With the NBA Draft coming to a conclusion last week, we now look ahead to 2022 NBA Free Agency. There is a boatload of intriguing names looking for big deals, from Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson to Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal, who looks likely to stay in the Nation's Capital.
Below, we'll lay out all the info you need for Free Agency, including start time and storylines to watch.
When Does 2022 NBA Free Agency Start
2022 NBA Free Agency is set to open up at 6 pm ET on Thursday, June 30th, with teams allowed to negotiate with any unrestricted free agent or restricted free agent, with the player's current team permitted to match any offer in the latter situation.
Prior to Thursday, we already saw a blockbuster deal take a place, with the San Antonio Spurs trading star point guard Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for multiple first-round picks and Danilo Gallinari.
Heading into 2022 NBA Free Agency, there are several players to keep a close eye on. Brunson is expected to fetch over $20 million a season, with the guard meeting with the Mavericks, Heat, and Knicks. New York has cleared a ton of cap space to land him by trading the likes of Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks to the Detroit Pistons. But, Dallas will also be poised to keep Brunson, who served as the perfect co-star to Luka Doncic last season.
Elsewhere, Bradley Beal declined his $36.4 million player option for 2022-23, which was expected. The Wizards star is eligible for a five-year, $248 million extension with Washington. The most any other team can offer him is four years and $183 million.
In other 2022 NBA Free Agency news, Zach LaVine is also likely to sign a max extension with the Chicago Bulls despite garnering interest from several other teams across the league.
Both James Harden and Bobby Portis declined their player option as well, with new deals in sight with their respective teams. Harden did so to give the 76ers more flexibility to sign more shooters around him and Joel Embiid. Russell Westbrook opted into his $47 million player option with the Lakers too as he hopes to turn things around next season.
Another name to keep a close eye on is Deandre Ayton. The Suns big man is an RFA, but Phoenix has made it clear they're not willing to give him a max deal, which could result in him signing elsewhere.
2022 NBA Free Agency is just hours away and it should be very, very exciting.
Follow Us
Subscribe