LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard leave LA: Tracking NBA free agency 2026
NBA free agency: LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard leave Los Angeles
Tuesday marked a big day in the NBA as LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard are beginning new chapters. Law Murray with The Athletic talks about the massive moves.
LOS ANGELES - NBA free agency is in full swing and the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers are seeing dramatic changes to their rosters ahead of the 2026-27 season.
What we know:
The free agency period officially opened on Tuesday, June 30 at 3 p.m. PDT.
Both Los Angeles front offices, the Lakers and Clippers, are looking to upgrade, especially given playoff basketball was short-lived in the city. The Clippers failed to make the postseason altogether, and the Lakers were bounced in the first round, sans Luka Dončić.
See a list of moves made below.
Lakers free agency moves
Here's who is in:
Austin Reaves
The 28-year-old signed a four-year, $185 million maximum contract extension that includes a player option for the 2029-30 season.
Walker Kessler
Kessler is now a Laker following a trade with the Utah Jazz. In exchange, the Jazz will get unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, as well as first-round swaps in 2028 and 2039.
Quentin Grimes
The guard has agreed to a four-year deal with the Lakers, it was reported on Wednesday, July 1.
Collin Sexton
The 27-year-old has agreed to a two-year deal with the men in Purple and Gold.
Here's who is out:
LeBron James
The NBA superstar informed the Lakers he plans to play elsewhere, his agent, Rich Paul, announced.
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Rui Hachimura
On July 6, it was reported Hachimura will be moving across town to join the Clippers.
Deandre Ayton
After exercising his player option to return to Los Angeles for the upcoming season, he was then traded to the Washingotn Wizards in exchange for Jaden Hardy, two second-round picks in 2031 and 2032.
Marcus Smart
Smart is leaving the Lakers and has agreed on a two-year deal with the Houston Rockets.
Luke Kennard
Also departing Los Angeles is Luke Kennard, who agreed to a two-year deal with a reported $13 million with Phoenix.
Sandro Mamukelashvili
The big man has agreed to a four-year deal with LA, ESPN reported.
Jaxson Hayes
As the Lakers continue to retool, Hayes reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Utah Jazz.
Clippers free agency moves
Here's who is in:
Rui Hachimura
The Clippers made a big splash and acquired Hachimura, it was reported on July 6. The two-year deal is worth a reported $28 million.
Brook Lopez
The big man will return to the Clippers next season after they picked up his $9.2 million team option.
Here's who is out:
Kawhi Leonard
The Clippers are nearing a deal to send the superstar back to Toronto, where he'll pair with Scottie Barnes.
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John Collins
Following a single season with the Clippers, Collins is moving on. He agreed to a three-year deal worth a reported $51 million with Detroit.
Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal has declined his player option and will become a free agent, his agent confirmed with ESPN. The guard suffered a severe left hip fracture that required surgery, keeping him sidelined for most of last season.
Nico Batum
The Clippers opted not to pick up the option for the Frenchman.
Bogdan Bogdanović
The Clippers' front office has reportedly parted ways with Bogdanović as well.
On the cusp:
Bennedict Mathurin
The Clippers reportedly gave the 24-year-old a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent.
Jordan Miller
Miller, who was selected by the Clippers in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, has shown promise. After being on a two-way contract, he was promoted to an NBA deal just months ago. He has since been given a qualifying offer to become a restricted free agent.
Kobe Sanders
After a big rookie season, Sanders has agreed to a four-year deal with $11.2 million to return to the Clippers.
The Source: This story was written with information based on reports from ESPN's Shams Charania, NBA Insider Chris Haynes and Michael Scotto with Hoops Hype.