The NBA’s free agency period is nearly here. Beginning at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 30, teams can officially begin negotiating and agree to terms with players from other teams that are free agents.
But that might not be where most of the excitement resides this offseason. It’s the trade front that should be most active. Giannis Antetokounmpo, LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant and Julius Randle are among the players that have already been dealt in the days leading into the NBA draft and free agency. Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro and Sacramento Kings All-Star Domantas Sabonis are all on the trading block this week.
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Only a few teams enter free agency with legitimate salary cap space to use. LeBron James remains the most prominent free agent, with a looming decision potentially between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
USA TODAY Sports is tracking all of the latest buzz and news as NBA free agency gets underway. Stay tuned here throughout Tuesday, June 30 for frequent updates on new transactions and everything else that’s happening as the NBA offseason begins in full:
Pistons push back on Jalen Duren contract reports
The Detroit Pistons aren’t ready to just get rid of Jalen Duren because contract negotiations on his rookie extension reportedly aren’t going well. The team does not intend to trade the 22-year-old restricted free agent, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reported on Monday night.
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Duren has been linked to meetings with the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers when NBA free agency begins later today. But the Pistons can match any contract Duren is offered by another team and they’re eligible to give him a supermax extension after the 6-foot-10 center earned all-NBA third team honors this past season.
That, though, is what’s issues in coming to an agreement. Duren’s poor postseason performance has complicated the evaluation of his long-term value and how much money can be committed to him under the league’s current salary cap structure. Detroit nonetheless remains resolute about keeping Duren, despite recent signs of friction in the relationship.
Warriors to ramp up LeBron James free agency pursuit
The Golden State Warriors plan to aggressively pursue LeBron James today, according to multiple reports, with the intention of trying to convince the Lakers star to accept the $15 million midlevel exception to join Steph Curry and Draymond Green when NBA free agency begins.
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A trade for Anthony Davis also remains an option after recent reports that Davis and James could go to Golden State this offseason. But the Warriors are not operating under the assumption that they have to land both in a package deal.
Kawhi Leonard trade could happen ‘today’
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Tuesday morning that the Los Angeles Clippers could trade Kawhi Leonard as soon as today ahead of the start to NBA free agency. The Toronto Raptors have been rumored as the leading contender to land Leonard. The two sides have agreed on player compensation, according to Windhorst, and there’s a contract extension on the table for Leonard to consider.
The Raptors would include Brandon Ingram in a potential trade with the Clippers for Leonard, but they’re still “haggling” over first-round draft picks to include.
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When does NBA free agency officially start?
Now that the 2026 NBA Draft is done, the league’s attention turns to the start of free agency, with the official “tampering” period beginning on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
But teams and free agents can’t sign their contracts until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET when the NBA’s moratorium on signings ends.
What you missed Monday: Signings, trades and more
There was a plethora of action across the NBA Monday, June 29, including a big trade that saw the Memphis Grizzlies sending two-time All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. The trade ended months of speculation about where Morant would play next, while bringing up new questions about what the Trail Blazers plan to do with their now-crowded backcourt.
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Some big names also re-signed contracts with the current teams – taking some potential free agents off the board – including Kristaps Porzingis agreeing to a new deal with the Warriors, Jusuf Nurkic returning to the Jazz and the Spurs giving breakout player Julian Champagnie a new three-year contract.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA free agency LIVE updates: Trades, signings, latest buzz and intel
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