Victor Wembanyama has another big man to help him out in San Antonio. The Houston Rockets continued their offseason overhaul. And the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks made moves with eyes on contending next season as NBA free agency got underway Monday.

The Spurs lured center Luke Kornet from the Boston Celtics with a four-year, $41 million deal, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team can’t announce the deal until the league’s signing moratorium for most contracts is lifted Sunday.

Kornet was part of the Celtics’ 2024 NBA title team and has shot 68% from the field in 205 games, mostly off the bench, over the last three seasons. He figures to add frontcourt depth to the Spurs, who are hoping to have Wembanyama — the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year and an All-Star this past season — ready to go after he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in a shoulder in February.

The Rockets, meanwhile, added veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith on a four-year, $53 million deal shortly after free agency opened. ESPN first reported the deal, and a person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed the terms to AP.

They become Finney-Smith’s fourth team after stints with the Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers. He’ll join a Rockets team that earlier this summer landed Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade with the Phoenix Suns, though that deal can’t receive formal approval from the NBA until next week.

Finney-Smith averaged 8.7 points and shot 41% from 3-point range this past season.

ESPN also reported that the Rockets’ run on free agents continued with the addition of center Clint Capela, who spent the first six years of his career in Houston before playing the last five seasons for the Hawks. Capela agreed to a three-year deal with the Rockets, ESPN said.

The Mavericks, who needed point guard help because the newly re-signed Kyrie Irving — rehabbing from an ACL tear — might not be ready to play until midseason, agreed with D’Angelo Russell on a two-year contract worth nearly $13 million.

Russell would be part of the backcourt depth on a team with an imposing front line that includes No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis and promising young center Dereck Lively II.

Hawks, Magic eyeing moves in East

The Hawks added Nickeil Alexander-Walker from the Minnesota Timberwolves on what will be a four-year, $62 million deal after completion of a sign-and-trade. The Wolves will get a draft pick, cash considerations and will create a trade exception once the deal is finalized, a person with knowledge of the move told AP.

The Hawks also agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with 3-point ace Luke Kennard, according to ESPN.

The Magic, meanwhile, added Tyus Jones on a one-year deal. He joins a roster that already landed Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade, and the Magic — who played long stretches last season without Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs because of injuries — should be a legit East contender next season if healthy.

It was a big night for the Jones family: Tyus Jones’ brother, Tre Jones, agreed to a three-year deal to return to the Chicago Bulls.

Free agency ‘officially’ starts

The free agency period officially opened at 5 p.m. CDT Monday but in actuality was rolling long before that.

LeBron James already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Lakers for next season, the Rockets traded for Durant and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise. There was even a surprise addition to free agency, with the Portland Trail Blazers announcing they have bought out the contract of former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton, allowing him to sign with any team he chooses.

And on Monday, even before the shopping window officially started, more deals: Nicolas Batum will come back to the Clippers, his agency said, on a two-year deal, while Joe Ingles agreed to return to the Timberwolves. Deals like those could get done before the official start time because teams are allowed to negotiate with their own free agents once the NBA Finals are finished.

Other deals

In other deals confirmed by AP on Monday night:

The Clippers added Brook Lopez — most recently of the Milwaukee Bucks — on a two-year deal worth about $18 million.
Veteran guard Bruce Brown returned to the Denver Nuggets, whom he helped win the 2023 NBA title.
Center Kevon Looney agreed to a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans after he spent his first 10 seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
Guard Caris LeVert will sign a two-year deal worth nearly $15 million annually with the Detroit Pistons, who won 14 games in 2023-24 and then won 44 last season to earn the No. 6 seed in the East.
Luka Garza joined the Celtics, after they lost Kornet, on a two-year, $5.5 million deal, agent Mark Bartelstein said.

Salary cap set

The NBA announced Monday it has set the salary cap for next season at $154.647 million, the maximum allowed 10% increase over the level for last season.

The tax level for the 2025-26 season is $187.895 million, the league said.

What already happened

Julius Randle returns to the Timberwolves with a potential $100 million deal.
Bobby Portis stays with the Bucks, keeping the popular sixth man in Milwaukee.
Duncan Robinson terminates his contract with the Miami Heat, though he may return.

What’s next

In very specific situations, teams can announce signings when completed. But in most situations — and this even applies to some draft-related trades, such as the one involving Durant going to Houston — teams won’t be able to announce those until at least Sunday.

AP’s Schuyler Dixon in Dallas and Kyle Hightower in Boston contributed.

Originally Published: June 30, 2025 at 11:45 PM CDT