Restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin is deciding between re-signing with the Clippers on a one-year qualifying offer ($8.7M) and becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027, or joining the Pelicans via a sign-and-trade using the Non-Taxpayer MLE, with New Orleans weighing cap moves (including potentially moving Jordan Hawkins) to stay under the luxury tax; the QO path yields a one-year no-trade clause, while the S&T path would reshape both teams’ cap situations.
The Golden State Warriors signed guard Brandon Williams to a one-year, $2.6 million contract, adding backcourt depth behind Stephen Curry and De'Anthony Melton. The move puts the team’s 2026-27 salary commitments at about $252 million, roughly $2.6 million below the second apron threshold. Williams, 26, has four NBA seasons (including 66 games for the Mavericks in 2023-24) and prior G League experience, and the signing is part of a roster update aimed at returning to the playoffs after a 2025-26 injury-plagued season.
Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan is set to sign a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Denver Nuggets after being waived by the Kings. The 17-year veteran averaged 18.4 points in 77 games last season and ranks 16th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 26,711 points.
Dallas bought out Klay Thompson's final year ($17.5M in 2026-27); after waivers, he’s expected to sign with the Miami Heat. Thompson struggled in Dallas (11.7 PPG, career-worst FG% 39.3 and 3P% 38.3 in 69 games) and briefly moved to the bench, but the Heat gain a veteran floor-spacer on a low-risk addition.
Peyton Watson’s four-year, $88 million deal with the Cavaliers via sign-and-trade leaves only two unsigned restricted free agents: Jalen Duren and Bennedict Mathurin. Duren’s path is complicated by a Rose Rule max and limited offer-sheet options, making a Detroit long-term deal likely the outcome; Mathurin faces a crowded Clippers roster and potential sign-and-trade or a qualifying offer, with an October 1 deadline looming. Both situations illustrate the changing dynamics of the RFA market this summer.
James Harden has re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a three-year, $97 million contract featuring a third-year option and a 15% trade kicker, while the Cavs also add Peyton Watson on a four-year, $88 million sign-and-trade deal. Harden, who turns 37 next week, helped Cleveland reach the Eastern Conference finals after being acquired from the Clippers in February, and his return — alongside Donovan Mitchell’s new extension — keeps the team in title contention as they navigate cap space and roster upgrades. Harden’s career earnings now exceed $511 million.
The Seattle Seahawks signed former Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs to a one-year deal in an effort to add veteran depth at cornerback. Diggs, who led the league with 11 interceptions in 2021, has battled injuries and uneven play in recent years and will compete for a roster spot as Seattle reshuffles its CB group after trying out Diggs and adjusting the 90-man roster.
Predicts where the 10 biggest unsigned NBA free agents will land, including Peyton Watson to Cleveland via sign-and-trade (4 years, $92M); Jalen Duren re-signing with Detroit (4 years, $140M); Bennedict Mathurin re-signing with the Clippers on an $8.8M qualifying offer; Jonathan Kuminga joining the Lakers in a one-year, $10M sign-and-trade; James Harden re-signing with the Cavaliers (3 years, $108M); Kevin Love signing with the Heat on a veteran minimum; DeMar DeRozan signing with the Raptors on a veteran minimum; Cam Thomas unsigned (likely overseas); Bruce Brown returning to Denver on a veteran minimum; Brandon Williams signing with the Warriors for two years, $6M.
As August winds down, six unsigned stars—DeMar DeRozan, Peyton Watson, Jonathan Kuminga, Bennedict Mathurin, Jalen Duren, and James Harden—are weighing offers and potential sign-and-trade paths as teams chase fit and cap flexibility. DeRozan is connected to Denver, Miami and Washington, with a best-fit case for Washington though a Miami reunion remains plausible. Watson likely exits Denver via sign-and-trade, with Milwaukee, Cleveland and the Clippers among potential destinations and Cleveland reportedly aiming to pair him with other moves while navigating taxes. Kuminga is eyed by the Lakers, Timberwolves and Cavs, with the Cavs as a fallback if Watson slips away. Mathurin is expected to return to the Clippers, possibly through a sign-and-trade. Duren is anticipated to re-sign with Detroit on a longer deal rather than take the qualifying offer. Harden is expected to re-sign with Cleveland, with a new deal in the mid-to-high $20s to $30s million per year depending on roster moves, and no other teams reportedly in pursuit. The piece stresses that tax implications and late-summer cap dynamics will heavily influence outcomes in the coming weeks.
Veteran defensive end Za'Darius Smith agreed to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons after a workout, providing needed depth at the edge as the team copes with suspensions and injuries to other defensive ends. Smith, who previously played for Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland, last year signed with the Eagles before briefly retiring, and now returns to football with Atlanta.
Veteran edge rusher Von Miller is set to sign a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, returning to his hometown team to help bolster their defense.
Former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller agreed to a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, adding veteran pass-catching to a revamped offense, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Waller had 283 yards and six TDs in nine games for the Dolphins in 2025 after injury troubles, with a career peak of 1,000+ receiving yards in 2019-2020 with the Raiders. He’ll compete with Tommy Tremble for snaps on a Panthers depth chart that includes Tetairoa McMillan and Metchie III; the addition comes as Carolina, 8-9 last season, looks to continue growth under Bryce Young.
Golden State GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. said the Warriors prioritized talent over availability this offseason, making a Ben Simmons signing a plausible low-cost risk to add size, playmaking and defense as the team sits in a tentative year between rebuilding and contending; the club has already brought back Porzingis and Horford and re-signed Melton, underscoring a talent-first approach even amid injury concerns and Simmons’s limited recent games.
Tarik Skubal, traded from Detroit to the Dodgers, said on a podcast that he’d love to spend his career in Detroit and hopes contract talks resume after the season; the move gave Los Angeles strong World Series odds but they’ve since suffered a seven-game skid. Skubal, set to become a free agent, is likely to be pursued by the Tigers if negotiations resume, with agent Scott Boras pushing for a big deal. The piece also notes ongoing labor talks over a potential salary cap that could trigger a lockout and delay the 2027 season.
Tarik Skubal, traded from Detroit to the Dodgers on Aug. 1, said on the Pardon My Take podcast that he’d love to finish his career in Detroit and that talks could resume after the playoffs; a Tigers reunion isn’t guaranteed given his high 2027 free-agent value and interest from big-market teams, though there is precedent for teams re-signing traded players. Skubal also emotional about leaving Detroit and he allowed two earned runs in six innings in his Dodgers debut loss on Aug. 4.
