NBA Player News

Mamukelashvili declined his $2.8 million player option for 2026-27, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

This was a widely expected transaction, with Mamukelashvili putting together a career season in 2025-26. Across 80 regular-season contests, he produced averages of 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists on 52.3 percent shooting from the field. He's expected to have a strong market heading into free agency.

Green will decline his $27.7 million player option, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Green is now scheduled to become a free agent. There will almost certainly be mutual interest in a return, but this gives the Warriors flexibility to pursue LeBron James in free agency and Anthony Davis via trade. Green, who is 36 years old, holds career regular-season averages of 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 steals.

LaVine (hand) exercised his $49 million player option for 2026-27 on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

LaVine underwent season-ending surgery on his right hand before the 2025-26 All-Star break. He averaged 19.2 points in 39 regular-season games last season and was a two-time All-Star before being traded to the Kings in February of 2025. The Kings are listening to trade offers for LaVine and Domantas Sabonis (knee), but their hefty contracts are making things difficult. If LaVine stays in Sacramento, he would likely take a back seat as the Kings try to develop 2026 No. 7 overall pick Darius Acuff.

Harden declined his $42.3 million player option for 2026-27 on Monday and is working on a new multi-year deal with the Cavaliers, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

After averaging 20.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals through Cleveland's first 13 postseason games, Harden struggled mightily as the Cavaliers got swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. While a disappointing end, it was still a successful postseason run for the new-look Cavaliers. Having Harden decline his option for a longer deal should lead to more guaranteed money for him while giving the team some much-needed financial flexibility.

VanVleet (knee) exercised his $25 million player option for 2026-27 on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

VanVleet declined a $44.9 million option last offseason to sign a two-year, $50 million contract, but he tore his ACL a few months later while preparing for training camp. The veteran missed the entire 2025-26 campaign, and his status heading into next season remains unclear, though there's optimism he'll be ready for Opening Night. VanVleet hasn't played since the 2024-25 season, when he averaged 14.1 points, his fewest since 2018-19.

Smith (foot) had his $2.6 million salary for the 2026-27 season fully guaranteed by the Heat on Sunday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

Smith is coming off his best season since entering the league, averaging 5.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.3 blocks and 1.4 steals across 16.3 minutes over 70 regular-season appearances in the 2025-26 campaign. Smith isn't an efficient shooter or a reliable scoring threat, but he could continue to receive regular minutes throughout the 2026-27 campaign due to his defensive prowess, assuming he remains in Miami.

Hield had his $9.66 million salary for the 2026-27 season fully guaranteed by the Hawks on Sunday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Hield began the 2025-26 campaign in Golden State before being traded to Atlanta ahead of the deadline. In seven regular-season games with the Hawks, he averaged a career-low 5.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists across 7.3 minutes while shooting 41.2 percent from deep. It's unknown what the future holds for Hield, but he will remain in Atlanta for now. However, there is always a chance other teams in need of a reliable shooter will come calling at some point moving ahead.

The Nets declined their $6.25 million team option on Williams' (foot) contract Sunday, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

While Williams could still re-sign with Brooklyn, he's set to enter unrestricted free agency after spending the past two seasons with the Nets. The 24-year-old wing missed the team's final five games in 2025-26 with a left foot issue, though he should be ready for training camp. Over 56 regular-season games (13 starts) last season, he averaged a career-high 10.2 points along with 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 assists in 22.9 minutes per showing.

The Suns traded O'Neale, Grayson Allen and a 2033 first-round pick to the Hornets on Sunday in exchange for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

O'Neale will serve as a veteran presence in the Hornets' locker room, and he'll help back up Naz Reid. O'Neale averaged 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 triples and 1.1 steals in 28.4 minutes per game in Phoenix last season, but it will be tough to replicate those numbers operating in a reserve role in Charlotte.

The Suns traded Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick to the Hornets on Sunday in exchange for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

After spending the past three years in Phoenix, Allen will join a retooling Charlotte squad that has now traded away LaMelo Ball and Bridges this offseason. Allen is coming off arguably the best year of his career, averaging 16.5 points, 3.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 28.8 minutes per game across 51 outings (27 starts). However, he shot just 40.3 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from deep, a significant dip from the 2024-25 campaign. He figures to play a significant role off the bench for Charlotte and will likely compete for minutes with Sion James and Tre Mann.