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Something in the $6-million range would likely keep the Raptors under the tax for next season but he might get more from others. The Raptors could likely free up more money by trading 2023 first-round pick Gradey Dick into another team’s cap space this summer, something the third-year wing would be amenable to, per sources, given he was locked out of meaningful minutes after the all-star break.
The same would be true to a lesser degree with Quickley (four years and $130 million remaining) and Ingram (two years and $82 million), each of whom had positive regular seasons but were either injured (Quickley) or ineffective and injured (Ingram) in the playoffs. Quickley was in the trade market at the deadline and given how well the Raptors played even while Ingram struggled against the Cavs before missing most of Game 5 and all of Games 6 and 7 with heel inflammation, maybe they would consider using Ingram’s contract if they could somehow find an upgrade — which is no guarantee given he led the Raptors in scoring this past season.
As an example, leading up to trade deadline in February, the Raptors were working hard to try and make a deal that would land them Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies before he was ultimately traded to the Utah Jazz in a package that included three first round picks, according to multiple league sources. The sticking point was finding someone to take on Jakob Poeltl’s four years and $104 million the 30-year-old has owed to him.
Draymond Green: “The big question is: what’s next for this Boston team? Is it the end of the Jaylen Brown–Jayson Tatum era? I would say no. I don’t think it’s the end of their era. Look at the success they had this year with Jayson Tatum out most of the year, and then with Jayson Tatum coming back and them having success, ultimately getting ahead to a 3-1 lead. Obviously, they squandered the lead away, but you got right where you wanted to be.
Speaking on Sirius XM’s “Deals and Dunks” on Monday, NBA insider Marc Stein tabbed the Celtics as a team that could be in the running for the two-time MVP if the Bucks opt to move him after a disappointing 2025-26 season. “Because they’ve created this [cap] flexibility for themselves when it looked like it was gonna be really hard to do so — I feel like they’re gonna be able to make moves,” Stein said of the Celtics. “There will inevitably be people who bring back the, ‘Do they break up Tatum and [Jaylen] Brown’ — like, that storyline will probably come back. “There have been some rumblings at various points during the season that the Celtics could be a stealth Giannis team and a team that potentially interests Giannis. So let’s keep our eye on the Celtics. We know Brad Stevens is not afraid to make big moves and take big swings. So I think we have to be ready for just about anything with Boston.”
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Suggs, who has four guaranteed years remaining on his contract at descending salaries, could be a trade candidate as Orlando seeks to address its roster deficiencies and clean up its long-term cap sheet. But despite his rugged defense, his injury history might limit his attractiveness to potential trade suitors.
Despite the loss, multiple high-level team sources still believe their young core can contend for the next decade. Those same sources said Udoka will remain an essential part of the team's future. Durant too.
Over the past several years, according to team sources and those close to Harden, there has been mutual interest in a reunion.
As fondly as they still regarded Harden, there was a wariness about how he would affect the development of Sengun, Sheppard and Thompson. "We're not really looking for a heliocentric player, as great as James still is," one team source said. "We want to develop Reed, we want to develop Amen and we want the ball in Alpy's hands." As another said, "We weren't going to put the ball in [Harden's] hands, so why would you trade for James if you're not going to give him the ball?"
Alperen Sengun, who entered the season with high expectations, had an inconsistent fifth season. His efficiency wasn’t where it needs to be for a big man who commands so much of the offense and his defense was middling. In Game 6, Los Angeles didn’t send help and let Şengün attack one-on-one with Ayton. The Rockets big man finished 5-for-12 with four turnovers. Media and fans have floated his name around as a potential centerpiece if the Rockets go star-hunting. His reaction to that? “I cannot do anything about those conversations. It is what it is,” he said. "… Wherever I go or… if I stay here, I’m just going to stay with it. I’m going to do what I’m doing. Same goals. Same everything.”
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Looking at Boston’s highest-paid players, Brown and Tatum won’t be going anywhere, which leaves Derrick White as the only player making a considerable salary next year that the Celtics could move. White, 31, will make $30.3 million next year and two years from now, he has a $34.8 million player option for the 2028–29 season when he will be 34 years old. White has been a huge part of the Celtics’ success since his arrival in 2022 and he played a big part in Boston’s title run in ‘24.
Word is that Portland fully expects Lillard to return next season from the Achilles tear he sustained in April 2025 to potentially join Jrue Holiday in its starting backcourt... With Henderson in the mix as well. How all the pieces fit together remains to be seen, but it's likewise expected that the Blazers will field plenty of external trade interest in Holiday in coming weeks and months.
Yet I've received no indication to this point that the Hawks have designs on pursuing Antetokounmpo via trade this summer. Sources say that Atlanta is not eager to splurge for major roster additions, preferring to focus on internal improvement and addressing the futures of CJ McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga along with coach Quin Snyder (who has only one season left on his current contract).
…When it comes to Dundon's first NBA offseason in charge, I've heard from multiple league sources that the Blazers are expected to emerge as a prime trade suitor for Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo.