2016 NBA Draft Pick Signings
Free agent signings and trades have dominated headlines in the NBA world over the last week, but teams around the league are also taking care of the rookies they drafted last month, signing them to their first NBA contracts.
For first-round picks, those 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 Ben Simmons is in line for a four-year deal worth in excess of $26.6MM, which represents the maximum allowable 120% of his scale amount. No. 30 pick Damian Jones, on the other hand, figures to sign a four-year contract worth just under $6MM. 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 in the NBA immediately, heading 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 2016’s draft pick signings. This list will be updated as more draftees sign their first NBA contracts:
Round 1
- Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons, F (LSU): Signed
- Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram, SF (Duke): Signed
- Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown, SF (California): Signed
- Phoenix Suns: Dragan Bender, PF (Maccabi Tel Aviv): Signed
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Kris Dunn, PG (Providence): Signed
- New Orleans Pelicans: Buddy Hield, SG (Oklahoma): Signed
- Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray, G (Kentucky): Signed
- Phoenix Suns: Marquese Chriss, PF (Washington): Signed
- Toronto Raptors: Jakob Poeltl, C (Utah): Signed
- Milwaukee Bucks: Thon Maker, PF (HS): Signed
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Domantas Sabonis, PF/C (Gonzaga): Signed
- Atlanta Hawks: Taurean Prince, SF (Baylor): Signed
- Sacramento Kings: Georgios Papagiannis, C (Panathinaikos): Signed
- Chicago Bulls: Denzel Valentine, SG (Michigan State): Signed
- Denver Nuggets: Juan Hernangomez, F (Estudiantes): Signed
- Boston Celtics: Guerschon Yabusele, PF (Rouen): Will play overseas
- Memphis Grizzlies: Wade Baldwin, G (Vanderbilt): Signed
- Detroit Pistons: Henry Ellenson, PF (Marquette): Signed
- Denver Nuggets: Malik Beasley, SG (Florida State): Signed
- Brooklyn Nets: Caris LeVert, G (Michigan): Signed
- Atlanta Hawks: DeAndre’ Bembry, SF (St. Joseph’s): Signed
- Sacramento Kings: Malachi Richardson, G/F (Syracuse): Signed
- Boston Celtics: Ante Zizic, C (Cibona Zagreb): Will play overseas
- Philadelphia 76ers: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, G/F (Mega Leks): Signed
- Los Angeles Clippers: Brice Johnson, PF (North Carolina): Signed
- Philadelphia 76ers: Furkan Korkmaz, SG (Anadolu Efes): Will play overseas
- Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam, PF (New Mexico State): Signed
- Sacramento Kings: Skal Labissiere, PF/C (Kentucky): Signed
- San Antonio Spurs: Dejounte Murray, G (Washington): Signed
- Golden State Warriors: Damian Jones, C (Vanderbilt): Signed
Round 2
- Memphis Grizzlies: Deyonta Davis, PF/C (Michigan State): Signed
- Three years, $3.923MM; fully guaranteed
- Los Angeles Lakers: Ivica Zubac, C (Mega Leks): Signed
- Three years, $3.245MM; first two years are guaranteed
- New Orleans Pelicans: Cheick Diallo, PF/C (Kansas): Signed
- Three years, minimum salary; first two years are guaranteed
- Three years, minimum salary; first two years are guaranteed
- Phoenix Suns: Tyler Ulis, PG (Kentucky): Signed
- Four years, $4MM; first two years are guaranteed
- Memphis Grizzlies: Rade Zagorac, SF (Mega Leks): Will play overseas
- Milwaukee Bucks: Malcolm Brogdon, SG (Virginia): Signed
- Three years, $2.99MM; first two years are guaranteed
- Three years, $2.99MM; first two years are guaranteed
- Houston Rockets: Chinanu Onuaku, C (Louisville): Signed
- Three years, minimum salary; fully guaranteed
- Golden State Warriors: Patrick McCaw, SG (UNLV): Signed
- Two years, minimum salary; fully guaranteed
- Los Angeles Clippers: David Michineau, PG (Chalon): Will play overseas
- Los Angeles Clippers: Diamond Stone, C (Maryland): Signed
- Two years, minimum salary; fully guaranteed
- Orlando Magic: Stephen Zimmerman, C (UNLV): Signed
- Three years, $2.993MM; first year is fully guaranteed
- Brooklyn Nets: Isaiah Whitehead, SG (Seton Hall): Signed
- Four years, $4.586MM; first two years are fully guaranteed
- Houston Rockets: Zhou Qi, C (Xinjiang): Will play overseas
- Atlanta Hawks: Isaia Cordinier, SG (Denain): Will play overseas
- Boston Celtics: Demetrius Jackson, PG (Notre Dame): Signed
- Four years, $5.47MM; first year guaranteed
- Four years, $5.47MM; first year guaranteed
- Dallas Mavericks: A.J. Hammons, C (Purdue): Signed
- Three years, $2.606MM; fully guaranteed
- Three years, $2.606MM; fully guaranteed
- Portland Trail Blazers: Jake Layman, SF (Maryland): Signed
- Three years, $2.556MM; first two years are guaranteed
- Chicago Bulls: Paul Zipser, SF (Bayern Muenchen): Signed
- Four years, $3.832MM; first two years are guaranteed
- Four years, $3.832MM; first two years are guaranteed
- Detroit Pistons: Michael Gbinije, G/F (Syracuse): Signed
- Three years, $2.606MM; first year guaranteed; second year partially guaranteed
- Three years, $2.606MM; first year guaranteed; second year partially guaranteed
- Indiana Pacers: Georges Niang, F (Iowa State): Signed
- Three years, $2.606MM; first year guaranteed; second year partially guaranteed
- Boston Celtics: Ben Bentil, PF (Providence): Signed
- Three years, minimum salary; first year partially guaranteed
- Utah Jazz: Joel Bolomboy, PF (Weber State): Signed
- Three years, $2.556MM; first year guaranteed; second year partially guaranteed
- Denver Nuggets: Petr Cornelie, PF (Le Mans): Will play overseas
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Kay Felder, PG (Oakland): Signed
- Three years, minimum salary; first year is guaranteed
- Three years, minimum salary; first year is guaranteed
- Utah Jazz: Marcus Paige, PG (North Carolina): Signed
- Two years, minimum salary; first year partially guaranteed
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Daniel Hamilton, SG (UConn): Will play for Thunder’s D-League affiliate
- Memphis Grizzlies: Wang Zhelin, C (Fujian): Will play overseas
- Boston Celtics: Abdel Nader, F (Iowa State): Will play for Celtics’ D-League affiliate
- Sacramento Kings: Isaiah Cousins, SG (Oklahoma): Signed
- One year, minimum salary; partially guaranteed
- Utah Jazz: Tyrone Wallace, PG (California): Will play for Jazz’ D-League affiliate
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Notable NBA Free Agents Still Available
NBA free agents weren’t officially permitted to sign new contracts or offer sheets until 12:01am eastern time this morning, but that didn’t stop the majority of this year’s marquee FAs from lining up agreements during the first six days of July.
On the eve of the 2016 free agent period, we identified our top 50 free agents of the year, along with 10 more players who deserved an honorable mention. Less than a week later, 42 of our 50 free agents are off the board, having reached agreements with teams, while just half of our 10 honorable mentions are still available.
While the market has certainly thinned out, there are still some interesting names out there for teams going bargain-hunting — or those willing to spend a little more. The top name on the list – LeBron James – isn’t going anywhere, and the same can be said about a few other players listed below too, such as Manu Ginobili. But most of the free agents listed below are candidates to change teams in the coming days or weeks.
Here’s a breakdown of many of the most notable remaining free agents, starting with the leftover players from our original top-50 list:
Players from our top 50:
- LeBron James, SF
- Allen Crabbe, SG (restricted)
- Festus Ezeli, C
- Dion Waiters, SG (restricted)
- Jared Sullinger, PF (restricted)
- J.R. Smith, SG
- Terrence Jones, PF
- Meyers Leonard, C (restricted)
Players who received a top-50 honorable mention:
- Manu Ginobili, SG
- Boban Marjanovic, C (restricted)
- Donatas Motiejunas, PF (restricted)
- Lance Stephenson, SG/SF
- Tyler Zeller, C (restricted)
Other noteworthy available players (by position):
- Point guards:
- Shooting guards:
- Small forwards:
- Power forwards:
- Centers:
You can find the full list of remaining free agents right here, and catch up on July’s free agent agreements and signings using our tracker.
2016 NBA Free Agency: July 6 Recap
The sixth day of the NBA’s 2016 free agent period saw longtime Heat star Dwyane Wade agree to leave Miami in order to join the Bulls. The moratorium has officially ended and the agreements that have been reported the past six days can now start to be finalized.
In case you weren’t able to follow along with our updates throughout the sixth day of free agency, a recap of the day’s highlights can be found below. Going forward though, be sure to keep tabs on our free agent tracker for all the latest updates on contract agreements for free agents.
Contract agreements:
- Patrick McCaw, SG (Warriors): Two years, minimum salary.
- Nene, PF/C (Rockets): One year, $2.9MM.
- Brandon Rush, G/F (Timberwolves): One year, $3.5MM.
- Brian Roberts, PG (Hornets): One year, minimum salary.
- Langston Galloway, G (Pelicans): Two years, $10MM.
- A.J. Hammons, C (Mavericks): Three years.
- Dwyane Wade, SG (Bulls): Two years, $47MM.
- Richard Jefferson, SF (Cavaliers): Two years, $5MM.
- Jake Layman, C (Trail Blazers): Two years, approximately $2.7MM.
- Leandro Barbosa, G/F (Suns): Two years, $8MM.
Trade agreements:
- The Mavericks and Pacers reached an agreement on a trade that will send Jeremy Evans and cash to Indiana.
- The Bulls are sending Mike Dunleavy to the Cavs.
- The Lakers acquired Jose Calderon from the Bulls.
Other notable news/rumors:
- Ray Allen is reportedly considering making a comeback.
- The Nets rescinded their qualifying offer for Markel Brown.
Previously:
Download Our Free Trade Rumors App
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Rumors as soon as they come out. Great app interface and good news for any sport. If you like changes and trades in sports, this is the app. – Cloud Peak 12
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Trade Rumors is highly regarded by users, and it’s free and getting better all the time. Download it today!
2016 NBA Free Agency: July 5 Recap
The fifth day of the NBA’s 2016 free agent period was the quietest yet, but there were still a handful of interesting stories to follow, including the fates of two longtime stars who have spent their entire careers with one team. While Dirk Nowitzki reached an agreement to re-sign with the Mavericks, Dwyane Wade remains locked in a stalemate with the Heat.
In case you weren’t able to follow along with our updates throughout the fifth day of free agency, a recap of the day’s highlights can be found below. We’ll provide these daily recaps through the last day of the July moratorium on Wednesday. Going forward though, be sure to keep tabs on our free agent tracker for all the latest updates on contract agreements for free agents.
Contract agreements:
- Dirk Nowitzki, F (Mavericks): Two years, $40MM
- Gerald Henderson, G (Sixers): Two years, $18MM
- Jason Smith, F/C (Wizards): Three years, $16MM
- Mindaugas Kuzminskas, F (Knicks): Two years, $6MM
- David West, F (Warriors): One year, minimum salary
- Willy Hernangomez, C (Knicks): At least three years, salary unknown
Trade agreements:
- The Spurs will send F Boris Diaw to the Jazz in exchange for the rights to G Olivier Hanlan.
- The Magic will send G Shabazz Napier to the Trail Blazers in exchange for cash considerations.
Other notable news/rumors:
- Dwyane Wade is reportedly seeking either $50MM over two years, or a guaranteed third year on his new contract, and remains at an impasse with the Heat. Wade is said to have received a two-year, $50MM+ offer from the Nuggets, and will meet with Denver on Wednesday. However, he canceled his previously-scheduled meeting with the Bucks.
- Teams have been inquiring about LeBron James, who is still a free agent, but agent Rich Paul has been “politely” informing those clubs that his client isn’t leaving the Cavaliers.
Previously:
Unsigned Draft Picks: Pacific Division
With the 2016 NBA draft now in the books, the term draft-and-stash will be mentioned quite often in regard to international players and late second-rounders. While some of these athletes will eventually sign with an NBA team, it seems like the majority of them stay overseas and never make it to the league. Those players in the latter category aren’t without value as they become trade assets for the teams holding their rights.
While many players fail to work out the way teams expect them to, they can at least become tradeable assets for teams that don’t want to part with a future second-round pick in a deal. Each team must give up something in a trade, which is why many swaps include top-55 protected second-round picks. Older draft rights held players who clearly will never come over to the NBA are essentially the same as flipping those heavily protected second-rounders, for all intents and purposes.
Listed below are the current unsigned draftees for the teams of the Pacific Division. These listings don’t include players selected in this year’s draft:
Golden State Warriors
- Mladen Sekularac — Selected No. 55 overall in 2002.
Los Angeles Clippers
- Maarty Leunen — Selected No. 54 overall in 2008.
Los Angeles Lakers
- Chinemelu Elonu — Selected No. 59 overall in 2009.
- Ater Majok — Selected No. 58 overall in 2011.
Phoenix Suns
- Alec Brown — Selected No. 50 overall in 2014.
- Dwayne Collins — Selected No. 60 overall in 2010.
- Ron Ellis — Selected No. 49 overall in 1992.
- Milos Vujanic — Selected No. 36 overall in 2002.
Sacramento Kings
- Dejan Bodrioga — Selected No. 51 overall in 1995.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic — Selected No. 27 overall in 2014.
- Arturas Gudaitis — Selected No. 47 overall in 2015.
- Luka Mitrovic — Selected No. 60 overall in 2015.
- Alex Oriakhi — Selected No. 57 overall in 2013.
Community Shootaround: Knicks Predictions
Knicks team president Phil Jackson‘s previous two offseasons at the helm of the franchise were underwhelming to say the least. Jackson failed to land another star in free agency to play alongside Carmelo Anthony, and if not for snagging Kristaps Porzingis in the 2015 Draft Lottery, the executive would have failed to add a true impact player during his first two years on the job.
Well, this offseason has certainly been a different story in New York thus far. Jackson has already acquired oft-injured point guard Derrick Rose from Chicago, come to an agreement on a deal with center Joakim Noah, added Brandon Jennings to spell Rose and reached a contract agreement with versatile two-way guard Courtney Lee. The team has also made a number of other low-key additions, agreeing to deals with Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Willy Hernangomez and re-signing combo forward Lance Thomas.
There’s little doubt that New York is an improved club over last year’s version, but the team and its fans should be nervous about how many games the new additions will actually be in uniform for given their respective injury histories. If Rose, Noah and Jennings can remain healthy — which is a BIG if given their track records — the Knicks could be a fun team to watch. Whether or not these moves will translate into a playoff berth is an entirely different question. One that I am posing to you this evening:
How will the Knicks’ new-look roster fare in 2016/17?
Here’s New York’s current projected depth chart, courtesy of RosterResource.com:
Starters: Rose (PG), Lee (SG), Anthony (SF), Porzingis (PF), Noah (C)
Reserves: Jennings, Thomas, Justin Holiday, Kuzminskas, Hernangomez, Kyle O’Quinn.
Are the Knicks a playoff team in 2016/17? If so, give us your win total and postseason seeding predictions. Or, if you think New York will be a bust next season, tell us why and provide us with your loss totals for the squad. We look forward to what you have to say.
2016 NBA Free Agency: July 4 Recap
The Fourth of July started out slowly in terms of NBA free agent news, but after Kevin Durant announced that he would be leaving the Thunder to join the Warriors, the dominoes began to topple, and the rumor mill stayed busy the rest of the day.
In case you weren’t able to follow along with our updates throughout the fourth day of free agency, a recap of the day’s highlights can be found below. Going forward, be sure to keep tabs on our free agent tracker for all the latest updates on contract agreements for free agents.
Contract agreements:
- Harrison Barnes, F (Mavericks): Four years, max salary
- Kevin Durant, F (Warriors): Two years, max salary
- Pau Gasol, F/C (Spurs): Two years, $30MM
- Lance Thomas, F (Knicks): Four years, $27.3MM
- Tarik Black, F/C (Lakers): Two years, $12.85MM
- Ramon Sessions, G (Hornets): Two years, $12.3MM
- Sergio Rodriguez, G (Sixers): One year, $8MM
- Seth Curry, G (Mavericks): Two years, $6MM
- Roy Hibbert, C (Hornets): One year, $5MM
- Brandon Jennings, G (Knicks): One year, $5MM
- Luc Mbah a Moute, F (Clippers): Two years, $4.51MM
- Zaza Pachulia, C (Warriors): One year, $2.9MM
Trade agreements:
- The Warriors will send C Andrew Bogut and a 2019 second-round pick to the Mavericks in exchange for a future conditional second-round pick.
Other notable news/rumors:
- Tim Duncan is strongly leaning toward retirement.
- The Thunder may consider fielding trade offers for Russell Westbrook.
- The Cavaliers won’t match the Bucks‘ four-year offer sheet for Matthew Dellavedova.
- The Heat have put a two-year, $40MM offer on the table for Dwyane Wade.
- The Spurs are exploring a trade involving Boris Diaw as a way to create cap room.
- The Kings waived Caron Butler and Duje Dukan.
- The Knicks rescinded their qualifying offer to Langston Galloway, making him an unrestricted free agent.
- The Magic rescinded their qualifying offer to Dewayne Dedmon, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Previously:
Hoops Rumors 2016 Free Agent Tracker
With free agency in full swing, and news of contract agreements frequently breaking, Hoops Rumors is here to help you keep track of which players are heading to which teams this July. To this end, we present our Free Agent Tracker, a feature we’ve had each year since our inception in 2012. Using our tracker, you can quickly look up deals, sorting by team, position, free agent type, and a handful of other variables.
A few notes on the tracker:
- During the July moratorium (July 1st-6th), most of the information you’ll find in the tracker will reflect agreements, rather than finalized deals. As signings become official, we’ll continue to update and modify the data as needed.
- Similarly, contract years and dollars will be based on what’s been reported to date, so in some cases those amounts will be approximations rather than official figures. Salaries aren’t necessarily fully guaranteed either.
- A restricted free agent who signs an offer sheet will be listed under the team that extended the offer sheet, but note that those signings won’t be official unless the player’s original team declines to match within the three-day period to do so. If the original team matches, we’ll update the tracker to show that the player is back with that team.
Our 2016 Free Agent Tracker can be found anytime on the right sidebar under “Hoops Rumors Features,” and it’s also under the “Tools” menu atop the site. It will be updated throughout the offseason, so be sure to check back for the latest info. If you have any corrections, please let us know right here.