NBA free agency tracker: Carmelo Anthony joining close friend LeBron James on the Lakers
One NBA season morphs into another.
NBA free agency is here, not that far ahead of next season.
Following two unusual seasons in which COVID-19 impact the regular season and playoffs, the league is slated to get back on its regular schedule this season.
FYI: Training camp opens Sept. 28, and the regular season begins Oct. 19.
There are some All-Stars and future Hall of Famers available and then a bunch of solid role players in free agency. Who ends up where? Which teams have salary cap space or the front-office know-how to get a franchise-altering deal done?
Here are players who reached deals with teams during free agency.
Tuesday’s deals (Aug. 3)
► Guard Kendrick Nunn came to terms with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year, $10 million deal, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Spor
► Guard Ish Smith reached a deal with Charlotte for one season, a person with knowledge of the agreement told USA TODAY Sports.
► The Los Angeles Lakers and restricted free agent Talen Horton-Tucker agreed to a three-year, $32 million deal for him to stay, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports. Horton Tucker is a rising young talent that has impressed Lakers with his scoring and defense after securing him in 2019 on a draft-day deal with the Orlando Magic. The Lakes are also in dire need of young players after trading away Kyle Kuzma as part of the Russell Westbrook deal with Washington and declining to exceed Alex Caruso’s four-year, $37 million deal with the Chicago Bulls.
► DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls are ironing out the final details of a contract that is expected to pay DeRozan $85 million over three seasons, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY. This will end up being a sign-and-trade with the San Antonio Spurs who are expected to acquire Thad Young, Al-Farouq Aminu and draft picks from the Bulls who are quickly altering the lineup along with the addition of Lonzo Ball.
► Carmelo Anthony is finally teaming up with his longtime friend LeBron James. Anthony announced on Twitter he plans to sign a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
► The Brooklyn Nets continued to make moves to fill out their roster, reaching a two-year, $12 million deal with Patty Mills and a one-year deal with James Johnson. Bruce Brown agreed to sign his one-year, $4.7 million qualifying offer, which will make him an unrestricted free agent following 202102
► Forward Nemanja Bjelica agreed to join the Golden State Warriors on a one-year deal, two people familiar with the terms told USA TODAY Sports. A person added that five other teams had considered acquiring Bjelica through the mid-level exception, but he wanted to join the Warriors instead.
► Center Robin Lopez and the Orlando Magic came to terms on a one-year, $5 million deal, two people with knowledge of the agreement told USA TODAY Sports. Lopez gives the rebuilding Magic a veteran presence on the court and in the locker room.
► Forward Rudy Gay and the Utah Jazz have reached an agreement on a two-year, $12.1 deal, his agency, Roc Nation, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
► Center Andre Drummond and the Philadelphia 76ers agreed on a one-year deal, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports. The Sixers found a serviceable backup center for Joel Embiid after Dwight Howard left for a one-year deal with the Lakers in what essentially became a team swap among centers.
Monday’s deals (Aug. 2)
► Point guard Lonzo Ball agreed to a four-year, $85 million offer sheet with the Chicago Bulls. This deal will end up being part of a sign-and-trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.