Free agency in the NBA isn’t technically open until 6p ET on Thursday June 30. While many players will be on the move, the reshuffling season isn’t just for them.
This summer could see two major NBA Insiders become free agents. One of those is Chris Haynes who is a Senior NBA Insider for Yahoo Sports. The other is Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Haynes, who also hosts a popular podcast Posted Up with Chris Haynes, is set to be a free agent this summer. Reports say his contract is due around Labor Day. Haynes’ connections is mainly with players and those connections run deep. They run so deep that it was Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers who broke the news of Haynes leaving ESPN to sign with Yahoo Sports in 2018.
Media rights deals are skyrocketing so the value of an NBA Insider than can consistently break news, from a player-sourced side of things, is quite high. If he does hit the market, he won’t be short of options.
NBA Insider Shams Charania, who broke his first trade when he reported Luol Deng had been traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Cleveland Cavaliers, could also become a free agent. His track record has been proven from NBA Draft pick selections beforehand to stories inside the COVID-bubble and beyond. If this summer sees these two massive insiders get to the market, there could be a major change in the breaking-news landscape.
If both entities are serious about that side of the sports environment, they should try to secure their talents. You may recall ESPN extended its deals with Wojnaroski and Adam Schefter in April before they could test free agency.
