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NBA Free Agency 2021 starts at 6:00, Eastern time tomorrow, 3:00 PM, Pacific. Though contracts cannot be officially approved until Friday, there’s going to be a ton of reports and rumors coming out of free agency negotiations. Obviously we’ll post any significant news about the Portland Trail Blazers in separate articles. This post will contain all the other news around the league that’s important without necessarily knocking our socks off.
Even though it’s early in the day, several reports have come in from teams either making qualifying offers to restricted free agents or letting go of options.
Updates
Adrian Wojnarowski has Miami hot on the trail of Kyle Lowry, leading some to speculate that the timing of negotiations and maneuvering is still being fudged.
As the Miami Heat create salary cap space, Toronto free agent guard Kyle Lowry remains a firm target in free agency, sources tell ESPN. Miami has more levers to pull to create space to sign Lowry outright -- or can still endeavor to work a sign-and-trade with the Raptors.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2021
The 76ers might also be shopping Tobias Harris.
Besides trying to trade Ben Simmons, the Sixers are shopping Tobias Harris. The Rockets are one of the teams that turned down Harris, per sources.
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) August 1, 2021
Before we get there, here’s the latest on teams courting Trail Blazers free agent Carmelo Anthony. Earlier in the week we heard the Los Angeles Lakers were in the mix. Now the New York Knicks appear to be stepping to the plate.
Add the #Knicks to the list of potential suitors for Carmelo Anthony. League sources say New York has made it clear that Melo is a target in FA. Leon Rose has a long standing relationship with the 10x All-Star after all their years together at CAA. https://t.co/O2inNGZWmb
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 1, 2021
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul is declining his $44.2 million player option for 2021-22, making himself an unrestricted free agent.
Phoenix Suns’ Chris Paul is declining his $44.2 million player option for the 2021-22 season and becoming an unrestricted free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 1, 2021
The move was widely anticipated. According to rumors, Paul is expected to re-sign with the Suns.
Multiple teams I’ve spoken with have said the message from Phoenix is abundantly clear that Chris Paul will re-up with the #Suns and therefore have little reason to pursue him in FA — despite the immense interest CP would command.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 1, 2021
Kawhi Leonard is expected to negotiate a new deal this summer too, likely remaining with the Clippers.
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is expected to decline his $36 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 1, 2021
The Mavericks are getting themselves a bargain, retaining Willie Cauley-Stein.
The Dallas Mavericks are picking up center Willie Cauley-Stein’s $4.1 million team option, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 1, 2021
The Charlotte Hornets are letting Malik Monk go.
The Hornets just announced that they have not tendered a qualifying offer to Malik Monk, making Monk an unrestricted free agent.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 1, 2021
The Memphis Grizzlies are doing the same with Justise Winslow.
The Memphis Grizzlies have declined Justise Winslow's $13 million team option for next season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 1, 2021
And from earlier in the day...
Andre Iguodala is hitting the open market.
The Heat are declining the $15M team option on F Andre Iguodala’s contract for next season, making him a free agent, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2021
...but Goran Dragic is not.
The Miami Heat are picking up guard Goran Dragic’s $19.4 million team option for the 2021-22 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 1, 2021
And as we knew, the Blazers are not making a qualifying offer to forward-center Zach Collins.
Portland isn't extending the $7M qualifying offer to Zach Collins, officially making him a free agent, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2021