All articles tagged with #2026 free agency
Khris Middleton is headed to the Washington Wizards as part of a six-team trade involving the Mavericks, Clippers, Pistons, Bucks and Grizzlies; Middleton will sign a three-year, $17.6 million contract with Washington, and the deal also moves D’Angelo Russell to Memphis while connecting several other trades (including Caris LeVert to the Bucks, John Collins to the Pistons, and Santi Aldama to Dallas).
The Wizards reportedly acquired Deandre Ayton from the Lakers in exchange for Jaden Hardy and two future second-round picks (2031 and 2032). Ayton, who averaged 12.5 points and 8 rebounds last season, had opted into the 2026-27 contract but was moved on by L.A. as it reshapes its frontcourt amid broader offseason upheaval that includes LeBron James reportedly planning to play elsewhere and Austin Reaves re-signing.
The Boston Celtics reportedly trade Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, signaling a new era for Boston and providing Philly with a younger wing to pair with Joel Embiid while the Celtics acquire significant draft assets for future moves.
The Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George plus two first-round picks (2028 and 2031 via PHI) and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030). The deal, initially reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and corroborated by The Athletic and The Boston Globe, ends Brown’s 10-year Celtics tenure after five All-Star appearances; Brown posted career-best numbers this past season and will pair with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia, while Boston retools around George.
The San Antonio Spurs reportedly signed Tobias Harris to a two-year, $31 million contract, per ESPN’s Shams Charania; Harris, 33, averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 63 games for Detroit last season.
The Lakers reportedly agreed to four-year deals with Sandro Mamukelashvili (with a fourth-year option), Collin Sexton (player option) and Quentin Grimes (player option), adding frontcourt depth and backcourt versatility after trading for Walker Kessler. Sexton averaged 15.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season; Grimes averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists as a reserve; Mamukelashvili posted 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
NBA free agency for 2026 opens at 6 PM ET with teams free to negotiate. Early headlines include LeBron James reportedly leaving the Lakers, Robert Williams III expected to re-sign with Portland, and Simone Fontecchio staying with Miami, along with other reported moves for Nurkić, Dort, Barnes, Shamet, and Bryant, plus a NBA.com live blog tracker and a feature preview of 20 players to watch.
Kristaps Porziņģis re-signs with the Golden State Warriors on a two-year, $40 million contract (second year as a player option). After being acquired from Atlanta at the trade deadline, he averaged 16.1 points on 43.3% shooting in 15 games for Golden State, adding to a 533-game career average of 19.5 PPG and a 2024 championship with the Celtics; career 3-point percentage is 36.4% (31.1% with GS).
The Knicks reportedly re-sign Landry Shamet to a four-year, $24 million deal, bringing back the reserve guard who averaged 9.3 points and 2.0 three-pointers on 39.2% shooting from three last season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly re-signed center Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $75 million extension that will keep him in OKC through the 2028-29 season; the deal adds to the core built for a title run, with Hartenstein having averaged 11.2 PPG in the Thunder’s championship season and 9.2 PPG on strong shooting this past year. The Thunder have also traded bench players Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe this offseason as they reshape the roster.
The 2026 NBA offseason opens with a blockbuster frame: the Miami Heat land Giannis Antetokounmpo (and Bobby Portis) in a swap with Milwaukee, while Minnesota’s Julius Randle heads to Brooklyn in a three-team trade. The piece then analyzes four immediate implications: Miami’s need for shooting around the new star; Milwaukee’s youth-forward rebuild with Jaquez Jr., Jakučionis, Kel’el Ware and Nate Ament; Detroit trading Isaiah Stewart to free cap space and reposition for perimeter scoring; and the Lakers preserving their free-throw edge after re-signing Austin Reaves, signaling more moves to come.
CJ McCollum re-signs with the Atlanta Hawks on a one-year, $21 million contract for the 2026-27 season, returning after a productive late-season stretch that helped Atlanta finish 46-36 and reach the playoffs; the deal includes a trade kicker.
Bears GM Ryan Poles outlined six key offseason moves and themes aimed at making the team faster and more explosive on both sides of the ball: trading for center Garrett Bradbury to solidify the o-line, adding linebacker Devin Bush and safety Coby Bryant to upgrade the defense, and bringing in Neville Gallimore, Cam Lewis, Kalif Raymond, Kentavius Street, and Jedrick Wills Jr. to boost speed, leadership and competition. He also acknowledged the tough loss of DJ Moore, and emphasized ongoing competition at left tackle as Jedrick Wills Jr. works to earn the job. Overall, the Bears want faster, more physical play and a championship-caliber roster heading into 2026.
NFL teams kicked off 2026 free agency by committing about $2.3 billion in contracts, led by the Raiders and Titans, with nine signings averaging $20M+ per year including Jaelan Phillips, Alec Pierce, Tyler Linderbaum and Odafe Oweh as clubs try to fill big holes while some playoff teams remained quiet.