NBA Free Agency Recap (7/1)
Dennis Schroder Signs With the Sacramento Kings
After bouncing around the NBA for the last couple years, Dennis Schroder locks down a three year deal, worth $45 million dollars. The Kings have been searching for consistent point guard play since trading De’Aaron Fox, and have finally found a veteran presence to run the point.
Duncan Robinson Heading to Detroit in a Sign and Trade For Simone Fontecchio
After seven years of service for the Miami Heat, Duncan Robinson is moving onto his second NBA team. He led the Heat franchise in all-time threes made, and will forever be remembered fondly in Miami. Robinson adds shooting to a Detroit team that has lost Tim Hardaway Jr, and is dealing with Malik Beasley’s gambling controversy. Robinson’s deal is three years long and worth $48 million dollars. A great pickup for an on the rise Pistons team.
In return for Robinson, the Heat received Simone Fontecchio. Starting his career with Utah, he was traded to Detroit in the middle of the 2023-2024 season. He finished that season extremely strong, averaging 15.4 points per game with the Pistons. Coming into this past season, he was expected to play a big role for the Pistons, but he didn’t shoot the ball well, and ended up not playing in the playoffs. The Heat have a reputation of getting the best out of their role players, so Fontecchio may have a better season next year.
Guerschon Yabusele Signs with the Knicks
The Knicks’ need for bench depth has been addressed so far this offseason. They have made significant improvement with the addition of Jordan Clarkson, and now Guerschon Yabusele. Yabusele had an amazing comeback year with the 76ers. He shot 38% from three, which adds spacing as a big for the Knicks, and he can finish at the rim. He will be a good scorer off the bench for the Knicks this season.
Bucks Make Significant Moves on the Second Day of Free Agency
After ten years and through many eras of the franchise, Myles Turner has left the Pacers. He signed a deal worth $107 million dollars, over four years. Giannis helped recruit Turner to the Bucks to replace Brook Lopez. He brings shooting to the center position and rim protection. Him and Giannis in the frontcourt may be a dangerous attack for the coming years.
While signing Myles Turner may seem like the most shocking news for the Bucks, it might not even be close. Damian Lillard was waived today. The Bucks stretched his contract over five years, and he will earn around $20 million dollars each year. Lillard hits free agency a couple years early, and is now free to choose any team. He will be targeted by the Heat, and now even the Warriors. Some believe he may be able to make a comeback before the postseason, and even if he is out during the regular season, Damian Lillard will make an impact no matter what.
To bolster their depth, the Bucks signed Gary Harris. Harris brings shooting and perimeter defense to a Bucks team that could use all the help it could get. While he is not much of a scorer, he is a good addition to the depth of this Bucks team.
The Bucks re-signed Jericho Sims to a two year deal, to be a lob threat and good rebounding big. Sims is extremely athletic, and has shown flashes of being a viable big that can switch. Sims may not play that much, but he will give it his all everytime he is on the floor.
A couple weeks after exercising his player option, Pat Connaughton and two second round picks were traded to the Hornets for Vasilije Micic. After rescinding the qualifying offer to Ryan Rollins, and cutting Damian Lillard, who would’ve been out for a majority of the year anyways, the Bucks bring in the point guard from Serbia. Now this makes sense to bring in a point guard, but it is rumored that Micic will be returning to Europe. The Bucks save some salary in the trade and will have to find another player to fill the role.
Nuggets Acquire Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas
The new front office for the Nuggets have done an amazing job so far. Their depth has drastically improved over the last 48 hours with the additions of these two veterans. Tim Hardaway Jr. bolsters the shooting talent on the team and gives Jokic another shooter on the floor. He helps with the bench scoring, and as inconsistent or inefficient as he may be, he can really light it up and win you a game. His contributions will be much needed in the playoffs.
The other acquisition, Jonas Valanciunas shouldn’t fly under the radar. While he will be the backup to Jokic, and probably won’t play all too much, it gives the Nuggets a steady big to manage when Jokic is off the floor. Valanciunas sets some of the best screens in the NBA, can rebound the ball, is a good passer for a center, and can stretch the floor at times. The Nuggets are a team to look out for in an already stacked Western Conference.
Tre Mann Resigns With the Hornets
After not being offered the qualifying offer, Tre Mann has agreed on a three year, $24 million dollar contract to remain in Charlotte. Mann dealt with back injuries this past year, and is now back on track to make an impact in Charlotte.
Toronto Raptors Extend Jakob Poeltl and Sign Sandro Mamukelashvili
The Raptors locked in their starting center for $104 million dollars over four years. Poeltl had a good year averaging about 15 points and 10 rebounds when rounding up. He was highly coveted on the trade market, but it doesn’t seem that the Raptors want to move him just yet.
Sandro Mamukelashvili signed with the Raptors on a $5.5 million dollar deal over two years. Mamu had a good year with the Spurs, and adds shooting to the frontcourt. He can put up points off the bench and is a valued addition to play behind Poeltl. Last year, he scored 34 points in 19 minutes off the bench, showcasing his shooting and scoring abilities.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Signs Record Extension to Stay in OKC
Coming off a championship year, winning MVP and Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs a record deal worth $285 million dollars over four years. That’s about $70 million per year. A well deserved contract for the MVP, but you have to wonder how it might affect the roster flexibility in the future. How much will Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren command in their next contracts? Will they be able to retain them both? These are questions for another time as the Thunder are still in prime position to compete for the next couple of years with their main core.
