NBA free agency began on Friday night, and some top players have already agreed to new deals. Fred VanVleet will join the Houston Rockets, Kyrie Irving will stay with the Dallas Mavericks, and Draymond Green has received a long-term extension from the Golden State Warriors. However, these deals will not become official until July 6. Until then, agreements can be made, but they are not binding until they are signed after July 6. The new collective bargaining agreement came into effect on Saturday.
There are still a few players whose decisions are being awaited, including James Harden and Damian Lillard. Harden chose to opt into the final season of his contract in order to facilitate a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, but a trade did not happen on the first day of free agency.
Donte DiVincenzo, who played one season with the Golden State Warriors, is now headed to the New York Knicks. He has agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract. DiVincenzo was a valuable rotation player for the Warriors, and now he will be reunited with his former college teammates in New York.
Damian Lillard has formally requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. The Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets are the only teams on his list of preferred destinations. Lillard has been with the Blazers since 2012 and has been a key factor in their playoff appearances. However, after their first-round playoff exit in 2020, questions about his loyalty to Portland have arisen, and it seems that now he is ready to move on.
LaMelo Ball has agreed to a five-year max rookie extension with the Charlotte Hornets worth up to $260 million. This deal is significant for the franchise and represents a commitment to building around Ball. It is also the first max extension to a rookie contract for the Hornets since Michael Jordan became the owner.
D’Angelo Russell will remain with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year, $37 million deal. Russell’s return to the Lakers last season ended on a sour note, but he will now have the opportunity to continue his story with the team that drafted him.
Brook Lopez has agreed to return to the Milwaukee Bucks on a two-year, $48 million deal. Lopez is coming off his best season with the Bucks and was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team.
Thomas Bryant has agreed to a two-year, $5.4 million deal with the Miami Heat. Bryant was part of the Denver Nuggets’ championship run but played only 29 seconds in the playoffs.
Max Strus is headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team sign-and-trade deal. Strus was a valuable player for the Miami Heat during their playoff run and averaged career highs in points and rebounds last season.
Dennis Smith Jr. has agreed to a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets. Smith had a strong season with the Charlotte Hornets and will provide depth for the Nets.
In other news, Tyrese Haliburton has reached a max extension agreement with the Indiana Pacers, Fred VanVleet has joined the Houston Rockets on a $130 million deal, and the Raptors will be acquiring Kemba Walker.
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