NBA free agency 2025 tracker, live updates: Latest deals, news, reaction and more as negotiating window opens

New York Times

9 hours ago

The Hawks' Dejounte Murray trade with New Orleans keeps on paying dividends. Not only did Atlanta obtain the pick that went to the Celtics for Kristaps Porziņģis and defensive stopper Dyson Daniels, but also the $25 million trade exception that deal generated now has been used to acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Atlanta will still have several million of that exception left over, as well as its full $14.1 million nontaxpayer midlevel exception and a $13 million exception from the Bogdan Bogdanović trade. But as a practical consequence, a hugely productive offseason in Atlanta is now down to smaller moves.
Atlanta sent only a second-round pick to Minnesota in the sign-and-trade to assure it topped every other team on the market, ultimately going a shade over the nontaxpayer midlevel exception to get Alexander-Walker. The Hawks still have roughly $13 million remaining below the tax line with at least two more roster spots to fill, and seem likely to target another guard based on current needs.
For its trouble, Minnesota will receive a trade exception for roughly $14.4 million. The Wolves are hugely unlikely to use it this season because they're way over the first apron, but it's a possibility for next summer.