2016 NBA Free Agency: Everything You Need to Know from Day 2
If Day 1 of 2016 NBA free agency was marked by big names staying put (with the exception of Dwight Howard), Day 2 was all about players spreading their wings in search of new situations.
Al Horford stole the show by signing with the Boston Celtics—and announcing his decision with a slew of shamrocks:
The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Horford will sign a four-year, $113 million deal to become general manager Danny Ainge's big fish in Beantown. This, mere minutes after Wojnarowski noted the Atlanta Hawks seemed set to out-bid the Celtics and Washington Wizards at the end of the Horford sweepstakes.
In Boston, Horford will help fill a frontcourt marked by mediocrity. As B/R's Dan Favale wrote following Saturday's announcement:
"Slotting Horford at the 5 gives the Celtics, who ranked fourth in points allowed per 100 possessions for 2015-16, the look and feel of a top-three defense. Those maintaining he is still best suited at power forward are wrong. Around 86 percent of his minutes have come at center since entering the NBA, and he contested more shots at the rim last season than all but five players.
"
Horford's all-around skills—as a superb defender and offensive fulcrum—should push the C's up the Eastern Conference ladder and, perhaps, lure Kevin Durant to Massachusetts (more on that later).
But as much as this move improves the Celtics and their title hopes, folks in Boston can take pride in one other small detail: They stole the spotlight from the Los Angeles Lakers and Luol Deng:
According to The Vertical's Shams Charania, the Lakers will lock Deng into a four-year, $72 million contract once official business begins again on July 7.
After two years of toggling between frontcourt positions for the Miami Heat, the 31-year-old could be in a similar role among L.A.'s youngsters, with Julius Randle and incoming rookie Brandon Ingram already slotted into the forward spots. The move also adds leadership to a locker room that needs it.
The rest of Saturday's transactions didn't move the needle as much, but the additional bank-account bloating was largely a result of players switching jerseys.
According to Wojnarowski, Ryan Anderson, arguably the top shooter on the market this summer, will move around the Gulf of Mexico from one superstar-centric squad (Anthony Davis' New Orleans Pelicans) to another (James Harden's Houston Rockets).
The 28-year-old reportedly considered signing with the Sacramento Kings, his hometown team, but opted instead for a four-year, $80 million pact to serve as Mike D'Antoni's stretch 4 of choice in Space City.
Eric Gordon became the second Pelican of the day to join Houston, also per Wojnarowski. ESPN's Chris Broussard reported the deal will be for four years, $53 million, per a source.
Bismack Biyombo may not be a stretch 4 like Anderson, but he will be stretching his arm outward to block shots on behalf of the Orlando Magic. The Associated Press' Jon Krawczynski first reported Biyombo will leave the Toronto Raptors to sign a four-year deal in central Florida, with Wojnarowski noting the Congolese big man's take at $72 million.
The Brooklyn Nets added to their stash of moderately priced additions with Trevor Booker. The former Utah Jazz big man settled on a two-year, $18 million contract with the Nets, per the Salt Lake Tribune's Tony Jones.
The Sacramento Kings spent Saturday doubling up on reasonable deals with new faces.
First, they came to terms with guard Arron Afflalo for two years and $25 million, per Wojnarowski. Then, they threw another big body into their frontcourt in the form of 6'8", 240-pound Anthony Tolliver, with Charania noting the years (two) and USA Today's Sam Amick breaking the dollars ($16 million).
Those two, with their solid three-point shots, should help Sacramento spread the floor around DeMarcus Cousins in whatever offense new head coach Dave Joerger decides to run.
By the time the Tolliver news broke, the Detroit Pistons had already found his replacement: Jon Leuer. ESPN's Marc Stein pegged Leuer's new deal at $42 million over four years.
That's pretty good for a guy ESPN.com's Zach Lowe predicted would make at least $8 million per year, likely from the Pistons: "Malleability is a skill, and Leuer, in the prime of his career, appears to morphing into a big who can play in lots of combinations—provided you can absorb his limitations at either front-line spot on defense."
But all that said, it's worth repeating that Saturday belonged to the Celtics. They finally landed a superstar, and if all goes according to plan for this squad, another franchise figure could soon be on his way...
KD, Tom Brady, the Hamptons
As much as it means to Boston to land a star, don't assume Ainge is content. Durant is next on the list, and there's only one way to sway him to Beantown.
Tom Brady:
"Boston's recruitment team for KD in Hampton's @CSNNE @WojVerticalNBA @StoolGreenie @stoolpresidente @sam_amick pic.twitter.com/IEQxO7xCzg
— Rob H (@RCH1I1) July 2, 2016"
Poke fun at the idea of Brady being at a Durant pitch if you'd like (as much of the Twittersphere did), but the Celtics did what it took to appeal to the former MVP. Horford adds to last year's potent roster, playing out East has its appeal and, yes, having a Boston legend recruit is a strong strategy (having one not named Bill Russell is a bit mysterious, though).
What Durant chooses and how the Celtics spend their remaining money will become clear soon enough, but what we know is the superstar's next meeting is with the Miami Heat, per NBA.com's David Aldridge.
Pat Riley's pitches always cause a stir in the offseason.
No word on if Ryan Tannehill will be in attendance.
*Durant has since told the Los Angeles Clippers he will not sign with them, per Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times. One down.
Hornets Hold Serve with Williams
The Charlotte Hornets made headlines on Day 1 of free agency by retaining swingman Nicolas Batum at less than max value, per multiple reports. Saturday, the team channeled its inner Damn Daniel and was back at it again with another value re-signing:
Although Marvin Williams has never lived up to his status as a former No. 2 pick, he's far removed from deserving "bust" treatment. He's coming off the best year of his career in terms of overall production and efficiency, and it couldn't have happened at a better time with free agency upon him.
That said, the forward apparently turned down more money to stay in the system that brought out the best in him. According to a tweet from Wojnarowski, the former Tar Heel "had offers in the $15M a year range, but has loved playing in Charlotte and deal allows them to keep building roster."
Between Williams and Batum, the Hornets have jumped out to a strong start in free agency. Need more proof? Please turn your attention to B/R's Andy Bailey:
Pau Gasol: The Hot Commodity
Your average 35-year-old, 15-year veteran isn't going to attract multiple teams in free agency—let alone still be in the league.
Pau Gasol is not your average 35-year-old, 15-year veteran.
Set to turn 36 on July 6, the Grizzly-turned-Laker-turned-Bull is surveying the field. As it turns out, there's plenty to survey.
The most recent report comes from Stein, who notes the Toronto Raptors have tossed their hats into the ring. This, of course, after Krawczynski reported the Minnesota Timberwolves are "pushing for him," and only a day after Wojnarowski made it clear the Portland Trail Blazers were interested.
Don't forget that ESPN's Ramona Shelburne also reported recently that if the Golden State Warriors can't sign Durant, "they are very interested" in the 7-foot Spaniard.
One thing is clear: Certain teams are waiting for the Durant domino to fall. Gasol may wait out that piece of the free-agent puzzle before making his decision, unless teams such as Portland and Minnesota are aggressive enough in the interim.
—B/R's Bryant Knox
More Moves Imminent for Orlando?
The Orlando Magic have created a hodgepodge of a roster this offseason. And yes, we're using the term "hodgepodge" to avoid phrases like "complete logjam in the frontcourt."
(Whoops.)
As exciting as the Biyombo signing and the Serge Ibaka trade on draft night are, there are now questions. What does the future hold for budding star Aaron Gordon? Where does Nikola Vucevic reside within the new rotation?
Can anybody explain the Jeff Green signing ESPN.com reported?
There's no question the Magic have made moves to establish their identity as a defensive, rim-protecting squad. But as important as an identity is (especially considering this team has lacked such a thing since trading Dwight Howard in 2012), creating more questions than answers has a tendency to negate any progress.
The Magic's offseason isn't done yet. Or at least it shouldn't be if this group hopes to put a clear plan in place for both the immediate and long-term future.
Here's hoping they can figure it out this summer. Orlando hasn't seen the postseason since 2012.
Full Recap of Day 2 Deals
Here's a look at all the deals agreed to on Saturday:
- Al Horford to the Boston Celtics for four years and $113 million, per Wojnarowski.
- Ryan Anderson to the Houston Rockets for four years and $80 million, per Wojnarowski.
- Luol Deng to the Los Angeles Lakers for four years and $72 million, per Charania.
- Bismack Biyombo to the Orlando Magic for four years and $70 million, per Krawczynski (salary figures, per Wojnarowski).
- Marvin Williams re-signs with the Charlotte Hornets for four years, $54.5 million, per Wojnarowski.
- Jon Leuer to the Detroit Pistons for four years and $42 million, per Stein.
- Arron Afflalo to the Sacramento Kings for two years and $25 million, per Wojnarowski.
- Trevor Booker to the Brooklyn Nets for two years and $18 million, per the Salt Lake Tribune's Tony Jones.
- Anthony Tolliver to the Sacramento Kings for two years and $16 million, per Amick.
- Courtney Lee to the New York Knicks for four years and $50 million, per Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy.
- Austin Rivers re-signs with the Los Angeles Clippers for three years, per the Orange County Register's Dan Woike.
- Ian Mahinmi to the Washington Wizards for four years, $64 million, per the Washington Post's Tim Bontemps.
- Eric Gordon to the Houston Rockets for four years, $53 million, per Wojnarowski.
- Wesley Johnson re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers for three years, $18 million, per Charania.
- The Grizzlies have signed James Ennis for two years and a guaranteed $6 million, per Charania.
Josh Martin covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Cap information via Basketball Insiders.
