The 2024 NBA free agency period is in full swing, with teams actively pursuing trades and signings to strengthen their rosters. Get the latest updates on team trade needs, strategies, and key free-agent signings shaping the upcoming season.
- The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets have distinct but pressing needs for trades to strengthen their rosters.
- The Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers face critical decisions to balance their lineups and foster player development.
- The Denver Nuggets must manage their salary cap to retain key players and maintain their championship-contending lineup.
Key NBA Trade Strategies in the Post-Draft Period
The period between the NBA Draft and the start of free agency is critical for teams to make strategic moves.
Historically, the draft is the peak of trade activity as teams aim to turn their picks into valuable players.
However, the 2024 NBA Draft was relatively quiet on the trade front, setting the stage for a potentially explosive free-agency period.
Knicks’ NBA Trade Targets and Roster Strategies for 2024
The New York Knicks have already made a strategic move by acquiring Mikal Bridges. Now, their focus shifts to filling out the roster around him.
They are below the first-apron hard cap, but the Knicks must address their center position with Isaiah Hartenstein, who is likely departing due to Early Bird Rights restrictions.
Mitchell Robinson’s injury history necessitates a reliable backup or replacement to avoid risking the season on his health alone.
Two main options emerge for the Knicks:
- Re-signing Hartenstein: If Hartenstein accepts a four-year, $72.5 million deal, the Knicks would need to adjust their finances, possibly expanding the Bridges trade or moving either Robinson or Julius Randle to stay under the cap.
- Trading for a center: If Hartenstein leaves, the Knicks must consider trading Robinson or Randle for a more dependable center. This could potentially free up cap space to use the mid-level exception for additional roster improvements.
Brooklyn Nets’ Rebuild and Latest NBA Trade Rumors
Contrary to the Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets are preparing for a rebuild. By reacquiring their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks from the Houston Rockets, the Nets signaled their intent to tank for better future prospects.
Veterans Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith are prime candidates for trade as the Nets aim to maximize their value before any potential declines or injuries.
Pistons’ NBA Trade Rumors on Youth and Shooting
The Detroit Pistons face a challenging roster configuration with several young, promising players who struggle with shooting.
Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and recent draft picks like Ron Holland and Ausar Thompson need a more balanced lineup to develop their skills properly.
Trading one of these young players for a shooter could provide the necessary space and support to evaluate and enhance their core talents.
Portland Trail Blazers’ Resolving the Center Logjam
Portland made a sound choice by drafting Donovan Clingan, but this has created a logjam at the center position with Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III already on the roster.
To foster the development of guards Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, Portland might need to move Williams to ensure optimal playing time and growth opportunities for all players involved.
Denver Nuggets’ Salary Cap Management
The Denver Nuggets must navigate their salary cap carefully to retain key players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who opted out of his contract.
Trading Zeke Nnaji, who didn’t solidify his role as a backup center, could free up space to re-sign Caldwell-Pope or acquire a replacement.
The Nuggets also have the option to use future draft picks to trade for a starting-level player on a rookie deal, ensuring they remain competitive.
2024 NBA Free-Agent Signings and Trade Updates
With the free-agent frenzy underway, numerous players have already found new homes, while others are amid negotiations. Here are the signings and trades made so far:
- Adama Sanogo: Signed a 2-way contract with the Chicago Bulls.
- Taurean Prince: Signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
- PJ Dozier: Signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Alec Burks: Signed a one-year contract with the Miami Heat.
- Joe Ingles: Agreed to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Thomas Bryant: Re-signed a one-year deal with the Miami Heat.
- Damion Lee: Agreed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns.
- LeBron James: Signed a two-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Kyle Anderson: Signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Golden State Warriors.
- Jonathan Isaac: Agreed to a five-year, $84 million contract extension with the Orlando Magic.
- Xavier Tillman: Agreed to a two-year deal with the Boston Celtics.
- Monte Morris: Plans to sign with the Phoenix Suns.
- Moritz Wagner: Signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Orlando Magic.
- James Wiseman: Agreed to a two-year contract with the Indiana Pacers.
- Donovan Mitchell: Agreed to a three-year, $150.3 million contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Mo Bamba: Signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Kris Dunn: Agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Gary Harris: Signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Orlando Magic.
- Dru Smith: Signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat.
- Garrett Temple: Re-signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Raptors.
- Collin Gillespie: Signed a two-year contract with the Phoenix Suns.
- Goga Bitadze: Re-signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Orlando Magic.
- Jayson Tatum: Signed a five-year, $315 million supermax extension with the Boston Celtics.
- Klay Thompson: Signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks after a sign-and-trade.
- De’Anthony Melton: Agreed to a one-year, $12.8 million contract with the Golden State Warriors.
- Nic Batum: Signed a two-year, $9.6 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Aaron Holiday: Agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with the Houston Rockets.
- Derrick White: Signed a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics.
- Tobias Harris: Signed a two-year, $52 million contract with the Detroit Pistons.
- Isaiah Hartenstein: Signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Paul George: Signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Tyrese Maxey: Agreed to a five-year, $204 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Delon Wright: Signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
- Luka Garza: Agreed to a two-year contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Drew Eubanks: Signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Utah Jazz.
- Jalen Smith: Signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Chicago Bulls.
- Aaron Wiggins: Signed a five-year, $47 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Justin Minaya: Agreed to a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.
- Isaiah Joe: Signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Kelly Oubre Jr.: Signed a two-year, $16.3 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Derrick Jones Jr.: Signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Naji Marshall: Signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
- Mason Plumlee: Signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Phoenix Suns.
- Jonas Valančiūnas: Signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards.
- Andre Drummond: Signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Chris Paul: Signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
- Eric Gordon: Signed a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Signed a three-year, $66 million contract with the Orlando Magic.
- Kevin Porter Jr.: Signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Neemias Queta: Signed a multi-year contract with the Boston Celtics.
- Omer Yurtseven: Waived by the Utah Jazz.
- Kevin Love: Signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Miami Heat.
- Luke Kornet: Signed a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics.
- James Harden: Signed a two-year, $70 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Max Christie: Signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Obi Toppin: Signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Indiana Pacers.
- Alex Len: Signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Sacramento Kings.
- Royce O’Neale: Signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Phoenix Suns.
- Dejounte Murray: Traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
- Nic Claxton: Signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets.
- Immanuel Quickley: Signed a five-year, $175 million contract with the Toronto Raptors.
- Tim Hardaway Jr. and Quentin Grimes: Traded between the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons.
The free-agent market is still active, and more signings and trades are expected in the coming days. Look for updates as teams continue to build and refine their rosters for the 2024-25 NBA season.
