Free Agency Notes: Durant, Knicks, Cousins
Kevin Durant‘s decision to go to the Nets was not an easy one to make. Golden State, New York, and Brooklyn were reportedly in contention, but it’s beginning to sound like the two Atlantic Division teams were always the frontrunners, as Mark Berman of The New York Post writes.
There were people in Durant’s camp that wanted him to go to the Knicks, according to Jay Williams (former NBA player and friend of Durant’s). Williams also said that the Knicks trading away Kristaps Porzingis was not a factor in KD’s decision.
Here’s more from around the league:
- There’s pretty much no chance that the Wizards add DeMarcus Cousins, The Athletic’s Fred Katz writes. Washington brought back Thomas Bryant in free agency and the team is committed to developing him.
- Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com examines the Knicks strategy this offseason and makes the case that they made the moves possible given that no stars were coming in free agency. New York will have cap flexibility next summer and the team will likely get one more chance to land a top pick in the lottery.
- The Cavaliers didn’t have the flexibility to make major free-agent signings this offseason, but next summer, the team projects to have the ability to make a big splash, Joe Vardon of The Athletic relays. Cleveland will have upwards of $55MM in cap room, assuming they don’t add any long-term salary before then.
Pistons Sign Markieff Morris
JULY 6: The Pistons have officially signed Morris, the team announced today in a press release.
JULY 3: The Pistons have reached an agreement to sign free agent forward Markieff Morris, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). It’ll be a two-year deal, a league source tells Jordan Schultz of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The Pistons will use their bi-annual exception to sign Morris, tweets James Edwards III of The Athletic. He’ll get the full $3.6MM, Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press adds (via Twitter), so it’ll have a total two-year value of about $7.4MM.
Morris, 29, started the 2018/19 season with the Wizards before being sent to the Pelicans in a deadline deal. New Orleans waived him, paving the way for him to sign with the Thunder to finish the season.
It was a down year for Morris, who battled back and neck issues. In 58 total games (21.9 MPG) for the Wizards and Thunder, he averaged 9.4 PPG and 4.6 RPG, his lowest marks since his first two seasons in the league. He’ll be looking to bounce back with the Pistons.
Markieff will become the second Morris twin to play for the Pistons — his brother Marcus Morris was on the roster for two seasons from 2015-17 before being dealt to Boston.
Rockets Sign Ponds, Clemons, McDowell-White To Exhibit 10 Deals
The Rockets have signed undrafted free agents Shamorie Ponds, Chris Clemons, and William McDowell-White to Exhibit 10 contracts, tweets Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. The three agreements were reported shortly after last month’s draft.
A 6’1″ guard out of St. John’s, Ponds averaged 19.7 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.1 RPG, and an impressive 2.6 SPG in 33 games during his junior year before declaring for the draft as an early entrant.
Clemons, a 5’9″ Campbell guard, was the nation’s leading scorer in 2018/19, averaging 30.0 PPG on .448/.357/.869 shooting.
McDowell-White was also draft-eligible this season after spending the last several years playing for teams in Australia and Germany. Having began his career with the Sydney Kings, the Australian combo guard spent a season and a half with German club Brose Bamberg, leaving the team earlier this year to prepare for the 2019 draft.
All three players are on Houston’s Summer League roster and appear on track to join the team for training camp in the fall. Assuming they don’t make the Rockets’ regular season roster, they could end up playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston’s G League affiliate.
Trail Blazers Sign Mario Hezonja
JULY 3: Hezonja’s new deal with the Blazers is official, according to the team, which issued a press release today to announce it.
“Mario is a prodigiously talented player with a high ceiling and a bright future,” president of basketball operations Neil Olshey said in a statement. “He will have a chance to contribute immediately while we work to accelerate his development.”
JUNE 30: The Trail Blazers will sign Mario Hezonja to a two-year, minimum-salary deal, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com tweets. The second year of the pact will be a player option.
Hezonja is coming off an uneven season for the Knicks. The former top-1o pick struggled to find a consistent role for parts of the 2018/19, though he did look impressive as a point guard/facilitator once he received the chance during New York’s final contests.
Portland traded away Evan Turner this offseason and while they received Kent Bazemore in return, they’ll miss Turner’s ball handling. Bazemore projects to be a good fit in Portland’s offense, though he doesn’t have the play-making ability to regularly handle second-unit opportunities.
Hezonja should have an opportunity to secure that role and improve his stock on a talented Portland team. The Croatian-born wing is positioned to re-enter the market next offseason if things go well.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Trail Blazers Sign Anthony Tolliver To One-Year Deal
JULY 3: The Trail Blazers have officially signed Tolliver, the team announced today in a press release. Minimum-salary contracts can be finalized during the July moratorium.
JULY 1: The Trail Blazers and free agent power forward Anthony Tolliver have reached an agreement on a one-year deal worth $2.6MM, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter).
Based on the reported terms, it appears to be a veteran’s minimum deal for Tolliver, as he’s eligible for a $2,564,753 minimum salary in 2019/20. Portland also reportedly committed its taxpayer mid-level exception to Rodney Hood already, limiting the club’s ability to offer other free agents more than the minimum.
Tolliver, 34, has been one of the NBA’s more effective under-the-radar stretch fours in recent years. He struggled a little in Minnesota last season, averaging just 5.0 PPG and 2.7 RPG in 65 games (16.6 MPG), but he has knocked down 1.6 threes per game at a 40.7% rate over the last three seasons for the Kings, Pistons, and Timberwolves.
Tolliver will help provide much-needed outside shooting in the frontcourt for a Portland team that has lost Al-Farouq Aminu in free agency and is trading away Maurice Harkless and Meyers Leonard to acquire Hassan Whiteside.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
DeMarcus Cousins Changes Agents
DeMarcus Cousins has changed agents, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times (Twitter link). The center will be represented by Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports.
Cousins is arguably the second-best free agent left unsigned but the market for him hasn’t exactly been robust. Adrian Wojnarowski recently said that it’s possible that the big man will not find a deal worth more than the $5.34MM contract he signed last offseason.
The Warriors inked Cousins to the taxpayer’s mid-level last season and if he signed on with a team this season on a similar deal, he’d see a slight raise. This year’s taxpayer’s mid-level exception is $5.718MM, while the non-taxpayer is $9.258MM.
Cousins could find a team will cap room, though there are not many clubs left with significant available space. The Lakers stand out as a feasible option should they miss out on Kawhi Leonard. Los Angeles has just over $32MM in cap room available.
The Clippers are another team that will have cap room available if they miss out on Leonard. The Knicks were linked to Cousins before free agency as a fallback option but New York opted to spend its budget on Bobby Portis, Julius Randle and an assortment of veterans.
2019 NBA Draft Pick Signings
Free agent news has dominated NBA headlines over the last few days, but teams around the league are also taking care of the rookies they drafted last month, signing them to their first NBA contracts. Because cap holds for first-round picks count for 120% of the rookie scale instead of 100% in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, there’s little incentive for teams to wait to lock up their first-rounders.
For first-round picks, rookie contracts are fairly rigid, having essentially been predetermined. The NBA’s rookie-scale structure dictates that first-rounders will be signed to four-year deals, which include two guaranteed years, then team options in years three and four.
The value of those contracts depends on where a player was drafted. This year, No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson receives a four-year deal worth in excess of $44MM, which represents the maximum allowable 120% of his scale amount. No. 30 pick Kevin Porter Jr., on the other hand, will sign a four-year contract worth just shy of $10MM.
The full breakdown of this year’s first-round rookie salaries and contracts can be found right here — if you see a first-rounder listed below as “signed,” you can assume his contract looks like that, unless otherwise indicated.
Second-round picks, meanwhile, aren’t assured of two guaranteed seasons, though some players will receive them. Teams can sign second-rounders to whatever amount they choose, using cap room or various exceptions. Those players who immediately join their NBA teams figure to get a minimum salary or something slightly above the minimum. We’ll make a note of contract details for second-rounders below, as they become available.
Finally, some second-rounders – and perhaps even some first-rounders – won’t sign NBA deals immediately. They may get two-way contracts, play in the G League, or head overseas to refine their games while their NBA teams retain their rights. We’ll make note of that below too, wherever it’s applicable.
Here’s a breakdown of 2019’s draft pick signings. This list will continue to be updated as more draftees sign their first NBA contracts:
First Round:
- New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, F (Duke): Signed
- Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, G (Murray State): Signed
- New York Knicks: R.J. Barrett, F (Duke): Signed
- Atlanta Hawks: De’Andre Hunter, F (Virginia): Signed
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Garland, G (Vanderbilt): Signed
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Jarrett Culver, G (Texas Tech): Signed
- Chicago Bulls: Coby White, G (UNC): Signed
- New Orleans Pelicans: Jaxson Hayes, C (Texas): Signed
- Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura, F (Gonzaga): Signed
- Atlanta Hawks: Cam Reddish, F (Duke): Signed
- Phoenix Suns: Cameron Johnson, F (UNC): Signed
- Charlotte Hornets: PJ Washington, F (Kentucky): Signed
- Miami Heat: Tyler Herro, G (Kentucky): Signed
- Boston Celtics: Romeo Langford, G/F (Indiana): Signed
- Detroit Pistons: Sekou Doumbouya, F (Guinea): Signed
- Orlando Magic: Chuma Okeke, F (Auburn): Won’t sign until 2020
- New Orleans Pelicans: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G (Virginia Tech): Signed
- Indiana Pacers: Goga Bitadze, C (Georgia): Signed
- San Antonio Spurs: Luka Samanic, F (Croatia): Signed
- Philadelphia 76ers: Matisse Thybulle, F (Washington): Signed
- Memphis Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke, F (Gonzaga): Signed
- Boston Celtics: Grant Williams, F (Tennessee): Signed
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Darius Bazley, F (Princeton HS (OH)): Signed
- Phoenix Suns: Ty Jerome, G (Virginia): Signed
- Portland Trail Blazers: Nassir Little, F (UNC): Signed
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Dylan Windler, F (Belmont): Signed
- Los Angeles Clippers: Mfiondu Kabengele, C (Florida State): Signed
- Golden State Warriors: Jordan Poole, G (Michigan): Signed
- San Antonio Spurs: Keldon Johnson, F (Kentucky): Signed
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Kevin Porter Jr., G (USC): Signed
- Will receive less than 120% of the rookie scale amount.
Second Round:
- Brooklyn Nets: Nicolas Claxton, C (University of Georgia): Signed
- Three-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
- Miami Heat: KZ Okpala, F (Stanford): Signed
- Three-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
- Boston Celtics: Carsen Edwards, G (Purdue): Signed
- Four-year, $6.46MM contract. First three years guaranteed.
- Atlanta Hawks: Bruno Fernando, C (Maryland): Signed
- Three-year, $4.7MM contract. Fully guaranteed.
- New Orleans Pelicans: Didi Louzada, G/F (Brazil): Will play overseas
- Charlotte Hornets: Cody Martin, F (Nevada): Signed
- Three-year, $4.47MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
- Three-year, $4.47MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
- Detroit Pistons: Deividas Sirvydis, G/F (Lithuania): Will play overseas
- Chicago Bulls: Daniel Gafford, C (Arkansas): Signed
- Four-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
- Golden State Warriors: Alen Smailagic, F/C (Serbia): Signed
- Four-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
- Sacramento Kings: Justin James, G (Wyoming): Signed
- Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
- Golden State Warriors: Eric Paschall, F (Villanova): Signed
- Three-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
- Washington Wizards: Admiral Schofield, F (Tennessee): Signed
- Three-year, $4.3MM contract. First two years guaranteed. Third year partially guaranteed.
- Three-year, $4.3MM contract. First two years guaranteed. Third year partially guaranteed.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Jaylen Nowell, G (Washington): Signed
- Four-year, $6.63MM contract. First year guaranteed.
- Four-year, $6.63MM contract. First year guaranteed.
- Denver Nuggets: Bol Bol, C (Oregon): Signed
- Two-way contract.
- Dallas Mavericks: Isaiah Roby, F (Nebraska): Signed
- Four-year, $6.73MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
- Los Angeles Lakers: Talen Horton-Tucker, F (Iowa State): Signed
- Two-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
- Two-year, minimum-salary contract. Fully guaranteed.
- New York Knicks: Ignas Brazdeikis, F (Michigan): Signed
- Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First two years guaranteed.
- Los Angeles Clippers: Terance Mann, F (Florida State): Signed
- Four-year, $6.2MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
- Four-year, $6.2MM contract. First two years guaranteed.
- San Antonio Spurs: Quinndary Weatherspoon, G (Mississippi State): Signed
- Two-way contract.
- Utah Jazz: Jarrell Brantley, F (Charleston): Signed
- Two-way contract.
- Boston Celtics: Tremont Waters, G (LSU): Signed
- Two-way contract.
- Charlotte Hornets: Jalen McDaniels, F (San Diego State): Signed
- One-year, minimum-salary contract. Non-guaranteed.
- Utah Jazz: Justin Wright-Foreman, G (Hofstra): Signed
- Two-way contract
- Philadelphia 76ers: Marial Shayok, G/F (Iowa State): Signed
- Two-way contract.
- Sacramento Kings: Kyle Guy, G (Virginia): Signed
- Two-way contract.
- Brooklyn Nets: Jaylen Hands, G (UCLA): Will play in G League
- Detroit Pistons: Jordan Bone, G (Tennessee): Signed
- Two-way contract
- Utah Jazz: Miye Oni, G (Yale): Signed
- Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First year guaranteed.
- Toronto Raptors: Dewan Hernandez, F/C (Miami): Signed
- Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First-year partial guarantee of $500K.
- Three-year, minimum-salary contract. First-year partial guarantee of $500K.
- Sacramento Kings: Vanja Marinkovic, G (Serbia): Will play overseas
Free Agent Notes: Pasecniks, Jefferson, Teodosic, More
Shortly after having his draft rights renounced by the Sixers, 2017 first-round pick Anzejs Pasecniks has joined the Wizards‘ Summer League roster, tweets Michael Scotto of The Athletic.
Pasecniks, a 7’2″ center out of Latvia, has played professionally in Spain for the last few years, but is reportedly interested in making the move to the NBA this season. Since the 76ers didn’t want to carry his cap hold on their books, they made him an unrestricted free agent, giving him the ability to sign with another team. While it remains to be seen if the Wizards will be that team, it seems they’ll give him a look this month.
Here are more updates on a handful of NBA free agents:
- Could we see Richard Jefferson back in the NBA in 2019/20? After retiring as a player last fall, Jefferson said on Tuesday night (via Twitter) that he wants to come out of retirement to play for one more year. If Jefferson is serious, we’ll see whether there will be an NBA team willing to add him to its roster. If not, he at least made his way into a Hoops Rumors free agent round-up one last time.
- Veteran point guard Milos Teodosic, who spent a season and a half in the NBA before being waived by the Clippers in February, has reportedly received a two-year contract offer from Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv, as Emiliano Carchia of Sportando relays. Teodosic is also said to be drawing interest from EuroLeague clubs Olympiacos and Anadolu Efes, as well as Italy’s Virtus Bologna.
- Free agent guard Darrun Hilliard, who appeared in 91 NBA game from 2015-18 for Detroit and San Antonio, has signed with EuroLeague club CSKA Moscow, the team announced in a press release.
- Shortly after last month’s draft, word broke that undrafted Boston College guard Ky Bowman will sign with the Warriors. According to Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle, Bowman’s deal is expected to be a two-way contract.
Warriors Rescind Quinn Cook’s Qualifying Offer
The Warriors have withdrawn their qualifying offer to restricted free agent guard Quinn Cook, league sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
As a result of the move, Cook will become an unrestricted free agent. That means he’ll be able to sign outright with any team without any risk that Golden State would match an offer sheet.
Cook, 26, was a solid contributor off the bench for the Warriors in 2018/19, averaging 6.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 1.6 APG with a .465/.405/.769 shooting line in 74 games (14.3 MPG).
However, the hard-capped Dubs have little flexibility to bring back all their free agents as a result of the D’Angelo Russell sign-and-trade deal that will hard-cap team salary at $138.9MM. It appears Cook will be one of the odd men out.
NBA 2019 Free Agency: Day 3 Recap
While the NBA world continued to wait on Kawhi Leonard‘s decision, the list of available NBA free agents lost a little more talent on Tuesday, with 15 more players coming off the board.
[RELATED: 2019 NBA Free Agent Tracker]
Listed below are July 2’s notable contract agreements. For the most part, these deals aren’t yet official, so the reported terms could change — or agreements could fall through altogether. Generally speaking though, teams and players are on track to finalize these deals sometime after the July moratorium ends on Saturday.
Here are Tuesday’s noteworthy contract agreements:
- Rodney McGruder, Clippers agree to three-year, $15MM contract.
- Dorian Finney-Smith, Mavericks agree to three-year, $12MM contract.
- Daniel Theis, Celtics agree to two-year, $10MM contract.
- Ryan Arcidiacono, Bulls agree to three-year, $9MM contract.
- Noah Vonleh, Timberwolves agree to one-year, $2MM contract.
- James Ennis, Sixers agree to two-year, minimum-salary contract.
- Vincent Poirier, Celtics agree to two-year, minimum-salary contract.
- Jeff Green, Jazz agree to one-year, minimum-salary contract.
- Jared Dudley, Lakers agree to one-year, minimum-salary contract.
- Wilson Chandler, Nets agree to one-year, minimum-salary contract.
- Emmanuel Mudiay, Jazz agree to one-year, minimum-salary contract.
- Willie Cauley-Stein, Warriors agree to contract worth slightly more than the minimum (terms not yet known).
- Glenn Robinson III, Warriors agree to two-year contract (terms not yet known).
- Luke Kornet, Bulls agree to two-year contract (terms not yet known).
- Brad Wanamaker, Celtics agree to one-year contract (terms not yet known).
Previously: