NBA Free Agency Recap: Damian Lillard, Kyrie, Jordan Poole v Draymond, and more
NBA Free Agency opened up over this holiday weekend. We have a roundup of the biggest moves and signings from this weekend that can shift the balance of power across the league.
Free Agency Roundup
The Lakers have a great weekend
The Los Angeles Lakers were able to do everything they wanted to in free agency. Not only were they able to bring back Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and D'Angelo Russell, but they were also able to bring in Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, and Cam Reddish.
Damian Lillard asks for a trade out of Portland
Lillard has formally requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. He has expressed his desire to play in Miami making them the favorite to land the All-Star point guard. However, there are other teams very much in the mix including the Philadelphia 76ers. With the way this seems to playing out, Dame could swing the balance of power in the East.
The Rockets make a big splash
Houston added Fred VanVleet with a three-year $130 million deal and Dillon Brooks on a four-year $180 million deal. VanVleet is a strong addition as he can serve as a veteran guard who can help lead and build a young team. On the other hand, Brooks proved himself to be a clown in the playoffs this year and the money the Rockets threw at him is mind-boggling. The team also added Patty Mills via trade.
Draymond Green Re-Ups with the Warriors
Once Golden State shipped Jordan Poole out of town this seemed inevitable. Green got a four-year deal worth $100 million. He will be 38 years old when this contract expires. The Warriors' glue guy will need to help the need win another championship over the next two seasons to make those last two seasons worth the commitment.
Kyrie staying in Dallas
Kyrie Irving has inked a three-year $126 million deal with the Mavericks and will look to run it back after last year's disaster. He remains one of the most talented and most divisive players in the NBA. Seth Curry also came back to Dallas for a second stint.
Suns able to lure Eric Gordon
After trading away their entire team for Kevin Durrant and Bradley Beal the Suns desperately need some depth. They hope adding Gordon is the first step toward building around their Big 3 and Deandre Ayton. The Suns still look like an incomplete team but may have the top-end talent to make up for it.
Dennis Schroder lands in Toronto
The former Laker is heading north to play in Canada for the Raptors. This was one of the few big losses for LA.
Bruce Brown headed to Indy
Brown was a man a lot of teams had interest in after his championship run with Denver this year. He ended up signing with the Indiana Pacers on a two-year $45 million deal.
Lonnie Walker signs with Brooklyn
After a magical run in the playoffs with the Lakers this spring, Walker has signed a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets worth $6.5 million. A strong season could equate to a huge payday for Walker next offseason.
Kuzma is back with the Wiz
Kyle Kuzma re-ups with the Washington Wizards on a four-year $102 million deal. Kuzma is what he is just like the Wizards are. The status quo isn't great when your team hasn't been any good in years.
Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez re-sign with Milwaukee
The Bucks were able to bring both key pieces back for another attempt at a championship run. Middleton was always expected to return, but there was a lot more speculation that Lopez could head elsewhere. These are huge moves for Milwaukee and their ability to try to run it back at least a few more times.
Caris LeVert remains with Cleveland Cavs
The Cavaliers brought back LeVert on a two-year $32 million deal. They have been building something special in Cleveland with a young and exciting team. They will look to take the next step in 2024.
Jerami Grant gets massive $160 million deal from Portland
With Lillard likely heading out of town, Grant will now step up as the Blazers' top star who isn't a rookie. This is a huge and well-deserved deal for Grant who has quietly become an excellent NBA player.
Cam Johnson is going back to Brooklyn
After being traded to the Nets last season, he will now sign on for four years $108 million and will be a key piece in Brooklyn's rebuild after the disastrous KD experiment.
Jakob Poetltl sticks with Toronto
Poeltl will be back with the Raptors for the next four years on an $80 million deal.
#free-agents
