Later, that same day…
The first day of NBA free agency produced the richest contract ever, reactions to a power-shifting trade, lots of agreements and enough meetings to last a lifetime.
The negotiations began after midnight Saturday, but already there had been significant upheaval in the league. Paul George was traded from Indiana to Oklahoma City and Utah acquired Ricky Rubio from Minnesota, triggering other moves.
The Thunder met Saturday night with Kings free agent Rudy Gay in an effort to further solidify a roster containing George and reigning MVP Russell Westbrook. Thunder center Enes Kanter tweeted a recruitment picture of a Rudy Gay locker stall next to that of Westbrook’s and posted: “League sources tell Enes Kanter.”
Gay has interested the Nets and was seen as a backup plan for world champ Golden State if the Warriors lost Andre Iguodala. The super reserve was set to meet with the Spurs, Rockets and Kings. But following a sitdown with Houston, Iguodala cancelled any future meetings. ESPN reported later in the night Iguodala has agreed to a three-year, $48 million deal to remain with the defending champs.
The Warriors already had made a splash, agreeing on a record five-year, $201 million extension for Stephen Curry, which some saw as a bargain.
The frenzy began with news like Blake Griffin agreeing to return to the Clippers for five years, $173 million and continued with moves like J.J. Redick getting a whopping one-year, $23 million contract, as reported by ESPN, to move from the Clippers to the 76ers, while disappointing the Nets.
Also during normal business hours Saturday, some ex-Knicks relocated. Sacramento’s Langston Galloway and Detroit agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal and the Cavaliers will add Jose Calderon for the veteran minimum of $2.328 million. Utah kept one of their own as restricted free agent guard Joe Ingles agreed to re-up for four years, $52 million.
Point guard Jrue Holiday got his five-year deal from the Pelicans who absolutely could not afford to lose him and agreed to fork over at least $126 million on a deal Yahoo Sports reported could be worth $150 million with incentives. That took just one Knicks point guard target off the board. Another who had been connected to the Knicks, Jeff Teague, bolted Indiana to join Minnesota for three years, $57 million after the Rubio deal.
So over a few hours, the Pacers were down George and Teague with only their “haul” from Oklahoma City to show for it: shooting guard Victor Oladipo and power forward Domantas Sabonis. The Thunder took a chance and it is low risk, monstrously high reward.
But the L.A. Times reported George still intends to join the Lakers after 2017-18. Boston had been tied to George and now are expected to meet Sunday with Utah forward Gordon Hayward who was given the full recruitment in Miami on Saturday.
Still, even the Oklahoma City Police Department got in on the deal. The OKCPD tweeted to the town: “Thanks for the tweets reporting the ‘theft’ of Paul George by @okcthunder. Our investigative findings: totally legal and very savvy.”
Point guard Patty Mills agreed to stay in San Antonio for a reported four years, $50 million because it makes sense for both sides and as one opposing exec said, “Nobody leaves San Antonio.”
Holiday and Teague being off the board made Utah’s George Hill an attractive Knicks option to mentor rookie draft pick Frank Ntilikina, who showed up in summer league with an achy knee. Another report claimed Knick interest the Bulls’ Michael Carter-Williams, but he was wrapped up by Charlotte for one year, $2.7 million. With the recent front office upheaval, the Knicks have not quite ruled free agency. But, hey they are bringing back Ron Baker, their 13th best scorer.
One of the top stories entering free agency was how the Warriors would handle their bench. Quickly Saturday, ESPN reported Shaun Livingston would stay with the Warriors for three years, $24 million. David West followed and accepted a one-year deal for a veteran’s $2.328 million, TNT reported.
ESPN also reported that Andre Igoudala agreed to a three-year, $48 million deal to return to Golden State; that Boston forward Amir Johnson agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with the 76ers; and that the Rockets were in serious talks with the Cavaliers about acquiring ex-Knick Iman Shumpert.