Free Agency Rewind

07/06/2023

By: Matthew Cahill

A Look at the Biggest Transactions Since June 30th

It feels like free agency is a season of its own in the NBA. Ever since the market officially opened at 6 pm ET on June 30th, Woj and Shams have been tweeting endlessly updating us about all of the transactions. It can be a bit overwhelming trying to keep up, but you know we have you covered with everything you need to know thus far.

Stars Staying Home

While the NBA is usually known for top free agents signing with new teams in the offseason, this year looks like it’s going to be much quieter than others. The reason? Most of the top stars on the market are electing to return to their teams. Just hours after free agency opened this past Friday, it was announced that Kyrie Irving, Khris Middleton, Kyle Kuzma, Cam Johnson, and Draymond Green were all signing extensions to stay home. As the weekend progressed, many young stars like LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, and Anthony Edwards signed max extensions with their respective teams. Even Kristaps Porzingis, who was just traded to the Celtics a couple of weeks ago, signed a two-year extension with his new team.

Notable Players Who Signed Extensions

Kyrie Irving (DAL) | three years, $126M

Draymond Green (GSW) | four years, $100M

Khris Middleton (MIL) | three years, $102M

Brook Lopez (MIL) | two years, $48M

Kristaps Porzingis (BOS) | two years, $60M

Tyrese Haliburton (IND) | five years, $260M

LaMelo Ball (CHA) | five years, $260M

Anthony Edwards (MIN) | five years, $260M

Desmond Bane (MEM) | five years, $207M

Domantas Sabonis (SAC) | five years, $217M

Kyle Kuzma (WAS) | four years, $102M

Austin Reaves (LAL) | four years, $56M

Rui Hachimura (LAL) | three years, $51M

D’Angelo Russell (LAL) | two years, $37M

Jerami Grant (POR) | five years, $160M

Jakob Poetl (TOR) | four years, $80M

Russell Westbrook (LAC) | two years, $8M

Players on the Move

Of course, it wouldn’t be NBA free agency without some notable names switching teams. Fred VanFleet got a head-scratching three-year, $128.5M contract from the Houston Rockets. While he is a solid guard with an All-Star appearance, Fred will be making more than superstars like Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Devin Booker. Houston also signed Dillon Brooks to a four-year, $80M deal as well in a clear effort to try and become competitive for the first time since James Harden left in early 2021. Speaking of trying to become competitive, Bruce Brown is heading to the Pacers on a two-year, $45M deal. This move is undoubtedly an overpay for Indiana, but it isn’t quite as egregious as the VanFleet deal. Brown is a much better fit next to Tyrese Haliburton, as he has proven with Jokic that he can thrive off the ball. Looking elsewhere, the Cavs, Suns, Knicks, and Mavs all did a nice job adding complementary pieces to their rosters.

Notable Players Who Switched Teams

Fred VanFlett (TOR) → Rockets | three years, $128.5M

Dillon Brooks (MEM) → Rockets | four years, $80M

Bruce Brown (DEN) → Pacers | two years, $45M

Max Strus (MIA) → Cavaliers | four years, $63M

Eric Gordon (LAC) → Suns | two years, $6M

Yuta Watanabe (BRK) → Suns | one year, $2.3M

Donte DiVincenzo (GSW) → Knicks | four years, $50M

Seth Curry (BRK) → Mavs | two years $9.26M

Grant Williams (BOS) → Mavs | four years, $53M

The BiggestWinner So Far: Los Angeles Lakers

Heading into free agency, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and D’Angelo Russell were all set to hit the market. Many thought the Lakers were going to have some tough decisions to make in regard to who they wanted to keep from this trio. They not only brought all three rotational pieces back, but they also somehow were able to steal Gabe Vincent from the Heat and Jaxon Hayes from the Pelicans. Vincent is coming off of an extremely successful run to the Finals with Miami and Hayes will serve as a great innings-eater at the center position to keep Anthony Davis healthy throughout the year. On top of that, they also signed Cam Reddish from Portland. Although Reddish hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in the NBA through his first four seasons, he is another low-risk high-reward project, very similar to Hachimura when he joined the team last year. If LeBron and AD can stay healthy (we know that’s a big if), this team might be able to make a run at dethroning Denver this coming season.

Players to Keep Your Eyes on

A lot of the dust has settled around the league, but be sure to continue monitoring James Harden and Jaylen Brown’s current situations. Harden recently opted into the final year of his deal and notified the Sixers he’d like to be traded, while Jaylen Brown and the Celtics are still discussing a potentially massive contract extension in the range of $300 million.

USA Today: NBA Free Agency Winners and Losers

Photo: Jacob Kupferman/ Getty Images