NBA 2026 Offseason Sees Major Trades and Thunder Rookie Signings

The NBA free‑agency period opened at 6 p.m. local time on 30 June, launching a busy 2026 offseason. High‑profile moves include Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Miami Heat, Jaylen Brown departing the Boston Celtics, and LeBron James announcing he will continue playing for a team other than the Los Angeles Lakers. A headline trade sent Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers, with the Memphis Grizzlies receiving Jerami Grant and Kris Murray in return.

In Oklahoma City, the Thunder completed a series of roster moves. The team signed 2026 first‑round picks Aday Mara (12th overall) and Bennett Stirtz (16th overall) to rookie‑scale contracts, and added undrafted forward Otega Oweh. Two‑way contracts were awarded to Brooks Barnhizer, Josh Dix and Otega Oweh, while the Thunder exercised options on Kenrich Williams, Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein. The franchise also traded bench players Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe to the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons respectively. These transactions, along with other league‑wide signings, underline a fast‑moving market ahead of the upcoming season.