NBA Free Agency: Carmelo Anthony remains with New York Knicks; Chicago Bulls sign Pau Gasol
LeBron James’ decision has made others join various teams as the last couple of days has witnessed the most signings and re-signings since free agency began on 1st of July. James agreed to a two-year deal worth $42.1 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The deal will make him a free agent within two years again, but James is committed to Cleveland for a long term.
There was a lot of other free agency news in the league on Saturday:
Carmelo Anthony re-signs with the New York Knicks
In his first summer as a free agent, Carmelo Anthony certainly took his time to weigh his options before making a decision.
Anthony began his free agency by meeting five teams including the Knicks in the space of five days. During his stay in Los Angeles for the Lakers pitch, the Knicks offered him a 5 year max deal worth $130 million. With the franchise expected to make an announcement on Sunday, the details of the deal are not yet confirmed.
Other than All-Star appearances and a scoring title in the 2012-13 season, Anthony has not been able to achieve anything significant from a team standpoint. He would look to change that trend together with Derek Fisher, the Head Coach of the team and Phil Jackson, the President of Basketball Operations for the franchise.
Anthony averaged 27.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in 77 games for the Knicks this past season.
Pau Gasol announces move with Chicago Bulls
Pau Gasol via his verified twitter account announced that he was looking forward to the new chapter in his life in Chicago with the Bulls. Gasol might not have been in the news as much as James or Anthony, but was nevertheless looked at by many teams.
San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and former team the Los Angeles Lakers made a pitch to Gasol this off-season. No wonder Gasol also says in his tweet that he has taken the decision to sign with the Bulls after “meditating a lot”.
Gasol averaged nearly a double-double last season of 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in the 60 games that he played for the Lakers. For the 34 year old veteran, the Bulls will be the third team he has represented in the NBA so far. The details of the contract between Gasol and Bulls is still to be finalized and unknown.
Trevor Ariza will sign with the Houston Rockets
Sources have confirmed to the ESPNDallas.com that the Houston Rockets are going to sign Small Forward Trevor Ariza to a four-year deal worth $32 million. The move looks to bring Ariza in as a replacement in case the franchise opt against matching the Dallas Mavericks offer for restricted free agent Chandler Parsons.
It is upto the Rockets to decide whether it is worth exceeding cap space and matching the three year $46 million offer sheet for Parsons without accomplishing their goal of signing an All-Star Power Forward. Houston have time until 11:59pm on Sunday to act or not act following which Parsons will be a Rocket or Maverick respectively.
Ariza’s stock grew this summer following a terrific season with the Washington Wizards where he averaged 14.4 points and 6.2 rebounds including a shooting percentage of 46 from the field.
Paul Pierce to take his talents to the Capital
Paul Pierce has agreed to a deal with the Washington Wizards for a two year deal worth $5.3 million including a player option on the second year. Pierce will be on the move for the second consecutive summer this time from the Brooklyn Nets to the Wizards.
After playing 15 years for the Boston Celtics, Pierce averaged a career low 13.5 points in the Nets. The Los Angeles Clippers showed a lot of interest in him given the relationship he shares with Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers from their days together in Boston.
The Wizards acquire Pierce in a move to replace their loss of Ariza and while he might lack the energy of the Small Forward who signed with the Houston Rockets, Pierce will bring leadership and tons of Playoff experience to an up-coming young and talented team.
Utah Jazz match Charlotte Hornets offer for Gordon Haywood
For several months prior to free agency, the Utah Jazz franchise had made their intentions very clear of wanting to match every offer sheet that their restricted free agent Gordon Haywood would receive this off-season and team stuck to their word.
They had until Sunday night, but it did not take longer than early Saturday for the Jazz to match the four-year $63 million offer made by the Charlotte Hornets for the 6 foot 8 inches Small Forward. Haywood would team up with the likes of Dante Exum (5th overall pick in 2014 Draft), Trey Burke and Derrick Favors.
Haywood’s performance last season of 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists was remarkable. He was the fifth best performer behind LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Micheal Carter Williams to average at least 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.