2024 NBA Free Agents: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Paul George and More
Paul George figures to be one of the most prominent free agents this off-season and the latest on a potential suitor headlines this collection of NBA free agent rumors.
The Clippers forward is just one player making headlines, though.
Joining him is four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson, whose career may continue outside of the Bay Area, and Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan, who may very well be the most unselfish All-Star in the league.
Find out the latest on all three of those stars with this collection of insider reports.
76ers Targeting Paul George in Free Agency
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Paul George is expected to be among the top free agents available this summer. Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the small forward and shooting guard will be the top target of the 76ers.
George averaged 33.8 minutes in 2023-24, 28 points, four rebounds, and two assists while shooting 46.1 percent from the floor.
Pairing George with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid would enhance a 76ers squad that faced injury issues this season, en route to an underwhelming seventh seed and play-in tournament appearance.
George would be a seamless fit with the team, and his ability to play off the ball would complement Embiid and Maxey, without getting in the way of the one-two punch that dynamic dup provides.
Pompey also reported that the Sixers are expected to give Maxey a huge contract this offseason but could still create upwards of $65 million in cap space, making it entirely possible that they add a star the magnitude of Paul to their pursuit of an NBA title.
Orlando Magic Interest in Klay Thompson "Worst Kept Secret"
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Klay Thompson's time with the Golden State Warriors, a team for which he helped win four NBA titles, may be over and a young, exciting Eastern Conference team may have eyes on acquiring the sharpshooter.
Tim Kawakami of The Athletic reported, "One of the worst-kept secrets in the league is that Orlando, loaded with young talent but not with shooters, might offer Klay a ton of money next summer."
Thompson would immediately upgrade the Magic, who have a young nucleus to build upon but lack quality shooters to win high-scoring games. The small forward and shooting guard would bring with him veteran experience to go along with the play of Paolo Ranchero, Wendell Carter Jr., Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner.
The Magic currently sits fifth in the Eastern Conference and appear poised to battle another young team in Cleveland. As those two squads jockey for position in a loaded conference, adding a piece like Thompson to the equation will only help to elevate them.
He is averaging his fewest points since the 2012-13 season with 17.8, and is playing right around four or five minutes less than he has at his peak, but Thompson is still a skilled shooter (38.5 percent) from beyond the arc and would presumably give the Magic the shooter it needs in order to hang with the top teams in their conference.
Would it be difficult to see Thompson in anything but the blue and gold of the Warriors?
Most definitely but, like Horace Grant back in 1994, there is potential for the 12-year man out of Washington State to join a team he can benefit and help elevate to the next level in his final few seasons.
DeMar DeRozan Insists on Staying With Chicago
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DeMar DeRozan was the subject of trade deadline rumors amid another so-so season in Chicago. The team, though, held onto him and currently finds itself in the play-in tournament with a real possibility to play spoiler for higher-profile teams.
More importantly, DeRozan continues to insist he wants to be in Chicago.
"This is where I want to be," he told reporters. "I love ownership. I love everything about the city and the franchise, top to bottom---the front office, the staff we have. It's one of those places that gives me motivation to see everybody get what they deserve and feel what winning is like again."
He also expressed his desire to see things through in Chicago, admitting he does not like to bail on tough situations.
DeRozan had another quality season for the Bulls, averaging 23.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals. He shot 48 percent from the paint and 33 percent from beyond the arc, both higher than his career average.
Retaining him will cost the Bulls as he is set to be an unrestricted free agent, but he has earned it. DeRozan leads the league in minutes played with 37.7 per game and in fourth-quarter scoring (7.3 points). He earned his second All-Star berth in three years with the Bulls this past season.
In a year where injuries have left the team depleted, and rumors regarding the trading of Zach LaVine ran rampant ahead of the deadline, DeRozan has been the heart and soul of the franchise and wants to stay that way.
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