NBA Offseason Moves and The Latest From Free Agency | OSB
NBA Free Agency: The Latest Moves, Deals, and Rumors
By Sam Batz
The NBA free agency period has once again unleashed a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation for basketball fans around the world. As teams look to bolster their rosters and vie for championship contention, the off-season has been marked by blockbuster trades, high-profile signings, and unexpected player movement. The free agency period is in full swing, and with star players changing teams or signing massive contracts with their current ones, here’s the latest moves from around the league that you need to know about.
Damian Lillard Requests Trade
Portland Trail Blazers superstar point guard, Damian Lillard, has officially requested a trade after 11 seasons with the team. Drafted 6th overall out of Weber State back in 2012, Lillard has been the centerpiece of the Blazers offense ever since. His command of the offense, immaculate long-range shooting, and explosive nature through the lane has earned him 7 NBA All-Star appearances, 1 All-NBA First Team selection, 4 All-NBA Second Team selections, and 1 All-NBA Third Team selection. Lillard leads the Trail Blazers franchise in both points (19,376) and 3-pointers made (2,387) and is 2nd in total assists (5,151). Dame has certainly left his mark on the city of Portland, and as a Blazer’s fan myself I will be sad to see the legend go.
Lillard not only believed in the Blazers, but was a staple in the Portland community. He cared about the people of the city and gave the fans a reason to go to every game. I wish him the best on the next chapter of his journey, and the team that ends up with the 32-year old point guard is getting one of the best to ever do it. Three teams have been linked to having interest in trading for Dame: Miami Heat, LA Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers. The Blazers are expected to accommodate Lillard’s trade request, out of respect for everything he’s done for the organization, and are seeking young talent and future draft picks in exchange for the superstar point guard.
Fred VanVleet Signs With Houston
29-year old point guard Fred VanVleet has left the Toronto Raptors after 7 seasons with the team, and will join the Houston Rockets next season. It was reported that VanVleet has agreed to a 3-year, $130 million contract with the Rockets. VanVleet made the NBA All-Star team in 2022, and was an NBA Champion with the Raptors in 2019. Houston was able to acquire VanVleet by dishing out the first max contract of this year’s free agency, which just so happens to be the largest contract for any undrafted player in NBA history.
VanVleet adds a much needed spark to the Houston Rockets, who have finished with 14, 20, and 21 wins in the last three seasons. His 3-point shooting and playmaking abilities will be deployed by first-year coach Ime Udoka, who took the Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022. The Rockets are adding a vital veteran presence with VanVleet, who will look to guide the young Rockets to their first playoff appearance in four years.
Kyrie Irving Remains a Maverick
Kyrie Irving was one of the biggest names of free agency, and after some uncertainty about his future, the 31-year old point guard has decided to stay with the Dallas Mavericks. It was reported that Irving agreed to a 3-year, $126 million contract. Kyrie is considered one of the most-skilled guards to ever grace the court, but after some unceremonial exits from his past teams, it was unclear whether he would remain in Dallas. The Mavericks acquired Irving halfway through the season last year, but were an underwhelming 8-12 (40%) with the 8x All-Star, and were 5-11 (31.3%) with both Kyrie and Luka Doncic on the floor together. Clearly the organization believes that record will improve however, and they have broken the bank to make it happen.
More Notable Deals From Around The League
The highlighted deals and moves above are just a drop in the ocean of this year’s free agency. Here are more of the notable deals from around the league:
- Khris Middleton agrees to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks on a 3-year, $102 million contract.
- Jerami Grant reached an agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers to stay with the team on a 5-year, $160 million contract.
- Draymond Green has decided to remain a Warrior, as the 33-year old power forward strikes a 4-year, $100 million deal with Golden State.
- Bruce Brown is leaving the reigning champion Denver Nuggets to join the Indiana Pacers on a 2-year, $45 million contract.
- Kyle Kuzma will stay with the Washington Wizards on a 3-year, $126 million contract.
- Desmond Bane has agreed to a 5-year, $207 million contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies, the franchise’s first $200 million deal in history.
- Dennis Schroder is heading to the Toronto Raptors on a 2-year, $26 million contract to replace Fred VanVleet as the Raptors starting point guard.
- D’Angelo Russell will remain an LA Laker, as he and the franchise agree to a 2-year, $37 million contract.
- Cam Johnson is staying with the Brooklyn Nets on a 4-year, $108 million contract after he was a part of the blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Suns.
- Max Strus is leaving the Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat to join the Cleveland Cavaliers on a 4-year, $63 million sign-and-trade deal.
More deals are surly in the works, as players like Brook Lopez, Russell Westbrook, Austin Reaves, and Dillion Brooks remain on the board. There are teams with plenty of cap space to sign one of these notable players, and OSB will be here to provide all the updates and latest moves of the NBA offseason.
