NBA Free Agency 2018 Tracker: Latest rumors, trades and signings

[live_blog_entry id=”LBE32″ title=”A change in Minnesota” author=”24492″]The Timberwolves started their offseason by bringing back Derrick Rose. They followed that up be rescinding their qualifying offer for the infinitely useful Nemanja Bjelica and using that money to sign Anthony Tolliver instead. Tolliver and Bjelica play similar roles on offense and Tolliver probably has a bit more defensive versatility. Still, the Rose signing casts a long shadow and this is a sideways move at best. With all the other goings on in the Western Conference, Minnesota’s hold on a playoff berth looks tenuous.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE31″ image=”1422195″ author=”24492″]The Thunder won the Nerlens Noel sweepstakes, landing the young center on a two-year, minimum deal. While the deal seems fairly inexpensive, the tax implications are serious.

Noel still has immense defensive potential but hasn’t taken long to become persona non grata in his last two stops. With a locker room that already had some friction last season, he’s certainly a risk.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE30″ title=”Jazz bring back Favors” author=”24492″]The Utah Jazz made a surprise move, signing Derrick Favors to a two-year deal. Favors has been solid for the Jazz but probably should be a full time center, making for an awkward pairing with Rudy Gobert. Favors’ deal is two years at $36 million, but non-guaranteed for the second year. He will allow the Jazz to bring back an intact starting lineup that was incredible effective, particularly on the defensive end last season.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE29″ title=”Bosh on the comeback trail?” author=”24492″]Is Chris Bosh on his way back? Since being forced to retire with a life-threatening blood clot condition, Bosh has been adamant about wanting to make a comeback. Now, Sean Deveney of the Sporting News is reporting that the Lakers and LeBron could be the place for just such a move. It’s obviously a long shot considering his health problems, but, man, would this be fun or what?

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE28″ title=”Redick is back, baby” author=”24492″]With LeBron James off  the mark, the 76ers have apparently decided to use a big chunk of their cap space to bring back sharpshooter J.J. Redick on a one-year deal. Redick’s outside shooting was key to the success of the 76ers starting lineup and he really seemed to develop strong chemistry with the rest of the young 76ers.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE27″ image=”1475476″ title=”Pelicans get a new point guard” author=”24492″]The New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly agreed on a one-year deal with Elfrid Payton. This is an interesting fit with upside potential for the Pelicans, although it may signal that Rajon Rondo is not in the team’s plans for next season.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE26″ title=”Aaron Gordon is still Magic” author=”24492″]Overshadowed by LeBron’s announcement was the news that Aaron Gordon had re-upped with the Orlando Magic on a four-year, $84 million deal. It’s not the max he could have gotten but Gordon’s willingness to sign quickly must indicate he’s buying the direction the Magic are headed in.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE25″ title=”LeBron is a Laker” author=”24492″]In a relatively quiet announcement, LeBron James made it known that he has chose the Los Angeles Lakers, signing a four-year max deal. LeBron is reportedly headed to Europe with his family and won’t be making any public appearances until later this month. In addition to landing LeBron, the Lakers re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and added Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE24″ image=”1398349″ title=”There’s a new king in New York…” author=”24492″]…it’s just not LeBron James. The Knicks have reportedly agreed on a deal with Mario Hezonja. The young wing had mostly washed out in Orlando but showed some flashes down the stretch last season. If he can recapture the swagger and shooting that led to him being taken as a lottery pick, he could be a huge asset for the Knicks.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry image=”1468953″ title=”Recapping the deals we’ve seen so far” author=”24492″ id=”LBE23″]LeBron James — Los Angeles Lakers, four-years, $154 million
Kevin Durant — Golden State Warriors, two-years, $61 million
Paul George — Oklahoma City Thunder, four-years, $137 million
Chris Paul — Houston Rockets, four-years $160 million
Nikola Jokic — Denver Nuggets, five-years, $147 million
Will Barton — Denver Nuggets, four-years, $54 million
DeAndre Jordan — Dallas Mavericks, one-year, $24 million
Aaron Gordon — Orlando Magic, four-years, $84 million
Lance Stephenson — Los Angeles Lakers, one-year, $4.5 million
JaVale McGee — Los Angeles Lakers, one-year, minimum
Nik Stauskas — Portland Trail Blazers, one-year, minimum
Gerald Green — Houston Rockets, one-year, $2.4 million
Marco Belinelli — San Antonio Spurs, two-years, $12 million
Omri Casspi — Memphis Grizzlies, one-year, minimum
Derrick Rose — Minnesota Timberwolves, one-year, $2.2 million
Ed Davis — Brooklyn Nets, one-year $4.4 million
Doug McDermott — Indiana Pacers, three-years, $22 million
Trevor Ariza — Phoenix Suns, one-year, $15 million
Jerami Grant — Oklahoma City Thunder, three-years, $27 million
Joe Harris — Brooklyn Nets, two-years, $16 million
Rudy Gay — San Antonio Spurs, one-year, $10 million
Aron Baynes — Boston Celtics, two-years, $11 million
Fred VanVleet — Toronto Raptors, two-years, $18 million
Ersan Ilyasova — Milwaukee Bucks, three-years, $21 million

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE23″ title=”Recapping the deals we’ve seen so far” author=”24492″]Nik Stauskas — Portland Trail Blazers, one-year, minimum
Gerald Green — Houston Rockets, one-year, $2.4 million
Marco Belinelli — San Antonio Spurs, two-years, $12 million
Omri Casspi — Memphis Grizzlies, one-year, minimum
Derrick Rose — Minnesota Timberwolves, one-year, $2.2 million
Ed Davis — Brooklyn Nets, one-year $4.4 million
Doug McDermott — Indiana Pacers, three-years, $22 million
Trevor Ariza — Phoenix Suns, one-year, $15 million
Jerami Grant — Oklahoma City Thunder, three-years, $27 million
Joe Harris — Brooklyn Nets, two-years, $16 million
DeAndre Jordan — Dallas Mavericks, one-year, $24 million
Rudy Gay — San Antonio Spurs, one-year, $10 million
Aron Baynes — Boston Celtics, two-years, $11 million
Will Barton — Denver Nuggets, four-years, $54 million
Paul George — Oklahoma City Thunder, four-years, $137 million
Chris Paul — Houston Rockets, four-years $160 million
Fred VanVleet — Toronto Raptors, two-years, $18 million
Ersan Ilyasova — Milwaukee Bucks, three-years, $21 million
Kevin Durant — Golden State Warriors, two-years, $61 million
Nikola Jokic — Denver Nuggets, five-years, $147 million

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE22″ image=”1473158″ title=”Raptors keep rolling the dice” author=”24492″]The Raptors have reportedly agreed on a two-year deal with key bench player Fred VanVleet. This helps keep their core intact for another run next summer but his two-year, $18 million deal will put the Raptors about $13 million into the tax next season, according to Zach Lowe. Suffice it to say, the Raptors are probably rooting pretty hard for LeBron to move to L.A.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE21″ title=”Lakers are after Boogie bait for LeBron” author=”31139″]Marc Spears reports DeMarcus Cousins is expected to set up meetings with both the Lakers and the Pelicans after receiving calls from both teams. If L.A. are using Boogie as LeBron bait, they wasted no time showing James they’re after him.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE20″ title=”Denver wants in on the LeBron James sweepstakes” author=”31139″]Shooters shoot. After re-signing Nikola Jokic and Will Barton, five years, $148 million and four years, $50 million dollar deal, respectively, Yahoo Sports’ Chris Mannix reports the Denver Nuggets are putting all their efforts into getting (a meeting with) LeBron James.[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE16″ title=”A quick recap of early free agency agreements” author=”5797″]We’re deep into the first few hours of free agency, but here’s a rundown of the craziness we lived through. Keep in mind, no deals can been finalized until July 6th:

• Paul George agreed to a four-year max deal with the Thunder
• Kevin Durant agreed to a two-year max deal with the Warriors
• Chris Paul agreed to a max deal with the Rockets
• DeAndre Jordan agreed to a one-year deal with the Mavericks (for real this time)
• Derrick Rose agreed to a one-year deal with the Timberwolves
• Trevor Ariza agreed to a one-year deal with the Suns
• Gerald Green agreed to a deal with the Rockets
• Rudy Gay is returning to the Spurs
• Marco Belinelli agreed to a deal with the Spurs
• Will Barton agreed to sign with the Nuggets
• Nikola Jokic agreed to a max deal with the Nuggets
• Omri Casspi agreed to a deal with the Grizzlies
• Ed Davis agreed to a one-year deal with the Nets

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE15″ title=”Derrick Rose returns to Minnesota” author=”5797″]Timberwolves fans won’t be too happy with this one, but Derrick Rose is coming back to Minnesota. For whatever reason, Tom Thibodeau can’t quit his old point guard and now they’re seemingly married together forever.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”Trevor Ariza signs with Phoenix (?)” author=”5797″ id=”LBE14″]This one has Basketball Twitter raising an eyebrow or two: Trevor Ariza is headed to the Phoenix Suns on a one-year, $15M deal. It’s an odd fit, but we’ll just have to see how it turns out. The young Suns need some veteran guidance and this seems to be at least part of it.
[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE19″ title=”Holy crap, Paul George signed the max in OKC” author=”5797″]So this is a bit of a surprise. Paul George, a guy who when he was traded to Oklahoma City last year would be in Los Angeles by now, signed a max deal with the Thunder. That means he’s on the ebooks for four-years and $137 million, which means he’s not going to the Lakers unless he’s traded.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE18″ title=”Chris Paul returns to Houston” author=”5797″]Who would have thought that two years ago, when he was convincing DeAndre Jordan to stay in L.A., that Chris Paul would be with him in Texas now. They’re on different teams, but Paul will be in Houston for the 2019 season.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”Nikola Jokic gets the max” author=”5797″ id=”LBE17″]We sort of saw this one coming, but the Denver Nuggets made it official. Nikola Jokic agreed to sign a max deal to stay put.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”DeAndre Jordan Signs With Dallas” author=”5797″ id=”LBE13″]Speaking of DeAndre Jordan, his second free agency tour in Dallas turned out to be more successful than the first. As we all expected, Jordan will be signing with the Mavericks, but it’s only a one-year deal. https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1013267115019849728

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”Will Barton Is Returning To Denver” author=”5797″ id=”LBE11″]Everyone is obsessing over where Paul George and LeBron James will re-sign, but one major piece that could determine a few things is Will Barton. He was being coveted by a couple of teams, but will be returning to Denver.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”Russell Westbrook Is Throwing a House Party” author=”5797″ id=”LBE12″]The fact that Russell Westbrook threw a house party on the night Paul George hits free agency seemed like a DeAndre Jordan situation waiting to happen. Turned out there was no struggle needed, and the party was not to persuade PG to stay, but to celebrate the fact that he already was going to.

Even when he doesn’t win it, Russ is still the MVP.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE10″ title=”Three years too late” author=”24492″]DeAndre Jordan has reportedly opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, becoming a free agent. He is widely expected to join the Dallas Mavericks. You may remember that Jordan had agreed to a contract with Dallas the last time he was a free agent, before his Clippers teammates held him under house arrest and talked him out of it. Here’s hoping negotiations go more smoothly this time around.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE9″ image=”1449019″ title=”Have a great summer, Lonzo” author=”24492″]Adding insult to injury, Lonzo Ball is reportedly going to spend the next few days continuing to recover from a torn meniscus while he hears his name bandied about in trade talks for Kawhi Leonard. Of course, the woke Blog Boys recognize that LaVar Ball could really be leaking this news to keep the Lakers from trading Lonzo. What tangled webs we weave.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE8″ title=”Dan Gilbert wants his team back” author=”24492″]According to reports today, Dan Gilbert has expressed his hope that LeBron James signs elsewhere so that he can “have his team back,” presumably without any ill well from fans (like that’s going to happen). Good luck with that, Dan.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE7″ title=”Stay Green Houston” author=”24492″]Gerald Green ended up being a key contributor down the stretch for the Houston Rockets, as part of their stable of athletic, outside shooting wings. ESPN’s Chris Haynes is reporting that Green will meet with Houston right away, but has several teams interested in his services.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE6″ title=”Welcome to The Decision Cave” author=”24492″]LeBron is reportedly meeting in the Caribbean with confidants in “The Decision Cave” to figure out his future. Why does everything need to have a dumb name? Why can’t it just be the living room of a luxury cave? Meanwhile, somewhere deep under the sands of Orlando…

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE5″ title=”A reprieve for Knicks fans” author=”24492″]It may not be the summer coup they were dreaming of (mostly because this dream was too sweet to even consider) but reports have surfaced that James Dolan may be considering selling the Knicks. Long-suffering fans have the team have to be psyched about what this could mean for the future.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry image=”1443211″ title=”Who’s opting in? Who’s opting out?” author=”24492″ id=”LBE4″]With the announcements so far today, here’s where we stand on key player option decisions:

Opting in:

Cory Joseph — Indiana Pacers
Danny Green — San Antonio Spurs
Iman Shumpert — Sacramento Kings
Wilson Chandler — Denver Nuggets
Wesley Matthews — Dallas Mavericks
Carmelo Anthony — Oklahoma City Thunder
Thaddeus Young — Indiana Pacers
Dewayne Dedmon — Atlanta Hawks
Enes Kanter — New York Knicks

Opting out:

Jamal Crawford — Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Durant — Golden State Warriors
Paul George — Oklahoma City Thunder
LeBron James — Cleveland Cavaliers

Still thinking:

DeAndre Jordan — Los Angeles Clippers

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry title=”Thaddeus Young will be back in Indiana” author=”24492″ id=”LBE3″]Last week it was reported that Young was flirting with opting out and exploring the free agent market. He must not have liked what he heard because Young has opted-in for next year with the Pacers. He was a key piece of their resurgent squad last season and will have a chance to earn another big contract next summer.

No word yet on whether this will discourage the Pacers from going all-in on their pursuit of restricted free agent, Aaron Gordon.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE2″ title=”LeBron James makes it official” author=”24492″]Surprising no one, LeBron James has officially declined his option with the Cavaliers for next season. This doesn’t precluding him from re-signing with the team on favorable terms but it removes the option of another team trading for him straight up, and the possibility of a sign-and-trade are pretty slim. Sorry, Houston Rockets.

[/live_blog_entry][live_blog_entry id=”LBE1″ title=”Enes Kanter isn’t going anywhere” author=”24492″]After some playful Twitter shenanigans, Enes Kanter announced that he is opting in for his last season with the New York Knicks. This ties up a significant amount of Knicks salary and likely hamstrings their ability to chase top free agents this summer.

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