NBA Trade and Signing Day 1 Recap: Leonard Returns to Raptors in 1-for-7 Deal, Rockets Sign Bogdanovic on a 1-Year Contract

On July 1st Beijing time, the NBA free agency market officially opened. Here is a summary of the first day's trades and signings—

1. Leonard returns to the Raptors in a 1-for-7 trade

The Clippers and Raptors completed a deal involving Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers sent Leonard to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one first-round swap, and two second-round picks. Leonard plans to retire as a Raptor. The Raptors gave up their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks, with the swap right being for 2030. In the 2025-26 season, he played 65 regular-season games, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals, shooting 50.5% from the field and 38.7% from three, setting a career high in scoring and earning a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. He remains an elite one-on-one scorer and defensive stopper on both ends.

2. James Confirms Departure from the Lakers

The NBA's all-time leading scorer will leave the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, confirmed to multiple media outlets that James will not stay with the Lakers and will switch teams next season. He had previously played eight seasons for the Lakers, leading them to a championship in the 2019-20 season. Last season, James averaged 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.

Sources familiar with James' mindset revealed that after reflecting and assessing his condition, LeBron James decided he still wants to continue playing competitive, championship-caliber basketball. James is confirmed to play his 24th NBA season, but he has not yet decided if this will be his final year. After informing the Lakers of his decision to leave, James instructed agent Rich Paul to contact all teams interested in signing him, compile all potential options, and report back to him so he can make the final choice.

3. Landale Stays with Hawks for 1 Year, $14 Million

Atlanta successfully retained a key interior player. Multiple sources indicate that Hawks center Jock Landale has agreed to a one-year contract with the team. Reports say the deal is worth $14 million for one year. Landale put up impressive numbers after being traded to the Hawks midseason, averaging 10.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.

4. Trail Blazers Extend Robert Williams for 3 Years, $44 Million

Robert Williams, a versatile big man with elite rim protection, is staying with the Trail Blazers. Shams reported that Williams will sign a three-year, $44 million contract. Last season was his third with Portland, where he averaged 6.7 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 17.1 minutes per game. His retention means Yang Hansen will face fierce competition for playing time.

Details of Williams' contract have emerged: the second-year salary includes $5 million partially guaranteed; the third-year salary is fully non-guaranteed. If he plays 50 or more games in the prior regular season, both the second and third-year salaries become fully guaranteed.

5. Fontanerio Stays with Heat

Shams reports that Heat forward Simone Fontanerio will sign a one-year contract to remain in Miami. Last season, he shot 37.5% from three-point range, averaging 8.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game for the Heat.

6. Bucks Re-Sign Ousmane Dieng for 3 Years, $17.5 Million

According to ESPN, the Milwaukee Bucks have reached an extension with Ousmane Dieng on a three-year, $17.5 million contract.

Earlier this week, the Bucks withdrew the qualifying offer they had extended to Dieng, but then opted to keep him with a long-term deal. Dieng was the 11th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and was traded to the Bucks at last season's trade deadline. After joining the Bucks, he played 30 regular-season games, averaging 11 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

7. Tim Hardaway Jr. Joins Heat for 1 Year, $6.5 Million

Before free agency opened, the Heat completed a major trade to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, and now they are looking for low-cost players to fill out the rotation. Tim Hardaway Jr. has decided to sign with Miami.

Last season, Hardaway Jr. played 80 regular-season games for the Denver Nuggets, averaging 13.5 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 40.7% from three. Next season, he is likely to come off the bench, providing perimeter shooting and floor spacing for the Heat. ESPN reports the deal is for one year and $6.5 million.

It is worth noting that his father, Tim Hardaway Sr., played six seasons for the Heat from 1996 to 2001.

8. DeAndre Jordan Returns to Pelicans on 1-Year Minimum

DeAndre Jordan will begin his 19th NBA season. According to veteran reporter Chris Haynes, Jordan has agreed to a one-year minimum contract with the Pelicans. The 37-year-old Jordan played 12 games for New Orleans last season, starting 7, and averaged 4.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

9. Hyland Re-Signs with Timberwolves on Minimum Deal

Bones Hyland has signed a one-year minimum contract with the Timberwolves. After acquiring LaMelo Ball via trade, the team's salary cap flexibility is very limited, and they will continue to look for a power forward.

In the 2025-26 season, Hyland played 71 regular-season games, averaging 8.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 16.6 minutes per game, shooting 45.3% from the field and 38.8% from three. In the playoffs, he averaged 4.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 11.6 minutes per game, shooting 30.0% from the field and 26.5% from three.

10. Achiuwa Stays with Kings for 2 Years, $11.5 Million

Precious Achiuwa, a forward entering his eighth NBA season, has agreed to a two-year, $11.5 million extension with the Sacramento Kings. In the 2025-26 season, he played 73 games for the Kings, averaging a career-high 10.1 points per game.

11. Carlson Signs with Trail Blazers for 1 Year, $2.5 Million

Branden Carlson has signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Trail Blazers. This means Yang Hansen will face another competitor. Carlson played for the Thunder in the 2025-26 season, appearing in 42 regular-season games, averaging 5.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game, shooting 52.7% from the field and 36.0% from three.

12. Sanders Re-Signs with Clippers for 4 Years, $11.2 Million

The Clippers have completed an extension with Kobe Sanders on a four-year, $11.2 million contract. Sanders was a second-round pick in 2025. In his rookie season, he played 68 games, averaging 7.3 points in 19.9 minutes per game.

13. Ellis Signs with Nets for 2 Years, $18 Million

Free agent guard Keon Ellis has agreed to a two-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $18 million with the Brooklyn Nets. The deal includes mutual options: the entire $18 million is fully guaranteed, and both sides can negotiate a new extension next summer; both parties have the right to execute the existing contract rather than opt out. Ellis was traded from the Kings to the Cavaliers last season. With Sacramento, he averaged 5.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 43 games; with Cleveland, he averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 29 games.

14. Kennard Moves to Suns for 2 Years, $13 Million

The Suns have reached a two-year, $13 million contract with Luke Kennard, with a player option on the second year.

Kennard has a career three-point percentage of 44.2%. Since entering the league in 2017, he has been one of the top perimeter shooters. He has led the league in three-point percentage three times. Last season, while playing for the Hawks and Lakers, he shot 47.8% from three. Kennard's early postseason performances were mediocre, but he had a standout series for the Lakers in the first round against the Rockets last season, which helped him earn this new contract.

15. Collins Re-Signs with Bulls for 2 Years, $17 Million

The Bulls have re-signed Zach Collins to a two-year, $17 million contract. In the 2025-26 season, Collins played only 10 games for the Bulls, averaging 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18.4 minutes per game.

16. Dean Wade Joins 76ers for 4 Years, $39 Million

Dean Wade has agreed to a four-year, $39 million contract with the 76ers, with the fourth year partially guaranteed. In the 2025-26 season, Wade played 59 regular-season games for the Cavaliers, averaging 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, and 18 playoff games, averaging 4.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. Before finalizing the deal with Philadelphia, the Cavaliers, Lakers, Clippers, and Pistons also expressed interest in signing him.

17. Bogdanovic Signs 1-Year Contract with Rockets

Free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic has agreed to a one-year contract with the Houston Rockets. The Rockets' front office actively recruited Bogdanovic today, successfully securing the veteran sharpshooter with extensive playoff experience, who is about to enter his 10th NBA season. In the 2025-26 season, Bogdanovic played 23 regular-season games for the Clippers, averaging 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. In the playoffs, he appeared in 7 games, averaging 6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.