The NBA Free Agent Signing Period started off with a bang after the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers announced a trade just days before the official start of Free Agency. That trade was Chris Paul going to the Rockets for seven players, a protected first-round pick next year and cash considerations
Wow, really seven players ( Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Kyle Wiltjer), I think that most of you will agree this is a game changer for the Rockets who will now add CP3 to the backcourt that already has triple-double threat James Harden aka The Beard.
Things became even more interesting Friday night at midnight when NBA Free Agency became official. Golden State Warriors All-Star Guard Steph Curry topped the Saturday morning headlines when it was announced that the Golden State Warriors re-signed the star guard to a $201 million dollar five-year contract. Making Curry the $200 million man. The Warriors then went on to re-sign veteran forward Andre Iguodala to a $48 Million dollar 3-year Contract as well as Sean Livingston signing to $24 Million 3 year deal and David West agreeing to a $1 Million 1-year deal. Not to mention NBA MVP Kevin Durant is now an unrestricted free agent but has every intention of re-signing with the Warriors in a deal that could earn him at least $31 Million dollars a season. Golden State is looking Golden and still, could add another scorer in the L.A. Lakers Nick Young (aka Swaggy P) a 6’7″ Shooting Guard who is instant offense off the bench. Oh yeah and the NBA Champions still have Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
Another big story that took place on the first full weekend of the Free Agency Signing period was that of Indiana Pacers Forward Paul George taking his 23 Points per game to Oklahoma City and joining the 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook adding more versatility to the Thunders offensive attack. In return, the Indiana Pacers received former Indiana University star Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Oladipo averaged 15 points and 4 rebounds per game for OKC, while the 6’11” Sabonis averaged a mere 5 points and 3 rebounds per contest. What makes this deal more interesting for OKC is that George will still become a free-agent at the end of next season and has made it clear he interested in playing for the L.A. Lakers. Maybe Oklahoma City can convince him to stay if his teaming up with the Triple-Threat machine Westbrook can get the Thunder past the Warriors and into the NBA Finals.
The L.A. Clippers after losing Chris Paul to the Rockets mad sure they would not lose slam dunking forward Blake Griffin who they signed over the weekend to a 5-year deal worth $173 Million making him the next face of the Clippers. As did the Toronto Raptors with All-Star Point Guard Kyle Lowry, Signing the point guard to a three-year $100 Million deal.
Then there is Utah Jazz star forward Gordon Hayward who is being sought after by the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. Hayward led the Jazz to the playoffs last season averaging 21 points and 5 rebounds a game and if the Jazz can’t convince their star to stay put they may not see the post season for a long time to come. Also in New York Carmelo Anthony has made it known that he will opt out of hi no trade clause with the New York Knicks if he is traded to the Houston Rockets or the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 10-time All-Star has not had it easy in New York in the not so distant past but still has major talent and if added to what’s happening in Houston or paired up with Lebron James in Cleveland The Young man from Baltimore would make some noise ( in a good way ).
Keep your eye on the decisions of Hayward and Anthony as well as Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay who is expected to meet with Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Like I said this year NBA Free Agency signing period is Fan -tastic (Have you paid attention to the amount of money being spent?)
Trevin A Jones
Follow me on Twitter: @UMTSportsreport
Reach out with questions or comments at [email protected]
