NBA free agency rumors 2024: Latest leaks, breaking news, trades and more | Sporting News

Believe it or not, 2024 NBA free agency is already here.

Free agency always seems to sneak up on the heels of the NBA Finals and NBA Draft. The chaos will officially begin on Sunday, June 30, but the rumor mill is already spinning.

This year’s free agency class isn’t expected to be loaded with star power. LeBron James and Paul George are the two headliners with player options for the Lakers and Clippers, respectively. Beyond those two, unrestricted free agents like James Harden, DeMar DeRozan and Klay Thomspon are among the top names to watch.

Where will each of these players end up when free agency tips off? The Sporting News is tracking the latest news below.

NOH: Ranking the top 50 players in free agency

NBA free agency rumors 2024: Tracking the latest leaks, news, and trades

Suns agree to new deal with Royce O’Neale

The Suns are re-signing forward Royce O’Neale to a four-year, $44 million deal. Phoenix acquired O’Neale from the Nets at the trade deadline and plugged him into the rotation as a key 3-and-d role player.

LeBron James opting-out, entering free agency

LeBron James intends to opt out of his deal with the Lakers and become a free agent, declining his $51.4 million player option.

James is fully expected to return to the Lakers, Charania reports, but opting out will allow him to sign a long-term deal that could include a no-trade clause and even create flexibility for the franchise in free agency.

Russell Westbrook exercises option to return to Clippers

Clippers PG Russell Westbrook is exercising his $4 million player option and will return to the team in 2024-25.

Westbrook’s status was up for debate because of the low cost of his option, but the former MVP found a comfortable sixth man role with the Clippers and will try to be part of a championship effort in his 17th NBA season.

Pelicans land Dejounte Murray in trade with Hawks

The Pelicans have made their splash, acquiring former All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from the Hawks in exchange for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels and two first-round picks.

Murray’s output on both ends of the floor was fine in his two seasons with the Hawks, as he averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game this past season, but he didn’t always mesh with Trae Young the way Atlanta expected and entered the offseason as a prime trade candidate.

Raptors pick up Bruce Brown’s team option

The Raptors have elected to pick up Brown’s $23 million team option for the 2024-25 season. That allows Toronto to keep a valuable trade chip who is on an expiring contract going into this offseason and beyond.

Warriors, Chris Paul agree to push back contract guarantee date

Date: June 28

Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN

Golden State and Paul intend to move back the date to Sunday to guarantee the $30 million on his 2024-25 contract. That allows the Warriors to continue to explore potential trade destinations for the veteran floor general.

MORE: 2024 NBA free agency sleepers, from Andre Drummond to Obi Toppin

Mavericks interested in Klay Thompson

Date: June 28

Source: Marc Stein, NBA insider

With Thompson’s situation with the Warriors in the balance, Dallas is a team that could swoop in and sign the veteran sharpshooter.

“With [the Mavericks’] newfound financial flexibility after securing the Tim Hardaway Jr.-to-Detroit trade, they are another team intent on exploring the feasibility of signing Thompson once he makes it to free agency,” Stein wrote in his Substack.

Warriors eying Paul George

Date: June 28

Source: Sam Amick and Anthony Slater, The Athletic

The Warriors reportedly have “legitimate interest” in making George a part of their new core with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

That makes Golden State’s Klay Thompson situation even more difficult, as there “remains no official contract offer and little contact between Thomspon and the Warriors,” per the Athletic.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Mavericks have ‘mutual interest’

Date: June 28

Source: Marc Stein, NBA insider

Two-time NBA champion Caldwell-Pope and the Mavericks have “mutual interest” if he does not get a deal done with the Nuggets. It’s worth noting that Denver reportedly does not “want to participate in a sign-and-trade with an in-conference rival.”