The NBA’s summer market opened on Wednesday, and with it came a flood of activity in the opening hours of free agency. Jonathan Raymond recaps the most significant deals.
Tyson Chandler, Phoenix Suns, four years at $52m
Phoenix, of all teams, were able to orchestrate the biggest move that actually involved a player changing teams. At 32, Chandler’s defensive reputation as a rim protector is a bit overblown now, but for their money they get someone who has aged gracefully into one of the two or three best players in the NBA inside offensively.
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls, five years at $95m
Butler emerged as one of the best 20 players in the league last year, and there was talk he would try to leverage that with a short-term contract designed to capitalise on the NBA’s massive salary-cap spike in two years. Instead, Chicago were able to lock up a young, well-rounded star.
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Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers, five years at $110m
Love spurned options elsewhere to remain in the LeBron James orbit and give the Cavaliers another crack at a title they were just two wins away from last month despite as injuries took their toll. Smart decision by the 26-year-old stretch forward.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, five years at $85m
Players like this used to be sparsely-paid role players, but Green — as his deal shows — veritably changed the game for his ilk last year. Adaptable defensively, capable enough inside and out offensively, Green is an almost ideal player in today’s age of versatility. He got paid accordingly.
DeMarre Carroll, Toronto Raptors, four years at $60m
If Green got the premium for a “3-and-D” specialist, Carroll got the market rate, also illustrating how much teams now covet this archetype. Carroll will give Toronto more flexibility in going big or small, a capability every club in the league are now trying to instil in their squad.
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