If you missed any of this week’s biggest free agent signings, don’t worry because we’ve got it covered with our Week in Review. Listed below are some of the most noteworthy signings and other stories from the last seven days.
The most sought-after free agent this summer, all-time great LeBron James, is taking his talents to Hollywood after agreeing to a four-year, $154MM maximum salary contract with the Lakers. The fourth year of the contract will contain a player option, meaning James will remain in Los Angeles at least through the 2020/21 season barring a trade. James also considered re-signing with the Cavaliers – and met with the Sixers as a mere courtesy – but ultimately made a decision based on what he believed to be the best situation for him and his family moving forward. Since making his decision, the Lakers have also begun to fill out their roster with other free agents, including Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, and JaVale McGee.
In one of the more shocking free agency developments in recent memory, All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins has signed with the Warriors on a one-year, $5.3MM deal. Cousins, who is coming off a torn Achilles suffered during the 2017/18 season, apparently received a two-year offer for $40MM from the Pelicans earlier this year, but after not accepting, saw his market shrink to the point where he reportedly had to call Warriors’ GM Bob Myers after receiving no offers from any other teams. For Cousins, signing a one-year deal will allow him to rebuild his value and return to the free agent market next summer in the hopes of a more lucrative contract.
The Thunder and Carmelo Anthony have decided to part ways, with both the team and Anthony’s camp expected to work together to figure out whether Anthony will be traded, waived and stretched, or bought out and stretched. Both sides hope to have a plan in place and executed before the summer ends. While Oklahoma City is making this move in an effort to cut costs, Anthony is also on board because recognizes that he’d be in line for a reduced, and perhaps back-up role, if he remains with the Thunder. The early favorites to land Anthony once he becomes a free agent are the Rockets, Heat, and Lakers.
Zach LaVine, one of the top restricted free agents on the market this summer, received a substantial offer sheet from the Kings worth $78MM over four seasons. The Bulls, who have both a plethora of potential cap room and LaVine’s Bird rights, are expected to match the Kings’ offer within the 48-hour deadline. The Bulls decision to match the Kings’ offer came relatively quickly considering the fact that the only offer they had made to LaVine prior was reportedly lower by a significant amount. The purported contract for LaVine contains no options and is fully guaranteed.
Another prominent restricted free agent, forward Kyle Anderson, has signed a four-year $37.2MM offer sheet with the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies, who are over the cap, plan to use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Anderson, and become hard-capped in the process, should the Spurs opt not to match the offer sheet. The offer from Memphis also includes a 15 percent trade kicker.
Here are 10 more notable NBA headlines (among many others) from the last week:
- The Nuggets and Sixers completed a trade that sent Wilson Chandler and the Nuggets’ 2021 second-round selection to Philadelphia. The Sixers will also have the right to swap second-round picks with Denver in 2022.
- Despite a story rumoring that Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving have interest in playing together in the near future, the Timberwolves plan to offer Butler a multi-year contract extension.
- The Suns and Devin Booker have met to discuss a potential five-year, $158MM maximum contract extension.
- After being traded from the Hornets, Dwight Howard and the Nets have finalized a buyout agreement that will allow Howard to sign a deal with the Wizards.
- The Warriors and Kevin Durant came to an agreement on a two-year, $62MM contract with a player option in season two.
- Chris Paul and the Rockets have agreed on a four-year, maximum-salary contract worth nearly $160MM.
- The Thunder have officially signed Paul George to a four-year, $137MM contract with a player option in the final season.
- Long-time Spurs stalwart Tony Parker has agreed to sign with the Hornets and former assistant coach James Borrego for $10MM over two seasons.
- DeAndre Jordan has officially signed a one-year, $22.9MM contract with the Mavericks.
- The Suns have officially signed swingman Trevor Ariza to a one-year, $15MM contract.