NBA Free Agency Roundup: Paul George re-signs in OKC; LeBron to Lakers?
NBA Free Agency Roundup: Paul George re-signs with the Oklahoma City Thunder and LeBron James to the Los Angeles Lakers is gaining traction
NBA Free Agency is officially underway. Even though we’re just a few hours in, so much has happened that will shape the immediate future of the NBA. As the news continues to roll in, keep it here on our NBA Free Agency Roundup to stay up to date.
We don’t know if the Lakers and LeBron have met
The level of contact between LeBron James and the Lakers thus far is not yet clear, but one source close to the process tells @NYTSports that LeBron and Lakers lead recruiter Magic Johnson did NOT have dinner together after free agency began at 9:01 PM Los Angeles time last night
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2018
Rockets could look overseas for Trevor Ariza’s replacement
Source: Houston Rockets scheduled a meeting with Fenerbahce free agent James Nunnally, who auditioned for Portland and Minnesota. He's a high-level 3&D wing, shot 55% from distance and 90% FTs in the Euroleague.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) July 1, 2018
Lakers could target Aaron Gordon if they miss out on LeBron
Outside of the Magic, a source said another team to keep an eye on in regards to Magic RFA forward Aaron Gordon is the Los Angeles Lakers. Magic GM John Hammond has already told @TheUndefeated that the hope is to re-sign @UncleDrewFilm star long-term. https://t.co/qr2HFFrBd9
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 1, 2018
LeBron to Philly stil has legs – Perhaps the longer LeBron takes to make a decision, the better the chances that the 76ers will have at landing The King?
"Don't rule out Philadelphia yet," - @wojespn just now on @Sportscenter talking about #LeBronJames.
— 97.3 ESPN FM (@973espn) July 1, 2018
"The Sixers are still in this"#LebronWatch2018
Raptors keep Fred VanVleet
Restricted free agent Fred VanVleet has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal to return to Toronto, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2018
Trevor Ariza leaves Houston – In a somewhat surprising move, Ariza elects to leave the Houston Rockets for perhaps one last big payday.
Houston free agent Trevor Ariza has agreed to a one-year, $15M deal with the Phoenix Suns, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2018
Derrick Rose elects to stay in Minnesota
Sources: Derrick Rose has agreed to a one-year, $2.1M deal to re-sign with Minnesota.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2018
Nets take a flier on Ed Davis
Free agent forward Ed Davis has agreed to a one-year, $4.4M deal with the Brooklyn Nets, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
Jerami Grant stays in OKC, too
Oklahoma City forward Jerami Grant has agreed to a three-year, $27M contract to return to the Thunder, league sources told ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
Ilyasova lands in Milwaukee
Ersan Ilyasova has agreed to a 3 year, $21M deal with Milwaukee, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
Chris Paul gets his max – After a few reports that suggested he might not get his max, the Houston Rockets will give in and hand Paul a four-year max offer. No drama here.
All-Star Chris Paul will sign a four-year, $160M max contract to stay with the Houston Rockets, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
Joe Harris re-signs in Brooklyn – In somewhat of a shocking move, Joe Harris re-signs with the Brooklyn Nets, something that really wasn’t expected. The Nets have somewhat of a logjam in the backcourt, but Harris is clearly seeing as too good of an asset to lose right now.
Joe Harris has agreed to a two-year, $16M deal with Nets, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
Rudy Gay re-ups in San Antonio – after opting out to become a free agent, the San Antonio Spurs and Rudy Gay found common ground on a deal shortly after free agency began. But the Spurs have some bigger fish to fry now with Kawhi Leonard.
Free agent forward Rudy Gay has committed on a one-year, $10 million deal to re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2018
Doug McDermott lands with the Indiana Pacers – after losing out on Will Barton, the Pacers shifted their attention to a bargain scorer and perhaps the next best thing on the open market.
Doug McDermott has agreed to a three-year, $22M deal with Indiana, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
Paul George, the second best free agent on the open market commits to the Oklahoma City Thunder – also before NBA Free Agency even begins. This could have a huge ripple effect for other free agent moves that were waiting for big moves to take place before they made a decision.
Paul George has committed to sign a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
The Nuggets lock up Nikola Jokic and Will Barton, before NBA Free Agency even begins. We’re off to a rocking start!
Free agent guard Will Barton has committed to a four-year, $54 million re-sign with the Denver Nuggets, league sources tell Yahoo. Barton will also have a player option on Year 4.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2018
Gifted young center Nikola Jokic is poised to accept a five-year, $148M maximum contract to stay with the Denver Nuggets shortly after midnight, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
Must Read: NBA Free Agency: 8 bold predictions, headlined by LeBron’s new team
Keep it here for all the 2018 NBA Free Agency news as it continues to roll in.