Free Agency 2022

Zach Levine staying in Chi-Town. The Max baby!

Any word out of Causeway st yet? No? yokay....

Raptors To Sign Otto Porter To Two-Year Deal


July 1st 2022 at 10:29am CST by Luke Adams


On the heels of winning a championship with Golden State, free agent forward Otto Porter has agreed to a two-year deal with the Raptors, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, who reports that the second year of Porter’s new contract will be a player option.

Porter, 29, averaged 8.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, and 1.1 SPG in a part-time role with the Warriors this past season, posting a shooting line of .464/.370/.803 in 63 games (22.2 MPG). He was also a regular part of the rotation during the club’s playoff run, appearing in 19 games and logging 19.5 minutes per contest.

The third overall pick in the 2013 draft, Porter has long been considered a solid three-and-D forward with good size. He signed a maximum-salary offer sheet as a restricted free agent in 2017, but battled injuries over the course of the deal, bouncing around from Washington to Chicago to Orlando, and ultimately had to settle for a minimum-salary contract with the Warriors last summer.

Golden State had another minimum-salary offer on the table to Porter this offseason, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link), but after rebuilding his value on the champion Warriors, the former Georgetown star figures to get a earn more than that on his deal with the Raptors. Terms aren’t yet known, but Toronto has its mid-level exception available.

The Raptors are already loaded at the forward spot, but have committed to playing a relatively positionless style, and Porter – who has a career .398 3PT% – fits the team’s need for outside shooting.

Porter’s wife is from Toronto, which was one factor in his free agency decision, tweets Haynes.


Bob
MY NOTE:  Another blow to the Dubs.  Not enough to move the Raptors ahead of us, in my opinion.


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Jusuf Nurkic Agrees To Four-Year Deal With Trail Blazers


July 1st 2022 at 11:17am CST by Arthur Hill


The Trail Blazers will re-sign center Jusuf Nurkic at $70MM over four seasons, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Nurkic’s agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, confirmed the agreement.

More to come …


Bob
MY NOTE: $70M/4 years is $17.5M/year. Who would you rather have, RWill or Nurkic?

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Bulls, Zach LaVine Agree To Five-Year Max Deal


July 1st 2022 at 11:01am CST by Luke Adams


The Bulls and guard Zach LaVine are in agreement on a five-year, maximum-salary contract that will include a fifth-year player option, agent Rich Paul tells Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

As our chart of maximum salaries for 2022/23 shows, LaVine will earn approximately $43MM per year on his new deal, which will have a total value of $215,159,700.

LaVine has emerged as one of the NBA’s most talented scorers since last reaching free agency in 2018. An All-Star in each of the last two seasons, the 27-year-old averaged 24.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 4.5 APG on .476/.389/.853 shooting in 67 games (34.7 MPG) in 2021/22, despite battling a left knee issue that forced him to undergo arthroscopic surgery this spring.

When he was a restricted free agent in 2018, LaVine signed a four-year, $78MM offer sheet with the Kings, which Chicago matched. He significantly outplayed that deal and has long been earmarked for a maximum-salary contract this offseason. His health problems this past season raised some questions about whether that max deal would still be on the table, but the knee injury is reportedly not considered a long-term concern.

LaVine was linked to a number of rival suitors earlier in the offseason and didn’t agree to terms with the Bulls right when free agency opened on Thursday, but was always most likely to remain in Chicago — especially with the team willing to offer a fifth year that other teams couldn’t. The Bulls sweetened the pot further by making that fifth year a player option. That option, which applies to the 2026/27 season, will be worth $48,967,380.

LaVine, who was the No. 2 free agent on our top-50 list, has now received the second-largest commitment among free agents this offseason. Our No. 1 free agent, Bradley Beal, also agreed to a five-year, maximum-salary contract, but Beal is eligible for a higher level of max because he more years of NBA service than LaVine.

The Bulls’ projected 2022/23 team salary remains below the tax line, but the team would likely cross into the tax if it uses its full mid-level exception.


Bob


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Update from Causeway: The cross eyed Italian is headed to Bosstown. (yay)

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/07/how-danilo-gallinari-deal-impacts-celtics-trade-and-free-agency-options-this-offseason.html


How Danilo Gallinari deal impacts Celtics trade and free agency options this offseason


Updated: Jul. 01, 2022, 1:16 p.m. | Published: Jul. 01, 2022, 12:45 p.m.


By Brian Robb | brobb@masslive.com



The Celtics made their first big splash of the offseason on Friday, with Danilo Gallinari committing to sign with the team after clearing waivers per a league source.

The two-year deal with Gallinari will use up Boston’s taxpayer mid-level exception but there are a number of options still in play for the Celtics this offseason. Let’s take a closer look at team’s roster picture after the expecting signing and what could come next.


Players under guaranteed deals

Guards: Smart, White, Pritchard

Wings: Tatum, Brown, Nesmith,

Bigs: Horford, Rob Williams, Gallinari, Grant Williams, Theis


Overview

Gallinari plays more like a wing with his shooting but at 6-foot-10 with limited foot speed, he will be counted upon to guard power forwards mostly so he will be slotted as a big defensively most nights.


Suddenly, there’s a little bit of a logjam in Boston’s frontcourt if the team is playing Gallinari at the power forward in a reserve role. Grant Williams could see his minutes slotted over as a small ball center but that leaves minimal opportunities for Theis unless the Celtics are going to play jumbo lineups with Gallinari/ G. Williams/Theis all together with bench units.

The other possibility is that the Celtics may be looking to do something different now via trade with Gallinari added to the mix. He fills a bench scoring need for them and creates some added depth in the frontcourt at the 4. Whether the front office wants to keep that pricy group in place to help provide injury insurance and/or reduce minutes for an aging Al Horford and an injury-plagued Rob Williams is a fair consideration. Otherwise, the Celtics could try to move someone from this bunch (Grant Williams or Daniel Theis) in hopes of addressing a depth need on the wing or in the backcourt.

Grant Williams has some value at this point around the league on a cheap deal though he is due for a pay increase next year once his rookie contract expires. Moving Theis wouldn’t secure any real value in the return for Boston but would free up some spending flexibility perhaps with the team’s traded player exceptions, including the $17.2 million TPE that expires on July 18th.


Trade possibilities

The Celtics have a couple of weeks left to scour the market with the Evan Fournier TPE and now could shift their focus to someone more defensive-minded if they would like after landing Gallinari. Here’s a list of players that could fit into that bigger TPE broken down by the length of their deals as well as salary.


Long term deals that fit into Boston’s TPE

Gary Trent Jr. ($17.2 million x 2 )

Duncan Robinson ($16.9 million x 4)

Norm Powell ($16.8 million x 4)

Markelle Fultz ($16.5 million x 2)

Lauri Markkanen ($16.5 million x 3)

Marcus Morris ($16.3 million x 2)


Malik Beasley ($15.4 million x 2)

Doug McDermott ($13.7 million x 2)

Luke Kennard ($13.7 million x 3)

Jordan Clarkson ($13.3 million x 2)

Patrick Beverley ($13 million x 2)

Robert Covington ($12 million x 2)

Devonte Graham ($11.5 million x 3)


Richaun Holmes ($11.2 million x 3)

Talen Horton Tucker ($10.2 million x 2)

Reggie Bullock ($10 million x 2)

Royce O’Neale ($9.3 million x 2)

Cam Payne ($6 million x 2)


Short term deals that fits into Boston’s TPE

Kyle Kuzma ($13 million with player option)

Kelly Oubre ($12.6 million)


Josh Richardson ($12.1 million)

Dwight Powell ($11.8 million)

Terrence Ross ($11.5 million)

Dillon Brooks ($11.4 million)

Reggie Jackson ($11.2 million)

Derrick Favors ($10.1 million)

Jae Crowder ($10.1 million)

Larry Nance Jr. ($9.6 million)


Dario Saric ($9.6 million)

Jakob Poeltl ($9.3 million)

Maxi Kleber ($9 million)

Mason Plumlee ($8.5 million)

JaMychal Green ($8.2 million)

Justin Holiday ($6.2 million)

Rui Hacihmura ($6.2 million)


Rudy Gay ($6.1 million)

PJ Washington ($5.8 million)

Torrey Craig ($5.1 million)

A number of these names probably just won’t be available outright from their teams and the Celtics probably have minimal interest in the bigs on here as well. However, other wings on this list are certainly guys the Celtics could be making a call about and debate how much they are willing to give up for.


Free agency options


After using the taxpayer mid-level exception on Gallinari, the Celtics only have the veteran’s minimum to offer free agents moving forward. That won’t stop them from trying for an appealing buy-low candidate at backup big (see: Thomas Bryant) since the Celtics will need some cheap additional depth there if another big is moved in a trade. For now, the Celtics may have to wait a little while longer to fill in the gaps as other several other teams have far more money to spend than them. From a value standpoint with the TPE, the Celtics did about as well as they could to land a scorer like Gallinari on a limited budget. Now, they are able to turn their attention to the wing and potentially get creative to try to create a well rounded roster positioned to contend once again in the East.


Bob


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What is Danny doing in Utah signing a rookie ciach to a 5 yeat deal and the then dumping the Salary of Royce O'Neal? He has something up his sleave.

Robb

refers to this as a big splash

That's rich.

dboss wrote:Robb

refers to this as a big splash

That's rich.  

I thought we just learned that the headlines are often written by others . . .

On that note, I think the Brogdon trade displaced more water.

gyso wrote:

dboss wrote:Robb

refers to this as a big splash

That's rich.  

I thought we just learned that the headlines are often written by others . . .  

On that note, I think the Brogdon trade displaced more water.

gyso No doubt

Looks like Brad has gone out and really addressed several team needs.

I have been a big fan of Brogdon since he was with the Bucks and use to kill us.

Brad has managed to keep his core guys in place and add to our overall depth and skill level in areas of need.

Now we will have a chance to assess the impact of the Celtics going to the championship and getting veteran minimum salary guys to jump on board. Danilo could have made more money signing with the Bulls because they have the full MLE.

Danny has traded Gobert to Minny. The Timberwolves will send Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, No. 22 pick Walker Kessler and four first-round picks to the Jazz, sources said. Utah will acquire unprotected picks in 2023, 2025 and 2027 and a top-five-protected pick in 2029, sources said, in Danny Ainge's first franchise-altering deal since taking over as the Jazz's CEO midseason.


Bob


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bobheckler wrote:Danny has traded Gobert to Minny.   The Timberwolves will send Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, No. 22 pick Walker Kessler and four first-round picks to the Jazz, sources said. Utah will acquire unprotected picks in 2023, 2025 and 2027 and a top-five-protected pick in 2029, sources said, in Danny Ainge's first franchise-altering deal since taking over as the Jazz's CEO midseason.


Bob


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Wolves got fleeced by Danny.

Sheep get fleeced. Wolves get skinned.

Danny likes picks more than an electric guitar player. He is like a kid in a candy store stockpiling picks.

How's Donovan Mitchell going to react to thismove? Is he patient enough to wait through a rebuild?

bobheckler wrote:Danny has traded Gobert to Minny.   The Timberwolves will send Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, No. 22 pick Walker Kessler and four first-round picks to the Jazz, sources said. Utah will acquire unprotected picks in 2023, 2025 and 2027 and a top-five-protected pick in 2029, sources said, in Danny Ainge's first franchise-altering deal since taking over as the Jazz's CEO midseason.


Bob


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When are these GM’s going to learn. If Danny is calling don’t pick up the phone!

worcester wrote:Sheep get fleeced. Wolves get skinned.

Danny likes picks more than an electric guitar player. He is like a kid in a candy store stockpiling picks.

How's Donovan Mitchell going to react to thismove? Is he patient enough to wait through a rebuild?

I’m pretty sure he’s next to jet Utah.

Yes Ktron. Don't pick up the phone when Danny calls.
Now he has even more first round picks than Brigham Young had wives!

worcester wrote:Yes Ktron. Don't pick up the phone when Danny calls.
Now he has even more first round picks than Brigham Young had wives!

Hilarious!

The Celtics are the big winners of the off season
https://apple.news/A8pzOd90kSXe0L7gLnV0E7A

I think JD may make the 15 man roster and I cannot wait to see Trevion Williams play in summer league.

Now that Boston has assembled a veteran team, they can also spend some time accommodating a couple of young guys that they really do not need to play.

Is Bryant off the table? I see he's talking to the Lakers.

atcross wrote:Is Bryant off the table? I see he's talking to the Lakers.

AT,

He's talking to the Lakers and the Celtics, but all they can offer him is money and maybe some more playing time. They can't offer him hope.


Bob


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Dame just signed a 2 year, $120M contract to stay in Portland.

Jeez...


Bob


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https://heavy.com/sports/boston-celtics/celtics-interest-israeli-mvp-host-workout/



Celtics Show Interest in Israeli League MVP, Will Host Workout: Report


By Adam Taylor
Updated Jul 11, 2022 at 8:28am



As the Boston Celtics continue their Summer League exploits, Brad Stevens and the front office will be scouring the globe for a potential big man addition to shore up their center rotation.


You see, after trading away Daniel Theis as part of the Malcolm Brogdon deal, Boston’s center rotation is looking rather limited. As such, we can expect the Celtics to explore their options, and potentially bring in another big to add competition for Luke Kornet off the bench.


According to a report by Aris Barkas of EuroHoops.Net, Boston is among a small list of NBA teams that are planning to host a workout for Israeli MVP Chinanu Onuaku, who has previously played in the NBA between 2016 and 2018 for the Houston Rockets.

Adam Taylor
@AdamTaylorNBA
According to this report, Boston will be among a group of NBA teams to host a workout for Chinanu Onuaku.

Onuaku last played in the NBA during the 2017-18 season, before heading over to Europe, where this past season, he won the Israeli League MVP.



“After a number of NBA workouts and with Panathinaikos already interested in him, Onuaku will work out during the Las Vegas Summer League on the 13th of July on the UNLV campus and among others, the Raptors, the Clippers, the Celtics, the Cavs, the Mavs, and the Lakers are expected to be in attendance,” Barkas reported on July 9.


Onuaku is a Maryland native, who has been playing his basketball on the international scene for the past two seasons, spending time with Zadar and Beni Herzeliya respectively. The well-traveled big man has also spent time in the G-League with the Louisville Cardinals, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and Greensboro Swarn.


Can Onuaku Provide Boston With Legitimate Depth

This past season, Onuaku averaged 15.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 50.3% from the field and 30.2% from deep. Those numbers are enough to get anybody excited about potentially adding Onuaku to Boston’s center rotation.

However, it’s worth remembering that the Israeli league is not one of the premier competitions in Europe, and sits behind the Spanish league, Turkish league, Serbian league, and Italian league, among others – so while those numbers are impressive, contextualizing the talent level Onuaku faced is important.


It’s also worth noting that draft-and-stash point guard Yam Madar, opted to take his talents to the Serbian league last season, as he looked to compete against an increased talent level after dominating the Israeli league.

Still, at six-foot-10, Onuaku can provide some size and steel to Boston’s big man rotation, although we should expect them to be judicial with who they sign, as they look to cement a rotation capable of helping Boston back to the NBA Finals next season.


Celtics Could Look for Proven Talent

While Onuaku has impressed during his time in Europe, he isn’t a proven commodity at the NBA level, and if Boston were to go down the developmental route, Mfiondu Kabengele and Trevion Williams are probably better situated for a potential contract offer.

Furthermore, there are still some talented big men available on the free-agent market, with DeMarcus Cousins and Dwight Howard headlining the remaining free-agent centers.


The Celtics also have multiple trade exceptions at their disposal, including a $17.2 million exception that is due to expire on July 18, so there is also a chance that Brad Stevens heads back into the trade market to find an impactful big man to come off the bench next season.


Bob
MY NOTE:  6'10", 245#, almost 7'3" wingspan.  He has played a total of 74 NBA minutes in 6 games for Houston over two years.  This guy, unless he has really blossomed in Israel, isn't the answer.  Kabengele is similar physically (6'9", 250#, 7'3" wingspan) and has 344 NBA minutes.  I'd be more impressed if Onuaku was playing in SL.  That'd at least show me some ganas.  As it is he shows up and thinks he just has to work out a bit to make the NBA.  The team Onuaku plays for is about 15kms (9.6 miles) to the US Consulate in Tel Aviv.  That's a pretty cushy gig, I've been to Tel Aviv twice on one trip.  It's an extremely cool city to visit, but Yam Madar had to move up to the Turkish league to improve the competition he played against.  Being the MVP of the Israeli league is like being a betta in a small bowl of goldfish.


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Javale McGee just signed a 3 year, $20.4M contract with Dallas.

That's out of our price range without using TPE (which doesn't work with free agents anyway, we'd have to get Dallas or some other team to sign him and then trade him to us after whatever moratorium expired) but it does take a center off the market.  McGee is, however, eligible to be traded after December 15th.

The bad news is that a 34 year old veteran of McGee's one-dimensional skillsets got almost $7M/year for 3 years.  $17M+ is guaranteed.  He'll be 37 1/2 by the time the contract is over.  That's the market Brad's up against.

The good news is that it's slimmer pickins for whomever is left and whose name isn't DeAndre Ayton (and even he hasn't been moved yet despite being dangled for a month now).

This is, really, the last hole in our roster. A legit, reliable 3rd string center.


Bob


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