• Set to ink five-year extension
    Barnes (hand) agreed Monday with the Raptors on a five-year maximum extension worth up to $270 million, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

    Advice: Keeping Barnes in the fold long term is a no-brainer for the Raptors, as the 22-year-old forward took a big leap forward during his third NBA season in 2023-24. Over his 60 appearances this past season, Barnes posted averages of 19.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.7 three-pointers, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks in 34.9 minutes per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field, 78.1 percent from the free-throw line and 34.1 percent from three-point range. Each of those averages represented career highs, and the free-throw and three-point percentages were also personal bests for Barnes. Expect Barnes and the Raptors to finalize the extension at some point in the coming days. Barnes missed the final 22 games of the 2023-24 season after undergoing surgery on his left hand, but he's set for a healthy offseason and shouldn't have any restrictions by the time training camp gets underway in the fall. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:36 am
  • Exercises player option
    Bates-Diop (shin) exercised his $2.65 million player option Monday for the 2024-25 season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: This is an expected move for Bates-Diop. The forward made just 14 appearances for the Nets last season, averaging 1.6 points in 4.9 minutes per game. Bates-Diop missed the end of the season with a right shin stress reaction, but he's expected to be healthy entering training camp. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:29 am
  • Report: Keita Bates-Diop opting in with Nets
    According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Bates-Diop has chosen to opt to a one-year, $2.65 million deal that will keep him with Brooklyn for the 2024-25 season.

    Advice: Bates-Diop spent 14 games with the Nets after being traded by the Phoenix Suns last season and played a minor role off the bench. He averaged just 1.6 points per game with Brooklyn. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:18 am
  • Report: Oshae Brissett to decline player option
    According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, Oshae Brissett plans to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent.

    Advice: The 2023-24 season was Brissett’s first in Boston, and it could be his last based on the reported decision to decline his player option. The former Pacer had a limited role for the NBA champions, appearing in 56 games and averaging 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 11.5 minutes. Those averages were the lowest for Brissett since his rookie season as a Toronto Raptor. Rotoworld Sunday, 3:21 pm
  • Declines player option Sunday
    Brissett declined his $2.5 million player option with the Celtics on Sunday, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

    Advice: Brissett will become an unrestricted free agent after declining his player option Sunday. The 26-year-old spent one season with the team, and he averaged 3.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.3 steals across 11.5 minutes in 55 regular-season games. Brissett was a non-factor for Boston in the playoffs, and his departure likely signals a desire for a larger role elsewhere. Rotowire.com Sunday, 2:38 pm
  • Stein: Magic, 76ers targeting Caldwell-Pope
    The Magic and 76ers are considering making runs at Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency, per Marc Stein.

    Advice: KCP has won two of the last five championships as part of different squads while providing value on both ends of the value. He should make a huge impact on either the 76ers or Magic as both teams are ready to contend and could use a 3-and-D starter at shooting guard. KCP has been an incredibly impactful starter for the Nuggets the last couple of seasons, which could earn him a big raise if he moves to the East. Rotoworld Sunday, 11:34 am
  • Stein: Knicks potential suitor for Paul George
    The Knicks are a potential trade suitor for Paul George, per Marc Stein.

    Advice: There have been plenty of rumors that multiple teams could pursue a trade for George this summer, and Stein believes that you can add the Knicks to the list. PG would give the Knicks another dynamic scoring option that won’t cost them on the defensive end, which would make them even more of a contender in the East. It’s unclear what type of trade package that the Clippers would bring back, but the Knicks could arguably make one of the most competitive offers for George that could still keep the Clippers competitive if they include Julius Randle in a deal. Rotoworld Sunday, 11:29 am
  • Mavs to shop Tim Hardaway Jr. this offseason
    According to NBA reporter Mac Stein, Dallas will search for a trade partner to take Tim Hardaway Jr. as part of the team’s strategy to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr.

    Advice: Hardaway Jr. is entering the final year of his current deal and is set to make $16.2 million in 2024-25. THJ averaged 15.1 points and 2.8 triples in five seasons with Dallas, and the sharpshooter should be attractive to teams in need of three-point shooting. Rotoworld Saturday, 12:54 pm
  • Talks ‘essentially frozen’ between Klay, Warriors
    According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, there have been “no productive discussion between the Warriors and [Klay] Thompson or his representatives.”

    Advice: Slater also notes that “Talks are essentially frozen. With free agency now less than 10 days away, Thompson’s exit from the only franchise he has ever known feels closer and more probable than ever before.” It’s not a surprising update, as rumors of Klay’s move away from the Warriors have been in full force for months. Thompson has been linked to the Magic as a potential landing spot, but according to Slater, there’s been “no traction.” As we approach free agency, it’s unclear where Thompson will play next season, but it’s becoming clearer that it won’t be in Golden State. Rotoworld Saturday, 12:41 pm