Thomas Detry wins WM Phoenix Open. Detry earns $1.67 million million bringing his 2025 on-course earnings to $2.6 million and his career on-course earnings to $9.19 million. 

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As the offseason officially arrives, here are a few important upcoming dates to keep in mind, including the franchise/transition tag window, negotiation period, and official 2025 league year start.

• 2/18: Tag Window Opens
• 2/24-3/3: NFL Combine
• 3/4: Tag Window Closes
• 3/10-3/12: Negotiation Period
• 3/12: League Year Begins*
  
  *All teams must be Top 51 salary cap compliant by 4PM ET. Spotrac is currently projecting a $275M league salary cap in all NFL views.

The Cleveland Cavaliers loaded up to aid in a title push. The Hawks reset their roster and cap sheet bit.

Here are the particulars:

Cleveland Cavaliers acquire: De’Andre Hunter

Atlanta Hawks acquire: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, right to swap 2026 first-round picks with the Cavaliers, right to swap 2028 first-round picks with the least favorable of Cavaliers and Jazz, 2027 Cavaliers second-round pick, 2029 Cavaliers second-round pick and 2031 Cavaliers second-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Cleveland Cavaliers

Incoming salary: $21.7 million in 2024-25

• De’Andre Hunter (SF/PF, three years, $69.9 million)

Outgoing salary: $25.1 million in 2024-25

• Caris LeVert (SG/SF, one year, $16.6 million)
• Georges Niang (PF, two years, $16.7 million)

The Cavaliers are all in. De’Andre Hunter should be a terrific fit for the Cavaliers. He’ll likely start as the team’s small forward, but he’ll slide up and play plenty of small-ball power forward too. That’s the sort of versatility that Cleveland was lacking from their forward group.

Hunter has put together his best offensive season this year. He’s done well as a spot-up shooter, and in creating his own looks. Hunter has become a bit overrated as a defender, but he’s still solid on that end. He’ll give Cleveland more size to throw at the likes of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby among their chief competitors in the Eastern Conference.

What makes this an all-in move is two-fold. Cleveland gave up most of their remaining draft capital in this deal. The Cavs traded away three seconds, while also giving Atlanta first-round swap rights in a couple of other years.

The other all-in component is on the cap sheet. The Cavaliers now have over $198 million in guaranteed salary for eight players on their books for next season. By the time they fill out the roster, Cleveland will have one of the most expensive teams in the NBA next season. That’s why ducking the luxury tax in this trade was important. That keeps the repeater clock from starting for one more year.

The Cavs did lose some on-ball playmaking in Caris LeVert, but they’ve got enough in reserve to cover for that with Ty Jerome and Craig Porter Jr. Georges Niang was a nice stretch-four for Cleveland, but Hunter and Dean Wade should be able to handle Niang’s role without much worry.

Cleveland does have a couple of roster spots to fill, so they’ll be active on the buyout market. Keep an eye on a backup center and possibly a veteran point guard.

The Cavaliers are right there in terms of being a title contender. They’ve had a terrific season to date, but there was still a sense they needed one more player to truly compete with Boston at the top of the conference. Now, Cleveland should feel good about their chances, no matter who they run into in the postseason.

Atlanta Hawks

Incoming salary: $25.1 million in 2024-25

• Caris LeVert (SG/SF, one year, $16.6 million)
• Georges Niang (PF, two years, $16.7 million)

Outgoing salary: $21.7 million in 2024-25

• De’Andre Hunter (SF/PF, three years, $69.9 million)
• Note: Atlanta also sent Cody Zeller’s $3.5 million contract to the Houston Rockets in a roster/salary clearing 

When you combine this move with their other deals, the Hawks really reset things with their roster and cap sheet. Moving De’Andre Hunter seems like a step backwards, but Atlanta got back players who can play.

Caris LeVert is a good scorer and ballhandler. With Jalen Johnson out for the season, Atlanta has really been struggling for shot creation outside of Trae Young. LeVert will help with that quite a bit. He’s not the defender Hunter is, but the Hawks defense wasn’t exactly their calling card with Hunter.

Niang is also a nice addition. Atlanta didn’t really have a stretch big on the roster. Niang should give them solid minutes beside Onyeka Okongwu and Clint Capela in the frontcourt.

In the Zeller salary-dump, the Hawks gave the Rockets back their 2028 second-round pick. That deal helped Atlanta clear a roster spot and to get under the tax. Considering Zeller never actually joined the Hawks after being a throw-in as part of the Dejounte Murray deal last summer, that’s not a loss.

On the cap sheet, Atlanta has cleaned things up considerably. Even though he’s played well this season, let’s not forget that a year ago many were suggesting that Hunter’s deal was a cap-clogger. Now, that’s gone.

The Hawks aren’t in line to have cap space next summer, but they should be well clear of the luxury tax. More importantly, in the summer of 2026, which is shaping up to potentially have a monster free agent class, Atlanta could be real players.

This trade might not make the Hawks better this season. But it probably won’t make them worse. And they added a lot of draft capital and cap flexibility for the future. That’s a win for a team that was very much stuck in the middle.

The LA Clippers added a perimeter shooting threat, and a bundle of second-round picks. The Hawks cleared out a little bit of future salary, while adding a versatile perimeter playmaker.

Here are the particulars:

LA Clippers acquire: Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2025 Timberwolves second-round pick, 2026 top-42 protected Grizzlies second-round pick, their own 2027 second-round pick

Atlanta Hawks acquire: Terance Mann, Bones Hyland

Let’s dive in!

LA Clippers

Incoming salary: $17.3 million in 2024-25

• Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG/SF, three years, $49.3 million (final season team option))

Outgoing salary: $15.6 million in 2024-25

• Terance Mann (SG/SF, four years, $58.4 million)
• Bones Hyland (PG, one year, $4.2 million)

The Clippers needed to add more shooting for their playoff push. Bogdan Bogdanovic’s history says he’ll bring that in spades.

This season, Bogdanovic has struggled with his shot. He’s looked tired after a long summer with the Serbian national team. There’s a good chance Bogdanovic will rebound after getting off his feet during the upcoming All-Star break.

If he does, the Clippers have added a knockdown shooter, who can score on spot-ups, on on-the-move catch-and-shoots and off the dribble. Bogdanovic is also used to coming off the bench, which will be his role in LA.

Look for Bogdanovic to be used to space the floor in lineups that feature Kris Dunn and possibly soon-to-be-signed Ben Simmons. Those two will benefit from Bogdanovic opening up the floor for them. Also, on nights when he has it going, Bogdanovic can be a part of the Clippers closing lineups, if they need more shooting on the floor.

Terance Mann’s role with the Clippers was a bit uncertain. He had lost a lot of minutes over the course of the season to Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr. and Amir Coffey. Look for LA to extend Coffey before the season ends, given his increased role in the team’s rotation.

Getting back three second-round picks is good work for the Clippers here, and fairly surprising. Atlanta did have a bunch of extra seconds, so it’s to the Clippers advantage that they were able to pull a few away.

Through the course of the deadline moves, LA was able to add a backup center in Drew Eubanks, perimeter shooting in Bogdanovic, a veteran locker room voice in Patty Mills and soon, some versatility on both end of the floor with Simmons. That’s really solid work for a team that many thought would fall out of the playoff picture this season.

Atlanta Hawks

Incoming salary: $15.6 million in 2024-25

• Terance Mann (SG/SF, four years, $58.4 million)
• Bones Hyland (PG, one year, $4.2 million)

Outgoing salary: $17.3 million in 2024-25

• Bogdan Bogdanovic (SG/SF, three years, $49.3 million (final season team option))

The Hawks added a little bit of long-term salary in this move, but they needed a player like Terance Mann more than they needed Bogdan Bogdanovic. That’s why this isn’t nearly as bad of a move as some have panned it as being.

Mann will bring Atlanta some additional on-ball juice. The team has been lacking that since Jalen Johnson went down. By adding both Mann and Caris LeVert in deadline deals, the Hawks have solved some of their shot creation issues.

Mann’s shooting has fallen off a bit over the last two seasons. It’s unclear what’s caused that, but that will be something to monitor with Atlanta. That’s especially true, given Mann’s three-year, $47 million extension kicks in after this season.

That was part of the reason for this trade. The Hawks will have Mann long-term, whereas Bogdanovic only had one more guaranteed year after this year. Mann is also four years younger than Bogdanovic. That’s a factor for a Hawks team that is building for the future.

Atlanta is waiving Bones Hyland, so his inclusion in this deal will have no on-court impact. The Hawks did give up there second-round picks in this deal, but they acquired three in their other trade with the Cavaliers. So, that nets out evenly for Atlanta.

This may seem like a strange trade for the Hawks, but when you look deeper it makes sense. They can give Bogdanovic’s designated-shooter role to Garrison Mathews, who has hit for 39% from deep this season. In addition, Vit Krejci can fill in scorer off the bench. And that’s before getting to Mann, who will help with shot creation and as a solid defensive player. All of that, plus some savings on the cap sheet over the next couple of years, makes this a solid trade for Atlanta.

The LA Clippers cleaned up a potential logjam on their roster by taking a flyer on a young player. The Bucks added some backcourt depth, while moving a player who was no longer part of their roster plans.

Here are the particulars:

LA Clippers acquire: MarJon Beauchamp

Milwaukee Bucks acquire: Kevin Porter Jr.

Let’s dive in!

LA Clippers

Incoming salary: $2.7 million in 2024-25

• Marjon Beauchamp (SG/SF, one year, $2.7 million)

Outgoing salary: $2.2 million in 2024-25

• Kevin Porter Jr. (SG/PG, two years, $4.8 million (2025-26 player option))

The Clippers no longer had a need for Kevin Porter Jr. in their backcourt. Kris Dunn has assumed the primary backup point guard role, Patty Mills was added earlier in trade season for depth, and Ben Simmons is joining the team after a buyout from the Nets. Off-ball, the team Norman Powell, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Amir Coffey in front of Porter.

Porter has been a bit of a wild-card in the past when he’s not playing regular minutes. That’s something that LA can no longer guarantee him with the depth they’ve added.

MarJon Beauchamp is a flyer for the Clippers. If he shows enough, LA could bring him back on a team-friendly contract next season as a developmental player.

On the cap sheet, there is a little bit more clarity for next season. Beauchamp had his fourth-year rookie scale option declined, so he’ll be an unrestricted free agent. Porter has a $2.5 million player option, which he’s likely to decline. Now, the Clippers can go into the offseason knowing they’ll certainly have that roster spot open.

Milwaukee Bucks

Incoming salary: $2.2 million in 2024-25

• Kevin Porter Jr. (SG/PG, two years, $4.8 million (2025-26 player option))

Outgoing salary: $2.7 million in 2024-25

• Marjon Beauchamp (SG/SF, one year, $2.7 million)

The Bucks protected themselves in case of a backcourt injury in this move. MarJon Beauchamp was long longer a part of the plans in Milwaukee, as witnessed by the team declining their rookie scale team option for Beauchamp for next season.

Porter could be in line for a regular rotation role for the Bucks. Milwaukee is a bit thing behind Damian Lillard at point guard, as two-way player Ryan Rollins has become the primary backup ballhandler. That’s a spot where Porter can step in and help.

Long-term, if Porter opts in for next season, he’ll make just above the veteran minimum amount. That’s solid value for the production he can bring.

After making two deals earlier in trade season that left with him a hole at center, the Lakers went all-in to fill it. The Hornets continued picking up draft capital and young players.

Here are the particulars:

Los Angeles Lakers acquire: Mark Williams

Charlotte Hornets acquire: Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, rights to swap 2030 first-round picks, 2031 Lakers first-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Los Angeles Lakers

Incoming salary: $4.1 million in 2024-25

• Mark Williams (C, two years, $10.4 million)

Outgoing salary: $6.3 million in 2024-25

• Dalton Knecht (SF/SG, four years, $14.5 million (rookie scale deal))
• Cam Reddish (SF/SG, one year, $2.1 million)

After trading Anthony Davis in the deal to get Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers were really thin at the center position. Los Angeles had Jaxson Hayes, two-way players and small-ball options. They filled that need with Mark Williams.

When healthy, Williams has been a solid starting center. He’s a good rebounder, decent rim protector and a solid finisher around the rim. Williams is the type of athletic lob-catch that thrives playing with Doncic. The two should make a very good pick-and-roll pairing for years to come.

The issue is that Williams has rarely been healthy in his NBA career. He’s missed considerable time in each of his first three seasons. The good news is that none of the injuries are directly related and none of them seem to a chronic thing.

The other issue with this trade is that the Lakers gave up their remaining draft capital to add Williams. Paying a first-round pick in six years, plus a swap the year before, is a lot for a guy who will probably never be more than a solid starter. In addition, Los Angeles gave up Dalton Knecht, who was a prized draft pick in just this past draft.

In the immediate, the loss of Knecht isn’t that big of a deal. The Lakers weren’t going to be able to play him with two of Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves very often. Not without Davis to clean up for them. That was going to limit Knecht’s role. Given those three players seem entrenched in Los Angeles for now, it was best to move Knecht while they could get something for him. Cam Reddish has been out of the rotation while, so there’s no production loss there.

The Lakers needed to do something up front. They reportedly sought out Doncic to find out what type of center he wanted to play with. Williams fits that mold. This was just a very high price to pay for a non-All-Star.

Charlotte Hornets

Incoming salary: $6.3 million in 2024-25

• Dalton Knecht (SF/SG, four years, $14.5 million (rookie scale deal))
• Cam Reddish (SF/SG, one year, $2.1 million)

Outgoing salary: $4.1 million in 2024-25

• Mark Williams (C, two years, $10.4 million)

This trade is a massive win for the Hornets. It’s not that Mark Williams isn’t a good player. He is. Williams was also a good fit with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller on the young Charlotte roster.

But Williams wasn’t projecting to be an All-Star. He’s also regularly out of the lineup due to injuries. Center is a spot where teams can find affordable talent almost every offseason. And the Hornets got paid handsomely to move on from Williams.

Knecht is a nice prospect to work with, even if he’s eight months older than Williams, who was drafted two years earlier. Charlotte needs more shooting and scoring on the wing. With Miller out for the season, Knecht should have a clear runway to minutes. He’ll help the Hornets with his shooting and knack for drawing contact and free throws.

The real get here though is the control of the Lakers draft in the “who knows?” years. 2030 and 2031 will be post-LeBron James and we have no idea what Los Angeles will look like at that point. That’s so far out, there’s a decent chance Doncic may have also moved on. If nothing else, it’s worth the gamble for the Hornets.

The Milwaukee Bucks shoot up their roster, while the Washington Wizards took on some salary for draft capital, while the Knicks and Spurs helped to facilitate.

Here are the particulars:

Milwaukee Bucks acquire: Kyle Kuzma, Jericho Sims, second-most favorable 2025 Pistons, Suns or Warriors second-round pick, 2026 top-55 protected Spurs second-round pick

Washington Wizards acquire: Khris Middleton, A.J. Johnson, draft rights for Mathias Lessort, right to swap least favorable 2028 Bucks or Trail Blazers first-round pick, Cash

New York Knicks acquire: Delon Wright, draft rights for Hugo Besson, Cash

San Antonio Spurs acquire: Patrick Baldwin, Cash

Let’s dive in!

Milwaukee Bucks

Incoming salary: $25.6 million in 2024-25

• Kyle Kuzma (PF/SF, three years, $64.4 million)
• Jericho Sims (C, one year, $2.1 million)

Outgoing salary: $36.6 million in 2024-25

• Khris Middleton (SF/SG, two years, $65.7 million (player option for final season))
• A.J. Johnson (SG, four years, $14.6 million (rookie scale deal))
• Delon Wright (PG, one year, $2.1 million)

The Bucks seemingly wanted to shake things up at the trade deadline. They did so by trading away beloved Buck Khris Middleton to bring in talented, but inconsistent forward Kyle Kuzma. Milwaukee also gave up first-round pick swap rights in the deal and 2024 first-rounder A.J. Johnson.

Middleton was oft-injured over the last few seasons. Milwaukee was often left without the veteran wing during key moments, including during the playoffs. This season, Middleton has struggled to find his form. Bucks coach Doc Rivers recently commented that it was hard for Middleton to get into a rhythm with being constantly in and out of the lineup.

Kuzma has largely been healthy in recent years. He’s been inefficient this season, but that’s come while playing with a lot of young players on a Wizards team with nothing to play for.

Milwaukee is hoping that Kuzma will give them more size on the wing, in addition to a player who will be more regularly available. The Bucks are also betting with better talent around him that Kuzma will find his shooting form again.

The Bucks also picked up Jericho Sims. Despite being given chances over the last few seasons, Sims has never been able to seize a rotation role for the Knicks. Still, Milwaukee was very thin behind Brook Lopez at center, and Sims will provide them with some depth at the five.

In addition to adding frontcourt depth, the Bucks were able to save some money for this year and next by swapping out Middleton for Kuzma. That’s big for a team that was above the second apron prior to their deadline deals.

Washington Wizards

Incoming salary: $34.5 million in 2024-25

• Khris Middleton (SF/SG, two years, $65.7 million (player option for final season))
• A.J. Johnson (SG, four years, $14.6 million (rookie scale deal))

Outgoing salary: $26 million in 2024-25

• Kyle Kuzma (PF/SF, three years, $64.4 million)
• Patrick Baldwin (SF/PF, one year, $2.5 million)

Like in their other deadline moves, the Wizards picked up additional draft capital for taking on some short-term salary over the next two seasons. Washington has talked about adding Khris Middleton to help with their younger roster, but this was really about getting a draft pick while shedding an additional year of salary for Kyle Kuzma.

Middleton may very well contribute to the Wizards for the remainder of this season, and possibly for part of next. He could also decide that making $34 million for a lottery team isn’t appealing and could decline his player option. That’s not very likely, but don’t take it offer the table.

If Washington can get Middleton back into form, he’ll become an attractive trade chip for next season, as he’ll have a large expiring salary. In the interim time, he can help a young group of wings including Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George and A.J. Johnson learn how to succeed in the NBA.

Johnson is being treated as a throw-in part of this deal, but he could be more than that. Johnson is fairly athletic and is very young. There’s potential there and he’ll have a chance at minutes on the rebuilding Wizards.

San Antonio Spurs

Incoming salary: $2.5 million in 2024-25

• Patrick Baldwin (SF/PF, one year, $2.5 million)

Outgoing salary: None

The Spurs were in this deal to act as a facilitator. They took on Baldwin’s contract for more than enough to cash to cover it. Baldwin was already waived by San Antonio.

New York Knicks

Incoming salary: $2.1 million in 2024-25

• Delon Wright (PG, one year, $2.1 million)

Outgoing salary: $26 million in 2024-25

• Jericho Sims (C, one year, $2.1 million)

The Knicks inclusion in this deal was an odd one. New York already has a glut at point guard with Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Cameron Payne and Tyler Kolek. All of those players are more productive than Wright is. The Knicks did get enough cash to cover Wright’s deal, so that’s likely all this was about.

New York may very well waive Wright if they need a roster spot, but that would be a down-the-line thing. The Knicks are already working with open roster spots and apron issues at it is, waiving Wright will only come if there is a real need.

The Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets became familiar trade partners during this trade season. The two teams linked up for another deal ahead of the deadline, after working a previous deal a few weeks earlier.

Here are the particulars:

Phoenix Suns acquire: Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic, 2026 second-round pick

Charlotte Hornets acquire: Jusuf Nurkic, least favorable 2026 Suns, Grizzlies, Magic or Wizards first-round pick.

Let’s dive in!

Phoenix Suns

Incoming salary: $15.8 million in 2024-25

• Cody Martin (SF, two years, $16.8 million (2025-26 non-guaranteed))
• Vasilije Micic (PG, two years, $15.8 million (2025-26 team option))

Outgoing salary: $18.1 million in 2024-25

• Jusuf Nurkic (C, two years, $37.5 million)

This trade for the Suns was about cutting their luxury tax bill, while also adding some depth to their roster. And they managed to do that while shedding Jusuf Nurkic, who was no longer part of the plans in Phoenix.

Martin enters a crowded wing mix for the Suns. Even if you subtract Kevin Durant, who plays mostly at power forward, Martin will be competing for minutes alongside Devin Booker with Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, Bradley Beal and Ryan Dunn. That’s a tough group to crack.

In addition, Martin is the only player from that mix that doesn’t have guaranteed money on the books for next season. Maybe Phoenix takes a look, but we’ll see.

Micic is in a similar situation at point guard. He’ll be behind Tyus Jones and Monte Morris, and whatever minutes that Beal and Allen log at point guard too.

Micic also isn’t carrying money into next season. The Suns will hold an $8.1 million team option for the veteran point guard. There are already reports that Micic hopes that option will be declined so that he can return to Europe next season.

If nothing else, the Suns saved some on their tax bill this season, while also shaving over $19 million off the books for next season. There is a chance Phoenix could use Martin’s or Micic’s salary in a trade in the offseason, but that will depend on where things are at. This trade was about savings and flexibility, and the Suns achieved that.

Charlotte Hornets

Incoming salary: $18.1 million in 2024-25

• Jusuf Nurkic (C, two years, $37.5 million)

Outgoing salary: $15.8 million in 2024-25

• Cody Martin (SF, two years, $16.8 million (2025-26 non-guaranteed))
• Vasilije Micic (PG, two years, $15.8 million (2025-26 team option))

The Hornets were miles from the luxury tax before taking on money in a few different deals. As they did in their other moves, Charlotte added draft capital. In this trade, that was in the form of a future first-round pick.

Jusuf Nurkic should have a chance to play for the Hornets. Charlotte doesn’t have much at the center position, and Nurkic is eager to prove he can still play. Look for him to get some minutes, as the Hornets would like to rebuild his trade value ahead of Nurkic having an expiring contract next season.

Throughout trade season, the Hornets have reshaped their roster while adding future draft picks. That’s what you should be doing when you’re a lottery team. In addition, Charlotte didn’t have to take back any bad salary that stretches beyond next season. That’s a win.

The Toronto Raptors used some of their room under the luxury tax to help the Indiana Pacers create room under the luxury tax.

Here are the particulars:

Toronto Raptors acquire: James Wiseman, Cash

Indiana Pacers acquire: 2031 top-55 protected Raptors second-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Toronto Raptors

Incoming salary: $2.2 million in 2024-25

• James Wiseman (C, one year, $2.2 million)

Outgoing salary: None

The Raptors had plenty of room under the luxury tax. With the Pacers willing to cover Wiseman’s salary with cash, Toronto did them a favor.

Wiseman was released, which auto-declined the team option on his contract for next season. The young big man will spend the rest of this year rehabbing from a torn Achilles’ tendon. Because he was injured while with the Pacers, Wiseman can continue to rehab with the team, their medical staff and using their facilities.

Indiana Pacers

Incoming salary: None

Outgoing salary: $2.2 million in 2024-25

• James Wiseman (C, one year, $2.2 million)

This move was about creating a roster spot and some clearance under the luxury tax for Indiana. The Pacers could now be involved in adding a player via the buyout market. Keep an eye on big men, as Indiana is still a bit light in terms of depth behind Myles Turner and Thomas Bryant.

The Toronto Raptors again went the “pre-agency” route. The Pelicans got value for a player who was no long a part of their future plans.

Here are the particulars:

Toronto Raptors acquire: Brandon Ingram

New Orleans Pelicans acquire: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, 2026 top-four protected Pacers first-round pick, 2031 Raptors second-round pick

Let’s dive in!

Toronto Raptors

Incoming salary: $34 million in 2024-25

• Brandon Ingram (SF, one year, $34 million)

Outgoing salary: $35.8 million in 2024-25

• Bruce Brown (SG/SF, one year, $23 million)
• Kelly Olynyk (C, two years, 26.3 million)

For the fourth consecutive trade deadline, the Toronto Raptors have traded a future first-round pick to acquire a pending free agent. This strategy has worked for the Raptors in the past, but this one is the biggest move yet.

Toronto has no real path to acquiring a player as good as Brandon Ingram in free agency. The Raptors don’t have cap space, nor is Toronto a free agent destination. That means not waiting to get your work done in free agency. By acquiring Ingram now, the Raptors make a pre-agency move to be in position to offer him more than anyone else can.

Ingram is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Ingram remains extension eligible, but he’s bound by signing for no more than is allowable via the extend-and-trade rules. That restriction remains in place for six months, which clearly takes us past the start of free agency. That means a max extension of up to three season, starting at 120% of Ingram’s current salary with 5% raises.

That means from today through June 30, Ingram could sign a three-year extension worth up to $136 million. Which begs the question: Is that enough? That’s not a max deal, but it’s not far off of one. And is a max deal coming for Ingram anyway?

Those are the questions that Ingram, his reps and the Raptors have to look at over the next several months. Toronto has some flexibility, but they are already carrying long-term money for Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickly, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl. That’s starting to be a lot of money locked up for a team that hasn’t proven anything.

In addition, only the Brooklyn Nets project to have cap space this coming offseason. Given they are rebuilding, they aren’t likely to be up for a max deal for Ingram. Sign-and-trade deals could be in play, but that involves Toronto playing ball.

Basically, the Raptors don’t have full control here, but they should feel good about re-signing Ingram.

As far as his next contract goes, Ingram is really good. He’s a three-level scorer, and a good playmaker and rebounder. He’s also fine defensively, especially when playing with other good defenders. That’s the kind of guy who lands a near-max deal.

That core, plus Ingram, is probably a playoff team in the Eastern Conference next season. And there’s young talent behind that core group, and a high draft pick coming too.

Mostly, the Raptors didn’t trade a first-round pick and a couple of good players, to mess around with re-signing Ingram. If he’s reasonable and doesn’t demand a full max, there’s room to get something done before unrestricted free agency in July.

New Orleans Pelicans

Incoming salary: $35.8 million in 2024-25

• Bruce Brown (SG/SF, one year, $23 million)
• Kelly Olynyk (C, two years, 26.3 million)

Outgoing salary: $34 million in 2024-25

• Brandon Ingram (SF, one year, $34 million)

It’s been clear for a while now that Brandon Ingram’s time in New Orleans was coming to an end. The team and Ingram were reportedly far apart in extension talks. The Pelicans were leery of locking into another big deal with Ingram, given long-term money they already have committed to several players. Ingram’s challenges with staying on the court could also be a challenge for New Orleans, given that issue persists with other players as well.

The Pelicans aren’t going to buy out either Bruce Brown or Kelly Olynyk. They’ll use both as rotation players for the remainder of this season. Olynyk should slot in nicely as a third big in a rotation with Zion Williamson and Yves Missi. Olynyk’s spacing will help spread the floor for the other big man to work inside.

Brown will give New Orleans some much-needed backcourt depth with Dejounte Murray out for the season and Herb Jones sidelined for a while longer. But this offseason is where things will get interesting for Brown.

This time around in unrestricted free agency, there won’t be any offers for $40 million-plus for Brown. But that doesn’t mean his Bird rights won’t have real value for him and the Pelicans. With almost the entire league over the cap, and several operating around the aprons, Brown could get to his next destination via sign-and-trade. Even if his annual salary is cut in half, that’s still reason enough to not take a buyout and then have to work without Bird rights this summer.

On the Pelicans side, a potential sign-and-trade of Brown could replenish some depth. And, of course, New Orleans and Brown could find that they enjoy this partnership over the next couple of months. That could lead to Brown re-signing to stay with the Pelicans beyond this season.

Overall, this is a new direction for New Orleans. They have Jones and Trey Murphy III as more-than-capable fill-ins for Ingram on the wing. The Pelicans will have a high draft pick this year to add more talent too. Getting some flexibility, both on the cap sheet and with two good players, for a guy who wasn’t in the long-term plans is good work.