National Basketball Association

2024 NBA free agency rumors: Jimmy Butler won't sign extension with Heat this summer

Updated Jun. 26, 2024 8:01 p.m. ET

The 2024 NBA season is officially over, and the offseason is in full swing.

The league's new collective bargaining agreement allows teams to negotiate with their own players right after the final game of the season. That said, players aren't allowed to negotiate with teams other than their own until June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, and contracts can't be signed until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET.

Some of the biggest unrestricted free agents to keep an eye on are LeBron James, Paul George, James Harden and Klay Thompson, to name a few.

Here's the latest off-court buzz from around the league.

June 26

Jimmy Butler will not sign extension with Heat this offseason

The Miami Heat star will not lock in his long-term future with the team, The Athletic reported Wednesday. Butler has an opt-out in his contract that he can exercise next summer. The report comes amid rumors linking Butler to a potential departure from Miami via trade, including to one of his former teams, the Philadelphia 76ers. While the 76ers reportedly would offer Butler a maximum contract extension if they re-acquire him, the Heat have no intention of trading their best player this summer, per the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Trail Blazers, Wizards swap Malcolm Brogdon, Deni Avdija

The Washington Wizards, who hold the No. 2 overall pick in Thursday's draft, added the 14th pick from the Portland Trail Blazers by trading forward Deni Avdija with guard Malcolm Brogdon coming back to Washington with the pick, per ESPN. Portland is also reportedly sending the second most favorable of their 2029 first-round picks and two second-round picks to Washington.

June 25

New York Knicks add Mikal Bridges

The Knicks acquired Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets for four unprotected first-round picks, a 2028 first-round pick swap, a 2025 protected Milwaukee Bucks first-round pick and Bojan Bogdanovic. New York also received a 2026 second-round pick from Brooklyn.

[More: Knicks reportedly acquire Mikal Bridges from Nets in blockbuster trade]

Nets get picks back from Houston Rockets

Shortly after the Nets' decision to trade Bridges was reported, news emerged that they had also agreed to a deal with the Rockets to get their own first-round picks that they gave up in the James Harden trade. The Nets acquired full control of their 2025 first-round pick and their 2026 first-round pick from the Rockets for a 2025 first-round pick swap (Houston/Oklahoma City Thunder for Phoenix Suns), the Suns' 2027 first-round pick and the rights to the two most favorable of the Dallas Mavericks', Suns' and Rockets' first-round picks in 2029. Brooklyn retains the least favorable of Dallas, Houston and Phoenix's first-round draft picks in 2029.

For more on the two trades, FOX Sports' Yaron Weitzman broke down the deals and what they mean moving forward for each franchise.

Lakers interested in Jonas Valančiūnas

Valančiūnas is set to enter unrestricted free agency this summer, and will be near the top of L.A.'s list of potential targets according to Bleacher Report. L.A. was in dire need of frontcourt depth, and Valančiūnas' acquisition could provide that, while allowing Anthony Davis to slide to the four position. Valančiūnas averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season with New Orleans .

June 24

Rockets in mix for stars like Kevin Durant, Paul George, Jimmy Butler

Houston is in "win-now mode" following a strong end to the 2023-24 season for the young, rebuilding team and is reportedly looking to add "star power" in the form of Durant, Butler, Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram, per ESPN. The Rockets are also eying George, per Hoopshype, as the ESPN reported Monday that the Clippers star is expected to decide about his future in L.A. within the next several days.

Lakers eyeing Collin Sexton

Sexton has been named as a veteran that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka could attempt to trade for in efforts to give LeBron James and Anthony Davis some more help at the point guard spot. Hawks guard Dejounte Murray is also a possible trade target for L.A. according to ESPN.

Hawks willing to draft Alex Sarr

Atlanta hasn't held pre-draft interviews with Sarr, who many consider to be worthy of a number one overall selection. Sarr has already met with the Washington Wizards, who hold the No. 2 overall pick, and is reportedly wary of joining an already loaded frontcourt in Atlanta. But per ESPN, Atlanta has expressed a willingness to draft Sarr, but it could be a smokescreen to force Washington to trade up to acquire him.

Spurs are considering pairing Donovan Clingan with Victor Wembanyama

San Antonio, who holds both the fourth and eighth picks in this year's draft, has interviewed Clingan according to ESPN. The Spurs could potentially have an all-7-footer frontcourt if they take Clingan and pair him with Wembanyama, last year's No. 1 overall pick and the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year. There are some, though, who believe the Spurs' interest in the two-time college basketball national champion with UConn is a ploy to coax other teams into trading up to the fourth selection.

James Borrego to be considered in Pistons coaching search

Borrego was a top candidate in Cleveland's eyes, but the Cavaliers instead reportedly hired Golden State Warriors assistant and former Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson on Monday. Borrego now projects to be a top candidate for Detroit, who recently fired Monty Williams a year after making him the highest-paid head coach in NBA history.

June 22

The Golden State Warriors have not made any offer to star Klay Thompson, and discussions between the two sides are essentially frozen, per The Athletic, making it increasingly likely that he could leave in free agency. Thompson is searching for a fresh start, even if the Warriors make him a competitive offer, per multiple reports.

June 20

The Philadelphia 76ers' interest in pursuing Paul George has diminished significantly in recent days, and the franchise is expected to be aggressive elsewhere with its salary cap flexibility and draft capital, per The Athletic.

June 19

Paul George wants to be "playing the right style of basketball"

George, a six-time All-NBA honoree, is one of the biggest names poised to hit the open market this summer. He explained what he's looking for, whether it's with the LA Clippers or a new team.

"For sure, contributing to winning basketball, but, at this point, it's not even about," said George, who has a player option for the 2024-25 season. "People say, ‘Chasing a championship'. It's not that. … Playing the right style of basketball is what I'm chasing."

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