NBA News and Notes: Free Agency Wrapping Up
For all the NBA players that get signed right when free agency opens, there are also the ones who have to wait. One way to think of them might be as C-tier and D-tier players. They might still start and even be in the rotation, but they wait and seek the perfect deal out.
And within the last several days, more names have become available. And more is still happening, and we will review how these trades in free agency could shift the landscape in this Online Betting Sports review.
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Cavs Acquire Lauri Markkanen
The Bulls, Cavs, and Blazers did a three-team last Thursday. It was a bit of a surprise to see a deal happen, but that’s exactly what occurred. Portland acquired Larry Nance Jr. and some future picks. Chicago got the young-athletic Derrick Jones Jr., and Cleveland picked up the “unwanted” Lauri Markkanen.
Nance Jr. is an incredible defender that can knock down the three and will complement Portland’s core well. He projects to be the sixth or seventh man on next year’s squad. Jones Jr. is athletic, and a terrific defender and should provide nice depth for the Bulls.
And for Cleveland, who already has plenty of talent and youth at the power forward spot, they now have a temporary logjam. Markkanen does have some upside still, but this was an odd move by them for a number of reasons. Perhaps it will work out. But there is some doubt on the surface in CLE.
Lakers Add Another Old Flame
More than half of the offseason signings the Lakers have made this offseason has included players they had before. Five of them, in fact, are back for a second tenure. And the most recent is Rajon Rondo, who helped the team defeat the Heat in six games in the bubble.
Rondo had a bit of a rough year in 2020-21 and fell out of the Clippers rotation in the conference finals against Phoenix. He had a few good games, but in all, was relegated to mop-up duty. He joins Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, and Kent Bazemore as guys back for another tenure.
Rondo is still a wily veteran who brings a lot of intelligence to the table. He won’t be guaranteed any minutes, but we’ll see what his impact might be.
Darren Collison Might Be Back
At the ripe old age of 32, Darren Collison announced his retirement a few years back, citing a number of personal reasons. Now 34 years old, he has been seen working out for the Warriors. This is not a guarantee of an NBA return, but it is definitely interesting.
Every team could use a guy like Collison with defense and playmaking. Let’s see if a deal is done.
DeAndre Era Winding Down in Brooklyn
It just goes to show that two DeAndre’s in Brooklyn is too many. As soon as the Nets signed DeAndre Bembry, they are preparing to get rid of DeAndre Jordan.
This likely would have happened anyway, as he makes $10 million a year to ride the bench and just be an injury replacement. Agreeing to a buyout will allow him to find a new situation while also allowing the Nets to save some money.
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