Eastern Conference · Atlantic · 114 updates
ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel remains skeptical the Lakers can land free agent Bruce Brown, noting Los Angeles is already $500,000 over the tax and would need to cut multiple players just to fit him.
Nick Richards signed a one-year, non-guaranteed $3.1M deal with Miami, meaning his salary only locks in if he makes the Heat's opening-night roster. The Knicks, who were linked to Richards earlier in free agency, have two open standard roster spots and all three two-way slots unused, giving them room to wait and see.
A hypothetical trade floated would send Miles McBride to the Hornets for center Moussa Diabaté, with no indication the two sides have actually discussed it.
Karl-Anthony Towns prefers to sign an extension with New York rather than test free agency, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast. Towns holds a $61 million player option for 2027-28 and is owed $57 million next season, giving the Knicks a decision on locking him up long-term.
James L. Edwards III of The Athletic says it's "very realistic" that both Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart sign extensions well under their maximums, helping the Knicks navigate the second apron.
James L. Edwards III of The Athletic flagged Miles McBride as New York's most likely trade candidate before the 2027 deadline if the sides can't agree on an extension, given McBride enters the final year of his deal at roughly $4 million and could command a raise the Knicks may struggle to fit under the second apron.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports that Dallas's buyout of Klay Thompson was partly about roster math tied to keeping center Moussa Cisse as backup insurance behind Dereck Lively II.
Boston's Dillon Mitchell, Indiana's Braden Smith and Denver's Bryce Hopkins have all signed two-way deals, while Knicks pick Jack Kayil stayed in Germany with ALBA Berlin and Bucks pick Malique Lewis signed overseas with Cairns.
A trade pitch would send Mikal Bridges to Dallas in exchange for Daniel Gafford and Caleb Martin, addressing New York's center void after Mitchell Robinson left for Boston.
A trade idea has New York sending Pacome Dadiet and Phoenix's 2029 second-round pick to Charlotte for 7-foot-1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner, with no reporting that the two sides have talked or that the Hornets are shopping him.
