Keep up with all the key free agent signings and instant analysis of the big moves, as the NBA’s free agency period begins June 30 at 6 pm ET and make sure to check in with Ballislife.com for in-depth NBA coverage.
Wednesday, July 2
The big news of the afternoon was former No. 1 overall pick (2018) and center DeAndre Ayton joining the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers with the Portland Trail Blazers. Ayton desired to play in a winning situation while the Blazers focus on developing other players in the interior. Ayton, who will turn 27 later this month, is the first player since future Hall of Fame Dwight Howard (the No.1 overall pick in 2004) to average 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of the first seven seasons.
The Lakers had a glaring hole in the interior last season and are hoping the former No. 1 draft pick regains the form that helped the Phoenix Suns reach the NBA Finals in 2021. Ayton should be entering the prime of this career, but has had durability issues the past two seasons. He will make a combined 34 million between Portland and the Lakers in 2025-26.
Tuesday, July 1
The madness we typically see right when free agency opens saved itself for Tuesday morning, which began with a shock as reports surfaced that the Milwaukee Bucks would be signing Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract. In what was essentially a corresponding move, it was also announced that the team would be waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remainder of his $113 million contract over the next five years.
That Lillard move saves cap space and aided the Turner move. For more on Milwaukee’s strategy, CLICK HERE.
Shooting guard Duncan Robinson has agreed to a 3-year, $48 million deal with the Detroit Pistons. To make the move feasible, Detroit is trading Simone Fontecchio to the Miami Heat in what is essentially a sign-and-trade deal. Detroit, of course, is weary going forward about the availability of shooting guard Malik Beasley, who is under federal investigation in a gambling probe involving prop bets.
For more on Beasley’s potential legal woes, CLICK HERE.
Monday, June 30
The Denver Nuggets made the first major splash of free agency, but it didn’t even come in the form of a big-time signing. Instead, the team managed to trade Michael Porter Jr. and his horrific $179 million contract to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson. However, Denver also had to include a 2032 first-round pick as a sweetener for Brooklyn to feel comfortable taking on MPJ’s gargantuan contract.
For more on the MPJ trade, CLICK HERE.
The day’s biggest actual signing was Jaren Jackson, who agreed to a five-year, $240 million extension to remain with the Memphis Grizzlies. It was announced on Tuesday that Jackson suffered a turf toe injury, which will require surgery, during an off-site basketball game before the ink on his contract had even dried.
