Trades Continue to Dominate the Opening of NBA Free Agency

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The 2026 NBA free agency period has shown no signs of slowing down after the first full day of the period. Wednesday would see the landscape of the Eastern Conference shaken as the Boston Celtics would trade All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown to their Atlantic Division rival, the Philadelphia 76ers, for a package including Paul George.

Numerous players would sign with new teams, but no team would be more active than the Los Angeles Lakers. Tuesday would be a busy day for the Lakers for the wrong reasons, first having LeBron James announce he would not be returning to the team after eight seasons in LA, and would lose Luke Kennard to the Phoenix Suns. Wednesday would start with more losses, with Marcus Smart joining the Houston Rockets and Jaxson Hayes signing with the Utah Jazz. They would make numerous moves given their new cap situation post-LeBron.

The biggest move for L.A. would be a sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler, leaving the Jazz to sign a four-year, $130 million contract, giving the Lakers their center to put next to Luka Doncic. They would, however, give up unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030. The Lakers would also sign forward Sandro Mamukelashvili on a four-year, $52 million deal, guard Quentin Grimes on a four-year, $60 million deal, and guard Collin Sexton on a two-year, $19 million deal, with more moves potentially to come.

Several big names are still on the board, with the biggest of all being LeBron James. While it is expected that it will be a while before James makes an announcement, rumors persist that the Golden State Warriors could still try to make a big three with Stephen Curry, LeBron, and Anthony Davis happen. Notable remaining free agents include Jalen Duren, Khris Middleton, Anfernee Simons, Pat Spencer, Peyton Watson, Russell Westbrook, Bennedict Mathurin, Rui Hachimura, and James Harden.

The following moves have been made on the first full day of the 2026 free agency period:

Marcus Smart signs two-year, $13 million contract with Houston Rockets
John Collins joins Detroit Pistons on three-year, $51million deal
Norman Powell signs with the Chicago Bulls on a two-year, $45 million contract
Ariel Hukporti joins the Philadelphia 76ers on a one-year, $3.4 million deal
Nikola Vucevic returns to the Orlando Magic on a one-year, $3.9 million deal
Mike Conley Jr. signs one-year deal with Boston Celtics
Mo Wagner joins the Brooklyn Nets on a two-year, $19 million deal
Jevon Carter re-signs with the Magic on a one-year, $3.5 million contract
Mitchell Robinson joins Celtics on three-year, $47.5 million deal
De’Anthony Melton re-signs with Golden State Warriors on two-year, $11 million deal
Alijah Martin re-signs with Toronto Raptors on a two-year, $4.8 million deal
Jonathan Issac returns to Magic on a one-year deal after being waived
Jamir Watkins signs with the Washington Wizards on a two-way contract
Kelly Oubre Jr. agrees to a two-year, $17 million contract with the Indiana Pacers
Jaxson Hayes signs two-year, $12 million deal with Utah Jazz
Tobias Harris joins the San Antonio Spurs on a two-year, $31 million contract
Santi Aldama traded to the Dallas Mavericks for AJ Johnson, a 2030 GSW first-round pick, and two future second-round picks.
Marvin Bagley signs one-year deal with Denver Nuggets