It's off-season for some of yall right now anyway.

The Hornets and Kings have discussed a trade centered around Domantas Sabonis, per @sam_amick

“Per league sources, Sacramento and Charlotte have had recent talks about Kings big man Domantas Sabonis. While a deal is not imminent and appears unlikely before the June 23 draft,… pic.twitter.com/M0rMGfoncL

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 10, 2026

Sabonis to the Hornets is interesting. I wouldn't really want him, but only two years left on his deal. The shooting around him with Kon and Miller would certainly help.

You understand this stuff a lot better than I do. Isn't this FA season supposed to be pretty dull due to most teams' cap space and trade restrictions? I can't remember where I read that there aren't expected to be many big moves.
Always appreciate your insight.

Yeah, but I think a lot of trades will happen.

Teams are not spending into the aprons anymore. OKC is going to have to cut a ton of salary (like $50M!) to get out of the aprons.

Teams (like the Mavs) have big trade exceptions.

Also you can trade a player into your mid-level exception instead of signing a FA. This will create a trade exception for the other team.

So like if Giannis is traded, Milwaukee doesnt' have any use for Bobby Portis. His salary is less than the MLE. The Spurs could trade a 2nd round pick or two for Portis and the Bucks would receive a trade exception in the amount of Portis' salary. Don't have to match salary in that case.

The actual FA class really sucks this year. But I expect a lot of trades. Some teams trying to get better (Brooklyn doesn't own its own pick next year) some trying to cut salary (OKC) some just because the teams have no rudder (Sacramento)

That's a move that makes all teams involved somehow worse. Sabonis' defensive liabilities are hard to mask, he also costs $45 mil/yr with two years left on his contract. The best situation might be pairing him with a legitimate rim protector, although even then he'd get terribly exposed on the perimeter. Diabate is a phenomenal defender, but he is limited as a rim protector. Obviously that Hornets team would be fun to watch, but they'd be giving up 130 pts/gm.

I think he kind of needs to be paired with a theoretical Brook Lopez or Myles Turner - D&3 rim protector, but at the same time, Sabonis can't defend on the perimeter at all so he is just always going to be cooked on any team and any rotation around him.

He is just a rough player to build around. Not who I would want on that team. They need to be able to grab Morez Johnson or Yaxel at PF in this draft. MAYBE Steinbach.

It would have been interesting had the Spurs traded for him instead of Fox because him by Wemby would have been a very good pairing (pretty much anyone by Wemby would work out well). Post-trade, the Spurs got Harper and so this isn't a criticism of that trade at all.

Regarding Charlotte, if this works out, he'll be falling off the books about the time Brandon Miller and then Kneuppel really step up in price.

I just still don't like Sabonis. Bad shooter. Bad defender at every level. Too many holes in his game and not good enough passer to be a hub at an elite level like Joker.

LeBron James and Rich Paul are going to ask the Lakers for a max contract, per @basketballtalk

(https://t.co/GXaFBQtw5k) pic.twitter.com/HzoMe2Xg5w

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 10, 2026

Money >>>>>> Winning

Yes and no. I think this is his way of asking off the team. He knows Pelinka cannot sign him to a max contract and expect to field a team that can compete for a title. He also did not seem to enjoy his role for most of the year as the third fiddle. If so, that leaves the Lakers with about $50mil+ in cap space, I believe. Enough room to offer a max contract to Jalen Duren (don't think he's worth it, but Laker's are going to be desperate to surround Luka with talent). They could also go after Hartenstein (if OKC declines the team option) and re-sign Rui or go after Ayo. Will be interesting to see what they do.

The Brooklyn Nets are expected to offer Austin Reaves a full max contract in free agency, per @DanWoikeSports

“Multiple front-office sources around the league, granted anonymity to freely discuss an opposing player, expect Reaves to have interest from the Brooklyn Nets, with a… pic.twitter.com/B42GHrs96B

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 12, 2026

Way overpaid but that's what you have to do to get the players to your team when they're on someone else's team.

That also puts the Lakers in an awful position because Reeves isn't worth that and if they pay him that they can't build a championship roster around Luka.

The Timberwolves are emerging as a potential destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Bucks would reportedly seek Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Minnesota’s two tradable first-round picks in return, per @sam_amick & @eric_nehm

“The Timberwolves,… pic.twitter.com/RV4fL3HdjS

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 12, 2026

It seems Giannis Antetokounmpo is heading to Boston, with Jaylen Brown likely being rerouted to Atlanta.

This would give Milwaukee the 8th, 10th and 23rd overall picks most likely along with a ton of future draft capital. Would have to think two future 1sts from Boston along…

— NetsPress (@NetsPressIG) June 12, 2026

Not a great source but kind of makes sense

So Bucks would get Dyson Daniel's, Kuminga, Rissacher, and picks?

Dr. Not Yet Dr. Ag said:

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So Bucks would get Dyson Daniel's, Kuminga, Rissacher, and picks?

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I'm not sure what all players would be included, but the Hawks also have the least favorable of the bucks and the pelicans pick next year

Guitarsoup said:

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The Brooklyn Nets are expected to offer Austin Reaves a full max contract in free agency, per @DanWoikeSports

“Multiple front-office sources around the league, granted anonymity to freely discuss an opposing player, expect Reaves to have interest from the Brooklyn Nets, with a… pic.twitter.com/B42GHrs96B

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 12, 2026

Way overpaid but that's what you have to do to get the players to your team when they're on someone else's team.

That also puts the Lakers in an awful position because Reeves isn't worth that and if they pay him that they can't build a championship roster around Luka.

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Lakers are going to have to match, right? His cap hold is only $21 million and there aren't many targets in free agency this year, so it's either completely renounce his rights and let him go for nothing, or bite the bullet and maybe plan for a sign and trade…although who in their right mind is trading for a 28yr old mediocre athlete, just coming off of injury, who can't play defense?

Bizarre option, but could the Lakers FO talk to the Piston's and both agree to a sign and trade between Reaves and Duren straight up?Piston's get a second creator, Lakers get a center. Although now Pistons are in desperate need of a center and I'm not sure how much cap space they'd have left over after this.

Dr. Not Yet Dr. Ag said:

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Guitarsoup said:

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The Brooklyn Nets are expected to offer Austin Reaves a full max contract in free agency, per @DanWoikeSports

“Multiple front-office sources around the league, granted anonymity to freely discuss an opposing player, expect Reaves to have interest from the Brooklyn Nets, with a… pic.twitter.com/B42GHrs96B

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 12, 2026

Way overpaid but that's what you have to do to get the players to your team when they're on someone else's team.

That also puts the Lakers in an awful position because Reeves isn't worth that and if they pay him that they can't build a championship roster around Luka.

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Lakers are going to have to match, right? His cap hold is only $21 million and there aren't many targets in free agency this year, so it's either completely renounce his rights and let him go for nothing, or bite the bullet and maybe plan for a sign and trade…although who in their right mind is trading for a 28yr old mediocre athlete, just coming off of injury, who can't play defense?

Bizarre option, but could the Lakers FO talk to the Piston's and both agree to a sign and trade between Reaves and Duren straight up?Piston's get a second creator, Lakers get a center. Although now Pistons are in desperate need of a center and I'm not sure how much cap space they'd have left over after this.

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Duren is 22 years old. Zero chance they trade him for Austin Reaves

This guy isn't reputable at all but it's an interesting thought

The Celtics are trying to pull off acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trey Murphy III in a gigantic blockbuster framework.

Boston has reached out to the Pelicans to gauge interest on Jaylen Brown and/or Derrick White.

Murphy’s $27 million salary slides right into Boston’s TPE. pic.twitter.com/glcK4PW6cN

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 12, 2026

The Hornets are able to construct a legal trade package for Domantas Sabonis without including Miles Bridges.

If desired, Charlotte could build an offer around the expiring contracts of Josh Green and Grant Williams, either Tidjane Salaun or Tre Mann, and draft compensation.

— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) June 12, 2026

OFFICIAL: Tiago Splitter has been named our new head coach.

Welcome to Chicago, Coach Splitter! pic.twitter.com/7CdLV3vyAW

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 16, 2026

Walker Kessler has reportedly rejected a five-year, nearly $140 million offer from the Jazz, and his camp is seeking significantly more 😳, per @BannedMacMahon

(h/t @davidjsmith1232 ) pic.twitter.com/yHpdeuPmnC

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2026

Trouble in Paradise Utah

I'm not sure what other suitors he'll have. Lakers will be in on multiple bigs, but not sure they would go any bigger than that in terms of the AAV.

Wouldn't surprise me if he ends up back in Utah, and also would maybe mean one of JJJ or Lauri is on the way out of town.

JJJ refuses to play without a center. He's like AD without rebounding. They have to keep Kessler.

Gasol, JonasV, Adams, Edey and now Kessler. He will flip out without a center. I hope the Lakers offer him the contract he wants.

Man idk who is gonna be paying Kessler the money he wants with his injury history

TheNotoriousP.I.P. said:

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Man idk who is gonna be paying Kessler the money he wants with his injury history

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Lakers and Hawks want him and he is from Atlanta.

Bulls also need a center, but I think they arent even dumb enough to give Kessler a 40M contract.

You mean like Karl Anthony Towns?

— Proper MIDDLEMAN (@ProperMIDDLEMAN) June 17, 2026

BREAKING: Trae Young is opting out of his contract, per @MarcJSpears pic.twitter.com/eZLqsqeVvZ

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 18, 2026

Trae opting out

This might be the most fascinating free agent story to watch because I bet he sits for a while waiting for an offer that isn't likely to come. His only real options are the Wizards, Bulls and the Nets. I don't think the Bulls will be players here, so that makes it just the Nets and Wizards unless there is a sign and trade option out there that emerges.

If I'm the Wizards I play hardball here and offer him 4 years 130 and bet that no one is going to beat that. If someone does, who cares Trae isn't that great.

I think he already has a deal worked out with Washington... But man keep that 48 unless they are as dumb as the 0 50-win seasons since the 3-point line would suggest

Guitarsoup said:

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It's off-season for some of yall right now anyway.

The Hornets and Kings have discussed a trade centered around Domantas Sabonis, per @sam_amick

“Per league sources, Sacramento and Charlotte have had recent talks about Kings big man Domantas Sabonis. While a deal is not imminent and appears unlikely before the June 23 draft,… pic.twitter.com/M0rMGfoncL

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 10, 2026

Sabonis to the Hornets is interesting. I wouldn't really want him, but only two years left on his deal. The shooting around him with Kon and Miller would certainly help.

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I like sabonis, but we don't need him. Would be good if hornets traded one of their picks for him

Sabonis is a nice addition for the regular season for any team, but I can't imagine the market is real strong, especially from teams that want to advance far in playoffs. A single 1st rounder may well be the market if a team is willing to take that contract away. May not even require sending out any draft capital.

Free agent guard Collin Gillespie intends to sign a four-year, $48 million deal to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. Gillespie spent three straight seasons on two-way contracts after going undrafted out of Villanova in 2022 and now earns a lucrative long-term deal. pic.twitter.com/HIBFG0dDMU

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2026

The Oklahoma City Thunder are finalizing a trade to send guard Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for two second-round picks (Atlanta's in 2030 and the least favorable of Hawks/Lakers in 2032), sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ypffJ3jMOk

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2026

Hope he gets a good opportunity with the Hawks

Entering the offseason, Oklahoma City had a projected tax penalty of $213M.

The trade reduces that number to $152M.

The Thunder enter the Tuesday Draft with two picks in the top-17 (no. 12 and 17). https://t.co/Oucm1QefBM

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 22, 2026

The Thunder and Mavericks have discussed a trade framework that would swap the Nos. 12 and 17 picks for the No. 9 overall pick, per @TheSteinLine.

As I mentioned two weeks ago, this would be a more than understandable move for both teams… https://t.co/FJfkcsTAgd

— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) June 22, 2026

I'm not 100% sure how to feel about this without knowing how other roster decisions are going to shake out.

From a value standpoint, I don't like giving up a good asset (17) to move up from 12 to 9 unless it's to take one of the guards. If extension talks with Cason aren't going well and it seems likely that he wants to test free agency, moving up for Burries could make alot of sense. Or a dream scenario where Brooklyn takes Ament, Atlanta takes Mara... and Wagler is sitting there at 9. But in that case, I feel like the Mavs should just take Wagler.

Making the right value play has usually been Presti's MO, but it's also possible that in this stage of the window, it could make more sense to error on the side of plugging a roster hole with cheap talent. I don't like trading 12 and 17 to move up to 9 for Mara, but if Hart isn't interested in a long term deal and is essentially gone after this year or next, Mara seems like he has the tools to fill that void for alot cheaper.

I'm starting to see alot more Morez to OKC smoke from Thunder "insiders". He seems like a great fit and if Chip can teach him to shoot threes like Jaywill, he's basically a perfect fit. Yaxel to OKC steam seems to be slipping due to chemistry fit issues.

With all that said, while I believe the reports that Presti has been looking to move up, I think his actual targeted guy(s) are being held tightly under wraps. Looking forward to tomorrow night.