Free agency is in full swing. While the controversial trade of Jaylen Brown by the Boston Celtics is naturally overshadowing everything, there’s still plenty happening in the NBA. Here’s a news overview.
Reports suggest the Denver Nuggets have contacted LeBron James. This would undoubtedly be a shock. Regardless, the Nuggets have been active in searching for a new backup for Nikola Jokic. They’re bringing in a player who was even selected before Luka Doncic in the draft. This likely signals the end of Jonas Valanciunas’ time in the NBA.
The Lakers continue to build their roster for the upcoming season. Following a flurry of four acquisitions on Wednesday, a former highly-touted talent is reportedly now in their sights.
NBA Free Agency: Are the Lakers Targeting a Former Superstar Talent?
The Lakers made waves with four signings on Wednesday. The most significant was likely the sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz. However, the ‘Purple and Gold’ are not yet finished with their roster planning for the upcoming season.
According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is determined to acquire a young, talented wing player and is reportedly setting their sights on none other than Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga, the seventh pick in the 2021 draft who had a spectacular but ultimately unsuccessful tenure with the Golden State Warriors due to multiple conflicts and dramas with coach Steve Kerr, was traded to the Atlanta Hawks at the February trade deadline in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis.
He made a significant impact upon his arrival in Atlanta. In his debut against the Washington Wizards, he scored 27 points, a franchise record. Although he primarily came off the bench for the Hawks in the playoffs, he made a notable impact. For Atlanta, he averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
Despite his performance, the Hawks declined his $24.3 million contract option, making Kuminga a free agent – and potentially a Laker soon.
NBA Free Agency: Denver Nuggets Sign Marvin Bagley III as Jokic Backup
The Denver Nuggets have found a new backup for Nikola Jokic, signing Marvin Bagley III to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. The former second overall pick in the 2018 draft, where Luka Doncic was selected third, played for the Washington Wizards last season before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in the mega-deal for Anthony Davis.
For the Wizards, the 27-year-old averaged 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 38 games. After moving to the Mavs, he improved his output to 11.0 points and 6.8 rebounds in 22 games, all on a very efficient 61.8% field goal percentage.
With the addition of this center, Jonas Valanciunas’ days in Denver are likely numbered. The Lithuanian’s signing last summer was not without controversy, as Valanciunas had initially wanted to join Panathinaikos in the EuroLeague. He ultimately accepted his trade from the Sacramento Kings to the Nuggets, where he served as a reliable backup for Jokic, aiming to give the Serbian as much rest as possible in the regular season, though his performance was inconsistent.
Despite having a contract valid for the upcoming season in Denver, the 34-year-old is reportedly already in agreement with Zalgiris Kaunas on a two-year deal. In the coming days, the Nuggets and Valanciunas are expected to agree on the terms of a contract buyout. He has a $10 million contract with the Nuggets, of which only $2 million is guaranteed.
With Marvin Bagley III, the Nuggets are taking a new, albeit risky, approach to filling the backup role for Jokic. Bagley played 62 games for the Kings in his rookie season and was named to the All-Rookie First Team. Subsequently, numerous, sometimes severe, injuries have plagued his NBA career. It wasn’t until last season that he surpassed the 60-game mark again since his rookie year.
NBA Free Agency: Cooper Flagg Gets a New Center Alongside Him on the Mavs
The Dallas Mavericks have also secured the services of a new big man, acquiring Santi Aldama from the Memphis Grizzlies. In return, AJ Johnson, a 2030 first-round pick (via the Warriors), and two second-round picks are heading to Memphis.
Aldama is coming off the most statistically productive season of his NBA career. For the Grizzlies, who drafted him 30th overall in the 2021 draft, he averaged 14 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 43 games.
The 25-year-old is set to earn $17 million in the upcoming season, and the Mavs hold a team option for the 2027-28 season.