NBA Free Agency news: Aussie trio’s role in seven-team Kevin Durant trade revealed
It’s the biggest trade in NBA history - one involving seven teams, one all-time great and, stunningly, a trio of Australians. Read the full breakdown and the latest free agency news here.
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Superstar Kevin Durant is headed from the Phoenix Suns to Houston as part of an NBA-record seven-team deal, the Rockets confirmed on Sunday.
The Rockets will also welcome back Clint Capela in a sign-and-trade deal with Atlanta, Houston said in a statement posted on the team website.
Also involved in the blockbuster transfer were the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers - with Australian rookies Rocco Zikarsky and Alex Toohey playing their part.
Zikarsky, drafted by the Timberwolves, and Toohey - who is now a Warrior - were selected on draft night as part of picks that had been traded to facilitate of the seven-team movement.
Boomers centre Jock Landale was also loosely involved, as his $8m deal was waived by Durant’s new team, the Rockets.
Landale has since found a new home at the Memphis Grizzlies.
Durant, in a Sunday post on X, sent a farewell message to fans in Phoenix while making it clear he is excited to be heading for Houston, his fifth career NBA club.
“My time in Phoenix has come to an end,” Durant posted.
“All these stops along the journey have really impacted me in a positive way. Remember it’s a world behind the scenes, and those who make things work in that space, work tirelessly to make our lives easier as players.
“I truly believe this nba is a one big community. Much love to Arizona. Houston, Can’t Wait!” Durant, a 15-time NBA All-Star forward, turns 37 in September. The 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player won NBA titles with Golden State in 2017 and 2018.
“Kevin impacts the game on both ends of the court and is one of the most efficient scorers in the history of basketball,” Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said in a statement.
“We liked the growth our team showed last season and believe Kevin’s skill set will integrate seamlessly.”
Capela, a 31-year-old Swiss center, played his first six NBA seasons in Houston and the past five for the Hawks. He averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks a game and joins New Zealand’s Steven Adams as a big-man backup to Turkey’s Alperen Sengun.
The Suns’ haul after losing Durant included 18-year-old South Sudanese 7-foot-2 (2.18m) center Khaman Maluach, the 10th overall pick in June’s NBA draft, plus Houston forward Dillon Brooks of Canada and guard Jalen Green, Atlanta wing Daeqwon Plowden, Minnesota forward Rasheer Fleming and Golden State guard Koby Brea of the Dominican Republic.
The Hawks got cash and a 2031 draft pick swap from Houston while Brooklyn obtained two future second-round selections and sent the rights to incoming US rookie forward Adou Thiero to the Lakers.
The Warriors obtained the rights to Australian forward Toohey, the 52nd pick in last month’s draft, and US guard Jahmai Mashack, the last pick in the draft.
Minnesota landed two future draft picks from the Suns and 18-year-old Australian 7-foot-3 center Zikarsky, the 45th pick in the draft, from the Lakers.
AUSSIE STAR AXED IN $8M BLOW
Boomers centre Jock Landale is set for a fresh NBA home after the talented big man was waived by the Houston Rockets on Friday.
The 29-year-old had slipped down the Rockets’ depth chart after the recent signing of Clint Capela and re-signing of New Zealand giant Steven Adams, with both behind starting centre Alperen Sengun.
Landale was waived before his $A12m ($US 8m) contract for next season became guaranteed.
He is now free to sign with any rival team once he clears waivers.
Landale has played four seasons in the NBA, bouncing around between the Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs and the Rockets.
Reports, including from The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, indicate there is interest in Landale which would keep his NBA career alive. - Staff writers
NBA CONTENDER SHOCK OPTION FOR BEN SIMMONS
A return to New York is possible for Ben Simmons, only this time it would be on the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Knicks have expressed interest in the polarising former Nets point guard in free agency, a league source confirmed Wednesday to The Post.
Their interest in the three-time NBA All-Star was first reported by SNY.
The 28-year-old Simmons had the remainder of his $40 million salary bought out by the Nets in February, and the former NBA Rookie of the Year signed for the rest of the season with the Clippers.
The Knicks probably cannot afford to offer more than the veterans minimum to sign Simmons because the pending additions of Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele in free agency put the team at the second apron for salary-cap purposes.
They will use their taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Yabusele to a two-year deal worth $12 million.The 6-10 Simmons was hampered by back problems and appeared in only 90 games over three seasons with the Nets — averaging 6.5 points and 6.3 assists — following his acquisition from the 76ers in the James Harden trade in 2022.
EXUM LOCKS IN RETURN TO DALLAS
Dante Exum will return to the Dallas Mavericks for another season, re-signing a one-year contract.
The Aussie was sidelined with a broken hand throughout the last season but across his 20 appearances for the Mavs, he averaged a career high 8.7 points and 2.8 assists across 18.6 minutes of court time.
Exum reportedly had two other deals on the table, however, returns to Dallas for his ninth season at the NBA.
He also will join the number one pick, Cooper Flagg on the roster.
Free agent guard Dante Exum has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN. Exum considered two other contenders but returns to Dallas to share ball-handling duties to start the season with D'Angelo Russell. pic.twitter.com/3GZBxTgb8c
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2025
SGA PUTS PEN TO PAPER ON RECORD DEAL
AFP
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has agreed a four-year $285 million contract extension, the richest per-year contract in NBA history, US media reports said Tuesday.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who guided the Thunder to the NBA championship last month after a campaign that saw him win regular season and finals Most Valuable Player awards, is now tied to the club through 2031.
The 26-year-old Canadian point guard has two years remaining on his existing contract with Oklahoma City worth $79.1 million USD.
The four additional seasons of his contract extension will see him receive $62.5 million, $68.6 million, $73.7 million and then $78.7 million in 2030-2031.
The deal gives Gilgeous-Alexander the highest annual salary in the NBA, eclipsing the average $64.3 million salary of the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid and the $62.8 million earned by the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum.
Gilgeous-Alexander was the fulcrum of the Thunder’s dazzling 68-win Western Conference season, before inspiring the team to a 4-3 NBA Finals victory over the Indiana Pacers last month.
The Thunder ace averaged a league-high 32.7 points during the regular season and 30.3 points in the NBA Finals on his way to completing his MVP double.
He became only the fourth player in history to win both NBA regular season and finals MVP awards as well as the league’s scoring title, putting him into an exclusive club alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal.
News of Gilgeous-Alexander’s contract extension came as the NBA’s free agency window cranked into top gear after the opening of the window on Monday.
BUCKS GET BUSY ON DAY ONE
In other significant early moves reported on Tuesday, the Milwaukee Bucks have waived all-star guard Damian Lillard after two seasons.
Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the opening round of the playoffs and faces a lengthy recovery that is expected to sideline him for most if not all of next season.
The Bucks meanwhile have moved to beef up their starting line-up with the acquisition of Indiana center Myles Turner, a key part of the Pacers run to last month’s NBA Finals.
Turner has reportedly agreed to a four-year $107 million deal with the club which will see him form a formidable partnership alongside the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN.
The Denver Nuggets meanwhile have brought in Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings in trade for Dario Saric.
SIGNED: Tyrese Proctor has agreed to a Multi-Year contract.
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) July 1, 2025
🔗: https://t.co/TZZNhDqZNw@Shift4 | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/HadySWwOS7
CAVS COMMIT TO AUSSIES
Jessica Robinson
Just days after realising his NBA dream, Australian Tyrese Proctor has been granted an early commitment from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
To launch their free agency, the Cavs have signed the Duke star and their 49th selection at last week’s draft to a multi-year contract.
The deal guarantees Proctor’s first two years, full time with the NBA roster.
The college alum sharing to his social media after the announcement: “blessings.”
Proctor, a starter for Duke on 38 occasions last season, averaged 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists, playing in a team alongside the number one draft pick Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks), pick four Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) and pick 10 Khaman Maluach (Phoenix Suns).
In addition to Proctor’s deal, Aussie Luke Travers has re-signed another two-way contract to remain in Cleveland.
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