NBA Free Agency 2016 Rumors: Kevin Durant 'blown away' by Clippers, Al Horford could leave Atlanta and Dwyane Wade unhappy
CLEVELAND, Ohio — NBA free agency has been as wild as many anticipated thus far.
There’s been a pile of stunning contract agreements, an abundance of money spent and many of the bigger names staying put, choosing instead to to take the extra year and extra cash that the incumbent team can offer.
While the money being thrown around has raised eyebrows, it’s pretty easy to understand thanks to simple economics. The salary cap exploded from $70 million to $94 million and the labor agreement demands teams spend at least $85 million on their payroll to reach the floor. The money has to go somewhere.
Still, after a busy first day, there’s plenty to be worked out.
Will Dwyane Wade leave Miami? Where will Kevin Durant end up after numerous meetings? What will the Cavs do, if anything, to add outside help?
Here are the latest rumors and nuggets on NBA free agency:
Hawks busy on Day One
After the Atlanta Hawks had their season ended by the Cavaliers for the second year in a row, the Hawks appeared committed to make some changes.
It started around the NBA Draft when Atlanta sent point guard Jeff Teague to Indiana as part of a three-team trade. The changes continued on the first day of free agency.
The Hawks made a free agent splash, agreeing to a deal with center Dwight Howard, who will get a three-year contract worth around $70 million. They also re-signed Kent Bazemore, who was garnering plenty of interest around the league. Bazemore will also make $70 million, but his contract goes four years as opposed to three.
That’s a lot of money for the Hawks to spend and it leads to numerous questions about Al Horford’s future in Atlanta.
The 30-year-old big man has received plenty of interest on the open market and the Hawks would have to make some other moves to create enough cap space to bring Horford back for his 10th season.
Would the Hawks really be willing to trade Paul Millsap, the team’s best player? Our Chris Haynes indicates that has been discussed.
How will Horford view the signing of Howard, who has been a disruptive locker room presence in the past?
If Atlanta wanted Horford back then why not offer him the max right away since they were in the driver’s seat?
Perhaps this weekend is when those answers come, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Horford become the top name to change teams this off-season. His decision could shake things up in the East, especially if he goes to Boston or Washington.
Dwyane Wade to schedule meetings?
This summer has been a repeat of last year for Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. Contentious conversations and a reported low offer have sent Wade looking for other options outside of Miami.
According to ESPN, Wade is intensifying talks with the Knicks and Bucks, and could set up meetings next week when he returns from his European summer vacation with LeBron James and Chris Paul.
Initial reports from The Vertical point to Miami offering Wade a salary around $10 million per year, which is small compared to some of the bigger money deals handed out to lesser players — Bazemore, Evan Turner, Timofey Mozgov, Evan Fournier and Jermey Lin, among others.
How could he not feel anything but disrespect?
He’s a three-time NBA champion. He has already sacrificed plenty during the Big Three era. He’s coming off a strong year. He’s the face of the Heat and arguably the most important and influential athlete in Miami sports history.
According to ESPN, Wade doesn’t want to take less than the $20 million he made this past season. The Vertical adds the Denver Nuggets and Chicago Bulls as two other teams that could meet with Wade next week if the Heat don’t increase their offer and show the future Hall of Famer the respect he believes he has earned and certainly deserves.
Kevin Durant ‘blown away’ by Clippers pitch
Durant’s Friday at The Hamptons started with a sit-down meeting with the Golden State Warriors. That meeting included Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson along with the Golden State brass. Tough to beat that crew if it becomes primarily a basketball decision.
According to USA Today’s Sam Amick, the chat with Golden State went “very well.”
That’s hardly breaking news. It’s rare to see a free agency report about a meeting going poorly, unless it’s the Lakers trying to pitch LaMarcus Aldridge about the glitz and glamour of L.A. as opposed to actual basketball while trying to recruit last summer’s top prize.
After Durant’s meeting with the Western Conference champs, the Clippers took their place at the table. Durant was “blown away” by the Clippers’ pitch after a four-hour meeting.
While the Clippers don’t have much cap room and would likely have to unload one of their top players — unless they plan on fielding a four-player team — Durant was impressed by the vision and direction of the team, led by owner Steve Ballmer.
Durant still has meetings with the San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics and Heat this weekend. His current team, Oklahoma City, is trying to get the final pitch.
Dudley goes back to Phoenix
After spending four and a half seasons with the Phoenix Suns early in his career, versatile swingman Jared Dudley has bounced around with three teams (Clippers, Bucks and Wizards) the last three seasons.
But after not getting an offer from the Wizards, Dudley is going back to where his career started to take off, agreeing to a three-year, $30 million deal with the young Suns.
He will serve as a veteran mentor while also giving the team’s 3-point shooting a boost.
Lakers continue to spend
The Lakers and Timofey Mozgov agreed on the first deal of free agency, striking something shortly after midnight.
Mozgov gets early call, agreement from Lakers
Los Angeles hasn’t slowed down, re-signing restricted free agent Jordan Clarkson to a four-year, $50 million deal. Early Saturday morning, the Lakers’ spending spree continued, as they agreed to a deal with Luol Deng. The 31-year-old forward will receive a four-year deal worth $72 million dollars.
Deng averaged 12.3 points, six rebounds and 1.9 assists in 74 games for Heat last season. He was moved to power forward in a small-ball lineup while Chris Bosh was sidelined because of an illness. At that point, Deng showed his versatility and potential at that position, increasing his value around the league.
Deng will give the Lakers another veteran to pair with a young core, led by Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and No. 2 pick Brandon Ingram.
It’s far from the flashy summer the Lakers once envisioned, hoping to get a face-to-face with Durant, but adding pros and winners to a group that has become too familiar with failure is a start.
The turnaround needs to start somewhere.
NBA Free Agency 2016 Rumors: Kevin Durant "blown away" by Clippers, Al Horford could leave Atlanta and Dwyane Wade unhappy
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