NBA: 2017 Transactions Tracker
The 2017 offseason is in full affect, and our NBA Staff is here to keep track of all of the major free agent signings, trades, releases, and more. Each portion will be dedicated to a singular transaction, immediately after it happens, and the tracker will be updated as frequently as possible. Stay tuned for a wild ride, as free agency technically begins on July 1st, but will take up most of our summertime!
1. D'Angelo Russell Traded to the Brooklyn Nets (June 22, 2017): Russell's play was up-and-down in his two years with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Magic Johnson was quick to get rid of the former No. 2 overall pick, in favor of Lonzo Ball, the rookie out of UCLA. The Brooklyn Nets are giving up Brook Lopez, while getting Russell and Timofey Mozgov. It's pretty much a way for the Lakers to clear a lot of cap space.
2. Dwight Howard Traded to the Charlotte Hornets (June 22, 2017): Howard played above average with the Atlanta Hawks, in just one season, but they were already ready to part ways with him, just a week into the NBA offseason. The Charlotte Hornets are sending Miles Plumlee, Marco Belenelli, and a pick to the Atlanta Hawks. Howard, after being a superstar for multiple years, has really fallen off of the map.
3. Jimmy Butler Traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves (June 22, 2017): Butler, three-time NBA All-Star is finally on his way out of Chicago, after the Bulls placed him on the trading block more than two years ago. Chicago receives Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and the No. 7 pick, while the Minnesota Timberwolves are getting Butler and the No. 16 selection. The Bulls will no look to rebuild, as Minnesota chances the postseason.
4. Chris Paul Traded to the Houston Rockets (June 28, 2017): Paul, nine-time NBA All-Star, is being traded to the Houston Rockets, after he informed the Los Angeles Clippers that he was going to exit during free agency on July 1st. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Clippers will receive Patrick Beverly, Sam Dekker, Lou Williams, and a 2018 first round pick. Houston immediately becomes second fiddle to the Warriors.
5. Blake Griffin Re-Signs with the Los Angeles Clippers (June 30, 2017): Griffin, the 2009 No. 1 overall draft pick of the Los Angeles Clippers, is going to re-sign with the team, on a 5-year deal. He will be the best player going forward, and the Clippers' next move is to look for a small forward to add next to Griffin, namely Andre Iguodala or Danilo Gallinari. Griffin was expected to meet with the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder.
6. Paul George Traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder (June 30, 2017): George, a four-time All-Star, has been on the trading block for nearly two seasons, and he is finally out of Indiana. The Pacers will be receiving Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, in exchange for George. It is understood that George will leave for the Los Angeles Lakers when he becomes a free agent, but for now, he'll pair up with Russell Westbrook.
7. Stephen Curry Re-Signs with the Golden State Warriors (July 1, 2017): Curry is a two-time NBA MVP, and has won two championships with the Warriors, and during that time, he's been largely underpaid considering his accomplishments and skillset. Underpaid no more. Curry now has the largest contract in NBA history, notching a 5-year deal worth $201 million. He averaged 25.3 points per game last year.
8. Serge Ibaka Re-Signs with the Toronto Raptors (July 2, 2017): Ibaka, the former Defensive Player of the Year, has agreed to a three-year, $65 million contract, to stay with the Toronto Raptors. I'm actually somewhat surprised that it took nearly 36 hours for the two sides to agree to a deal. I expected Ibaka to be one of the first players to re-sign, among all NBA teams. All in all, though, the Raptors are bringing him back.
9. Paul Millsap Signs with the Denver Nuggets (July 3, 2017): Millsap is one of the best power forwards the game has, and even though he doesn't get a ton of attention, he's an All-Star year in and year out. Millsap averaged 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season, with the Atlanta Hawks he'll be on his way to the Denver Nuggets. And all of a sudden, the Nuggets have a pretty good squad.
10. Gordon Hayward Signs with the Boston Celtics (July 4, 2017): Hayward was the most coveted free agent this season, as he's been an All-Star for some time now, and after meeting with the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Utah Jazz, he is going to reunite with his former college head coach, Brad Stevens, with the Celtics. He will be headed to Boston on a four-year deal that gives him a chance to compete for a championship.
Photo Credit: The Coli.
