B.Welcome to the jungle. The NBA kicked off its Free Agencywith the big stars who had any doubts about their future going on the market… Or not. Because the main news focused on the continuity of the best names available, Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks) and Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), in their franchises. Being Fred Van Vleet’s 128.5 million to the Houston Rockets as ‘kings’ in the players who change teams and the 260 that Haliburton takes in the best ‘assault on the bank’.
Lillard requests the transfer
We are hours away from solving one of the great enigmas of Free Agency. As ESPN has been able to report, information verified by Adrian Wojnarowskithe star of the Trail Blazers would have asked for the transfer.
Both Portland and the player will look for the best for both parties, considering the point guard’s market value and what he’s meant to the franchise over the past decade. This possible movement can open the door to a hypothetical reconstruction in Oregon, with players like Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe either anfernee simons as axes of the future.
Shams Charaniaof The Athletichas confirmed that Lillard would have asked to go to Miami and be part of the Heat. ESPN comments that there was a meeting between Lillard and joe cruningeneral manager of the Blazers, past June 26th. Wojnarowski confirms that the most interested teams are the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers.
Micic, heading to the NBA
One of the unknowns of summer is cleared up. Vasilije Micic, two-time NBA champion and Euroleague MVP in the 2021/22 season, packs his bags and leaves for the Oklahoma City Thunder at a rate of 23.5 million for three seasons.
The Serbian has been involved in rumors that led him to the Thunder in recent months. Oklahoma has his rights since 2020, in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. The disappointing season of Anadolu Efes, champion of the last two editions of the top European competition and who this year has not made it to the playoffs, may accompany this decision.
He is the second star in Europe to go to the NBA in the last few hours, since Vezenkov, a key player for Olympiacos, will go to California to continue propping up the Sacramento Kings who want to conquer the West.
those who stay
Irving, who had ‘fooled around’ with Phoenix or even heard siren songs coming from Los Angeles, will maintain his strange alliance with Luka Doncic for 126 million in three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. They must correct their doubts about who is the game director, and ‘Kai’, in his specific case, clear his head that in the last year he was more aware of other issues than basketball.
Doncic and Irving win their first game together with the Mavericks
The other big renovation is that of Draymond Green. He decided not to exercise his renewal option to pursue a longer contract and wait for free agency. The Warriors did not hesitate and offer 100 million for four years to one of their key pillars, in defense and attack, in their four champion rings. His union with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson still stands. “Every step I take along the way I tell him. My thoughts, my ideas. I don’t want them to think that if I were to leave I wouldn’t tell them,” he said on a podcast with Paul George.
Every step I take along the way I tell Curry and Klay
On the side of those who continue, the big ‘winner’ of the first night in the economic field is also added. Tyrese Haliburton, at the rate of a super contract from his Pacers for five years and 260 million of dollars. No one gets more. Also Desmond Bane exceeds 200, signing for five and 207 for the Grizzlies. Others who reach the contract of a lifetime are Khris Middleton (Bucks, 102×3), Jerami Grant (Blazers, 160×5), Cam Johnson (Nets, 104×4) or Kyle Kuzma (Wizards, 102×4).
those who change
From the first night of Free Agency there is no great star that changes course. Yes, good pieces that give a giant leap to his career in the economic field. It happens with Fred Van Vleet, who after several courses with doubts reaches a reconverted Houston Rockets. Drafted talent (Thompson), his young point guard (Green and Porter Jr.) and a star guard who will receive the best contract ever for an undrafted. 128.5 million in three courses.
It also changes one of the fundamentals from the bench of the champion Nuggets. Bruce Brown goes to the Pacers for 45 million in two courses. That celebration in Denver that he promised to stay at… disappears. He’s a huge complement to Haliburton, good on defense, upright…
The Lakers are other cheerleaders. They lose Dennis Schröder, signing for the Raptors in a contract of two courses and 25.4 million. But they give a blow, by ‘robbing’ the Miami Heat finalists their best outside player at the start of the finals, Gabe Vincent. From not being drafted to receiving 33 million for three courses. His outside shot will be essential in a team lacking a powerful third star along with LeBron and Anthony Davis.
