Note from the editor: NBA free agency began on Friday at 6:00 p.m. ET. Check out our Thursday tracker to see the deals and exchanges that occurred before to the deadline.The Houston Rockets agreed to a max contract with Fred VanVleet because they wanted to use their salary cap space. The Phoenix Suns still wish to add elite players, but they lack the salary cap space to do so short of making a significant trade. Though they were unable to acquire Bruce Brown, the Los Angeles Lakers still made a lot of intriguing moves.
At 6 p.m. ET on Friday, free agency got underway. A number of teams were hoping to bolster their rosters in an attempt to move up to the postseason or the championship. Some could have to achieve it through trade, as James Harden might have to do after choosing to play out his final season in Philadelphia with the expectation that the Sixers will deal him.Who will act appropriately? That will happen through trades or signings during free agency.
While USA TODAY Sports keeps you informed, let’s look at the latest news on free agents:The No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft, guard Anthony Edwards, and his agent Bill Duffy of WME Sports announced that Edwards has committed to a five-year designated rookie agreement worth at least $207 million, with the chance of exceeding $250 million. The cornerstone of the team, Edwards posted career-highs in points (24.6), rebounds (5.8), assists (4.4), field goal percentage (45.9%), and 3-point percentage (36.9%) during the previous season. He becomes the fourth member of the 2020 class to sign a max extension, following Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana, Desmond Bane of Memphis, and LaMelo Ball of Charlotte.
According to ESPN, veteran center Mason Plumlee has agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract to rejoin the Los Angeles Clippers.According to ESPN, Torrey Craig, a dependable two-way player, agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Chicago Bulls that includes a player option for the second season.The Denver Nuggets have signed veteran guard Justin Holiday to a one-year contract, a person with direct knowledge of the agreement told USA TODAY Sports. For a squad that lost Jeff Green and Bruce Brown to free agency, Holiday adds depth.The Denver Nuggets have signed veteran guard Justin Holiday to a one-year contract, a person with direct knowledge of the agreement told USA TODAY Sports. For a squad that lost Jeff Green and Bruce Brown to free agency, Holiday adds depth.
Protect ESPN reports that Lonnie Walker IV has reached an agreement to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. Walker IV entered the starting lineup late in Los Angeles’ journey to the Western Conference Finals last season, averaging 11 points per contest.Center USA TODAY Sports was informed by Cody Zeller’s agent Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports that the player had signed to a one-year, $3.1 million contract with New Orleans. During the previous season, Zeller played a significant role for the Heat, starting a couple pivotal games in his brief postseason career.
Moving forward According to his agent Rich Paul, Miles Bridges has accepted a $7.9 million, one-year qualifying offer to rejoin the Charlotte Hornets. In April 2022, Bridges was suspended by the NBA for 30 games without pay due to an incident of domestic violence that happened in June 2022. Bridges filed a plea of no contest in November 2022 and missed the entirety of the previous season. Despite this, he will only miss 10 games because the NBA is giving him credit for 20. Bridges will become an unrestricted free agency following the 2019–20 season because he and Charlotte were unable to reach an agreement on an extension.
Protect The Athletic reports that Eric Gordon has agreed to a contract with the Phoenix Suns. Gordon averaged 12 points per game while playing for the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers last season. The Clippers released Gordon last week after acquiring him in a midseason trade. Gordon was selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and started his career with the Clippers. While he was a member of the Rockets, he was selected the Sixth Man of the Year for 2016–17. Throughout his 15-year NBA career, Gordon has averaged 16 points per game.Jordan Clarkson and Jazz will stay together.
Protect The Utah Jazz and 2020–21 Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson worked out a three-year, $55 million contract extension, a person with knowledge of the negotiations revealed to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity. For the Jazz the previous season, Clarkson averaged 20.8 points, 4.4 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 44.4% from the field.