By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The NBA offseason is nearing its peak with the free-agency period about to open in a few hours.
German Moritz Wagner, after missing most of the 2024-25 season due to a knee injury, will be an unrestricted free agent. The Orlando Magic declined a team option worth 11 million dollars, as reported by ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania, on Sunday. However, his bird rights remain with the franchise, meaning he can be re-signed.
Focusing on rehab and hoping to be medically cleared for the next season, the 28-year-old big will skip the EuroBasket 2025. The youth product of ALBA Berlin and older brother of Magic teammate Franz is a veteran of 370 NBA games, having moved his talents to the league in 2018. Following brief spells with the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, and Boston Celtics, he joined the Magic in 2021.
Spanish Santi Aldama is becoming a restricted free agent after the Memphis Grizzlies issued a qualifying offer, as reported by HoopsHype senior NBA insider Michael Scotto. He is expected to attract interest from other NBA teams. Over the last four seasons, he logged 245 NBA appearances, all with the Grizzlies.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers picked up team options to retain Dutch Quinten Post, German Ariel Hukporti, and French Rayan Rupert, according to Scotto, Charania, and Sean Highkin. In contrast, the Minnesota Timberwolves declined an option on the contract of Bosnian Luka Garza, according to Scotto.