Offseason Watch: Celtics’ Cap Decisions, Haugh’s Return, Coaching Interest in Thomas, Korkmaz Signs with Beşiktaş
nba-offseason-celtics-mitchell-thomas-korkmaz
With the NBA Finals nearing their conclusion, front offices are already plotting summer moves that could reshape the 2026-27 season. ESPN reporters Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks identified 10 clubs expected to headline the offseason narrative.
Teams expected to drive the summer
Boston Celtics: Management is weighing whether to bolster the roster around a healthy Jayson Tatum without sacrificing core pieces Jaylen Brown or Derrick White. The club must also decide between declining Neemias Queta’s team option to negotiate a long-term contract now or exercising the option and deferring talks until 2027.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell is eligible for an extension, while 36-year-old James Harden is headed for free agency, forcing the Cavs to determine the backcourt’s future.
Detroit Pistons: Detroit can either continue its measured rebuild or make an aggressive push for immediate improvement.
The Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder round out ESPN’s list of clubs positioned to shape the market.
Draft withdrawal for Haugh
Florida forward Thomas Haugh withdrew from the 2026 draft to return to Gainesville, citing name-image-likeness income and the desire for another year of collegiate stability. “The NBA life is no joke,” Haugh told the Associated Press, adding that conversations with families of professional players highlighted the league’s day-to-day uncertainty.
NBA interest in coach Julius Thomas
German coach Julius Thomas, fresh off guiding Paris Basketball to a third consecutive French League Finals, has been approached by multiple NBA teams about joining their staffs next season, according to BeBasket reporting relayed by Sportando.
Korkmaz heads home
Former Philadelphia 76ers wing Furkan Korkmaz agreed to a contract with Turkish powerhouse Beşiktaş, Eurohoops reported. The Istanbul club could compete in either the EuroLeague or the BTK EuroCup next year. Korkmaz averaged 9.0 points in 19.7 minutes for Tofaş last season and logged 328 NBA regular-season games between 2017 and 2024.
Source: Hoops Rumors
