Several big contracts, a three-team trade and two Euroleague stars crossing the Atlantic. The free agency opened its doors on Friday and the announcements keep coming. Already very active in the early hours of the market, the L.A. Lakers have agreed with D’Angelo Russell. Free at the end of the past season, the 27-year-old leader remains with LeBron James and Anthony Davis for $ 37 million over two years according to ESPN. Nice move for the Californian club. D’Angelo Russell finished 2022-23 averaging 17.8 points and 6.2 assists.
Still according to ESPN, the Lakers have also grabbed the young (23-year-old) interior Jaxson Hayes, who has been playing with the New Orleans Pelicans so far. Even stronger, they keep one of the revelations of the season, Austin Reaves. $56 million over four years according to The Athletic for the future Team USA player at the World Cup.
Still in L.A., but it’s the Clippers, Russell Westbrook is back. Two-year contract (player option for the 2nd year) at $7.8 million for the former OKC star, as reported by ESPN. At 33, “RussWest” comes out of a season with 15.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
From the Euroleague to the NBA, there is only one step. The one Vasilije Micic and Sasha Vezenkov just did. MVP of the most prestigious European competition in 2021, the 29-year-old Serbian international has said yes to a three-year, $23.5 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder according to ESPN. Previously spent by Bayern, Red Star Belgrade or Zalgiris Kaunas, he had been playing for Anadolu Efes Istanbul since 2018, where he won the Euroleague twice. He was drafted in 52nd position by Philadelphia in 2014. The 27-year-old Bulgarian international meanwhile joined Sacramento for $ 20 million over three years, also according to ESPN. MVP and finalist of the Euroleague in 2023 with Olympiakos, the former Barcelonan will also discover the NBA. He was chosen 57th in the 2017 Draft by Brooklyn.
Among the other significant deals, we can highlight the extension to $207 million over five years for Desmond Bane in Memphis (ESPN) and the even larger one to $260 million over five years in Indiana for Tyrese Haliburton (ESPN). $260 million also for LaMelo Ball on the side of Charlotte (The Athletic). Like Khris Middleton on Friday, Brook Lopez remains with the Bucks ($48 million over two years, ESPN). After Fred VanVleet, the Rockets have meanwhile acquired another very side back on the market this summer, Dillon Brooks. The now ex-Memphis player joins Houston for $80 million over four years according to ESPN. The Athletic also reports that the Texas club have secured the agreement of Australian pivot Jock Landale for $ 32 million over four seasons and suggests that Patty Mills is on the way too, but as part of a trade this time. .
Finally, Max Strus said yes to a four-year, $63 million deal, but only to be sent to Cleveland as part of a “sign-and-trade” deal (ESPN). In the story, the Spurs recover Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens and a future second round in the Draft. Miami takes a second round of the draft too. The Cavs had already attracted Georges Niang, Ty Jerome and kept Caris LeVert.
