After the first trades and the first moves, NBA free agency starts with a bang, with at least three illustrious signings and many interesting agreements in the first three days, to say the least, fizzy and explosive, of the market.
Chris Paul, Paul George e Klay Thompson
The three best signatures are these three, without a shadow of a doubt.
Klay Thompson’s future has been talked about for some time: the negotiations with Golden State did not come to fruition, the American shooter, who was otherwise busy in the training camp in the Bahamas these weeks (with whom he will not play the Pre-Olympic), decided to sign an agreement in Dallas, leaving the Bay after 13 years and 4 rings. Klay will be part of a roster, that of the Mavs, which can already count on the wonder duo Doncic-Irving, but which had to lose Derrick Jones Jr., who went to the Clippers, and Josh Green, included in the three-way trade for Thompson and ended up in Charlotte. The Mavericks beat the competition of the Lakers (who had offered 80 million for 4 years to Klay and D’Angelo Russell to the Warriors), leaving on the table a contract for Thompson of 50 million for 3 years. In exchange, the Warriors, who will retire the number 11 jersey of the Los Angeles native, will obtain two second picks in the Draft.
The Warriors also lost Chris Paul, who moved to San Antonio (1 year at 11 million), after just one year. The Spurs, after picking up Stephon Castle in the 2024 draft, secured CP3, who will form a very interesting duo with Wembanyama, making his basketball knowledge available to the best prospect around. However, Golden State first signed Kyle Anderson (3 years, 27 million) and would like to land Lauri Markkanen.
Paul George instead leaves the Clippers, signing for 212 million for four years for a contender, Philadelphia, which also signs Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond, keeping Kelly Oubre Jr. and guaranteeing a renewal at most to Maxey (5 years at 204 million). It is a sort of new trio of stars that is formed, the big three of Phila, namely Embiid, Maxey and George: we will see where they can get to, the potential is certainly there and for PG it is one of the last chances to get to the ring. In Phila, moreover, the arrival of PG has distanced Tobias Harris, who has settled in Detroit (52 million for two years).
Clippers, Celtics and Thunder on the Shields
Speaking of Los Angeles, the Clippers have handed the keys to the team to James Harden (and Kawhi), if they didn’t already have them. Also moving to Los Angeles are Kevin Porter Jr., in his last season in Greece, and Derrick Jones Jr., who leaves Dallas in an almost sensational way after reaching the Finals, signing a deal worth 30 million over three years with the Clippers – without forgetting Mo Bamba, also in Los Angeles for a year. Also remaining with the Clippers are Russell Westbrook (player option worth 4 million) and Nicolas Batum, the latter with a two-year deal worth 9.6 million. On the Lakers side, after the arrival of Bronny James via Draft, LeBron has agreed to the maximum with the yellow-purple with a two-year contract worth 104 million – an agreement that also includes a player option and a “no trade clause”.
The reigning champions of the Celtics, who re-sign Kornet, also extend two very important contracts: Derrick White, four years at 125 million dollars, and Jayson Tatum, five years at most (314 million) which makes him the highest paid player in NBA history. OKC is also moving, which, after adding a pawn like Alex Caruso (traded with Giddey), extends Aaron Wiggins for another 5 years (47 million) and Isaiah Joe for another 4 (48 million), also signing center Isaiah Hartenstein (three years at 87 million), going to operate both on the “present” front and on the “future” front. The renewal also arrived for Donovan Mitchell: many rumors had him far from Cleveland, instead the explosive former Utah guard has agreed with the Cavs for three years at 150.3 million, also including a player option for 2027/28.
Finally, Orlando is serious, securing the performances of Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, added to a quintet that can count on explosiveness, talent and youth, read Suggs, Wagner and Banchero.
2024-07-04 20:12:40
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