Everything You Need to Know from Day 4 of 2015 NBA Free Agency
Day 4 of NBA free agency may not have been the busiest so far, but it was certainly one of the most momentous when it comes to the league's ever-shifting balance of power. The always-contending San Antonio Spurs just got a whole lot better, while the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors grew slightly deeper on Saturday.
By now, much of the dust around the league has settled. The LaMarcus Aldridge decision marks the last widely anticipated relocation of the young offseason. Much of the business occurred in its opening hours, and still more is set to follow the major dominoes that have fallen thus far.
It's been a busy offseason and a highly lucrative one at that. In anticipation of a salary cap that will spike in 2016 and 2017, contracts are already beginning to reflect a new NBA financial reality.
While DeAndre Jordan's defection to the Dallas Mavericks stole Friday's headlines, it was LMA's defection to another Texas team that's defined July 4.
LaMarcus Aldridge Picks the Spurs
After meeting with several very worthy suitors, LaMarcus Aldridge ultimately decided to take his pick-and-pop talents to the Spurs. He'll make some pretty good money in the process and have contractual flexibility after the third year of the deal.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the deal, and Aldridge himself subsequently confirmed the decision via Twitter:
"I'm happy to say I'm going home to Texas and will be a Spur!! I'm excited to join the team and be close to my family and friends.
โ Lamarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) July 4, 2015"
The organization's record of success and Texas ties proved decisive in Aldridge's thinking, according to those familiar with his logic, reported Wojnarowski:
So, too, was head coach Gregg Popovich's persistence andโdare we sayโcharm, per Wojnarowski:
The addition marks a significant upgrade over center Tiago Splitter, who will be dealt to the Atlanta Hawks in order to create the requisite cap space. San Antonio suddenly boasts one of the league's premier front-line combinations.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard reportedly agreed to a five-year, maximum-dollar pact with the club at the outset of free agency, and big man Tim Duncan told the San Antonio Express-News he'll return for at least one more season.
San Antonio remained a tough out a season ago after winning a championship in 2014. It may well have contended once again even without Aldridge, but this move is about both the short term and the franchise's suddenly bright future. Aldridge will coexist with Duncan and eventually replace him, much as Duncan did with David Robinson upon entering the league in 1997.
And to the rest of the NBA's dismay, the Spurs should continue humming right along at optimal efficiency as a result.
Per Wojnarowski, "Aldridge met with the Spurs, Suns,ย Los Angeles Lakers,ย Houston Rockets,ย Dallas Mavericksย andย Toronto Raptors, in addition to speaking with the Blazers, after the NBA's free-agent market opened on Wednesday."
The other Spurs-related nugget is that Popovich may have decided to stick around for a few more seasons, reported ESPN's Marc Stein:
Somehow, San Antonio's great news got just a little bit better.
Kosta Koufos Heading to Sacramento
Kosta Koufos chose his new home Saturday, and his decision will come as somewhat of a surprise. According to Stein, the 26-year-old will sign with the Sacramento Kings:
Considering the Kings already have DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein on the roster, it seems a bit odd that the franchise would target Koufos in free agency. Sure, Sacramento has cap space to burn, but other areas of need seemed to be more pressing.
Without question, though, paying a little over $8 million a season for Koufos' services will be good business when the cap explodes next year. At the very least, the Kings didn't overpay for a center whose value comes almost exclusively from the defensive end.
Perhaps Koufos is also a form of insurance in case Cousins decides he's fed up with Sacramento's rebuild and forces a trade to another team. Should Cousins bolt anytime in the next three years, the Kings would take solace in knowing they have one proven center (Koufos) and another (Cauley-Stein) who should establish himself in the NBA.
A Koufos/Cauley-Stein pairing wouldn't be optimal since neither looks entirely proficient on the offensive end, but losing Cousins would cause a multitude of additional problems for Sacramento beyond the center position.
C.J. Watson Leaving Pacers
The Orlando Magic needed some experience and shooting ability to supplement a backcourt headlined by Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo. In C.J. Watson, that's exactly what the squad will get. Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears and USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt provided details regarding Watson's deal:
Watson could settle into a veteran sixth-man role for the young Magic squad. The 31-year-old is coming off one of his best all-around seasons, so he'll be more than a nice locker-room presence. He averaged 10.0 points and 3.6 assists per game last season, primarily serving as George Hill's backup.
The Magic are still a long way from contending, but there's a talented young foundation in place that could really blossom any day now.ย
David West Rumors Percolating
In other former-Pacers news, at least three teams are interested in the big man, and David West seems to be interested in signing on with a proven winner. Here's what we think we know.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs appear to be front-runners, according to Wojnarowski:ย
Unless Popovich succeeds in his efforts, the Cavaliers may become clear favorites in this race. According to Wojnarowski, West "has strong ties to Ohio":
The other possibility is the Washington Wizards, per Stein:
Wherever West goes, he'll be playing for a contenderโlikely in some kind of sixth-man role. As a reserve, the almost-35-year-old can still be pretty formidable, both as a rebounder and as a solid pick-and-pop threat. He also brings veteran toughness and leadership, intangibles the Pacers have long taken for granted.
Hibbert Headed to L.A.?
The Los Angeles Lakers missed on LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan and Greg Monroe. They failed to trade for Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and likely won't revisit a deal, according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.ย So the Plan E seems to be Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert.
Here's a rundown of what we know about the negotiations, courtesy of Wojnarowski:
"Lakers take Hibbert's $15.5M salary into space, likely send combo of 2nd round pick(s) and overseas players rights. @JeffZillgitt first.
โ Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 4, 2015"
The 28-year-old has made an uneven impact in each of the last two seasons, ultimately putting the Pacers in position to consider such a move in the first place. That said, he could potentially resurrect his career with the Lakers, who have a real need for rim protection and post scoring. Perhaps a change of scenery could restore Hibbert as one of the game's better two-way big men.
Compared to L.A.'s other pursuits, Hibbert is a fairly modest consolation prize. The organization has once again been forced to settle during free agency, and that doesn't bode particularly well for Kobe Bryant's waning days with the Lakers.
Raptors Add Bismack Biyomboย
The Toronto Raptors may have lost power forward Amir Johnson, but they solidified their front-line depth with former Charlotte Hornet Bismack Biyombo, a shot-blocking and rebounding specialist without a particularly developed offensive game. Wojnarowski provided details regarding Biyombo's deal:
Given the Raptors' remaining cap flexibility after agreeing to pricey terms with swingman DeMarre Carroll, this isn't a bad addition. Biyombo will likely come off the bench to relieve center Jonas Valanciunas.
Dante Cunningham Returning to NOLA
The New Orleans Pelicans have done a masterful job of keeping an up-and-coming core together after breaking into the playoffs a season ago. After reaching agreements with Anthony Davis and Omer Asik this week, the organization has ensured that reserve Dante Cunningham will return as well, per Stein:
That's plenty-affordable depth for a club that also boasts forwards Tyreke Evans and Ryan Anderson. The Pelicans are well-positioned to continue competing in a Southwest Division that's added LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan and Wes Matthews in a week's time.
New Orleans will need all the help it can get, Cunningham included.
Knicks Get O'Quinn in Sign-and-Trade
The New York Knicks added to their front-line depth after agreeing to terms with center Robin Lopez and drafting big man Kristaps Porzingis, this time acquiring free-agent Kyle O'Quinn in a sign-and-trade arrangement with the Orlando Magic, per Wojnarowski:
In three years with the Magic, the 25-year-old averaged 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 15 minutes per contest. He figures to play a reserve role for New York next season.
LBJ in Holding Pattern
A news day wouldn't be complete without an update on LeBron James' every move. It turns out we might have to wait a while until that next move, though. ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst reported talks are on hold "until the Tristan Thompson deal is settled":
Tristan Thompson is widely expected to re-sign with Cleveland, but things could certainly change in light of the fact that Kevin Love is officially back in the fold. If Thompson really wants a more prominent role, he may have to go elsewhere.
If he wants to win, sticking around Cleveland isn't a bad option. The question is whether the two sides can arrive at a mutually agreeable price. James will re-sign eventually, and it's not entirely clear why he's waiting out the Thompson situation.
Straight from the Rumor Mill
What's about to happen next in free agency? As always, some speculation is involved, but here's what outlets are reporting based on sources from around the league. The biggest news may be that the Mavericks could have at least one more key addition ahead of them after reaching agreements with DeAndre Jordan and Wes Matthews, according to ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon:
Jeremy Lin might struggle as a starter against Western Conference point guards on a nightly basis, but he's probably the Mavericks' best bet at this point. They could certainly do worse given their limited cap flexibility. J.J. Barea would provide valuable depth, as he did a season ago.
Meanwhile, the Spurs are still looking to add depth. If they don't land West, they could turn to another former Laker: Carlos Boozer, per ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne:
San Antonio isn't the only team looking for inside help, asย JaVale McGee presents an intriguing scenario for the Clippers, according to Wojnarowski.ย
He writes that "McGeeย is a serious consideration for theย Los Angeles Clippers and plans to have a telephone conversation with president and coach Doc Rivers on Saturday, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
Then there's Amar'e Stoudemire and the possibility that he goes to the Clippers or another potential suitor, according to Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times:
One way or another, the Clippers will find a replacement or two for Jordan. The Spurs may need a replacement or two of their own.ย With Marco Belinelli heading to the Sacramento Kings for the next three seasons, San Antonio is reportedly interested in swingman Carlos Delfino, according to InfoManu (via the San Antonio Express-News' Mike Monroe):
The wheeling and dealing isn't nearly over yet.
Unless otherwise noted, signings and other player moves areย courtesyย of ESPN.com's tracker.
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