Author Archives: Tyler

Today we’ll look at every team in the NBA’s eastern conference and give them an A-F grade depending on how they did in this NBA offseason whether that’s signing free agents, resigning players or trading for players. 

• Atlanta Hawks- B+
• Boston Celtics- B
• Brooklyn Nets- D
• Charlotte Hornets- C+
• Chicago Bulls- B+
• Cleveland Cavaliers- B
• Detroit Pistons- C+
• Indiana Pacers- C+
• Miami Heat- B
• Milwaukee Bucks- A-
• New York Knicks- B
• Orlando Magic- B-
• Philadelphia 76ers- B+
• Toronto Raptors- B
• Washington Wizards- B

With Kevin Durant being arguably the most sought after trade piece in NBA history teams are lining up to get a shot at landing Durant. Kevin did list his top spots he would like to play for which include the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns but with Durant not having a no trade clause the Nets can send Durant anywhere, and which will have the best trade package back for Brooklyn. Now there’s reportedly not much traction as of yet with a KD trade but only time will tell, in that case here are the best landing spots if I was in KD’s shoes. 

1. Golden State Warriors

Golden State for obvious reasons should number one, KD has already won there and fits right into the culture. Durant can just show up to work and hoop without having to deal with all the extra pressure of being a superstar player like Steph Curry.

2. Miami Heat

Miami is an interesting spot and if Kevin could somehow get to the Heat it would be a good spot but the trade package is tough because the Heat cant trade Bam Adebayo because of a Ben Simmons rookie contract clause.

3. Phoenix Suns

The Suns are a good spot but its been reported multiple times that the Nets want Devin Booker in any trade package for KD which is a dealbreaker for Phoenix, if KD was to go to the Suns and pair up with Devin Booker that would be a duo the NBA would fear and add to that a facilitator like Chris Paul.

4. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have its advantages and disadvantages, if Durant was traded to Toronto I think it would be like a Kawhi Leonard situation as the culture is already set and Durant can just hoop, but players have made it known it’s more difficult to play in Toronto due to it being a whole different country.

5. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are on the list more of the fact that they could offer a trade package Brooklyn would like more than most of the teams in the NBA, but KD would fit well in Boston as the culture is set, you have a young superstar wing player in Jayson Tatum and the front office in Brad Stevens is a super smart GM.

It’s been a wild start to free agency since Thursday, since free agency has started the NBA set a record high for money spent in free agency and were done yet, the NBA has spent over $2.8 billion dollars so far. Now that many of the big name players are gone, free agency is starting to cool down, but the trades and rumors have not stopped yet.

• Lakers, Nets discussing Irving, Westbrook swap

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets are discussing a Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook swap, it’s been reported the Lakers want Seth Curry over Joe Harris due to trying to match contracts.

• Darius Garland inks massive extension

Darius Garland and the Cleveland Cavaliers agree to a massive 5 year $193 million dollar extension which could be worth up to $231 million dollars.

• Kevin Durant massive want for Heat trade

Kevin Durant has made it very clear he will not play for the Nets and Durant said publicly in order to want to play for the Heat Durant would want the core of Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry and Bam Adebayo to still be intact.

• Cody Martin signs deal with Charlotte

Restricted free agent forward Cody Martin signs a new deal to stay with the Hornets, 4 year $32 million dollars.

It’s been a wild start to free agency since Thursday, since free agency has started the NBA set a record high for money spent in free agency and were done yet, the NBA has spent over $2.8 billion dollars so far. Now that many of the big name players are gone, free agency is starting to cool down, but the trades and rumors have not stopped yet. 

• Rudy Gobert traded to the Timberwolves 

Rudy Gobert has been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for 4 first round picks and players.

• Malcolm Brogdon traded to the Celtics

Malcolm Brogdon has been traded to the Boston Celtics for a 2023 first round pick and multiple bench players.

• Zach Lavine signs massive extension

Zach Lavine signs a massive 5 year $215 million dollar extension with the Chicago Bulls.

• Zion Williamson signs massive rookie extension

Pelicans star Zion Williamson is staying with the team on a new 5 year, $231 million dollar extension.

• Kevin Huerter to the Kings

The Kings are trading for Kevin Huerter for a future first round pick and multiple players.

• John Wall officially signs 2 year contract with Clippers

John Wall has officially signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on a 2 year $13 million dollar deal and will wear number 11.

• Mitchell Robinson inks 4 year deal with Knicks

Mitchell Robinson has become the first New York Knicks player in 28 years to sign a second contract with the team, Robinson has signed a team friendly 4 year $60 million dollar deal.   

• Devin Booker set to be NBA 2k 23 cover athlete 

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is set to be the cover athlete of NBA 2k 23, Booker had a good day signing a massive 4 year $224 million dollar extension and becoming the cover athlete of 2k 23.

With NBA free agency kicking off last night at 6pm E.T the money has been pouring in the last 12 hours with over $1 billion dollars already spent. Let’s break down all the big free agent signings so far. 

Contract Extensions

• Nikola Jokic 5 years $264 million {Nuggets}
• Devin Booker 4 years $224 million {Suns}
• Ja Morant 5 years $193 million {Grizzlies}
• Karl Anthony-Towns 4 years $224 million {Timberwolves}
• Bradley Beal 5 years $251 million {Wizards} 
• Anfernee Simons 4 years $100 million {Trailblazers}
• Lu Dort 5 years $87.5 million {Thunder}
• Bobby Portis 4 years $49 million {Bucks}
• Victor Oladipo 1 year $11 million {Heat}
• Marvin Bagley 3 years $37 million {Pistons}
• Chris Boucher 3 years $35 million {Raptors}
• Nic Claxton 2 years $20 million {Nets}
• Tyus Jones 2 years $30 million {Grizzlies}
• Mo Bamba 2 years $21 million {Magic}
• Nicolas Batum 2 years $22 million {Clippers}
• Patty Mills 2 years $14.5 million {Nets}
• Thaddeus Young 2 years $16 million {Raptors}
• Amir Coffey 3 years $11 million {Clippers}

Players going to new teams

• Jalen Brunson 4 years $104 million {Knicks}
• JaVale McGee 3 years $20 million {Mavericks}
• Andre Drummond 2 years $6.6 million {Bulls}
• Delon Wright 2 years $16 million {Wizards}
• Kyle Anderson 2 years $18 million {Timberwolves} 
• Kevin Knox 2 years $6 million {Pistons}
• P.J Tucker 3 years $33 million {76ers}
• Malik Monk 2 years $20 million {Kings}
• Isiah Hartenshien 2 years $16 million {Knicks}
• Danuel House 2 years $8.5 million {76ers}
• Lonnie Walker IV 1 year $6.5 million {Lakers}
• Troy Brown JR. 1 year minimum {Lakers}
• Joe Ingles {Bucks}
• Deandre Jordan {Nuggets}
• Damian Jones 2 years {Lakers}

Sources:| Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights

The NBA yesterday had lots of news and stories break. In this article I’ll be breaking down the biggest stories that happened on June 29. Today {June 30} free agency starts and I’ll be covering all the news around the league. 

• Dejounte Murray traded to Hawks

Dejounte Murray has been officially traded to the Atlanta Hawks for 3 first round picks, a 2026 pick swap and Danilo Gallinari, this will be an interesting fit as Hawks PG Trae Young is top 10 in usage rate and Murray is also a high usage rate player. 

• James Harden declines player option

James Harden has declined his $47.1 million dollar player option to become a unrestricted free agent, Harden and the 76ers are already in talks to sign an extension, Harden is expected to sign a 4 year deal worth 30-37 million a year, making it a team friendly deal for the sixers to make a championship push. 

• Nuggets trade for Caldwell-Pope 

The Denver Nuggets have made a trade with the Washington Wizards, The Nuggets receive SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith in exchange for Monte Morris and SG Will Barton. 

• Deandre Ayton returning to suns?

With Phoenix Suns star center Deandre Ayton not being happy with no max contract offer from the Suns, Ayton is looking to get paid this offseason, but many higher up media members are saying there’s little to no market for Ayton which could possibly believe Ayton could return to the Suns on a one year deal.

The NBA yesterday had lots of news and stories break. In this article I’ll be breaking down the biggest stories that happened on June 28. 

• Russell Westbrook Opts into his final year with Lakers

Russell Westbrook has been considered the worst contract in the NBA as of today and many people believe the Lakers are stuck with him for his final year, Westbrook announced he’ll be opting into his final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers which is $47.1 million dollars.

• NY Knicks Reportedly offering Jalen Brunson $110 million

It’s been rumored all offseason that the New York Knicks are highly interested in Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson. The Knicks have been clearing lots of cap space in order to make a huge push for Brunson and are reportedly going to offer Jalen 4 years $110 million dollar contract which is way more than most teams thought Brunson was going to get after the season ended.

• La Clippers, Ivica Zubac agree to contract extension

Zubac has been a good player for the Clippers since being traded to the Clippers, Zubac and the Clippers have agreed to a 3 year $33 million dollar extension

• David Fizzdale set to become Jazz associate GM

David Fizzdale is set to become the associate GM for the Utah Jazz. After Fizzdale was fired from being the Knicks head coach 2 seasons ago, David will get another shot in the NBA.

• Jazz Hire Celtics assistant Will Hardy as new head coach

Will Hardy will become the youngest head coach in the NBA at just 34 years old, Hardy was considered a big part of the coaching which led to the Boston Celtics having so much success last season and now will be taking on the role of the Utah Jazz head coach.

• PHX Suns extend qualifying offer for Deandre Ayton

The Phoenix Suns have accepted the qualifying offer, making Deandre Ayton a restricted free agent, making a sign and trade possible if that’s what Phoenix wants.

• CLE Cavs extend qualifying offer for Colin Sexton

The Cleveland Cavaliers have accepted the qualifying offer for guard Colin Sexton. Sexton is coming off a season ending injury and hasnt been offered a contract extension from the Cavs and if fact no teams have really been rumored to go after Sexton in free agency yet.

In the last 24 hours there’s been many different stories breaking about what player is signing new contracts or the rumors going on with different players, let’s go through some of the breaking news that’s happened recently. 

• John Wall, Rockets agree to buy-out

John Wall and the Houston Rockets agree to a contract buy-out making Wall a unrestricted free agent, Wall will be shaving $6.5 million off his $47.4 million dollar contract. Wall is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. 

• Kyrie Irving announces he’s opting into his player option

Kyrie Irving announced on twitter he’ll be opting into his $37 million dollar player option for the 2022-2023 season after the Nets found no sign-and-trade options for the star point guard. 

• Free agents likely to be on a new team next season

The NBA ranked the 10 best free agents 1.James Harden 2.Deandre Ayton 3.Zach Lavine 4.Jalen Brunson 5. Miles Bridges 6.Collin Sexton 7.Luguentz Dort 8.Marvin Bagley lll 9. Bruce Brown 10. Carmelo Anthony. This is interesting because most of the top players are going to either resign or accept their player option.

Sources: 10 most intriguing free agents this offseason | NBA.com

Being in the midst of the NBA offseason this is a slow time for news in sports in general, but I’m looking into small stories to write everyday. These stories might not be the most exciting but here they are. 

• Steve Clifford returns back to Hornets for the second time as a head coach, with Warriors assistant head coach bailing on the Hornets after agreeing to a four year deal but since decided to return to the Warriors, Clifford will since then return to the Hornets.

• A LeBron James trading card sells for $2.4 million dollars at auction, a one of three LeBron card with a logo patch sells for a record high.

• Chicago Bulls GM reportedly already told Bulls guard Zach Lavine that they’ll offer Lavine the five year max extension. 

• The Lakers front office and Russell Westbrook have reportedly asked Westbrook to take a more defensive role next season for the Lakers. 

• The New York Knicks reportedly are making a very aggressive push for Mavs free agent Jalen Brunson.