NBA notebook: Cavs reportedly retain Donovan Mitchell
Wed Jul 3 1:01am ET
Field Level Media
Donovan Mitchell plans to sign a three-year, $150.3 million maximum-level contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to multiple media reports on Tuesday.
Mitchell's deal includes a player option for the third year (2027-28), providing the All-Star guard the potential to return to free agency when he's eligible for a five-year, $380 million extension.
Either way, Mitchell has the framework of a four-year contract -- including the final year of his previous deal -- worth $185 million. He confirmed he's staying with the Cavs in a social media post early Tuesday.
Mitchell, 27, averaged 26.6 points and a career-best 6.1 assists per game in 2023-24 but was limited to 55 regular-season games. He starred in the postseason before sustaining a groin injury.
--Four-time NBA All-Star point guard Kemba Walker announced his retirement, thanking basketball for the "amazing journey."
Walker was selected Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 NCAA Tournament won by UConn in 2011, months before Charlotte selected him with the No. 9 overall pick of the NBA draft.
He played eight seasons in Charlotte and subsequently played for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. Walker, 34, ends his NBA career with averages of 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists in 750 games (697 starts).
--Stephen Curry shared a public goodbye to "Splash Brothers" partner Klay Thompson, who is headed from the Golden State Warriors to the Dallas Mavericks in a reported sign-and-trade.
Curry posted a lengthy series of photos to his Instagram story, all of them featuring Thompson, his longtime backcourt mate with whom he won four NBA championships. The story concluded with a nod to the success of the unmatched shooting duo.
"Gonna miss you @klaythompson," Curry wrote on Instagram. "Even though we won't finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again. Couldn't have imagined a better run with you and (Draymond Green)."
--The Warriors will acquire forward Kyle Anderson from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a sign-and-trade agreement, according to multiple media reports.
The Warriors reportedly are giving Anderson a three-year, $27 million contract and sending the Wolves cash and a future second-round pick swap.
Anderson, 30, put up 6.4 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game in 79 appearances (10 starts) last season for Minnesota. He has career averages of 6.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 653 games (304 starts).
--With LeBron James expected back for his 22nd season, the Los Angeles Lakers are breaking NBA norms by guaranteeing the rookie contract for second-round draft pick Bronny James.
Bronny James, LeBron's son who was drafted 55th overall, and first-round pick Dalton Knecht were introduced by the Lakers on Tuesday.
"Everything's just been surreal," Bronny James said at a press conference. "Just trying to take it all in by the days. ... I've been extremely excited to get to work."
--The Orlando Magic are bringing back center Moritz Wagner on a two-year, $22 million contract, ESPN reported.
The Magic had declined Wagner's $8 million team option, making him a free agent last weekend. Wagner, 27, has been teammates for three seasons in Orlando with his 22-year-old brother, forward Franz Wagner.
Moritz Wagner played in 80 games (one start) last season and averaged 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 17.7 minutes.
In six seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2018-19), Washington Wizards (2019-21), Boston Celtics (2021) and Magic (2021-present), Wagner is averaging 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 333 games (56 starts).
--The Indiana Pacers are signing former No. 2 overall draft pick James Wiseman to a two-year contract, ESPN reported.
The 23-year-old free agent center averaged 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 17.3 minutes in 63 games (six starts) last season with the Detroit Pistons.
Wiseman has career averages of 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 147 games (55 starts) with the Golden State Warriors (2020-23) and Pistons.
- Paul George: Clippers' initial offer was 'disrespectful'
- Heat re-sign F Haywood Highsmith to $11M deal
- Pelicans signing C Daniel Theis to 1-year deal
- Joel Embiid calls new Big 3 in Philly 'amazing'
- Bronny James (knee) to miss Lakers' summer league game
- Kevin Durant misses start of Team USA camp with calf strain
- LeBron James signs below max deal to aid Lakers' cap
- Timberwolves G Jaylen Clark cleared to play after missing last season
- Lakers' Bronny James readies for second pro game
- G/F DeMar DeRozan set to join Kings
- Heat C Bam Adebayo receives long-term extension
- Wizards acquire C Jonas Valanciunas from Pelicans
- Miles Bridges to stay with Hornets on 3-year deal
- Luka Doncic, Slovenia won't advance to Paris Olympics
- Hawks sign No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher
- Thunder sign C Isaiah Hartenstein to multi-year contract
- F Caleb Martin, 76ers agree to 4-year deal
- Pistons sign G Malik Beasley to 1-year contract
- Magic lock up Franz Wagner on max rookie extension
- Clippers bringing back C/F Kai Jones
Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey made a good first impression as an NBA player on Monday in a Summer League clash with the Utah Jazz. Squaring off against a strong Jazz frontcourt, which included Walker Kessler, the ninth pick of this year's draft registered a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double with a pair of blocks in a 97-95 overtime loss. Edey sent the game into the extra frame with a dramatic tip-in at the buzzer and finished with 7-for-11 shooting from the field. The seven-foot-four giant will get a new opportunity to impress on Tuesday versus Philadelphia.
The Toronto Raptors are unlikely to agree on a new contract with Gary Trent Jr. TSN's Josh Lewenberg has reported that Trent Jr.'s camp has been looking for a raise from last year's $18.5 million, but the Raptors were only willing to offer around $15 million per year when free agency opened. According to Lewenberg, that offer is off the table now, and Trent Jr.'s return to Toronto is "increasingly unlikely." The 25-year-old isn't expected to receive the money he is after elsewhere either, with an unnamed league insider telling Lewenberg that Trent Jr. would be "lucky" to get the mid-level exception, valued at $12.5 million. Trent Jr. averaged 13.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 28.1 minutes with the Raptors last season.
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler is expected to fetch a first-round draft pick on the trade market. "The Knicks had been in touch with Utah, had had some interest in Walker Kessler, the big man, as a potential solution for, at the backup five," said SNY's Ian Begley on Monday. "But teams in touch with Utah say the Jazz are looking for at least a first-round pick in return for Kessler in these conversations that have gone on earlier in the offseason." Kessler would be a solid replacement for Isaiah Hartenstein in New York, but his fantasy value would be limited if he's only going to fill a backup position.
Los Angeles Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook continues to draw interest from the Denver Nuggets, with a potential deal likely. According to Harrison Wind of DNVR, the Nuggets are "on track" to add the former MVP to the roster. Westbrook has freshly opted into the last year of his contract that will pay him around $4 million next season. However, his future in Los Angeles is in doubt, and his admirers in Denver reportedly include Nuggets leader Nikola Jokic. Westbrook's fantasy value is far from what it used to be during his prime, but he can still rack up stats in a hurry if given enough minutes.
Free-agent forward Haywood Highsmith agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract to remain with the Miami Heat. The 27-year-old has spent the last three seasons in Miami, most recently finishing the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 6.1 points and 39.6% shooting from deep. Although he didn't always see minutes last season, he at least drew 26 starts. Haywood's situation likely won't change in 2024-25. While that won't make him an attractive fantasy asset in most drafts, he has plenty of streaming potential, considering Jimmy Butler has had issues staying on the floor.
Free-agent center Daniel Theis agreed to a one-year deal with the Pelicans on Monday. The 32-year-old is best known for his time with the Celtics. However, he's also suited up for the Bulls, Rockets, and Pacers before appearing in 59 games for the Clippers in 2023-24, where he averaged 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds. Theis will likely operate as the backup behind rookie Yves Missi, who the Pelicans drafted with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. But if Missi goes down with an injury, Theis could spend some time with the starting lineup, ultimately improving his fantasy value.
French veteran Evan Fournier finds himself going to the Paris Olympics as a free agent, but he could be back in the NBA for next season. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Fournier is expected to generate interest among "some" NBA teams. Fournier became a free agent after the Detroit Pistons declined a $19 million team option on his contract. He is also expected to draw interest from EuroLeague teams. Fournier has been an afterthought in the NBA in recent seasons, making only 59 appearances across two campaigns, but he's been a capable scorer in the league and could re-ignite his career if he lands in a good situation.
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Malik Monk wants to become a starter next season. The 26-year-old was one of the most prolific bench players in the league in 2023-24, averaging a career-high 15.4 points. He has re-signed with the Kings for four years, $78 million. A starter's role would boost Monk's fantasy value, although he has still seen plenty of action as a reserve and logged 28 minutes per game last season. Monk has also proven that he's more than a scorer after posting a career-high 5.1 assists in 2023-24.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Luka Garza will return to the team on a two-year deal. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, it's a $4.51 million contract for Garza, which includes a team option for the second year. After making his NBA debut with the Pistons in 2021-22, Garza has spent the past two campaigns in Minnesota. In 53 appearances with the team, he has averaged 5.3 points and 1.8 rebounds across 6.9 minutes. The former Iowa standout has dominated in the G League with a career average of 29.9 points, but he sees very little action with the Timberwolves, and the situation will likely remain the same in 2024-25.
Washington Wizards guard Landry Shamet has become a free agent after the team declined a $11 million option on his contract. Shamet spent only one season in Washington, averaging 7.1 points in 15.8 minutes. As a three-point specialist, Shamet should receive interest on the open market, although he will definitely have to settle for much less money than the team option he had on his old deal. Shamet has been a 38.4 percent career shooter from deep, averaging 8.7 points across 348 games.
Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta has inked a three-year extension with the team. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the contract is worth $7.18 million, which is fully guaranteed in Year 1. The deal comes with a partially guaranteed Year 2 and a team option for Year 3. Queta has spent three seasons in the NBA. The Portugal native, who will turn 25 this week, made 28 appearances for the Celtics in 2023-24, posting 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 11.9 minutes. Queta has shown some promise, but he will likely continue to struggle to log meaningful minutes for Boston, leaving him with no fantasy value.
Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware finished with a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double in Sunday's 102-86 California Classic victory over the Sacramento Kings. The 2024 No. 15 overall pick had 12 points, six rebounds, and five blocks in the loss to the Warriors on Saturday. While he wasn't as impactful on the defensive end on Sunday, he still led his team to a win. With that said, the former Indiana Hoosier continues to make a positive impression. While Ware is undersized, he has a chance to carve out a role behind Bam Adebayo heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) has been "ramping up" his activity level ahead of the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The veteran missed most of the postseason due to knee inflammation. However, it appears he's moving in the right direction, recently appearing in a scrimmage for Team USA and draining four three-point shots. Leonard stayed relatively healthy during the 2023-24 campaign, appearing in 68 games. He was also as productive as ever, averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting 41.7% from behind the arc. Without question, injuries continue to impact his fantasy value negatively. But if Leonard can stay on the floor for most of the 2024-25 campaign, he has top-10 fantasy upside.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (knee) didn't suit up for Sunday's California Classic Summer League loss to the Golden State Warriors. The 19-year-old, drafted No. 55 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, made his unofficial NBA debut on Friday versus Sacramento. However, he struggled, scoring just four points while shooting 2-for-9 from the field. Fortunately, James is only dealing with "trace swelling" in his left knee, so he was held out for precautionary reasons. He's expected to return to the lineup for the Lakers California Classic finale against the Miami Heat.
The Hornets waived forward/center Aleksej Pokusevski on Saturday. The 2020 No. 17 overall pick out of Serbia played in OKC for just over three seasons. However, after getting cut by the Thunder early in 2023-24, he signed with Charlotte, where he averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Without question, Pokusevski has talent. But injuries have prevented him from reaching his potential. If Pokusevski signs with a new team and stays on the floor, he may gain deep-league fantasy value in 2024-25. For now, his fantasy ceiling can't get any lower.
The Hornets released forward Davis Bertans. The 2011 No. 42 overall pick began the 2023-24 campaign with OKC before getting traded to Charlotte. In 28 games with the Hornets, he averaged 8.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and shot 37.5% from deep. Without question, Bertans has plenty of experience and will add depth to any club around the National Basketball Association, meaning there's a good chance a team will sign him. However, he isn't relevant from a fantasy standpoint, and that's not expected to change anytime soon, even if he lands somewhere for the 2024-25 season.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (calf) will miss the start of Team USA training camp. The veteran is dealing with a calf strain, although Team USA head coach Steve Kerr indicated that the injury is "not bad." Durant finished last season by averaging 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 blocks. He also appeared in 75 games, his most since the 2018-19 campaign, and shot 41.3% from deep. Of course, fantasy managers will want to monitor the ailment in case it becomes something more heading into the regular season.
Free-agent forward Simone Fontecchio agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract to return to the Pistons. The 28-year-old began last season in Utah before being traded to Detroit. In 66 games with both teams, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. With the Pistons in a rebuilding stage, anyone on the roster has a chance to earn minutes in 2024-25, meaning Fontecchio could turn himself into a viable fantasy commodity.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, free-agent forward Miles Bridges agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets. He was a coveted name on the open market. However, the Hornets will retain a player who averaged 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 2023-24. While Charlotte is a long way away from being a bona fide postseason team, Bridges is expected to be an All-Star-caliber performer for many years to come.
The Dallas Mavericks officially traded forward Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the deal for superstar Klay Thompson. The 23-year-old spent the last four seasons in Dallas, averaging 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He hasn't appeared in more than 67 games in a season since entering the league. However, the Hornets are rebuilding, meaning Green may carve out a meaningful role in Charlotte. There's also a chance he could be a routine starter for the club.