Henry Roldán
NBA free agency began on June 30 and less than 48 hours after it started, there have already been some very striking moves that we will review in this batch of NBA free agency news at JefeBet.
NBA Free Agency: Highlights of Day 2
Rudy Gobert traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA free agency continues to be the most interesting of all the U.S. circuits, with a big trade bringing center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves on day two.
The Frenchmah will now team with Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Edwards after the organization sent Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt and four future first-round picks to the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Zach LaVine receives top reward from the Bulls
While a great amount of rumors swirled around Zach LaVine’s name, the 27-year-old reached an agreement with the Chicago Bulls to remain with the organization for five seasons and $212.5 million, the maximum deal he was eligible for.
The information was provided by The Athletic’s Sham Charania, who also added that the final year of the contract will be a player option. With this signing, the Bulls retain the LaVine-DeRozan duo to lead the team’s offense.
Jusuf Nurkic stays in Portland
The Portland Trail Blazers have made some aggressive moves this preseason, so it’s no surprise that they renewed their contract with Bosnian center Jusuf Nurkic.
According to ESPN, the two sides reached an agreement to remain together for the next four seasons and $70 million, thus maintaining an important core of the team that includes Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons and Nurkic.
Knicks tie up their center, Mitchell Robinson
New York expects the Knicks to have a fairly aggressive preseason and after confirming the arrival of Jalen Bronson, on this second day of NBA free agency the organization finished the signing of center Mitchell Robinson.
The player’s agents told ESPN that they signed him for four seasons and $60 million, thus staying with the team that took him in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft.
John Wall finally arrives in Los Angeles
After reaching an agreement with the Houston Rockets to opt out of his final year of his contract with the team, John Wall reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers for the next two seasons and $13.2 million.
Wall used his $47.4 million player clause before leaving Houston, although he will be paid about $41 million plus what was agreed upon with the Clippers, the franchise he was already known to be departing after the contract with his former organization.
Celtics acquire Malcolm Brogdon
Boston surely wants to strengthen its roster ASAP to get back to the NBA Finals, so on the second day of free agency they made an important move by acquiring Malcolm Brogdon from the Indiana Pacers.
Brogdon joins the Celtics to strengthen a point guard position that had several problems last season, as well as to strengthen a defense that was the best in the NBA. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, in return the Pacers acquired the services of Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, Nik Staukas, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan and a first-round pick in the 2023 Draft.
Golden State retains Kevon Looney
The Warriors are trying to maintain as much of their championship core as possible, and that’s why they reached an agreement with Kevon Looney, a center who performed well for Steve Kerr’s quintet throughout the season.
According to ESPN, Looney will remain with Golden State for the next three seasons and $25.5 million. The 26-year-old was the organization’s first-round pick in 2015 and has been to the Warriors’ last three championships.
Gary Payton II leaves for Portland
As previously mentioned, Portland is making very good moves this preseason and on the second day of NBA free agency they acquired the services of Gary Payton II.
Last season, his sixth on the circuit, the 29-year-old had his best performance when he helped the Warriors win the championship ring. That performance earned him a three-year, $28 million contract with the Trail Blazers.
Ricky Rubio stays in Cleveland
After missing more than half of last season due to an injury, Spaniard Ricky Rubio reached an agreement with the Cleveland Cavaliers to return to the organization.
According to Yahoo Sports, the seasoned 31-year-old landed a three-year, $18.4 million contract, making him a key reserve for a Cleveland club that performed well in 2021-22.
Donte DiVincenzo stays in the West
After three seasons with the Bucks and half a year with the Kings after arriving via trade at the end of the previous season, Donte DiVincenzo reached an agreement to join the reigning champions, the Golden State Warriors.
According to ESPN, the 25-year-old signed for the next two seasons and $9.3 million, immediately becoming an important player in Steve Kerr’s bench.
