CLEVELAND, OH — With the start of NBA free agency underway, a bevy of signings and deals have already altered the always-shifting landscape.
Boston Celtics ink Jayson Tatum to a 5-year, $314 million extension: Fresh off of winning the Celtics record-setting 18th NBA title, the former 6’8, 210-pound Duke standout, selected third overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $314 million, surpassing his teammate and NBA Finals MVP Jaylon Brown’s five-year $304 million extension.
A five-time All-Star, and three-time All-NBA First Team selection, the St Louis-born native averaged 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists.
Klay Thompson joining Mavericks on a 3-year, $50 million deal: Officially the end of an era in modern-day hoops, four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson signed a three-year deal with the Western Conference champions and NBA Finals runner-up Dallas Mavericks worth $50 million.
Arguably one of the most proflific shooters the game has ever seen, Thompson, 34, had spent the majority of his storied 13-year career out in the Bay. In what was a down year for the former Washington State sharpshooter, Thompson shot 38.7 percent from three-point range (his second-worst of his career) in coming off the bench for the first time ever, while averaginh 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds ans 2.3 assists.
Now, a likely starter at small forward, Thompson looks to be perhaps the missing piece, for what is already a Mavericks “superteam” that has longtime Finals foe, Kyrie Irving and the new face of the NBA in Luka Doncic.
Paul George agrees to 4-Year $212 Max Deal With Sixers: After spending five years playing back home for his hometown Los Angeles Clippers, free agent swingman Paul George agreed to a four-year max deal worth $212 million with the Philadelphia 76ers.
George, 34, averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 41.3 percent from three-point range for the Clippers. With the addition of “PG-13” alongside 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and recently extended Tyrese Maxey–who just inked a five-year, $207 million extension–of his own, George could be the final piece for what the Sixers hope will be an NBA title puzzle.
Notable News:
Cavs Agree to a Three-Year, $150.3 Extension: Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojarnowski, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Donovan Mitchell have agreed to a contract extension of three years and $150.3 milllion, with a player option for 2027-28. For the 2023-24 season, Mitchell averaged 26.1 points and a career-high 6.1 assists and steals at 1.8
Harden Returns To Clippers For Two Years and $70M: After losing Paul George to the Sixers, the Clippers were able to retain one of their stars in the form of fellow LA native, James Harden in agreeing to a two-year deal worth $70 million. The soon to be 35-year-old Harden averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists for the Clippers.