NBA Free Agency Roundup: Paul George traded, Blake re-signs and more
![INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Paul George INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Paul George](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/320546c9f4c01a3698bce7f64d9fdfe0f239b0cdfd7bcf15a762ee8df7b3c1f6.jpg)
NBA Free Agency has officially begun, who has signed where and what trades have gone down? Let me catch you up on what you missed
Paul George Traded To The Oklahoma City Thunder
The biggest blockbuster so far is that Paul George was finally dealt. That means both All-Stars projected to move on this postseason in Butler and George both have new homes. The Oklahoma City Thunder got tremendously better in this one deal than they could have during free agency.
They also gave up literally nothing. Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis was all they gave up. Oladipo is a starter, yes, but George is without a doubt miles better. OKC’s first round pick Terrance Ferguson can also very easily step into that shooting guard role for OKC. I am loving what the Thunder have done so far this post season.
As far as why PG didn’t end up in Cleveland or Boston I honestly don’t know. If the rumored and reported trade proposals with the latter teams are true, it may have just come down to Indiana wanting to move PG out of conference. The reason I say the latter is because both the reported Cleveland and Boston offer was tremendously better. Now, it would also not surprise me if neither offered as much as said because the possibility of George being a 1-year rental.
TRADE: The Oklahoma City Thunder acquire Paul George in a trade with Indiana in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis! 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/Lmjc9Cafx9
— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) July 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/ByNickGonzalez/status/881049865849012226
Stephen Curry Gets Paid
Breaking: Steph Curry has agreed to a 5-year, $201M supermax deal with the Warriors, per @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/R480fwBz3C
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 1, 2017
Stephen Curry gets his money. After being the biggest bargain contract in the NBA for the past 3-4 seasons, the two-time NBA MVP gets what he deserves. At five years, $201M Curry will earn just under $41M over the next five seasons.
And no, sadly this has little to no effect on if GSW can keep their core four.
Patty Mills Stays In San Antonio
Presumably, the Spurs starting point guard for this upcoming season is staying home. Mills signed a four-year, $50M deal. That’s a solid price for both parties, and I am sure both are happy with that they are getting. At just $12.5M a year, Mills is still one of the lesser paid starting point guards, but still is one of the better ones.
John Wall Holding Out On New Deal
The Wizards have offered John Wall a four-year contract extension, but he will take some time to consider the offer. https://t.co/reFoKX1J7N
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 1, 2017
I genuinely doubt Wall goes anywhere, but this is still something to note. Wall holds out on what would be a $42M per year deal. The reasoning is probably him waiting to see if Washington can add some more assets before he takes more money.
Blake Griffin Is Staying In LA
This Just In: Blake Griffin plans to reach agreement on a five-year, $173 million deal with the Clippers. https://t.co/e5pQWYgx0p pic.twitter.com/0BDHJsmx1z
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 1, 2017
Griffin will go with the money here and stay put in Los Angeles. With no real contending team really pushing for him, Griffin does the smart thing and takes the money. At about $35M a year, it is hard to think Blake really would go elsewhere, especially with his recent injury history and statistical decline. I also genuinely have no idea why Los Angeles signed this deal.
They won’t be winning anytime soon even if they kept Paul and Blake, but now they just have Blake. They should have gone into full tank mode.
The NBA Continues To Be Unbalanced
With Paul George moving West, only 1 of the top 14 players in last year’s #NBARank will be in the Eastern Conference. pic.twitter.com/xmexPKuWxB
— ESPN (@espn) July 1, 2017
The Pacers Got Fleeced
Nets got a first-round pick for Bojan Bogdanovic in February
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) July 1, 2017
Lakers got a first for Lou Williams
Pacers did not get a pick for Paul George
Chicago, Brooklyn and the Lakers got more for their respective “stars” traded this past season than Indiana. The thing is, George very well might be the best out of all the players traded. I guess that is just the way the cookie crumbles, but even if PG went to LA for Russell, Mozgov and a First, that’s a gazillion time better than what OKC just gave up.
Cristiano Felicio Re-signs With Chicago
Chicago RFA Cristiano Felicio has agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal to re-sign with the Bulls, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2017
Bulls elect to keep rebuilding here and re-sign their promising young big to a solid deal. At just $8M a year, that isn’t too bad to what looks like a promising future bench big. He could also be a very good trade asset to a contender looking for a rebounder at such a small cap hit.
Jeff Teague Signs With Minnesota
Jeff Teague has agreed to a three-year, $57M deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, league sources tell The Vertical. 3rd-year player option.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2017
This is probably my favorite signing thus far. Minnesota gets an absolute STEAL here. At just $14M a year, Teague comes in less than Rondo, Eric Bledsoe, and Reggie Jackson. And just over recently signed Patty Mills. Teague isn’t an all-star by any means, but he is without a doubt a high-quality starting point guard. With the additions of Teague and Butler, Minnesota is definitely gunning for a top seed.
They also have some more money to spend.
ZBo to The Land?
So...as I was gonna say before the sun collapsed...hear Cleveland also has interest in Zach Randolph. Contact expected via phone Saturday.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2017
This would be a very, very good bench addition for LeBron & Co.
Teams Treading Slowly
General sense heading into free agency is teams are trying not to go nuts right out of the gates like last year. (👀👀 at u Lakers/Mozgov)
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 30, 2017
This tweet by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne seems to be holding true. Much fewer deals have been done so far tonight than last year, and with much, MUCH lower cap hits. Interesting to see how teams and players continue to feel out the market and how GM’s get smarter with all this new money.
Rudy Gay To The Bay?
Warriors Consider Rudy Gay Plan B If Andre Iguodala Leaves: https://t.co/VAHdLjKZXQ pic.twitter.com/JfOgrg6OYE
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 1, 2017
As reported by RealGM, it appears Rudy Gay is Golden State’s backup plan if Iggy leaves. Gay is nowhere near the defender Iggy is, but still might be a better complete player despite recent injuries. This could be a very low-risk high reward deal for both Rudy and Golden State.
Boston Wanted To Wait It Out
.@wojespn confirms #Celtics plan was to sign Gordon Hayward, then deal for Paul George, but #Pacers didn't want to wait. League stunned.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) July 1, 2017
I talked about this earlier this week on Twitter and with some fellow NBA fans. In order for Boston to bring in both Gordon Hayward and Paul George without stripping their whole team, they had to sign Hayward first. Boston could have gone over the cap and into luxury tax space via trade for George, but they cannot do the latter to sign Gordon Hayward outright. Unfortunately for Boston, Indiana didn’t want to wait.
Must Read: Predicting Where The Top 15 Free Agents Will Sign
Some Other Deals Signed/Trades/News
Shaun Livingston Resigns with GSW for 3 Years, $24M.
Tony Snell Resigns with Milwaukee for 4 Years $46M.
Rondo is drawing interest from SAS, CLE, and LAL.
Joe Ingles has not yet met with the Jazz.
Utah Jazz Acquire Ricky Rubio from Minnesota for their 2018 First Rounder.
The madness is just beginning.