FILIPINO-American guard Jordan Clarkson is set to join the New York Knicks after reaching a contract buyout with Utah Jazz at the start of the NBA free agency on Monday (Tuesday in the Philippines).
According to a report by ESPN]s Shams Charania, the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player is expected to sign with the Knicks once he clears the waivers in the coming days.
Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul negotiated for the buyout of the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner after the Jazz failed to find a way to send him to another squad via trade.
Meanwhile, Denver Nuggets is acquiring sharpshooter Cameron Johnson from Brooklyn Nets in exchange for veteran forward Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round draft pick.
In addition to the trade, the Nuggets also agreed to a one-year deal with Bruce Brown, while the Nets managed to retain center Day’Ron Sharpe and forward Ziaire Williams to two-year contracts worth $12 million each.
The NBA free agency period kicked off with a flurry of significant deals across the league led by Dallas Mavericks, who agreed to a two-year, $13-million deal with D’Angelo Russell.
The Memphis Grizzlies are among the most active teams, securing extensions to Jaren Jackson Jr. (five-year, $240 million), Santi Aldama (three-year, $52.5 million) and Cam Spencer (two-year, $4.5 million).
The Grizzlies also bolstered their back court after agreeing to a three-year, $28-million deal with Ty Jerome, but they are also working on a buyout with recently-acquired guard Cole Anthony.
Houston Rockets have strengtened their forward rotation by locking in Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year, $53 million deal and Clint Capela on a three-year, $29-million contract.
In other moves, Kevon Looney ended his 10-year tenure with Golden State Warriors after joining New Orleans Pelicans on a two-year, $16-million deal, while Luke Kornet has moved to San Antonio Spurs on a four-year, $41 million deal.
Brook Lopez has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, which also locked in veteran forward Nicholas Batum on a two-year, $11.5 million contract renewal.
Caris LeVert has agreed to a two-year, $29-million contract to join Detroit Pistons, which also managed to retain the services of Paul Reed on a two-year, $11 million deal.
Los Angeles Lakers added another guard in Jake LaRavia on a two-year, $12 million deal, while Dennis Schroder is moving to Sacramento Kings on an undisclosed contract yet.
Atlanta Hawks completed a sign-and-trade deal with Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire Nickeil-Alexander Walker, while they also signed Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11-million deal.
Others who signed elsewhere are Tyus Jones to Orlando Magic (one-year, $7M), Luka Garza to Boston Celtics (two-year, $5.5M), Nigel Hayes Davis to Phoenix Suns (one-year deal), Trendon Watford to Philadelphia 76ers (two-year, $5.5M) , and Mason Plumlee to Charlotte Hornets (one-year, $3.6M).
Also signing contract extensions are Gary Trent Jr. (two-year, $7.5M), Kevin Porter Jr. (two-year, $11M) and Taurean Prince (two-year, $7.1 M) with Milwaukee Bucks, Tre Jones with Chicago Bulls (three-year, $24M), Joe Ingles with the Timberwolves (one-year, $3.6M), and Collin Gillespie with the Suns (one year deal)./PN
