The NBA sauce transfer window opened its doors on Friday evening. And the first announcements did not drag out. The contracts will still have to wait a few days to be signed, but we know for example that Kyrie Irving will return to Dallas. The 31-year-old All Star point guard, traded to the Mavs last season, has said yes to a three-year, $126 million contract (The Athletic). To see if his association with Luka Doncic will be more productive than in recent weeks… Note that Seth Curry, Steph’s brother, also remains with the Texas club. At 33, Draymond Green had meanwhile declined his last year of contract with the Warriors to test the market. He left… to stay. A last $ 100 million dance over four years for the emotional leader of Golden State, already four-time NBA champion with the Dubs (The Athletic).
Undrafted in 2016, Fred VanVleet leaves Toronto for an XXL contract of $ 130 million over three years with the Houston Rockets (ESPN). Good pick ? The Bucks know where they are stepping with Khris Middleton. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first lieutenant is back for $ 102 million over three years, with a player option in the third year (ESPN). Same amount but over four years for Kyle Kuzwa, who remains in Washington (ESPN). Remember that the Wizards are completely in reconstruction mode after the departure of Bradley Beal, sent to Phoenix in a trade a few days ago. The Frenchy Bilal Coulibaly is delighted, he who will have all the playing time necessary to flourish in the federal capital. Surprise with NBA champion Bruce Brown turning his back on Denver for $ 45 million over two years in Indiana (ESPN). Player option on the second year. Reggie Jackson remains with the Nuggets ($10.3 million over two years, The Athletic), like DeAndre Jordan (TNT).
Other contracts worth $100 million and more have been announced, such as Jerami Grant in Portland ($160 million over five years, The Athletic) and Cameron Johnson who remains with the Nets ($108 million over four years, ESPN). The Lakers don’t have that kind of largesse. They nevertheless filled their roster with Rui Hachimura ($51M over three years, The Athletic), Gabe Vincent ($33M over three years, The Athletic), Taurean Prince ($4.5M over one year, ESPN) and Cam Reddish (two, The Athletic). The German Denis Schröder, him, joins Toronto for 26 M$ over two years (ESPN). Around their Durant/Booker/Beal trio, the Suns have bet on Drew Eubanks, Keita Bates-Diop, Damion Lee, Yuta Watanabe or even Chimezie Metu.
Last but not least, former MVP Derrick Rose joins Memphis for $6.5 million over two years. At nearly 35, the former Bulls star is obviously no longer in his best years, but his leadership should do Ja Morant good… Spurs, who signed Victor Wembanyama to his first contract, are keeping Tre Jones for $20 million over two years. Rather a good idea to have this kind of profile to give good balls to the French giant…
