach. Kerr is the highest paid at $17M/yr.

B. Money paid to Rick is not necessarily going to JB. Rick has the initial tax liability and can only move a limited amount to relatives before kicking in other taxes. I don't think it's realistic that there is this "family" pool of money. I'm sure JB's sister would want her cut of the inheritance as well.

[DallasMaverick]

A. I think that will set off massive alarm bells at NBA HQ. That salary is waaay out of line for even a head coach. Kerr is the highest paid at $17M/yr.

B. Money paid to Rick is not necessarily going to JB. Rick has the initial tax liability and can only move a limited amount to relatives before kicking in other taxes. I don't think it's realistic that there is this "family" pool of money. I'm sure JB's sister would want her cut of the inheritance as well.

Are teams required to report salaries of team employees?

I'm just wondering if there were some loopholes that were used with JB. The whole thing smelled fishy.

And of course, Kawhi's creative use of funding outside the salary cap has me suspicious now.

[Mavs2021]

As much as I like Kyrie, I really hope KD/Ime win that power struggle in Houston against the Sengun/Thompson future and Houston goes all-in on the championship. To possibly get a 2027 Nets swap, 2028 Houston pick and Sengun for the next three years on 37M p.a. is a huge win. Our backcourt becomes a temporary mess, but Flagg, Johnson and Sengun on like 60M a year for the next three years gives us so much momentum and flexibility. That would be crazy after the craphole Nico put us in.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Yea, I think the best case scenario for this year is that Kyrie balls out and there are multiple teams looking at him as the missing piece at the trade deadline.

I love how he has turned around his image here in Dallas and been a good dude but hard to envision the best future for this team is with Kyrie sticking around into his age 35, 36, 37 seasons.