Yahoo Sports NBA free agency live updates: Who's on the move and what you need to know
Editor's note: This is USA TODAY Sports' Thursday tracker for NBA free agent news. Click here to follow all of Friday's action.
With the 2023 NBA draft in the books, it's time for one of the most unpredictable times on the sports calendar − NBA free agency.
The ball drops at 6 p.m. ET on Friday when players and teams will be allowed to officially negotiate deals. Unrestricted free agents will be able to sign with any team. Restricted free agents can too, but the player's original team can choose to match any offer and retain the player. Everyone will be chasing the defending champion Denver Nuggets, who have a key player that will enter free agency.
There still could be trades ahead of Friday's start to free agency. USA TODAY Sports follows all the action:
Who is available?
Controversial guard Kyrie Irving, who spent the last part of 2022-23 with the Dallas Mavericks after a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, is an unrestricted free agent. Rumors have been swirling that Irving may want to pursue an opportunity with the Lakers, where he could reunite with LeBron James. Golden State's Draymond Green and Toronto's Fred VanVleet also are available. See the other big-name free agents here.
James Harden will not become a free agent
Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden will opt into the final season of his $35.6 million contract with the idea that the Sixers will trade Harden, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until there is a resolution. Harden, the 2017-18 regular-season NBA MVP, was expected to become a free agent with the possibility of re-signing with Philadelphia or returning to Houston.
Harrison Barnes agrees to extension with Kings
Barnes is staying put. He agreed to a new three-year, $54 million contract extension with the Kings on Thursday. The 31-year-old started every game last season – one of only three NBA players to do so – and averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists, helping the Kings reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Barnes was set to become an unrestricted free agent on Friday.
Which teams have considerable salary cap space?
What we’re hearing about free agency
Fred VanVleet will get paid. The Rockets are willing to offer a two-year deal in the neighborhood of $80 million, and while the Raptors have interest in retaining the All-Star caliber guard, the Raptors are closer to a deal in the three-year, $90 million range as they weigh other financial obligations, present and future. …
The Rockets are willing to spend money as they try to expedite their rebuild under first-year coach Ime Udoka. They also have interest in Brook Lopez, but as veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein reported, it looks like Lopez will re-sign with Milwaukee, which also wants to bring back Khris Middleton. …
The Magic are an interesting team to watch. They have solid young players in 2022-23 Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero and 2021-22 All-Rookie performer Franz Wagner, and they had a strong 2023 draft, selecting Anthony Black No. 6 and Jett Howard No. 11. The Magic were in the play-in hunt until late in the season and were close to a .500 team the second half of the season. Don’t be surprised if they spend some money on a short-term deal to preserve salary cap space beyond 2023-24. …
Green plans to keep an open mind in free agency as Golden State would like him back. Figuring out salary and length of contract are the main issues. Three or four years at $25 million per season could get that deal done between Green and Golden State. Outside of the Warriors, Sacramento and Detroit are expected to have interest. New Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who like Green played basketball at Michigan State, would love to add Green, but that would require a significant sign-and-trade. ...
Watch for Phoenix center Deandre Ayton’s name to come up in trade scenarios, too. …
The night Denver won the title, key reserve Bruce Brown said money wasn’t the only thing. However, he declined the final season of his deal to become a free agent this summer, and he will have interest including some from the Lakers, who lost to the Nuggets in the Western Conference finals. …
It’s out there to some degree, but the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George pairing could be coming to an end as the Clippers explore trade possibilities. …
Dallas would like to add another All-Star type player alongside Luka Doncic and Irving, who is expected to re-sign with the Mavericks, possibly on a short but lucrative deal.
What is an unrestricted free agent?
The most common free agent is an unrestricted one. Simply put, an unrestricted free agent can sign with any team they wish. Once that contract is officially signed, the player is part of the new team.
What is a restricted free agent?
This is where it gets a little complicated. A restricted free agent can sign an offer sheet with any team, but the player’s original team has the chance to retain the player by matching the offer.
For example, if restricted free agent Austin Reaves is offered a contract by the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Lakers have the right to match the offer and retain Reaves. The NBA says the original team has the “right of first refusal.”
Restricted free agents exist in these situations: following the fourth year of a rookie contract for former first-round picks; veteran free agents who have three seasons or less of experience; and a player coming off a two-way contract who previously spent at least 15 days on an NBA roster the prior season. (A two-way contract allows a player to suit up for an NBA team or its G League affiliate).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA free agency tracker 2023: News, rumors, signings, trades, more
