NBA Free Agency Live Blog: Mike Conley Nearing Return to Jazz


Stay up to date with all of the latest news and rumors as NBA free agency kicks off.

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The first night of NBA free agency is now in the books, and there was no shortage of movement on Monday night. Kyle Lowry found a new home in Miami, the Lakers made a slew of veteran additions and Lonzo Ball is headed north as he looks to lead the Bulls to the playoffs.

The offseason game of musical chairs isn’t over just yet. We should still see some movement in the point-guard market in the coming days, and Kawhi Leonard hasn’t officially re-signed with the Clippers after opting out of the final year of his deal on Sunday night. Perhaps a blockbuster move or two is in store in the coming days as teams jockey for position ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Stay up to date with all the latest NBA news below as free agency begins:

12:35 a.m. ET – Wizards Nearing Spencer Dinwiddie Deal

The Wizards have found their new point guard after trading Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles. Washington reportedly agreed to a deal with Spencer Dinwiddie on Monday night, with the deal sitting at roughly $60 million over three years, per Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer. As the point guard market continues to shift, one of the top options has likely found a home.

11 p.m. ET – Richaun Holmes Remains in Sacramento

The Kings will keep a key piece in the frontcourt after signing center Richaun Holmes to a four-year, $55 million deal, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Holmes, 27, averaged a career-high 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last season. He made 60 starts in 61 games, shooting 63.7 percent from the field. 

10:20 p.m. ET – Another Wing for the Lakers

The Lakers continue to add veterans on Monday night as Kent Bazemore will reportedly join Los Angeles on a one-year deal, per The Athletic's Shams Charania. Bazemore is the latest wing to join the Lakers, signing on Monday alongside Wayne Ellington and Trevor Ariza.

10 p.m. ET – Blake Griffin Returning to Nets

The Nets will keep another multi-time All-Star on their roster in 2021–22 as they re-signed Blake Griffin on a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski

Griffin, 32, is a six-time All-Star and a five-time All-NBA selection. He averaged 11 points per game with Brooklyn last year after a four-year stint with Detroit.

9:30 p.m. ET – New Orleans Acquires Devonte' Graham

Lonzo Ball is joining the Bulls, but the Pelicans did find a replacement for the UCLA product in free agency. New Orleans will acquire point guard Devonte' Graham in a sign-and-trade with the Hornets, sending a first-round pick to Charlotte in the deal, per The Athletic's Shams Charania. Graham is expected to sign a four-year, $47 million deal upon the trade's completion, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

9:10 p.m. ET – Miami Makes Another Addition

P.J. Tucker is on the move after winning the championship with Milwaukee in 2021. Tucker will join the Heat next season, marking the latest addition in a busy night for Miami, per The Athletic's Shams Charania. The Heat have already re-signed Duncan Robinson on a $90 million deal, and they've added Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry via a sign-and-trade.

9 p.m. ET – Reggie Bullock Joining Mavericks

Reggie Bullock cashed in on his impressive 2020–21 on Monday night as he agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Mavericks, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania

Bullock, 30, averaged 10.9 points per game last season, his second with the Knicks. He made a career-high 64 starts in 2020–21.

8:50 p.m. ET – Daniel Theis Heads to Houston

The Rockets lost center Kelly Olynyk to Detroit on Monday night, but Houston quickly found a replacement as it signed Daniel Theis to a four-year, $36 million deal, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Rockets are looking to rise out of the Western Conference cellar in 2021–22 after posting the NBA's worst record last season.

8:40 p.m. ET – JaVale McGee Signs With Suns

Phoenix should have more rim protection in 2021–22 after agreeing to a one-year, $5 million deal with JaVale McGee, per Yahoo's Chris Haynes. McGee will join the Suns after playing with Team USA in Tokyo.

8:20 p.m. ET – Alex Caruso Joins Chicago

The Bulls have now added two ex-Lakers point guards in free agency after signing Alex Caruso to a four-year, $37 million deal, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Chicago's moves in the offseason continues a push to compete in the Eastern Conference following the acquisition of center Nikola Vucevic in March.

8:15 p.m. ET – Knicks Add Evan Fournier

The Knicks didn't add one of the premier point guards in free agency, though they did sign Celtics shooting guard Evan Fournier to a four-year deal, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Fournier's deal will be worth up to $73 million, per Wojnarowski. The Knicks also retained point guard Derrick Rose on Monday, signing the former MVP to a four-year, $43 million deal, per Wojnarowski.

7:55 p.m. ET – Dwight Howard Returning to Lakers

The Lakers continue to round out their roster after acquiring Russell Westbrook, with center Dwight Howard standing as the latest acquisition, per The Athletic's Shams Charania

Howard returns to the Lakers after winning the title with Los Angeles in 2020. 

7:40 p.m. ET – Lakers Add Two Veterans

LeBron James added another veteran teammate on Monday as the Lakers agreed to a deal with Trevor Ariza, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski

Ariza, 36, played 30 games last season as he averaged 9.4 points per game. He's played for 10 teams in 17 seasons, including a two-year stint with the Lakers from 2007-09.

Los Angeles also signed free-agent guard Wayne Ellington to a one-year deal, per Yahoo's Chris Haynes.

7:35 p.m. ET — Gary Trent Back With Toronto

The Raptors have retained Gary Trent in free agency after Kyle Lowry’s departure to Miami, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Trent’s deal is reportedly worth $45 million over three years. He joined Toronto in March in exchange for forward Norman Powell.

7:25 p.m. ET – Bobby Portis Returns to Bucks 

Bobby Portis will look to secure his second straight ring with the Bucks in 2021–22 after signing a two-year, $9 million deal with Milwaukee, per The Athletic's Shams Charania. Portis will have a player option for the second year of his deal. 

7:15 p.m. ET – Jeff Green Joins Nuggets

Jeff Green will leave the Nets for a Western Conference contender as he signs a two-year, $10 million deal with the Nuggets, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews. Denver will mark Green's 11th NBA team in 14 seasons.

7:00 p.m. ET – Duncan Robinson Secures $90 Million

Miami will bring back sharpshooting forward Duncan Robinson on a five-year, $90 million deal, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski

Robinson's return is just one of many marquee moves for Miami on Monday night as the Heat have also agreed to a sign-and-trade for Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry. With Robinson, Lowry, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in tow, a Finals return isn't out of the question for the Heat in 2022.

6:50 p.m. ET – Trae Young Nearing Extension

Trae Young isn't entering free agency anytime soon. Atlanta's star is expected to sign a five-year, $170 million extension, with potential triggers that lead to a $201.5 million deal, per The Athletic's Sam Amick.

2018 draft mate Luka Dončić is also eligible to sign a similar extension this offseason. 

6:40 p.m. ET – McConnell Stays With Indiana

The Pacers agreed to a four-year, $35 million contract with guard TJ McConnell, per The Athletic's Shams Charania

Indiana's commitment to McConnell marks another significant salary to its crowded cap sheet. The Pacers are currently slated to have seven players earn at least $10 million next season, led by $21.7 million for fellow point guard Malcolm Brogdon. Perhaps the Pacers could make for one of the offseason's top trade partners before the start of 2021–22.

6:35 p.m. ET – Payne Returning to Phoenix

Cameron Payne will remain in Phoenix alongside Chris Paul after agreeing to a three-year, $19 million deal on Monday, according to Yahoo's Chris Haynes. Payne returns to the Suns after averaging 8.4 points per game last season on 44 percent from three. 

6:25 p.m. ET – Denver Brings Back Barton, Green

Denver is bringing back a pair of wings in 2021–22 after reportedly agreeing to contracts with JaMychal Green and Will Barton. Green will earn a $17 million deal over two years, per The Athletic's Shams Charania, while Barton will sign a two-year, $32 million deal, per Yahoo's Chris Haynes. After three straight playoff appearances, the Nuggets are keeping their core intact ahead of 2021–22.

6:15 p.m. ET – Allen Gets Major Money

The Cavaliers are doubling down on their twin towers experiment after drafting USC center Evan Mobley with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NBA draft. Cleveland signed Jarrett Allen to a five-year, $100 million deal on Monday, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, bringing back the center after 51 games for the team last season. Perhaps Allen and Mobley can create a stout interior that leads Cleveland back to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

6:10 p.m. ET – Hardway Returning to Dallas

The Mavericks didn't land Lonzo Ball nor Kyle Lowry in free agency, but Dallas will still return a marquee piece in 2021–22. Dallas signed forward Tim Hardaway Jr. to a four-year, $74 million deal on Monday, bringing back its third-leading scorer behind Luka Dončić and Kristaps Porziņģis, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. Next season will mark Hardaway's fourth in Dallas after stints in New York and Atlanta.

Dallas is also expected to re-sign center Boban Marjanovic, per Charania

6:05 p.m. ET – Lonzo Ball Joining Bulls

The Bulls secured one of the major pieces on the point-guard market on Monday evening as they signed Lonzo Ball to a four-year, $85 million deal, per The Athletic's Shams Charania

Chicago will reportedly acquire Ball via a sign-and-trade. New Orleans will acquire Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple and a second-round pick in exchange for the former No. 2 pick. 

Sports Illustrated's Michael Pina grades Chicago's deal with Ball.

6:00 p.m. ET – Kyle Lowry Moving to Miami

Kyle Lowry is on the way to Miami after nine seasons in Toronto. The six-time All-Star and 2019 NBA champion is joining the Heat on a three-year deal, and he will arrive with his new club via a sign-and-trade, according to Yahoo Sports's Vincent Goodwill. Perhaps Miami will return to the Finals picture in 2022 after making one of the first major splashes of free agency.

Lowry's deal is reportedly worth $90 million over three years, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Sports Illustrated's Rohan Nadkarni grades Miami's addition of Lowry

5:45 p.m. ET – John Collins, Hawks 'Not Close' to Deal

Atlanta could see one of the key pieces from its playoff run on the move before next season, per The Athletic's Shams Charania. The Hawks are reportedly "not close" to an agreement with John Collins, continuing a theme from their negotiations before 2020–21. 

Collins turned in an impressive fourth season last year despite his looming free agency. He shot 55.6 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from three, adding 17.6 points and 7.4 points per game. Collins and the Hawks advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before losing to the Bucks in six games. 

5:30 p.m. ET – Mike Conley Nearing Jazz Return

Utah's point guard may be one of the few backcourt pieces staying put as free agency begins. Conley is expected to finalize a three-year deal with the Jazz, returning to the team after an All-Star campaign in 2020–21, according to The Athletic's Tony Jones

Conley averaged 16.2 points and six assists last season, though he missed five games of the Western Conference semifinals due to a hamstring injury. The Jazz enter 2021–22 seeking their sixth straight playoff appearance and their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1998.

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