Samwise NBA Newsletter
Sunday, June 28, 2026
LeBron James, Lakers Grow Silent as Free Agency Opens Tuesday
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have grown conspicuously silent as the NBA's free agency negotiation period opens Tuesday. Despite the Lakers reaching out to James when teams could first contact their own free agents, little communication has followed, and no offer has been presented. James has not committed to returning to Los Angeles, has not discussed contract numbers with the team, and has not confirmed he is playing in 2026-27, with retirement reportedly on the table. Multiple reports indicate league sources are divided on his destination, with some believing James will ultimately return to the Lakers and others suggesting a departure is more likely than a return.
Sources: Yahoo Sports Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Austin Reaves Agrees to Record $185M Max Deal, Becomes Richest Undrafted Player in NBA History
Austin Reaves has agreed to a four-year, $185 million maximum contract to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, making him the richest undrafted player in NBA history. The deal includes a player option for the 2029-30 season and escalates from $41 million in Year 1 to $51 million in Year 4. Reaves, who declined his $14.9 million player option to trigger the new deal, averaged 23.3 points on 49 percent shooting with 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds last season but appeared in just 51 games due to calf and oblique injuries. The Lakers initially offered $150 million over five years before rival interest drove the price to a maximum contract.
NBA Free Agency Opens Tuesday With LeBron, Duren, Leonard Headlining Loaded Market
NBA free agency formally opens Tuesday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET, launching one of the most consequential summers in league history. With Giannis Antetokounmpo now in Miami and LaMelo Ball now in Minnesota, the market's biggest remaining question is LeBron James's future in Los Angeles. Also available: restricted free agent center Jalen Duren of Detroit, guards Walker Kessler and Quentin Grimes, and veteran wing Kawhi Leonard, who is seeking an extension with the Clippers. Teams across all 30 franchises have spent weeks maneuvering their rosters for cap flexibility, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated free agency periods in recent league history.
Sources: Yahoo Sports ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Isaiah Hartenstein Re-Signs with Thunder on Three-Year, $75M Deal
Isaiah Hartenstein is returning to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a new three-year, $75 million deal after the team declined his $28.5 million option for next season. The reworked contract includes a maximum 15 percent trade kicker and a mutual option allowing both parties to revisit terms before the final season in 2028-29. A 7-foot, 250-pound center who started alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City, Hartenstein averaged 10.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists over his first two seasons with the Thunder. The new agreement brings his total guaranteed earnings with the franchise to $134 million over five years, keeping a key piece of the Thunder's core in place.
Sources: ESPN Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Warriors Believe They Are Front-Runners for LeBron James as Free Agency Nears
The Golden State Warriors believe they have a genuine chance to land LeBron James when free agency opens Tuesday. While the Warriors can offer only the non-taxpayer midlevel exception — worth $15.1 million — sources say they have gathered intel suggesting James is open to a move if talks with the Lakers break down. The prevailing view around the league, however, is that James remains more likely than not to leave Los Angeles. Stephen Curry is expected to participate in recruiting conversations if needed. The Lakers secured Austin Reaves to a $185 million deal last week but have not yet made James a contract offer heading into the negotiation window.
Sources: Yahoo Sports Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Orlando Magic Waive Jonathan Isaac to Avoid $14.5M Salary Guarantee
The Orlando Magic waived forward Jonathan Isaac on Saturday, cutting ties with the nine-year veteran one day before his $14.5 million salary for 2026-27 would have been fully guaranteed. By releasing Isaac before Sunday's guarantee deadline, Orlando saves $6.5 million against the salary cap, though the team still owes him $8 million. The 6-foot-10 forward was the Magic's sixth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft but injuries severely limited his availability throughout his career, including missing all of 2020-21 and 2021-22 after tearing his left ACL. Isaac averaged 2.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in 52 games last season and is now an unrestricted free agent.
Sources: ESPN Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Victor Wembanyama Set for Record $251M Spurs Extension Beginning July 6
Victor Wembanyama is set to sign a five-year, $251 million rookie maximum extension with the San Antonio Spurs, with July 6 as the first eligible date. The contract includes incentive language that could push its total value to $301 million if Wembanyama earns an All-NBA selection, wins the MVP, or captures Defensive Player of the Year in 2026-27, automatically escalating his salary cap percentage from 25 to 30 percent. Wembanyama, who won Defensive Player of the Year this season, led the Spurs to the NBA Finals before losing to the Knicks in five games. League sources view the extension as a formality with no negotiation expected.
Sources: Yahoo Sports Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
2025–26 NBA Playoffs — Season Complete
Eastern Conference
ECF: New York Knicks def. Cleveland Cavaliers 4–0
NBA Finals: 🏆 Knicks def. Spurs 4–1
Jalen Brunson: Finals MVP
Western Conference
WCF: San Antonio Spurs reached NBA Finals
New York Knicks — 2026 NBA Champions
First Knicks title since 1973
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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