It took teams and players just five minutes into the July 1st opening of NBA free agency to put deals together. The New Orleans Pelicans and Anthony Davis were the first to strike an agreement just after midnight on Wednesday. Davis agreed to a five-year, $145 million extension to stay with New Orleans, who was eliminated in the first round of the 2014-15 playoffs. The extension doesn't kick in until the 2016-17 season and runs through Davis' 28th birthday.
The San Antonio Spurs followed pretty quickly by taking Kawhi Leonard off the market before any other team could talk to him. Leonard agreed to a five-year max contract worth $90 million. This deal runs through the 2019-20 season for the 2014-15 Defensive Player of the Year. The Spurs also brought back shooter Danny Green on a four-year, $45 million deal, and sent Tiago Splitter to the Atlanta Hawks in a trade.
Paul Pierce said he would be back next season right after his Washington Wizards were eliminated in the playoffs, and his options were the Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers won the Pierce sweepstakes by agreeing to a three-year, $10.6 million deal. "The Truth" returns to his hometown and reunites with head coach Doc Rivers, whom he won a title with in Boston.
The Miami Heat are questioning whether to pay Dwayne Wade like an elite player, but they had no problem throwing elite money at Goran Dragic. Miami agreed to a five-year, $90 million deal with the guard on Wednesday morning. Dragic was acquired from the Phoenix Suns in a trade last season and averaged 16.6 ppg with the Heat.
Draymond Green let the world know he wanted back in Golden State and he is not going anywhere anytime soon. Green agreed to a five-year extension worth $85 million late Wednesday night. The forward was a restricted free agent and could've signed an offer sheet with another team.
The team the Warriors beat in the Finals also made some moves to bring stars back, as the Cleveland Cavaliers get ready to give LeBron James the money he wants. First, they are focusing on James' support group, headlined by Kevin Love. After opting out of his deal, Love announced that he is returning to Cleveland on a five-year contract. The Cavs also brought Iman Shumpert back on a four-year deal, and are nearing a five-year agreement with Tristan Thompson.
The Phoenix Suns made a couple moves as well, bringing Brandon Knight back on a five-year, $70 million deal. Knight was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal involving the Philadelphia 76ers. The 23 year-old averaged 13.4 points, but was hampered by ankle and heel injuries. The Suns also pulled Tyson Chandler away from Dallas, agreeing to a four-year, $52 million deal with the big man.
The New York Knicks have not landed any of the big targets just yet, but did pick up Arron Afflalo on a two-year, $16 million deal.
The Los Angeles Lakers are not off to a good start in free agency, especially after an unimpressive meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge. Many signs point to Aldridge not being interested in joining the franchise, as he continues to meet with six other teams. The Lakers were also interested in Greg Monroe, who signed a three-year max deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Other deals saw DeMarre Carroll join the Raptors, while Paul Millsap turned down an offer from the Orlando Magic to stay with Atlanta on a three-year, $59 million deal. The Boston Celtics brought Amir Johnson in on a two-year deal, while keeping Jae Crowder for another five years.
The Oklahoma City Thunder gave Kyle Singler a similar five-year deal, after acquiring him from the Detroit Pistons last season.
The Memphis Grizzlies are still working out a possible five-year max contract with Marc Gasol, but agreed to a three-year deal with Brandon Wright. Gasol has also drawn interest from the Lakers, but says he's not interested after his brother Pau's uneasy years with the franchise.
Despite all of the agreements being made, none of the deals can become official until July 9th. Many stars remain available, and yes, that includes LeBron James."King James" is expected to stay in Cleveland, with the option to become a free agent and get more money next offseason. Wade, Aldridge, Gasol, and Monta Ellis are the other top names still on the market, which means the fun is far from over.
The San Antonio Spurs followed pretty quickly by taking Kawhi Leonard off the market before any other team could talk to him. Leonard agreed to a five-year max contract worth $90 million. This deal runs through the 2019-20 season for the 2014-15 Defensive Player of the Year. The Spurs also brought back shooter Danny Green on a four-year, $45 million deal, and sent Tiago Splitter to the Atlanta Hawks in a trade.
Paul Pierce said he would be back next season right after his Washington Wizards were eliminated in the playoffs, and his options were the Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers won the Pierce sweepstakes by agreeing to a three-year, $10.6 million deal. "The Truth" returns to his hometown and reunites with head coach Doc Rivers, whom he won a title with in Boston.
The Miami Heat are questioning whether to pay Dwayne Wade like an elite player, but they had no problem throwing elite money at Goran Dragic. Miami agreed to a five-year, $90 million deal with the guard on Wednesday morning. Dragic was acquired from the Phoenix Suns in a trade last season and averaged 16.6 ppg with the Heat.
Draymond Green let the world know he wanted back in Golden State and he is not going anywhere anytime soon. Green agreed to a five-year extension worth $85 million late Wednesday night. The forward was a restricted free agent and could've signed an offer sheet with another team.
The team the Warriors beat in the Finals also made some moves to bring stars back, as the Cleveland Cavaliers get ready to give LeBron James the money he wants. First, they are focusing on James' support group, headlined by Kevin Love. After opting out of his deal, Love announced that he is returning to Cleveland on a five-year contract. The Cavs also brought Iman Shumpert back on a four-year deal, and are nearing a five-year agreement with Tristan Thompson.
The Phoenix Suns made a couple moves as well, bringing Brandon Knight back on a five-year, $70 million deal. Knight was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal involving the Philadelphia 76ers. The 23 year-old averaged 13.4 points, but was hampered by ankle and heel injuries. The Suns also pulled Tyson Chandler away from Dallas, agreeing to a four-year, $52 million deal with the big man.
The New York Knicks have not landed any of the big targets just yet, but did pick up Arron Afflalo on a two-year, $16 million deal.
The Los Angeles Lakers are not off to a good start in free agency, especially after an unimpressive meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge. Many signs point to Aldridge not being interested in joining the franchise, as he continues to meet with six other teams. The Lakers were also interested in Greg Monroe, who signed a three-year max deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Other deals saw DeMarre Carroll join the Raptors, while Paul Millsap turned down an offer from the Orlando Magic to stay with Atlanta on a three-year, $59 million deal. The Boston Celtics brought Amir Johnson in on a two-year deal, while keeping Jae Crowder for another five years.
The Oklahoma City Thunder gave Kyle Singler a similar five-year deal, after acquiring him from the Detroit Pistons last season.
The Memphis Grizzlies are still working out a possible five-year max contract with Marc Gasol, but agreed to a three-year deal with Brandon Wright. Gasol has also drawn interest from the Lakers, but says he's not interested after his brother Pau's uneasy years with the franchise.
Despite all of the agreements being made, none of the deals can become official until July 9th. Many stars remain available, and yes, that includes LeBron James."King James" is expected to stay in Cleveland, with the option to become a free agent and get more money next offseason. Wade, Aldridge, Gasol, and Monta Ellis are the other top names still on the market, which means the fun is far from over.
