Free agency is the next significant event on the league calendar after the NBA Finals and 2022 NBA Draft. Even though it doesn’t officially start until June 30 at 6 p.m. ET, it’s obvious that clubs are haggling now. Here are a few of the most recent news items.

Knicks now expected to sign Brunson

Jalen Brunson was one of the playoffs’ breakout stars, assisting the Dallas Mavericks in their first trip to the Western Conference finals since 2011. Additionally, he demonstrated his potential as a player when Luka Doncic was injured early in the first round.

As a result, he will likely receive a hefty salary this summer, especially given the competition for his services between the Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks. All indications suggested that Brunson would return to Dallas soon after the Mavericks were eliminated. But the winds have shifted now.

There is “increasing resignation” in the Mavericks organization that Brunson will sign with the Knicks, according to Marc Stein’s story on Tuesday. By dealing Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to the Detroit Pistons later in the day, the Knicks increased their chances of landing Brunson and freed up even more contract room in the process. According to Chris Haynes, they plan to give Brunson a contract of $110 million over four years.

Sixers are likely to sign P.J. Tucker

It seems as though PJ Tucker will continue his tour of potential Eastern Conference opponents in 2019. Tucker is anticipated to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers after winning the championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 and making it to the Eastern Conference finals with the Miami Heat in 2022.

While it is not unexpected to see Tucker sign with a rival, it is somewhat unexpected to learn that he will receive a long-term contract of $30 million over three years, according to Keith Pompey. Although he still plays excellent defense and shot a career-high 41.5 percent from beyond the arc last season, the last year of that contract will see him reach 40. Tucker will benefit the Sixers if he can remain healthy, but that is not a given with a player in his late 30s who plays as physically as Tucker.