NBA Free Agency Rumors: Kawhi's Camp Kept Star From Spurs Staff During Injury Rehab
Days after free agency officially started, NBA teams are already making moves and shedding salaries to create cap space to sign an intriguing crop of free agents.
With most of the big names such as LeBron James, Chris Paul, Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins signing deal, teams are still asking about the availability of San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard, who reportedly wants out.
• NBA Free Agency 2018: Top 50 Players Available
Unrestricted free agents can agree to deals on July 1 but can't officially sign contracts until 12 p.m. on Friday, with a July 13 deadline for teams to withdraw qualifying offers to restricted free agents.
Here are the latest news and rumors from around the league.
5 p.m.
• Kawhi Leonard's people hid him from Spurs staff during his injury rehab in New York. The relationship between the two groups is one of the reasons Leonard wants to leave. (Michael C. Wright, ESPN)
4 p.m.
• The Suns have agreed to a two-way contract with guard George King, the No. 59 pick in the 2018 draft out of Colorado. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN.com)
2 p.m.
• Guard Isaiah Briscoe has agreed to a deal with the Magic after playinng a season in Estonia. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN.com)
• The Pistons have hired former Nets executive Gregg Polinsky as their new director of player personnel. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN.com)
9 a.m.
• The Philadelphia 76ers are signing forward Nemanja Bjelica to the room mid-level exception. (Jake Fischer, SI.com)
7 a.m.
• The Spurs are in "no rush" to make a bad deal for Kawhi Leonard. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• Free agent Amir Johnson is finalizing a one-year deal with the 76ers (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• The Los Angeles Clippers continue to make re–signing restricted free agent Montrezl Harrell a priority. (Jordan Schultz, Yahoo! Sports)
• Lakers believe Lonzo Ball’s camp leaked knee injury to deter trade. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
• The Timberwolves re–signed veteran guard Derrick Rose. No contract details were released. (Team announcement)
• NBA executives expect Kyrie Irving to give the New York Knicks consideration next year if he becomes a free agent. (Ian Begley, ESPN.com)
• The Oklahoma City Thunder will re-sign backup point guard Raymond Felton to a one-year, $2.4 million deal. With the signing, OKC could be on the hook for $150 million in luxury tax payments if roster stays intact. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN.com)
• The Suns presented an offer to Devin Booker in Los Angeles on Tuesday. They are working towards finalizing a five-year, $158 million contract extension. (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN)
