Keep track of all the latest NBA free agency news and reports as the 2022 NBA free agent period officially begins.
Here are the top headlines from July 1 so far:
• NBA.com Offseason Roundup: June 30 | July 1 | Free Agent Tracker
Report: Williamson, Pelicans closing in on extension
New Orleans Pelicans big man Zion Williamson and the team are nearing an agreement on a five-year, $231 million extension, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic. Williamson played in 24 games as a rookie, then 65 games in his second year — and zero games this season, when the Pelicans overcame a 1-12 start to finish 36-46, then win two Play-In Tournament games and make the playoffs. In the 2020-21 season, Williamson was an All-Star, averaging 27.0 ppg. 7.2 rpg, 3.7 apg while shooting 61.1% overall. Per Charania, the deal is expected to include protections that both Williamson and the Pelicans were sorting out.
Williamson said after the season ended, “I couldn’t sign it fast enough.” Indeed, the All-Star locks in commitment to New Orleans.
The deal is expected to include protections that both sides were sorting through overnight and will finalize, sources said. https://t.co/n0hyRwRk9e
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022
— 8:53 a.m.
Payton, Blazers reportedly finalizing deal
The Portland Trail Blazers continue to stay busy in free agency and are finalizing a three-year contract with Golden State Warriors reserve Gary Payton II, according to multiple reports. Payton posted 7.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg and shot 61.6% last season and was a vital part of Golden State’s championship team. He is a native of the Pacific Northwest and his father, Hall of Famer Gary Payton, crafted the majority of his legendary career not far from Portland with the Seattle Supersonics.
— 6:39 a.m.
Reports: Towns agrees to $224M extension
Timberwolves All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns has agreed to a four-year, $224 million supermax extension with Minnesota, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Associated Press.
Led by Towns, second-year phenom Anthony Edwards and point guard D’Angelo Russell, the seventh-seeded Timberwolves pushed the second-seeded Grizzlies to the brink in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs before ultimately falling to Memphis.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2015, Towns averaged 24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 33.5 minutes per game last season.
— 12:26 a.m.
Report: Morant agrees to extension with Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has agreed to a five-year, $193 million designated rookie maximum extension, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
This extension was merely a formality for the point guard voted the NBA’s Most Improved Player in his third season and who also finished seventh in voting for league MVP.
The deal is worth at least $193 million and potentially up to $231 million. It’s the largest contract the Grizzlies have ever handed out, topping the max contract of $153 million Mike Conley received in 2016.
— 12:21 a.m.
Reports: Booker agrees to supermax deal with Suns
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has agreed to a four-year, $224 million supermax contract extension, according to multiple reports.
A three-time All-Star coming off his first All-NBA campaign — Booker earned First Team honors after averaging 26.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 46.6% — this extension would begin with the 2024-25 campaign and link him to Phoenix through 2027-28.
— 12:21 a.m.