NBA Player News

The Grizzlies are trading Ja Morant (elbow) to the Trail Blazers for Grant and Kris Murray on Monday, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Trade speculation had surrounded Morant's name for several months, and Memphis is finally pulling the trigger on a deal. The Grizzlies took Cameron Boozer with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but Grant still has a chance to start at small forward with his new team in 2026-27. Last regular season, Grant averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.4 three-pointers in 29.7 minutes per game across 57 appearances.

The Bucks are declining the 2026-27 team option on Jackson's contract, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

Jackson is now heading for unrestricted free agency this offseason. The 2023 second-rounder took a step back in 2025-26 after starting a career-high 43 regular-season games in 2024-25, averaging 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in 8.5 minutes per game over 48 appearances a year ago.

The Suns will exercise the $2.58 million team option on Bouyea's contract for the 2026-27 season, per Michael Scotto of USA Today.

Phoenix reinforces its backcourt depth behind Devin Booker and Jalen Green with the move. Bouyea averaged 5.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 14.0 minutes per contest through 46 games during the regular season.

Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks announced Monday that Traore underwent right knee surgery and won't play in Summer League, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.

Although Traore won't play in Summer League, he's expected to be 100 percent by training camp. During his rookie campaign, Traore averaged 8.9 points, 3.8 assists and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 38.0 percent from the field in 22.2 minutes per showing across 56 regular-season games (31 starts).

The Nuggets declined Pickett's team option Monday, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports.

This one is a bit of a surprise, with Pickett now heading for free agency. As Denver's backup point guard during the 2025-26 regular season, he averaged 5.2 points, 2.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per contest.

The Pistons picked up their 2026-27 team option on Smith's contract Monday, per Keith Smith of Spotrac.com.

Smith brings the Pistons some depth at the center position behind Jalen Duren and Paul Reed. Smith appeared in just 15 regular-season contests a year ago, averaging 3.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game.

The Pistons exercised their 2026-27 team option for Jenkins on Monday, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

This was basically a formality for the Pistons at $4 million. Jenkins was upgraded to a standard contract last season after a string of impressive performances. Across 72 regular-season games, he averaged 9.3 points, 3.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds on 40.8 percent shooting from the field, though he may face competition for backup backcourt minutes from rookie first-round pick Ebuka Okorie.

The Kings are trading Carter and a future second-round pick to the Hawks on Monday, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Carter figures to serve as backcourt depth for Atlanta. Entering his third season in the league and hoping for a fresh start, the 2024 first-rounder averaged a career-high 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.9 steals in 18.4 minutes per contest across 38 regular-season appearances in 2025-26.

Beal (hip) has declined his $5.6 million player option for next season per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Beal is now becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer. The veteran guard had a disastrous year for the Clippers, averaging a career-low 8.2 points, 1.7 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in 20.2 minutes per game before hip surgery ended his season after just six contests. Beal's market value appears to be at its lowest, so he may have to settle for a one-year prove-it deal elsewhere.

Bryant intends to re-sign with the Cavaliers on a one-year deal, per Shams Charania of ESPN on Monday.

The journeyman center is set for his second season with Cleveland in 2026-27. Bryant averaged just 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 12.2 minutes per game over 60 regular-season appearances a year ago, offering the Cavs depth at the center position behind Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.