A split has been in the cards for some time now. Thomas rejected a two-year, $30 million contract before turning down a one-year, $9.5 million deal that also included the waiving of his no-trade clause. A new contract would help further maximize Brooklyn's return. Instead, Thomas is on a one-year, $6 million deal that makes him a free agent this upcoming summer.
The Miami Heat's clearest path toward acquiring a superstar player is not Giannis Antetokounmpo; it's Kawhi Leonard. While all the attention this week has surrounded the potential all-out bidding war for Giannis, it's Kawhi that presents the most likely path for the Heat to significantly upgrade their roster ahead of the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline. Is there a chance that Giannis is traded between now and the trade deadline? Sure.
As a result, the Wizards took a gamble on offloading Jordan Poole's contract this offseason and in return, general manager Will Dawkins brought in one of the most respected veterans in the league today, CJ McCollum. Coming off a strong year with the New Orleans Pelicans, the hope was that McCollum could serve as an essential piece to the Wizards' rebuild, while increasing his trade value for Washington to potentially move off his lucrative contract this offseason.
