Good morning, Kyle Lowry got paid
That and much, much more in Thursday’s NBA newsletter.
Good morning. Let’s basketball.
K-LOW IN T.O.: With little drama, quick work and big dollars, Kyle Lowry -- who was nearly traded for a future first early this season -- is staying in Toronto. The Raptors signed the point guard to a four-year, $48 million deal. A number of teams wanted to pitch Lowry, but he ended up taking few meetings and agreeing quickly, on the second day of free agency.
This basically ensures that the Raptors will be in play in the East next season, barring injury. Toronto finished the No. 3 seed last season.
LEBRON AND THE GRINDING HALT: Most of free agency is held up while LeBron ponders his options, writes Paul Flannery. And there’s a report suggesting that Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are in the dark on King James’ plans, too.
KIDD AND HOLLINS: Lionel Hollins is back in the league and coaching the Nets. Meanwhile, Jason Kidd had his press conference in Milwaukee, and it was peculiar.
MELODRAMA II VISITS TEXAS: Carmelo Anthony didn’t spend a ton of time meeting with the Rockets or Mavericks, but did manage to turn Jeremy Lin against Houston. Why? The Rockets photoshopped Melo into a Houston uniform ... wearing Lin’s No. 7. Given the history between Melo and Lin -- including Melo suggesting the point guard shouldn’t be paid like a star -- that rubbed the former Knick the wrong way. Welp.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks seem confident. Next up for Melo: a visit with the Lakers. Kobe Bryant flew in from Europe to be there. Jodie Meeks is insulted by that news.
GORDON WAYARD: There are lots of rumors around the Cavaliers’ interest in Gordon Hayward. Utah might be exercising its implicit power of restricted free agency by deterring Cleveland from making an offer.
MORE DEALS: A few more deals did get done on Wednesday. Patty Mills, though injured, re-signed with the Spurs for $12 million over three years. C.J. Miles headed to Indiana on a four-year, $18 million deal. And inexplicably, the Magic signed Ben Gordon to a two-year, $9 million deal.
PIERCE TO L.A.? The Clippers want to pull a sign-and-trade for Paul Pierce, but there’s concern that the Nets don’t want any of L.A.‘s movable players. Those guys must be too cheap for Brooklyn’s taste.
BYE BYE BOOZER: Chicago has reportedly told Carlos Boozer he won’t be back, either due to trade or amnesty.There’s some conflicting reportage on whether it’s definite or a possibility he’ll be waived, though.
LIVINGSTONEWALLED: Mark Deeks on the financial implications of the Shaun Livingston deal to the hard-capped Warriors.
PUT THE QUAD CITY DJS IN THE HALL OF FAME: An impressive collection of Space Jam theme song mashups. My favorites: “My Slam Will Jam On” (Titanic!) and the Frozen mashup “Let It Slam.” Jams for the whole fam.
Happy Thursday. See you next time.
