Third Apron

The Nets are now down to $11.75 million in cap space after officially trading Nic Claxton and Isaiah Evans for Julius Randle and Joshua Jefferson.

OFFICIAL

According to a league source, the Celtics are waiving guard Dalano Banton, who was on a non-guaranteed deal. Celtics' roster dips back to 14 players, and timing allows Banton to seek a new opp now.

Free agent Jordan Clarkson has agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal to return to the New York Knicks, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Brandon Cavanaugh tell ESPN.

Jonas Valanciunas leaves $2 million in dead money. The Nuggets have until the end of August to decide to stretch it over three years (extra $1.3 million in savings). They’re now $7.8 million under the second apron and open up the $6 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

Barring the six-team trade further expanding, the Pistons can acquire John Collins for Caris LeVert. This allows them to create trade exceptions worth $15 million (Isaiah Stewart) and $5.2 million (Marcus Sasser). $46 million+ under the luxury tax line with Sasser's inclusion.

Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed on a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, Life Sports Agency CEO Todd Ramasar tells ESPN.

Sources: The Boston Celtics signed Ron Harper Jr. to a four-year, $13.7 million deal, which includes the first two years fully guaranteed, a third-year non-guaranteed salary, and a fourth-year non-guaranteed team option. He gets above the minimum and $6.5 million guaranteed.

The Pistons have acquired Isaiah Joe as a standalone deal, meaning they’re absorbing him with their mid-level exception. They could renounce cap holds to absorb him with cap space, but that seems unlikely. They have $3.7 million remaining of their MLE.

DeMar DeRozan has a $10 million partial guarantee. The Kings will reduce their payroll by at least $15.74 million by waiving him, getting them under the first and second apron and opening up their exceptions. They are just $1.3 million above the luxury tax line with 13 players.

This is potentially significant. The Celtics have minimal hard cap space to potentially use their $27.7 million TPE. With PG waiving the trade bonus, Boston is around $8 million below the first apron. If they trade out Hauser and Banton they can take back a $21.6 million player.