Good morning. Let’s basketball.
The NBA is running out of free agents fast
Good morning. We have that and more in Sunday’s NBA newsletter.
BIG: Al Horford decided to join the Celtics, throwing the East into a good bit of tumult and changing the calculus of Kevin Durant’s yet-undeclared intentions. Horford had been considering the Celtics and Wizards when the Hawks —who’d already locked up Dwight Howard — sweetened their offer to Al. He went with Boston, agreeing to a deal just after the C’s (plus Tom Brady!) finished their (impressive) meeting with Durant.
Speaking of KD ...
UPDATED KEVIN DURANT RUMOR TRACKER. He’s expected to decide by Monday morning. It appears he’s down to the Thunder, the Warriors and the Celtics. The Heat essentially dealt themselves out with the Hassan Whiteside contract, the Clippers started re-signing their free agents (Austin Rivers at $35 million and Wes Johnson at $18 million) to suggest they are out and the Spurs ... well, the Spurs have been dead silent. (Imagine that.)
EXPLAINER TIME: Lots of NFL stars and NFL writers and whatnot are expressing disbelief or consternation at the massive deals being signed by NBA players. How can mid-tier NBA players make more than the very best NFL stars? I explain why this is happening. Short version: math.
LONG-RANGE ROCKETS: Houston got busy on Saturday, inking Ryan Anderson (4 years, $80 million) and Eric Gordon (4 years, $53 million) to deals. The front office is giving Mike D’Antoni more shooting to go with James Harden and a motley crew of athletes. This is going to be fun.
THE NEW YORK FIVE: Courtney Lee reached a 4-year, $50 million deal with the Knicks, setting up an ... interesting starting five for New York! That’d be Derrick Rose, Lee, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah.
THE WIZARDS HAVE ENTERED THE GAME: Having missed on Horford, Washington picked up Ian Mahinmi at a Mozgov price.
THE KINGS HAVE ENTERED THE GAME: The Kings are taking heed of the fire department’s warnings and purchasing only safe and sane fireworks this weekend. Sacramento inked up Arron Afflalo (2 years, $25 million) and Anthony Tolliver (2 years, $16 million). Both deals are heavily non-guaranteed in the second year.
Happy Sunday. Be excellent to each other.
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