NBA free agency 2024 - Reaction and grades for the biggest signings - ESPN

The NBA Finals are in the rearview, and free agency has begun with teams now allowed to talk deals with their own players.

On Monday, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski the Toronto Raptors intend to sign their franchise player, Scottie Barnes, to a five-year rookie max extension that could be worth up to $270 million. Last week, the Indiana Pacers kicked off free agency news that two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam intended to sign a four-year, $189.5 million maximum contract with the team. The deal is on the heels of Siakam and the Pacers making a run to the Eastern Conference finals this past season.

In the West, the Sacramento Kings inked Malik Monk on a four-year, $78 million dollar contract. The Sixth Man Award runner-up will return to Sacramento after an injury marred the end of his 2023-24 season.

Barnes, Siakam and Monk are just the first dominoes to fall in what should be a busy free agency window. LeBron James, Paul George and James Harden are all unrestricted free agents this summer, so stay tuned as the future of the NBA takes shape.

ESPN insider Kevin Pelton reacts to the latest free agency signings and analyzes what free agency means for the league this summer.

30-team guide | Buzz

Deal:

Agreed to a reported five-year, max extension with forward Scottie Barnes

Grade: A

Along with free agents being able to negotiate with their own teams prior to the traditional June 30 start of free agency, the same is true under the new collective bargaining agreement for extension-eligible players such as Barnes.

It's not very surprising this deal got done quickly. ESPN's Brian Windhorst refers to rookie extensions like this as the «fun max» because teams are eager to reward their promising draft picks. Barnes, the