NBA Free Agency Off to a Fast Start

By Sam Schwartz on Thursday, July 2nd 2015
NBA Free Agency Off to a Fast Start

With the NBA free agent frenzy well underway, there are a number of players who have already signed deals, while several All-Stars continue their search for the big payday.

The San Antonio Spurs jumped out to a fast start, trading Tiago Splitter to the Atlanta Hawks. The move allowed the Spurs to rid themselves of Splitter's $8.5 million salary and, in turn, re-sign Danny Green and 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.

Now, the focus will shift to free agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who visited the Spurs on Wednesday. Aldridge-one of the hottest free-agent commodities-will also be visiting the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the Spurs have two other key free agents to keep their eyes on in Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, who are likely to return to the team if they do not elect to retire.

The Splitter deal also helped out the Hawks, who lost DeMarre Carroll to the Raptors. The Eastern Conference's best regular season team will now focus their attention on re-signing free agent forward Paul Millsap, who has received similar offers from the Hawks and Orlando Magic.

Elsewhere around the league, the Miami Heat have re-signed Goran Dragic to a five-year, $90 million deal. The primary focus for Pat Riley is now locking up Dwyane Wade. Rumors swirled around Wade potentially teaming up with Kobe Bryant, but the Lakers have other targets on their radar. It makes the most sense for Wade, a three-time NBA Champion with the Heat, to re-sign with the team and finish his career where he started.

After the future of Kevin Love was highly questionable, the seven-year veteran re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. A brief meeting with the Lakers on Wednesday did not leave Love with the right impression, as he quickly returned to the Cavs. This could be one of many big signings in Cleveland as LeBron James, like Love, opted out of his contract and remains a free agent. 

The Cavaliers' offseason decisions directly coincide with James, who has become more of a general manager in the past few weeks than a free agent. Other notable free agents who represented the East in the 2015 NBA Finals include Matthew Dellavedova, Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson, and J.R. Smith. The Cavs have extended qualifying offers to Dellavedova, Shumpert, and Thompson, while Smith opted out, but reportedly wants to return to the team.

GM James was reported to have an interest in Mike Dunleavy, who re-signed with the Chicago Bulls on a three-year deal. The Bulls also extended a maximum contract offer to free agent guard Jimmy Butler, who accepted the offer on Wednesday.

Other big-name free agents include Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, and Rajon Rondo. Gasol has reportedly spoken solely with the Memphis Grizzlies in contract negotiations and appears to be intent on re-signing with the team. The Los Angeles Clippers seem to have a desire to bring back DeAndre Jordan but, with his relationship with Chris Paul in question, there is reason for uncertainty. According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, the Lakers and Mavericks will be the top competitors in landing Jordan.

The Mavericks have a bevy of free agents, including Rondo, Monta Ellis, Tyson Chandler, and Amar'e Stoudemire. The Sacramento Kings are reportedly interested in bringing in Rondo, who will assuredly part ways with the Mavs. Ellis would be a good piece to bring back, especially with Rondo gone, but the Mavericks could go a number of ways with a variety of guards on the market, including J.J. Barea. Mark Cuban can be expected to be a big buyer during free agency and could target a big man to replace Chandler.

The Knicks, Lakers and Boston Celtics will also be buyers as they attempt to land the free agent that could bring them back to prominence.

 

Other rumblings:

Nets bring back Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young

Milwaukee Bucks close to re-signing Khris Middleton

Report: Oklahoma City Thunder close to re-signing Enes Kanter

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Scores

Suns
88
Lakers
86
Jazz
88
Pelicans
107
Clippers
33
Timberwolves
38
Nets
110
Spurs
126
Pacers
109
Hornets
133
76ers
124
Heat
117
Bulls
112
Trail Blazers
121
Magic
108
Rockets
113
Mavericks
121
Kings
130
Hawks
126
Wizards
96
Pistons
124
Thunder
116
Raptors
107
Spurs
110
Grizzlies
112
Warriors
133
Rockets
128
Kings
97
Bucks
118
Cavaliers
116
Nuggets
103
Celtics
84
7:00 PM ET
Pistons
-
Cavaliers
-
7:30 PM ET
Celtics
-
Nets
-
8:00 PM ET
Bucks
-
Knicks
-
8:30 PM ET
Mavericks
-
Grizzlies
-
9:30 PM ET
Thunder
-
Nuggets
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