Free agent signings in the National Basketball Association (NBA) has yet to officially start on Saturday yet transactions had already been agreed in principle between some teams.
In their title retention bid, the Los Angeles Lakers dealt their 28th pick for the 2020 Draft and Danny Green for Oklahoma City Thunder’s Dennis Schroeder. The 27-year-old German national, who plays the point, was Atlanta’s 17th pick overall in 2013 and with his career averages of 14 points, almost five assists and two rebounds per game, is hoped to add more scoring depth to the Lakers.
Chris Paul is also moving out of OKC and will be in Phoenix as their starting point guard. This will give the Suns more production from Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and DeAndre Ayton. The Thunder gets the Suns’ 25th pick, Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Jalen Lecque. CP3 brought OKC to the playoffs this season and he’ll be given the same job for Phoenix this time.
With the LAL and PHX transactions, OKC guaranteed their rebuild with ridiculous amounts of future first round draft picks until 2026.
As of this writing, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo and Anthony Davis opted out of their contracts, but AD is expected to re-sign, with four contract options to choose. Gordon Hayward is yet to decide if he stays with Boston but there are talks that Atlanta is interested in his services.
Milwaukee probably had the major pieces in place for Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay long term with the acquisition of Bogdan Bognanovic in a sign-and-trade deal with Sacramento in exchange for Ersan Ilyasova, Donte DiVincenzo and DJ Wilson. They also got Jrue Holiday from New Orleans for George Hill, Eric Bledsoe, future first round draft picks and pick swaps.
One contending Western Conference team is about to implode if rumors are to be believed. Coach Mike D’Antoni and GM Daryl Morey already left the team one after the other. With locker room disharmony and frustration among some role players, James Harden and Russell Westbrook reportedly wants to rocket out of Houston.
Harden is eyeing a move to Brooklyn and be reunited with former OKC teammate Kevin Durant. On paper, the trio of KD, Harden and Kyrie Irving is formidable, but Brooklyn will probably have to give up Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen to have number 13. Yup, three superstars and that’s it. The trio is not exactly known for their defense and because they’ll be lacking in depth, the Nets will drown. Houston has a stiff asking price for Harden.
Charlotte and New York are attracted to Westbrook. Except for these two teams and with about $130 million owed to him for the next three seasons, there is very little interest in him. Westbrook reportedly wants out because he’s not happy with the team’s offense which was centered on Harden. Buaya feels?/PN
