NBA Free Agency 2015: Rounding Up Latest Signings and Hottest Rumors
We're only entering Day 3 of the 2015 NBA free-agency period, and there's been no shortage of early activity. Every franchise is busy right now, as top squads look to remain intact and make another playoff run, while lottery teams aim to bolster their rosters enough to make an impact in the coming season.
The early whirlwind of activity has led to a bevy of trades and big-ticket signings. Here's a look at some of the most notable free agents to agree to new deals through Thursday, via SI.com:
| Kawhi Leonard | SF | Spurs | 5 yr./$90 million |
| Kevin Love | PF | Cavaliers | 5 yr./$110 million |
| Draymond Green | SF | Warriors | 5 yr./$85 million |
| Jimmy Butler | SG | Bulls | 5 yr./$90 million |
| Brook Lopez | C | Nets | 3 yr./$60 million |
| Dwyane Wade | SG | Heat | 1 yr./$20 million |
| Brandon Knight | PG | Suns | 5 yr./$70 million |
| Goran Dragic | SG | Heat | 5 yr./$90 million |
| Danny Green | SG | Spurs | 4 yr./$45 million |
| Greg Monroe | PF | Bucks | 3 yr./$50 million |
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While plenty of the most coveted free agents have found new homes—or chose to stay put—many top-tier players still reside on the open market. Until they officially ink new deals, rumors will continue to run rampant. That said, let's take a look at a few of the most interesting pieces of gossip from around the Web.
DeAndre Jordan
One of the top available free agents, DeAndre Jordan has received interest across the Association with good reason. The center has decided to test the waters of free agency after spending his first seven years in the league with the Los Angeles Clippers. Jordan is coming off a career year in which he averaged 11.5 points and 15.0 rebounds per game while shooting 71.0 percent from the floor.
Those numbers are especially impressive when considering Jordan has been sharing the court with the likes of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.
Jordan has met with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks—two teams trying (and failing) to make big splashes in free agency—but according to a tweet from ESPN's Arash Markazi, the Clippers and Dallas Mavericks remain in the lead for his services:
So, which of those squads is actually the front-runner? Well, we may not know that until Jordan makes his ultimate decision. Take a look at this telling tweet from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
All we know to this point is that the Clippers "had their stuff together" and created a presentation that was described as "tight" to Ben Bolch and Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. On the other hand, the Mavericks remain an enticing option to Jordan, who just so happens to be a Texas native.
The free-agency buzz surrounding LaMarcus Aldridge has been just as frenzied as Jordan's. Both players are top frontcourt free agents and are being coveted by many of the same teams. The power forward has been on the radar of many squads in need of a big man due to his tremendous body of work with the Portland Trail Blazers over his nine NBA seasons.
In fact, he's coming off one of his best campaigns after averaging 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor during the 2014-15 season. Although, unlike Jordan, Aldridge won't be returning to his previous team.
According to an interview with WTHI-TV, via Sports Illustrated, Blazers assistant coach Kim Hughes said the team has "lost LaMarcus Aldridge" and is "sure he won't come back."
That said, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne tweeted an update on where all interested parties likely stand in the eyes of Aldridge:
Although, Thursday did come with some twists and turns in the Aldridge sweepstakes. The power forward gave the Lakers a second chance to meet with him after the team flopped on its first attempt. As for the Knicks, they appear to be done here, as Aldridge canceled a meeting with the team. The Phoenix Suns are dumping assets in an effort to free up cap space for the veteran. Aldridge also met with the Miami Heat.
After all of that, USA Today's Sam Amick tweeted an update in the race for Aldridge's services:
A decision now looms for Aldridge—one that could help shape the hierarchy of the NBA for the coming season.
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.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")