Gary Payton II headed to the Blazers, Kevin Durant requests trade from Nets, Juan Toscano-Anderson likely leaving Warriors, Ja Morant extension with Grizzlies, Nikola Jokic extension with Nuggets, and more in NBA deals.
Warriors guard Gary Payton II finalizing deal with Trail Blazers
Warriors guard Gary Payton II, 29, who has been a top target for free agency, has been offered a lucrative deal by the Portland Trail Blazers, one that reportedly the Warriors are unwilling to match. Payton is reportedly finalizing a three-year, $28 million deal, the Mercury News reported. This season, Payton led the Warriors in deflections (180) and steals (96), averaging 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 61.6 percent on shooting.
Kevin Durant requests trade from Nets
Kevin Durant has requested to be traded from the Brooklyn Nets, and the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are among the teams he has on his wish list, according to sources, ESPN reported.
However, the Nets aren't tied to any stipulation requiring them to honor Durant's preferred locations. He signed a four-year contract extension that goes into effect this week, and he doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract. Therefore, any team that acquires him will have him through 2026, and the Nets plan to look for a deal that will give them the greatest return on their assets, CBSSports reported.
There's a buzz among many teams in the league about the availability of Durant, but his 2022-2023 season contract comes at a cost of $41.1 million, Mass Live reported. The Lakers are not expected to pursue Durant and are focusing on the Kyrie Irving trade, CBS reported.
Juan Toscano-Anderson signs with Lakers
Forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, on the heels of winning a championship with the Golden State Warriors, has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers, Yahoo Sports reports.
The move to the Lakers ends three seasons with the Warriors for the 2022 slam dunk contest runner-up. Last season, Toscano-Anderson played 73 games this season, averaging 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. The terms of the contract weren't immediately available.
Nikola Jokic signs largest contract in NBA history with Nuggets
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, a two-time reigning most valuable player, has signed a five-year, $270 million supermax extension, for a total of six seasons worth $303 million. It's the largest contract in NBA history, ESPN reported. The deal includes a player option and a trade kicker and goes into effect during the 2023-24 season at $46.6 million. Jokic's salary will increase every season until 2027-28 when he is poised to make $61.5 million.
Ja Morant signs $231 million extension deal with Grizzlies
All-NBA guard Ja Morant has signed a 5-year designated rookie extension with the Memphis Grizzlies, which guarantees $193 million and triggers supermax escalators worth up to $231 million, ESPN reported. There is also a 15% trade kicker. Morant, 22, who made All-NBA Second Team, established himself as a superstar over the past three seasons. Last season, he averaged 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists as the Grizzlies tied a franchise record with 56 wins and advanced to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. Morant has progressed from rookie of the year to NBA All-Star starter, and then to All-NBA Second Team and Most Improved Player.