NBA trade season goes into overdrive
The NBA trade period is underway at a frenetic pace, with players signing contracts worth a ridiculous amount of money.
The NBA season may have only finished a couple of weeks ago but the off-season trade period is already underway and there is plenty happening.
Star point guards Tray Young and Chris Paul have reportedly agreed to stay with their respective teams on absolutely eye-watering deals.
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Most of the big names in the NBA are off the market but there are several influential role-players moving to different teams for next season.
The free agency period opened at 6pm in American and there has already been movement, with up to $1.26 billion ($A1.7bn) splashed in the opening hour.
Here’s a breakdown of all the deals that have gone down already and some players who could still find themselves at a new franchise.
Tray Young (Atlanta Hawks)
The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported Trae Young is expected to finalise a five-year, $170 million ($A230m) extension which could be pushed up to $201.5 million ($A272m) with a supermax trigger.
Trae Young is expected to finalize a 5-year, $170M extension which could be pushed to $201.5M with a supermax trigger!
— Basketball Forever (@Bballforeverfb) August 2, 2021
(per @Sam_Amick) pic.twitter.com/1qF7moWDyK
Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)
The Suns’ 36-year-old point guard declined his $44 million ($A60m) player option for 2021-22, but is returning to Phoenix. That is according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reports Paul agreed to return on a four-year deal that could be worth as much as $120 million ($A163m). One of the NBA’s best-ever quarterbacks, Paul defies his age with leadership and a basketball IQ that is maybe tops in the league.
Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)
The Sixers have been dealt a blow with Lowry agreeing to terms with the Miami Heat. The Raptors passed up point guard Jalen Suggs at No. 4 in the draft to sweep up small forward Scott Barnes. Lowry’s hometown 76ers were reportedly a strong contender but Lowry will now join Miami on a three-year deal in a sign-and-trade.
Lonzo Ball (New Orleans Pelicans)
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that Ball has agreed to a four-year, $85 million ($A115m) deal with the Chicago Bulls. Charania reports that the Bulls are sending Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple and a second-round pick to New Orleans for Ball. While Ball made a leap as an outside shooter this season, the Pelicans finished 31-41 and Ball hasn’t won since his one season at UCLA. Still he’s just 23 years old, his father, LaVar, has been mostly quiet and he’s one of the few true pass-first point guards in the CP3 model.
Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)
Leonard also declined his player option of $36 million ($A49m) for 2021-22. The Clippers couldn’t keep their star forward’s torn right ACL a secret forever this past season, as much as they tried. Leonard didn’t have surgery until July 14 — exactly a month after he last played. Perhaps that’s an indication he expects to miss next season anyway and will opt into the final year of his contract.
Derrick Rose (New York Knicks)
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Rose has agreed to a three-year deal to return to the New York Knicks worth $43 million ($A58m). The former 2011 MVP did everything that could have been asked of him since he was traded from Detroit to the Knicks in February, helping them make the playoffs.
Evan Fournier (New York Knicks)
Free agent Fourner as agreed to a four-year deal worth as much as $78 million ($A105m), according to ESPN. The Frenchman has helped hi case in Tokyo, leading France to the Olympic quarterfinals and an upset over Team USA in which he dominated. He always has been a sleek scorer.
Alex Caruso (Chicago Bulls)
The LA Lakers are shaking things up. Free agent guard Caruso has reportedly agreed to be traded from the Lakers to the Chicago Bulls on a four-year deal worth $37 million ($A50m). It’s a huge blow for the Lakers’ defence, which leaked points on the perimeter last season.
Losing Alex Caruso is a tough blow for the Lakers’ defense. He’s one of the best defensive guards in the league, and was probably the second-most impactful defender on the No. 1 defense in the regular season. There’s no replacing him with what’s available to LA in free agency.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) August 3, 2021
Dwight Howard (LA Lakers)
ESPN’s Wojnarowski is reporting free agent Howard is returning to the Lakers. The veteran big man won a championship in LA in 2020 before moving to Philadelphia for a season.
Norman Powell (Portland Trail Blazers)
The Raptors traded Powell to Portland at the deadline, fearing what he might command in free agency. Powell averaged 18.6 points on 41.1 percent shooting from 3-point range last season. But Portland may soon be in full rebuilding mode if they have to trade Damian Lillard.
Mike Conley (Utah Jazz)
Conley has reportedly agreed to terms with the Utah Jazz. The lefty playmaker actually was named to the All-Star team last season, but got injured in the playoffs.
Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs)
The Lakers have already made a big move for Russell Westbrook but are still in desperate need of shooting. NBA reporter Marc Stein revealed on Tuesday that Mills is one of L.A.’s prime targets in the free agency period. Mills shot 37.5 per cent from deep last season and is one of the league’s best shooters. The Aussie is coming off an impressive campaign with the Spurs where he averaged 10.8 points and 2.4 assists from 24.8 minutes per game. The Lakers have a taxpayer midlevel exception of $9.5 million ($A13m) to use.
John Collins (Atlanta Hawks)
The Hawks just added power forward Tristan Thompson in a trade perhaps with the fear Collins will get a max offer he can’t refuse. Other teams can offer the athletic “stretch-4” power forward a deal starting at $28 million ($A38m). Collins was certainly solid in the playoffs, but the Hawks seem restrained. The Spurs might be the one team with cap space willing to go full tilt for the 23-year-old, high-flying Collins. Otherwise, Collins will wind up back in Atlanta for something less than his four-year, $125 million ($A170m) max.
Duncan Robinson (Miami Heat)
Robinson, who began his college career as a star at Division III Williams College before transferring to Michigan, has agreed to a five-year, $90 million ($A122m) deal, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It is the largest ever for an undrafted player.
Devonte’ Graham (Charlotte Hornets)
He’s an under-the-radar scorer (14.8 ppg) — part of a crowded back court with Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball. But he’s a good shotmaker, even if he made just 37.7 percent overall (37.5 from 3). He is just 26 and getting better. He earned just $4 million ($A5m) last season so he’s looking to get paid. But he’s a restricted free agent and the Hornets can match.
DeMar DeRozan (San Antonio Spurs)
His best years are behind him, but he’s a strong veteran presence who can score in double figures as an old-school mid-range jump-shooter. His 3-point shooting is a little lacking and he’s never been known for his defence. He averaged 21.6 points last season, shot 49.5 percent overall but just 25.7 percent from 3. And he’s 32.
Dennis Schroder (Los Angeles Lakers)
With Russell Westbrook in the building, it’s doubtful the Lakers will bring Schroder back. He also turned down an extension offer for $80 million ($A109m) during the 2020-21 season. He’s a solid defender and playmaker.
Spencer Dinwiddie (Brooklyn Nets)
The Nets don’t want to pay him the max-like contract he’s seeking. They should have enough without Dinwiddie. He’s a Southern California guy and the Clippers reportedly have interest. Dinwiddie is on record saying he deserved a deal of five years, $125 million ($A170m). The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Dinwiddie is set to meet with the Wizards at the start of free agency.
Kelly Oubre (Golden State Warriors)
Oubre was part of the Suns’ deal that netted them Paul and he started for Golden State last season. But with Klay Thompson returning, Oubre will be back to the bench if he re-signs and prefers a larger role elsewhere. Dallas and the Knicks have made inquiries, as he’s intriguing with his versatility and athleticism.
CONFIRMED DEALS
- Kyle Lowry agreed to a three-year, $90 million deal with Miami Heat
- Chris Paul agreed to a four-year deal that is reportedly worth up to $120 million with Phoenix Suns
- Derrick Rose agreed to a three-year deal with the New York Knicks worth $43 million
- Cameron Payne agreed to a three-year, $19 million deal with Phoenix Suns
- Jeff Green agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with Denver Nuggets
- Alex Len agreed to a two-year, $7.65 million deal with Sacramento Kings
- Gary Trent Jr. agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with Toronto Raptors
- Furkan Korkmaz agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal with Philadelphia 76ers
- Zach Collins agreed to a three-year, $22 million deal with San Antonio Spurs
- Duncan Robinson agreed to a five-year, $90 million deal with Miami Heat
- Tim Hardaway Jr. agreed to a four-year, $74 million deal with Dallas Mavericks
- Kelly Olynyk agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal with Detroit Pistons
- Nerlens Noel agreed to a three-year, $32 million deal with New York Knicks
- Alec Burks agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with New York Knicks
- Doug McDermott agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal with San Antonio Spurs
- TJ McConnell agreed to a four-year, $35 million deal with Indiana Pacers
- Jarrett Allen re-signed on five-year, $100 million deal with Cleveland Cavaliers
- JaMychal Green agreed to two-year, $17 million deal with Denver Nuggets
- Boban Marjanovic agreed to deal to re-sign with Dallas Mavericks
- Mike Conley agreed to three-year, $68 million deal with Utah Jazz
- Lonzo Ball agreed to four-year, $85 million deal with Chicago Bulls
- Moe Harkless agreed to a two-year, $9 million deal with Sacramento Kings
- Mike Muscala agreed to a two-year, $7 million deal with Oklahoma City Thunder
- Dwight Howard agreed to a deal with Los Angeles Lakers
- Solomon Hill agreed to a deal with Atlanta Hawks
- Sterling Brown agreed to a deal with Dallas Mavericks
- Reggie Bullock agreed to a deal with Dallas Mavericks
- Trent Ariza agreed to a one-year deal with Los Angeles Lakers
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