NBA News Roundup: Several stars decline player options, Atlanta Hawks build formidable backcourt, and more - June 30, 2022
As the 2022 NBA free agency kicked off Wednesday, a flurry of moves were announced all over the league.
Several player and team options were either exercised or rejected. Bay Area native Juan Toscano-Anderson was extended a qualifying offer by the Golden State Warriors, while NYC-born Kemba Walker exited as a Knick.
This year's free agency class isn't as flashy as it was in years gone by, but there's still potential for chaos. The landscape of the league could shift drastically before the start of training camp.
On that note, here's a look at a few news stories that have surfaced around the NBA in the last 24 hours:
James Harden declines his $47.4 million player option to give Philadelphia 76ers financial stability
James Harden is focused on winning the 2023 NBA championship with the Philadelphia 76ers. Many believe he was handicapped last season by lingering hamstring issues, but that might not be the case in the upcoming season.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, "The Beard" declined his $47.4 million player option, displaying his unconditional loyalty to the Sixers. He will re-sign with the team in free agency.
Harden’s sole focus: Win a title in Philadelphia next season. Harden returned to his workout and on-court regimen much sooner than usual this offseason, pouring his full focus on 2022-23 and a championship run. twitter.com/ShamsCharania/…
This gives the front office flexibility and cap space to make significant moves in the offseason and doesn't bind them with a huge contract.
Reigning NBA Finals MVP Steph Curry to host 2022 ESPYS
The ESPY awards are sports' equivalent of the Academy (film) or Grammy (music) awards and stand for "Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly".
Several individual awards are given out to some of the best athletes in the world, especifically in North American sports. World-famous golfer Tiger Woods is the most decorated ESPY award winner, with 21.
The 2022 ESPYS will be hosted by Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry, a four-time champion and recently crowned NBA Finals MVP. He's just the second NBA player to host the event in its three-decade history.
twitter.com/StephenCurry30…
See you soon, Champ 🏆 twitter.com/StephenCurry30…
LeBron James was the first to do so, in 2007 alongside Jimmy Kimmel.
Atlanta Hawks form formidable backcourt by pairing Dejounte Murray with Trae Young
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Atlanta Hawks are sending Danilo Gallinari, three first-round picks and a future pick swap to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for one-time All-Star Dejounte Murray.
The two young guards, Murray and Trae Young, are set to make some serious noise in the East. The Hawks lacked backcourt depth last season, as Young's backup was a 35-year-old Lou Williams.
Murray's addition is one of the best moves the front office could have made this summer. They already have a decent frontcourt with John Collins and Clint Capela.
Trae Young and Dejounte Murray will be the 1st pair of teammates in NBA history who each averaged 20 points per game and 8 assists per game in the previous season.
h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/g20OEY1MPd
Trae Young reportedly wanted Murray to sign and is 'ecstatic' the latter's joining the team. Meanwhile, the organization believes Murray's arrival will unlock another part of Young's game.
Fan-favorite Bobby Portis declines his player option with Milwaukee Bucks
Bobby Portis has become a fan-favorite in the Wisconsin area, with the Fiserv Forum often chanting "Bobby Bobby" when he enters games. His hustle, timely shooting and rebounding have been extremely valuable to the Milwaukee Bucks, and many would agree he has found a home.
As reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Portis announced to the team that he's declining his $4.6 million player option and will become a free agent.
Portis has early bird rights in Milwaukee.
The maximum that he can sign for is 4 years/$49M.
The contract has to be for a minimum of 2 seasons and cannot include an option in year 2. twitter.com/wojespn/status…
He's expected to re-sign with the team on a bigger and longer deal.
Long-time Washington Wizard Bradley Beal declines his player option to enter NBA free agency
It's no secret the Washington Wizards are one of the most mediocre franchises in the NBA, and Bradley Beal seems to have finally run out of patience.
He has always been a Wizard but might now don new colors for the first time in his career. In his 10-year tenure in the nation's capital, the Wizards have had just four winning seasons (above .500). They have missed the postseason five times and suffered early playoff exits in the other years.
Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal has declined his $36.4M option and become a free agent, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Beal is eligible to sign a 5-year max to return to Wizards – or sign elsewhere on a 4-year deal.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Beal's agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports announced that the three-time All-Star will reject his $36.4 million player option.