NBA Player News

Bryant declined his $2.8 million player option Saturday, and he will test free agency this offseason, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Bryant had a down year with the Heat, and if he were to have stayed his role likely would have diminished as the club drafted Kel'el Ware with the No. 15 overall selection in the 2024 Draft. The 26-year-old appeared in just 38 games for the Heat, during which he averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists across 11.6 minutes per game.

The Knicks picked up Sims' $2.1 million team option Saturday, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.

Sims will return to the Knicks for at least one more year. This comes amid uncertainty around Isaiah Hartenstein's future with the club, as the Knicks have reported interest in bringing the big man back. Sims appeared in 45 regular-season games last year, during which he averaged 2.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.4 blocks across a career-low 13.0 minutes per game.

The Magic declined Wagner's $8 million team option for the 2024-25 season on Saturday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Despite this move by the Magic, Wojnarowski reports that there is mutual interest to negotiate a fresh deal in free agency. Wagner made 80 appearances for the Magic last season, posting averages of 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.5 three-pointers in 17.7 minutes per contest.

The Pistons didn't tender a $7.74 million qualifying offer to Wiseman on Saturday, making him an unrestricted free agent, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Wiseman was the No. 2 overall pick in 2020 for the Warriors, but he has struggled to find a significant role in his three seasons in the league. After being acquired from the Pistons at the trade deadline in 2023, the 23-year-old spent the entirety of the 2023-24 season in Detroit. When healthy, WIseman largely served as the No. 2 center behind Jalen Duren, averaging 7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.6 blocks across 17.3 minutes. Wiseman's youth, size and potential should be enough to help him land at least a one-year deal in free agency.

Hayes informed the Lakers on Friday that he will exercise his $2.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Hayes likely would have been on track for a one-year contract at a similar salary level in free agency had he declined the option, so he'll stick around in Los Angeles with the hope that he can solidify himself as the top backup center under first-year head coach JJ Redick. Previous coach Darvin Ham deployed Hayes as Anthony Davis' primary backup in 2023-24, though the Lakers were without Hayes' main competitors for the position -- Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood -- for much of the season due to injury. Vanderbilt and Wood are both healthy again and are under contract for the upcoming season, so Hayes could struggle to reach the 70 appearances and 12.5 minutes per contest he averaged in 2023-24.

Post's (leg) draft rights were re-acquired by the Warriors from the Thunder in exchange for cash, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.

Slater notes in acquiring Post, the Warriors are now firmly against the second apron and their roster can't exceed $189.5 million for the upcoming season. That reduces Klay Thompson's potential salary and complicates the Chris Paul guaranteed date, which is Friday. Slater also notes Post has a minor leg injury that could prevent him from playing in Summer League. When asked about Post's fit with the team, general manager Mike Dunleavy responded, "We believe in the shooting. His free-throw shooting is really good. His pick-and-pop percentage is really good. ... You want players who can do more than one thing. We think he rebounds, defends at a level at the rim that's NBA acceptable. Good passer."

Carlson and the Raptors agreed to a two-way contract Thursday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

A 7-footer out of Utah, Carlson brings a lot of size to the table and had a successful collegiate career. During his final campaign at Utah, Carlson posted averages of 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 blocks. As a rookie, Carlson is likely to spend the bulk of his time in the G League to get some reps.

Jones agreed to a two-way deal with the Kings on Thursday, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.

The Kings didn't wait long after the NBA Draft to secure an agreement with Jones. A center out of Washington State, Jones compiled averages of 15.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.5 steals across 35 appearances as a senior. He's likely to spend the bulk of the 2024-25 season in the G League.

Dante has agreed to a two-way contract with the Rockets, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Dante put in averages of 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.9 swats per contest during his senior year at Oregon, but the 6-foot-10, 260-pound big man could have a tough time adjusting to the NBA. While he does have good defensive instincts, he's not particularly comfortable sliding his feet on the perimeter, and he hasn't developed much of a shooting stroke. Expect him to spend a lot of time with Houston's G League affiliate.

Hall signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets following Thursday's second round of the NBA Draft, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Hall will get some developmental time in the G League with the hopes of seeing some NBA action. The 22-year-old out of Clemson isn't a great defender but does all the right things on offense, including being able to set screens, handle the ball and shoot threes.