The NBA has been in full swing off season mode ever since the July 1st mark that allowed teams to begin speaking with free agents and NBA teams to begin making deals. Lots has happened this week and mainly in the past couple days – let us help catch you up.
SIDE NOTE:
The J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley trade has already been written about on Exquisite Sports Talk and is not included in this article.
The Dwight Howard move is not covered in this article as well (Same reason as above)
The Andre Iguodala signing is not covered in this article (Same reason as above)
Tyreke Evans to the New Orleans Pelicans in a 3-Team Trade
It was rumored earlier this week that Tyreke Evans was being shopped as a legitimate trade piece to change the landscape of the Sacramento Kings who have played without a true Point Guard for some time now. The Sacramento Kings shipped Tyreke to New Orleans in a 3-team trade that included: the Kings, the Pelicans and the Portland Trailblazers.
KINGS RECEIVE:
Greivis Vasquez (PG)
Two second-round Picks
PELICANS RECEIVE:
Tyreke Evans (SG)
Jeff Withey (C) – Drafted by Portland in last week’s 2013 NBA Draft
TRAILBLAZERS RECEIVE:
Robin Lopez (C)* – Blazers will pay $1,568,999 to cover Lopez’s trade kicker
Terrel Harris (SG)
Josh Smith Heading to Detroit
We knew Josh Smith had no intention of re-signing with Atlanta, but I think we were still on the fence on whether he was interested in chasing rings or money – thus far it looks like money. Smith agreed to a 4-year, $56 million contract with the Detroit Pistons and will bolster and already capable frontcourt with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. He will also join young and talented Brandon Knight.
Andrew Bynum Signs with Cleveland
Andrew Bynum has the potential to be the best free agent on the market or the worst depending on how the healing of his two ailing knees results. The Cleveland Cavaliers were the bravest of them all and took a stab at the young Center. They’ve written out for him a smaller contract in value, but it’s laced with incentives. A 2-year contract with a TEAM option in the second year, with only $6 million guaranteed in the contract – the rests are tied into incentives for production. It could turn out to be the best move of the offseason, but time has yet to tell.
Metta World Peace Amnestied by the Lakers
Metta World Peace’s tenure as a Laker has come to its close. The Lakers have utilized their amnesty provision on Metta World Peace who was scheduled to make $7.7 million this season with the Lakers. Metta World Peace exercised his player option to return the Lakers for next season, but was amnestied anyway. World Peace has a set of skills many teams value, but he’s coming off a perplexing injury that saw a quick, but poor recovery.
Kevin Martin Signs with Minnesota
One of the most highly prized swingmen and perimeter specialists in the NBA free agent class this summer is heading to the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 4-year, $30 million contract. The Timberwolves are trying to stack on reliable guards and forwards to complement Ricky Rubio and the tandem of Nikola Pekovic (who has yet to be re-signed) and Kevin Love down low.
The sign-and-trade deal details included 3 teams:
T-Wolves get:
-Kevin Martin (SG)
-Undisclosed amount of cash from Thunder
Thunder get:
-Draft rights to Szymon Szewczyk (Bucks)
Bucks get:
-Luke Ridnour (G)
-Undisclosed amount of cash from Thunder
2014 2nd Round Draft Pick (Wolves)
Andrei Kirilenko Heading to Brooklyn for a Steal
Andrei Kirilenko opted out of his contract with the Timberwolves to seek greener pastures, but no one saw the deal with Brooklyn coming. Brooklyn – which already been one of the biggest free agent activists this offseason nailed another essential piece to the puzzle. They signed Kirilenko who was scheduled to make almost $10 million next year to a 2-year deal with a player option in the second year. The first year of the contract is reportedly only worth $3.1 million.
Paul Millsap signs with the Atlanta Hawks
The second big man of the Utah Jazz combo that included Al Jefferson has left Utah for greener pastures in Atlanta. It’s a great signing for Atlanta who will use Paul Millsap to play in the post with residing Center Al Horford. Millsap agreed to a 2-year, $19 million contract with the Hawks. Josh Smith will not be returning to Atlanta and Millsap is an adequate replacement.
Jarret Jack Signs with Cleveland
The standout sixth man from Golden State is heading to the Cleveland Cavaliers who have been making moves left and right to make their ascent into possible playoff contention. Jack agreed to a reported 4-year, $25 million deal with the Cavaliers including the fourth year with a player option. He will likely be expected to transfer the same sixth man energy he did in Golden State when Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters take breaks.
J.J. Hickson to the Nuggets
After a breakout year where J.J. Hickson became the new 10 points & 10 rebound cleanup man in Portland, Hickson moved onto Denver. The Nuggets and Hickson agreed to a 3-year, $15 million contract to bring Hickson to bolster their frontcourt. Hickson will be sure to add a rebounding edge to a good lineup and a team full of depth.
Al Jefferson Heading to the Bobcats
We knew Al Jefferson would not be returning to the Utah Jazz after his contract expired, but there were few rumors as to the landing spot of Al Jefferson. He signed with the Charlotte Bobcats who were among the NBA’s worst in regular season record in the 2012-2013 season. Jefferson signed a 3-year, $41 million contract with the Bobcats who are hoping to develop themselves into a legitimate team in the NBA with this move and much of their young talent.
O.J. Mayo Heading to the Bucks
O.J. Mayo is on the move from Dallas to the Milwaukee Bucks where he has agreed to a 3-year , $24 million contract. One of the most sought after swingman in this year’s free agent class, Mayo goes to the fast paced Milwaukee Bucks who are seeing lots of roster changes and moves up to this point. Mayo had a breakout performance on a struggling Dallas Mavericks squad last season.
J.R. Smith Staying with the New York Knicks
After exercising his option to test the free agent market, J.R. Smith lands back in New York with the Knicks. Smith has agreed to a 4-year, $24.7 million contract with a player option in the final year of his contract. Smith reportedly received offers from other NBA teams including the Milwaukee Bucks, the Detroit Pistons and the Dallas Mavericks. This news was according to J.R.’s agent – Leon Rose. Smith led the league in PPG off the bench in the NBA last season and was pivotal in the Knicks’ breakout season.
Honorable Mentions
(But not worth their own paragraph and photos):
Chauncey Billups – agreed with his former home and the team he never wanted to leave – the Detroit Pistons. Billups signed a 2-year, worth $2.5 million each year. The first year is guaranteed, but the second is not. Billups looks to be setting himself up to retire with the team he seeks to end his career with.
Chris Andersen – agreed to a 1-year, $1.7 million contract with the Miami Heat whom he won a title with this past season. Birdman looks to bolster the 5 position in Miami which lacks depth and size – the Heat’s one glaring weakness.
Darren Collison – heading to the Los Angeles Clippers with a short-term deal – 2 years with a player option in the second year. Collison will be an extremely reliable backup to franchise Point Guard Chris Paul
Tyler Hansbrough – agreed to a 2-year contract with the Toronto Raptors, but the financial information has not yet been unveiled. Hansbrough will be joining the team after the Pacers signed a long extension to David West and chose not to renew Hansbrough’s contract.
Anthony Morrow – has agreed to a 2-year contract with the New Orleans Pelicans to bolster their shooting ability after making numerous roster moves this offseason beginning with the trade for Tyreke Evans.
Luc Mbah a Moute – acquired by the Sacramento Kings in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks for two future second round picks – in 2016 and 2018. Mbah a Moute looks to bolster the defensive capabilities of an oft lazy defensive squad in Sacramento. The Bucks continue to be clearing out cap space.
Omri Casspi – agreed to a 2-year, veteran’s minimum deal with the Houston Rockets who look to add capable role players around the core of James Harden and newly-acquired Dwight Howard.
Toney Douglas – agreed to a 1-year deal with the Golden State Warriors who are looking for quality backup Point Guards to play behind star Stephen Curry after losing Jarrett Jack to free agency.
Francisco Garcia – agreed to a 2-year, re-signing $2.6 million deal with the Houston Rockets who have shown a keen interest in maintaining quality shooters around the big man Dwight Howard down low.
Carl Landry – agreed to a 4-year, $27 million contract with the Sacramento Kings on Saturday afternoon. Landry saw relative success in a booming Golden State Warriors offense and looks to bolster the offensive production of the 4 position in Sacramento which has seen stagnant production in the past few years. Landry opted out of the last two years of his contract with Golden State in June.
Carlos Delfino – agreed to a 3-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks worth $6.5 million in the first two years with a team option in the third and final year of the contract. He joins a Bucks squad who has been busy in free agency already picking up Zaza Pachulia and O.J. Mayo. The Bucks look to bolster their scoring options with swingman like Mayo and Delfino.
David West – agreed to a 3-year, $36 million contract after a deep playoff run with the Indiana Pacers this last postseason. The Pacers look to repeat that success and are poised to be the favorites of the Eastern Conference this year after how hard they made Miami work this year. The Heat will be a year older in the wrong direction and the Pacers will be a year older in the right direction. The Pacers number one priority was to keep West in Indiana to complement the defensive skills of Roy Hibbert down low.
Tiago Splitter – agreed to a 4-year, $36 million contract after his breakout season with the San Antonio Spurs this last year. Splitter and Duncan worked together to make the Spurs one of the best defensive teams in the NBA last season and the Spurs hope to make that last as long as Duncan can.
Jose Calderon – agreed to a 4-year, $29 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Jose Calderon played last season with the Detroit Pistons who experienced another dismal downturn of a season. Calderon looks to bolster a Mavericks franchise that is slowly trending towards a rebuilding season. They are carefully pursuing Bynum now though and may experience an upswing.
Tony Allen – agreed to a 4-year, $20 million contract with his current team, the Memphis Grizzlies. Allen is considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA currently, but possesses little threat on the offensive side. The Grizzlies are no longer with head coach Lionel Hollins who helped shape them into the defensive powerhouse in the Western Conference.
Brad Stevens – Former Butler coach has officially made his jump into the NBA as the new coach for the Boston Celtics. Stevens was known for the staunch defensive Butler teams he led deep into the NCAA Tournament.
Chris Kaman – agreed to a 1-year, just under $3.2 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers to attempt to fill the hole that Dwight Howard just left behind. Kaman was signed a very short-term tender because of the upcoming cap space the Lakers are trying to protect for the 2014 season.
Zaza Pachulia – agreed to a 3-year, $16 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks who have been searching for a reliable big man to back up rising Center Larry Sanders.
Wayne Ellington – agreed to a 2-year, $5 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have added a quality perimeter shooter and roleplayer who has seen little minutes on other teams.
Dorell Wright – agreed to join the Portland Trailblazers alongside veteran Point Guard Earl Watson. The details of the deal have not been released thus far, but he’s leaving the 76ers.
Kyle Korver – agreed to 4-year, $24 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Korver will remain in Atlanta despite many teams around the league hoping they could nab him.
Marco Belinelli – agreed to a 2-year, $5.6 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Perimeter specialist, Belinelli, played for the Chicago Bulls last season and saw lots of play time during the playoffs due to the plethora of injuries that plagued the Bulls throughout the season.
Marreese Speights – agreed to a 3-year contract with the Golden State Warriors with a team-option in the final year of the contract. The financial details of the deal have not been released thus far.
Earl Clark – agreed to a 2-year, $9 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers adding to their slew of forwards for the Cavaliers who are hoping to vault themselves into a competitive matchup every night against all teams in the league.
Jermaine O’Neal – agreed to a 1-year deal with the Golden State Warriors. The only thought to be on this – why aren’t you retired yet?
Ryan Hollins – agreed to a 1-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers who have chosen to keep him on their already jam-packed roster this coming season.
Daniel Fria
Darrick Mckirnan
Exquisite Sports Talk Staff
Ryan Berry
Rhett Bender
Willy Annan
Zach Cook
Exquisite Sports Talk 