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It was a busy day in the NBA, with most teams signing new players and re-signing role players and a few star players signing max contracts with their teams. But the biggest story in the NBA was Kevin Durant asking for a trade out of Brooklyn.
NBA Roundup:
Star forward Kevin Durant requested a trade out of Brooklyn. Kyrie Irving could follow as the Nets seem like they will be in rebuild mode. As of now, the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers could trade for Durant and/or Irving. At least half the league will be interested in getting one of the best players on the planet in Kevin Durant.
The Dallas Mavericks are expected to “heavily pursue” Kyrie Irving, although Irving has made it clear that he wants to play with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers could trade for both Irving and Durant, but it will likely cost them Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and Talen Horton-Tucker or two future first-round draft picks.
Kyrie Irving is the Lakers’ number one priority.
The Brooklyn Nets only have interest in star guard Devin Booker if they trade Durant to the Suns. The Nets are not interested in Suns center Deandre Ayton.
Malik Monk signed a two-year, $19 million deal with the Sacramento Kings. The Kings added a great role player to team up with guard De’Aaron Fox and power forward and center Domantas Sabonis.
Nikola Jokic signed a five-year, $264 million contract extension with the Denver Nuggets. Jokic, one of the best players in the league, will earn $52.8M per year. Last season, Jokic averaged 27.1 points on 58.3 percent shooting, 13.8 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He was named Most Valuable Player last season.
Devin Booker signed a four-year, $214 million extension with the Phoenix Suns. Booker has shown consistency throughout his career, averaging 23.5 points on 45.7 percent shooting, 4.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game in seven seasons in the NBA. He will look to up his game next season. Booker was also named the cover athlete for NBA 2K23.
Bradley Beal signed a five-year, $252 million extension with the Washington Wizards. During the 2020-2021 season, Beal averaged 31.3 points on 48.5 percent shooting, 4.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in 35.8 minutes per game. Beal’s production dropped last season, as he played in just 40 out of 82 games due to COVID and season-ending wrist surgery.
Ja Morant signed a five-year, $193 million extension with the Memphis Grizzlies. Last season, Morant averaged 27.4 points on 49.3 percent shooting, 7.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game.
Karl-Anthony Towns signed a four-year, $224 million extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Towns, last season, averaged 24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1 steal per game.
P.J. Tucker signed a three-year, $33.2 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Tucker will reunite with James Harden in Philadelphia, after their stint with the Houston Rockets. Tucker is the glue guy for teams. He plays with grit and guards the best player on the other team, which loosens the burden on offensive-minded players like Harden.
Anfernee Simons signed a four-year, $100 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. Simons remains in Portland as the Blazers’ backup point guard to star Damian Lillard. Throughout his career, Simons has been a starter in 35 games. In those games, Simons averaged 21.2 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game.
Bobby Portis re-signs with the Milwaukee Bucks on a four-year, $49 million deal. Last season, Portis had his best regular season, last season, averaging 14.6 points on 47.9 percent shooting, 9.1 rebounds, and he shot 39.3 percent from three.
Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million deal with the New York Knicks. The Knicks were in need of a point guard, they took a chance with Brunson. He will join RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickly, and Julius Randle, as the team looks to make the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Danuel House Jr. agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers continue adding 3-and-D players. House Jr. shot 41.5 percent from three last season.
Victor Oladipo re-signs with the Miami Heat on a one-year, $11 million deal. Oladipo missed the majority of the regular season last year due to initially rupturing his quad tendon in 2019. The Heat are signing Oladipo in hopes that he will have a bounce-back season.
Mo Bamba re-signed with the Orlando Magic on a two-year, $21 million deal. Bamba became a stretch five last season, and although he garnered interest from several other teams, he decided to stay in Orlando.
Nicolas Batum signed a two-year, $30 million deal to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers. As the Clippers get healthier, with Kawhi Leonard nearing a return, John Wall running the offense for the Clippers, Batum is the glue guy, and the team made it a priority to re-sign him.
Tyus Jones signed a two-year, $30 million deal to remain in Memphis. The Grizzlies will utilize Jones off the bench, as he will play backup point guard to young star Ja Morant.
Isaiah Hertenstein signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the New York Knicks. Hertenstein played well for the Clippers, but due to Ivica Zubac playing the majority of the minutes as the center, Hertenstein was not able to fully showcase his game. He will get a bigger opportunity in New York.
Joe Ingles agreed to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks. After injuries piled up for the Bucks last season, it was evident that they needed a ball-handler and playmaker. Ingles brings both and he has the experience needed to play on a championship level.
Wesley Matthews and Jevon Carter re-signed with the Bucks, meaning the Bucks re-sign two role players. Wesley Matthews had a big role for the Bucks in the playoffs when forward Khris Middleton was out due to injury.
Chris Boucher signed a three-year, $35.25 million deal to remain in Toronto with the Raptors. Boucher will be a big part of any playoff run the Raptors make next season.
Lugentz Dort signed a five-year, $87.5 million deal to remain in Oklahoma City with the Thunder. Dort is a glue guy for the Thunder. He was a great defender, and he formed a three-point shot, which makes him reliable on both ends of the court. Dort shot 33.2 percent from three last season.
Damian Jones signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Miami Heat “submitted” a trade offer for Donovan Mitchell.
Thaddeus Young signed a two-year, $16 million deal to return to Toronto. The Raptors are looking to keep their core players from last season.
Danillo Gallinari will decide whether to sign with the Boston Celtics or Chicago Bulls.
Marvin Bagley signed a three-year, $37 million deal to remain in Detroit with the Pistons.
Patty Mills re-signed with the Brooklyn Nets in a two-year, $14.5 million deal.
Jae’Sean Tate signed a three-year, $22.1 million deal to remain in Houston with the Rockets.
Lonnie Walker signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nicolas Claxton signed a two-year, $20 million deal to remain in Brooklyn with the Nets.
James Harden and the Sixers will meet this weekend to discuss a deal.
Juan Toscano-Anderson signed with the Lakers.
According to Kristian Winfield, the Miami Heat are a more likely landing spot for Donovan Mitchell and have “furnished” a trade offer to the Utah Jazz.
Troy Brown Jr. signed with the Lakers.
JaVale McGee signed a three-year, $20.1 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs secured the center they needed.
Amir Coffey signed a three-year, $11 million deal to remain in Los Angeles with the Clippers.
The Utah Jazz released Juancho Hernangomez. Hernangomez has never been the type of player who is the x-factor or leads a team to victory, but teams that need a forward on a discounted salary will likely sign Hernangomez.
Gary Harris re-signed with the Orlando Magic on a two-year, $26 million deal.
According to Carmichael Dave, the Washington Wizards are “the most engaged” for John Collins.
Kevin Knox signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Detroit Pistons.
Kyle Anderson signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Delon Wright signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Washington Wizards.
Andre Drummond signed a two-year, $6.6 million deal with the Chicago Bulls.
Lastly, Luol Deng is officially off the Lakers cap sheet. Deng has not played for the Lakers since 2017.
NFL Roundup:
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s hearing is over after three days, there is no timetable for a ruling.
Five players ranked by NFL.com as “scariest” quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert.
